The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Falade for allegedly impersonating a retired United States military officer. The command also stated that Falade and his followers recently caused unrest in the Idogun community, Ose Local Government Area of the state.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Monday. He confirmed that Falade had been prosecuted in court and remanded at a correctional centre in Akure following his arrest.
“A report was made to this office of the activities of one Falade, who claimed to be a retired Navy Captain who served in the American military. For years now, Falade has been a terror in the Idogun Community, under the Ose Local Government. When this matter was brought to my attention, I called him with the intention of inviting him over to my office to give his own side of the story,” Afolabi said.
“What I received in response were unprintable words. Even at that height of provocation, I remained calm. Even when the matter was given to one of our tactical commanders to look into, when he invited him over, he called him stupid. That notwithstanding, I called for a peace meeting that took place in the police mess, which he attended. The chairman of Ose LG and other stakeholders from their community were there. All of them were enjoined to go back and maintain peace. Unfortunately, when he returned, instead of de-escalating tension, he escalated it.”
The police commissioner further alleged that Falade operated with individuals posing as airforce personnel and used a fake passport.
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“Now, this Falade in question goes about with fake, fake passport and fake airforce personnel, who also joined him in perpetrating his nefarious activities. Just last week, a report came that some of the boys on the side of Falade, led by the same Falade, abducted some of the people going to the farm, confiscated their properties, went away with it, and I said I’ve had enough,” Afolabi stated.
He explained that after Falade’s arrest, he faced a 10-count charge in court.
“So, the SWAT team moved in and apprehended Falade, brought him to Akure, started an investigation, and in the course of the investigation, he was found criminally liable, and there were 10 count charges against him, and he was prosecuted accordingly,” the CP said.
Afolabi noted that following Falade’s remand, his supporters in the Idogun community reacted violently.
“When the matter got to court, he was remanded at a correctional center, and the moment the people in the community heard this, they went riotous, made bonfire, cut a very big tree across the road, so we had to move in more men to go to that place. Now, in the course of trying to restore peace, one of our officers was given a machete cut on his head. But the area was later calmed by the policemen deployed in the town,” he stated.
The police boss urged residents of the state to use lawful means to address community challenges rather than resorting to violence or illegalities.
