A bizarre and troubling case of police impersonation and dereliction of duty has emerged from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The Cross River Police Command has apprehended Corporal Buba Adamu, who had been masquerading as a high-ranking officer for nearly a decade.
A Shadowy Past:
In 2015, Corporal Buba Adamu was transferred from the Cross River Command to Kaduna State. However, he never reported to his new station and effectively vanished from official records. Despite his absence, Adamu continued to draw his police salary for nine years, raising serious questions about payroll accountability within the Nigerian Police Force.
Masquerading as Authority:
Adamu allegedly exploited his disappearance from the system. He reportedly went rogue, operating as a “mobile police officer” without any supervision or accountability. Even more concerning, Adamu is accused of fabricating a higher rank for himself, claiming to be a Superintendent of Police (SP), a significant leap from his actual rank of Corporal.
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A Community in Fear:
Adamu’s activities were brought to light by concerned residents of the Nassarawa community in Calabar, a Hausa/Fulani community reportedly intimidated and harassed by Adamu’s presence. According to the residents, Adamu acted as an unofficial police chief with no legal authority, causing them to feel threatened. The community raised the alarm upon learning that the police were considering releasing Adamu, highlighting the potential dangers his actions posed.
Police Response and Next Steps:
The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed Adamu’s arrest and detention. She emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the full extent of Adamu’s illegal activities, including probing allegations of criminal behaviour in the Nassarawa community. Ugbo reiterated the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to upholding its image and stated that Adamu would face the full weight of the law if found guilty.
