Benin: Impostor warrant officer unmasked at a fire station

An impostor wearing a firefighter’s uniform and riding a stolen motorcycle was arrested in Parakou. The man, who was posing as a newly assigned adjudant, was exposed when he presented himself at the firefighters’ base on Monday, September 8, 2025.

The incident took place early in the evening in the city’s 2nd district. The young man, dressed in the regulation uniform, arrived at the fire station riding a Haojue motorcycle. Received respectfully by his supposed colleagues, he was brought before the base commander. But a few inconsistencies in his account quickly revealed his imposture.

The Republican Police, immediately notified, carried out checks that exposed the deception. The fake adjudant did not belong to any firefighting unit. Worse, the motorcycle he was using had been stolen in Houègbo and belonged to a local teacher.

Questioned and placed under interrogation, the suspect admitted to having stolen both the uniform and the motorcycle. His exact motives remain unclear. A thorough investigation is underway to determine whether this identity theft concealed mere attempts at fraud or more serious intentions.