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The Nigerian Army says it has arrested a man identified as Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf for allegedly impersonating a retired major general.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Appolonia Anele, acting director of army public relations, said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army and did not attain the rank of general or retire from the service.
Anele said the suspect also falsely claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and to have received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
“All these claims have been conclusively confirmed to be entirely false and fabricated,” she said.
The army said the suspect used the alleged false credentials to intimidate civilians and to command undue respect and influence, including during court proceedings where he presented himself as a retired senior military officer.
Anele said media reports published in two national newspapers were recovered during interrogation, in which the suspect was repeatedly described as a retired major general.
“One of such reports falsely identified him as ‘Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)’ in a suit instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, in which he sought ₦8 billion in damages,” she said.
“Another report dated 9 November 2020, also referred to him as a ‘retired major general’ while detailing his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit, which the court had earlier described as a gross abuse of court process and incompetent in law.”
The army said 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.
“We strongly condemn this act of impersonation, which constitutes a grave offence, undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour and integrity of officers who have genuinely served the nation with distinction,” Anele said.
She said the army would continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors and fraudsters are brought to justice.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to verify claims of military status through appropriate channels and report any suspicious representations to security agencies,” she added.
“Law abiding citizens are therefore warned on the dangers of impersonation or use of military uniforms and badges by unauthorized persons. We shall not hesitate to subject any individual engaged in such act to the full wrath of the law.”
Anele said the army remains committed to upholding professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the defence of the country.
