••Discharged Air Force Sergeant Impersonated Senior Officer, Defrauded Civilians and Attempted Illegal Arms Procurement.
By OBSERVES TIMES Investigative Team
A meticulous investigation by the Nigeria Army has led to the apprehension of one Richard Ongu, who brazenly impersonated a serving Major of the Nigerian Army in Taraba State, OBSERVERS TIMES can exclusively report. The imposter allegedly leveraged his fabricated military identity to defraud unsuspecting civilians of millions of naira and even attempted to illegally procure firearms for community leaders, raising serious security concerns in the region.
Sources within the military intelligence, who spoke to OBSERVERS TIMES under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, revealed that Ongu presented himself as Major Richard Ongu, purportedly attached to the 20 Model Battalion in Gashaka. He further solidified his deceptive persona by claiming to be the Officer Commanding the Forward Operating Base in Bali, a strategic location within the state.
However, a thorough background check initiated by vigilant military personnel exposed Ongu’s elaborate deception. Observers Times can confirm that Richard Ongu is, in fact, a discharged Flight Sergeant of the Nigerian Air Force, who was separated from service in November 2019. This revelation unmasked a calculated scheme that had allegedly been ongoing for a significant period, preying on the trust and vulnerability of local communities.
The investigation uncovered a series of fraudulent activities orchestrated by the fake Major. According to multiple sources who confided in OBSERVERS TIMES , Ongu allegedly duped numerous civilians in the Bali and Gassol Local Government Areas (LGAs) under the guise of facilitating military recruitment. He reportedly extracted a staggering sum of ₦1.6 million from these individuals, offering false promises of lucrative career opportunities within the armed forces. The hopes and aspirations of these job seekers were callously exploited by the imposter for personal gain.
Furthermore, Ongu’s deceptive activities extended beyond recruitment scams. OBSERVERS TIMES learned that he allegedly defrauded individuals in agricultural transactions, obtaining ₦1.6 million under false pretenses for the supply of agricultural produce that was never delivered. This act not only resulted in financial losses for the victims but also disrupted local commerce and eroded trust within the community.
In a particularly audacious act of fraud, Ongu is accused of fraudulently exchanging a Nissan Jeep for a Toyota Corolla valued at ₦5.2 million. The details surrounding this transaction are still under investigation, but sources suggest that Ongu utilized his fake military status to coerce or deceive the owner of the Toyota Corolla into the unfavorable exchange.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Ongu’s alleged activities was his attempt to illegally obtain firearms for community leaders. Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed to OBSERVERS TIMES that Ongu approached certain community figures, offering to procure weapons for them, ostensibly for security purposes. This attempt to illicitly arm civilians could have had severe consequences for the already fragile security situation in the region, potentially fueling further instability and violence.
The swift action by the Nigeria Army in apprehending Ongu underscores the military’s commitment to rooting out impersonators and maintaining the integrity of its ranks. The case also highlights the vulnerability of communities to such deceptive practices and the potential for significant financial losses and security risks.
The arrested fake Major is currently in military custody, and OBSERVERS TIMES understands that a comprehensive investigation is underway to unravel the full extent of his criminal activities and identify any potential accomplices. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and thorough verification, especially when dealing with individuals claiming to represent security agencies. The military is expected to release further details upon the conclusion of their investigation, and Observers Times will continue to monitor this developing story closely.
