The Nigerian Army has arrested one Alhaji Tijjani Rauf over allegations of military impersonation and false representation. According to official sources, Rauf had for years claimed to be a retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, asserting that he served the nation in various military capacities and received national honours.
Preliminary investigations by the Army revealed that Rauf was never commissioned as an officer and had no record of service in the Nigerian Army. Authorities further disclosed that he falsely claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, a credential often associated with senior public officials and military officers.
The Army stated that Rauf allegedly used the fabricated credentials to intimidate civilians, exert undue influence, and present himself as a high-ranking military figure in legal and social circles, including court-related matters. His actions, the military said, amount to a grave offence capable of eroding public confidence in national institutions.
Condemning the act, the Nigerian Army described military impersonation as a serious crime with legal consequences, stressing that ranks, honours, and service records are verifiable through official channels. The Army urged members of the public to exercise caution and always verify claims of military status, especially when such claims are used to gain influence or authority.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, while the Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Armed Forces and holding impostors accountable under the law.