Bus driver nabbed for impersonating Nigerian Navy in Onitsha

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Onitsha Unit Command has arrested a 60-year-old bus driver, Mr Benedict Oputa for impersonating the Nigerian Navy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oputa was arrested in Onitsha in his bus with registration number XD851NEN on his way from Asaba by members of the FRSC on Saturday.

The FRSC Unit Commander in Onitsha, Mr Paulinus Akpotobo said the suspect had been indulging in the act since 2010.

According to him, Oputa plies Asaba to Onitsha and back, and each time he is accosted by my men, he claims he was a naval officer.

“Today, a newly posted officer from Delta, who had accosted him several times in Asaba flagged him down and as usual he brandished his fake identity card.

“However, on further interrogation, he claimed that he is a master warrant officer, a designation that was strange to the Navy.

“The suspect could also not mention the name of the commander of his command” Akpotobo said, adding that Oputa will be handed over to the Navy for prosecution.

Narrating his ordeal, Oputa, a father of four children said he was into transport business.

“I am a transporter and I carry groundnut with my bus to Kwalle in Delta. These people (FRSC personnel) always disturb us, that is why I use the identity card as pass.

“Truly, I am not a Naval officer, but I have worked as a civilian maintaining electrical installations at the Naval Barrack Lagos” Oputa said. (NAN)