The Nigerian Army says it has arrested one “Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf”, accused of impersonation.
According to the Army, Rauf had paraded himself as a retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, and even spoken to the media while claiming the position.
In a statement on Thursday by Colonel Appolonia Anele, acting Director of Army Public Relations, Rauf had also claimed to be a recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army at any time, nor did he attain the rank of General or retire from the Service in any capacity. Further findings established that he fraudulently claimed attendance of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru,” the Army said.
“He also falsely asserted that he was a recipient of 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.
“The impostor was found to have consistently exploited these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during court proceedings where he presented himself as a retired senior military officer to command undue respect, sympathy and influence.”
The military institution said according to its records, there is no officer by that name.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that 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,” the statement added.
“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.”
