By Anayo Okoli

UYO — Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a man, identified as Cletus Onwe, for impersonating a staff member of inter-state transport company, Peace Mass Transit (PMT), and defrauding unsuspecting customers.

The suspect, who allegedly claimed to be a PMT logistics officer, reportedly duped several passengers by stealing their parcels and valuables. He was tracked and apprehended last week in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, after numerous complaints were lodged with the company.

DSS operatives, acting on the complaints, discreetly monitored Onwe, who hails from Ebonyi State, before taking him into custody. According to sources, the suspect had long been under investigation due to multiple reported incidents of fraud across the region.

The General Manager of PMT, Nnamdi Asadu, confirmed the arrest and described it as “a welcome relief to the company,” noting that the suspect had caused “incalculable damage” to PMT’s reputation.

“Several of our customers lost money and valuables to this unscrupulous individual,” Asadu said. “While we trust our staff and systems, complaints kept coming that a criminal imposter was infiltrating the system, acting without authority, and actively sabotaging operations. We went all out to track him and dismantle this criminal setup.”

Asadu assured customers that the company remains committed to protecting its name and safeguarding its operations.

Following investigations by the DSS, Onwe is expected to be handed over to the police for swift prosecution.