The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man identified as Moferewa Maiye for allegedly impersonating an operative of the agency and using a fake pistol to extort members of the public in Abuja.
Maiye was reportedly arrested on Wednesday night after DSS officers tracked him to his hideout around NITEL Junction, along Adetokunbo Ademola Way in Wuse II, Abuja.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, Maiye claimed to be from Agbajojun village in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“At the time of his arrest, Maiye was in DSS tactical uniform and armed with a fake pistol,” Makama reported.
The publication quoted a security source as saying that the DSS acted on credible intelligence that Maiye was allegedly using the uniform and fake weapon to intimidate commuters and motorists and collect money from them.
“According to a security source, the Secret police acted on credible intelligence that Maiye was using the uniform and the fake weapon to intimidate commuters and motorists, extorting money from them.
“During interrogation, added the source, the suspect reportedly claimed that his brother was a DSS officer who died years ago.
“He identified the brother as Monday Maiye, stressing that the DSS kit in his possession was his late brother’s.
“The suspect is currently being interrogated by security operatives, the source stated, adding that the Service was investigating how he came about the DSS uniform and kit.”
Investigators are also reportedly examining how long Maiye may have been involved in alleged impersonation and extortion activities.
The arrest comes amid concerns over individuals posing as security personnel to intimidate members of the public and engage in criminal activities.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Maiye’s possession of the DSS uniform and equipment as investigations continue.