The Nigerian Army has apprehended a suspect, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, for allegedly posing as a retired Major General and misleading the public with false claims about his military background.
In a statement, the Army’s spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, said preliminary investigations confirmed that the suspect was never commissioned into the Army and had never attained the rank of General or served in any official capacity.
She added that the suspect also falsely claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru and to have been awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic.
The claims, she said, were entirely fabricated.
According to the Army, Abdul Rauf allegedly used the false identity to intimidate members of the public and influence legal proceedings by presenting himself as a retired senior military officer.
Investigations further revealed that media reports and court documents had previously referred to him as a retired Major General.
In one instance, he was identified as such in a lawsuit filed against the Lagos State Government, where he reportedly sought damages running into billions of naira.
The Army emphasised that no retired officer bears the suspect’s name and reaffirmed that no individual with such identity has ever held the rank of Major General within the service.
Describing the act as a serious offence, the military said impersonation undermines public trust and damages the reputation of officers who have genuinely served the country.
It pledged continued collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors are prosecuted and the integrity of its ranks preserved.
