The Nigerian Army has arrested a man, Tijjani Abdul Rauf, for allegedly impersonating a retired Major General.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that he was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army and never attained the rank of General,” the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said in a statement on Thursday.
She added that the suspect also falsely claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and to be a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic.
According to her, the suspect used the false credentials to intimidate civilians and even presented himself as a retired senior officer during court proceedings to gain sympathy and influence.
Anele said media reports recovered during interrogation repeatedly referred to him as a “retired Major General,” including reports on a suit he filed seeking ₦8bn in damages against the Lagos State Government.
“No retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer with such identity ever held the rank of Major General or above within the Service,” she said.
She described the impersonation as a grave offence undermining public trust and warned against unauthorised use of uniforms and badges.
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“The Nigerian Army will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure impostors are brought to justice,” Anele added.
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