Police in Kétou arrested a suspect on Sunday, 11 October 2026, around noon for posing as a law enforcement officer. Officers in the Plateau department took the individual into custody following reports of the illicit activity. The suspect currently remains held at a local station while awaiting formal proceedings. Prosecutors intend to pursue charges against the individual for impersonation, fraud, and arbitrary detention. According to information reported by Bénin Web TV, the arrest marks a significant development in local efforts to curb fraudulent activities within Benin. Edouard Djogbénou confirmed the suspect is now in police custody.
Deceptive Impersonation and Fraud
The suspect falsely claimed to be a police officer by wearing a camouflage uniform while never having attended the police academy. Police investigations revealed the individual utilized this attire to deceive members of the public regarding their official status.
One victim reported being swindled out of 100,000 CFA francs by the suspect. The individual obtained these funds after promising the victim a motorcycle during a fictitious police auction. Authorities in the Plateau department are currently reviewing these claims as part of the ongoing case. These actions form the basis of the charges of impersonation and fraud currently being pursued by prosecutors. The suspect remains in custody at a local station in Kétou as the investigation into the fraudulent auction scheme continues.
Hostage Situation at Home
Investigations into the suspect's activities revealed that he confiscated a full day's cash receipts from a cafeteria manager. Authorities determined this incident occurred prior to his arrest in Kétou on 11 October 2026.
Evidence gathered by officers also linked the individual to a prolonged period of unlawful confinement. The suspect held a cafeteria cashier hostage at his private home for two weeks before law enforcement intervention brought the situation to an end. This period of captivity occurred within the suspect's residence, where he kept the employee against their will.
Police officials conducted a search of the suspect's private home following his detention. During this search, officers seized the camouflage uniform the individual had used to facilitate his impersonation of a law enforcement officer. This garment served as a central component of the suspect's efforts to project official authority while engaging in illicit activities across the Plateau department. Investigators currently maintain the uniform as evidence as they prepare formal proceedings regarding the charges of arbitrary detention, fraud, and impersonation.
