The Nigerian Army has arrested a serving soldier, Staff Sgt. Amoke Simon, over alleged large-scale fraud amounting N114 million and false claims relating to the killing of notorious kidnap kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo, popularly known as Osisikankwu.
A counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post via X on Monday.
Makama stated that the suspect, a member of the Nigerian Army Engineers Corps attached to a regiment in Lagos, was apprehended at the Port Harcourt International Airport while attempting to flee to Abuja.
The source added that the soldier was arrested by joint troops of 14 Brigade and 6 Division Provost Groups following ongoing investigations into multiple allegations of fraud and impersonation.
It added that preliminary investigations revealed that the soldier allegedly defrauded the Abia State Government by falsely presenting himself as a key figure in the 2010 operation that led to the elimination of the notorious kingpin.
According to the source, the false narrative reportedly earned him official recognition and a promise of support from the Abia State Government, including medical assistance.
Makama added that further findings indicated that the suspect had been on the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged involvement in a series of fraudulent activities targeting individuals and organizations.
“He allegedly defrauded a company of about N100 million, obtained N6 million from an individual under false pretences, and also duped a group of persons of about N8 million. He had been on the run before his arrest,” a source said.
(Daily Post)
