The Nigerian Army has apprehended Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who is accused of falsely presenting himself as a retired major-general.
In a statement released on Thursday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, it was revealed that investigations showed Abdul Rauf was never commissioned in the Nigerian Army and did not achieve the rank of General or retire from any military service.
Anele stated that the suspect also falsely asserted that he attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru and claimed to be a recipient of the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
"All these assertions have been definitively proven to be completely false and fabricated," the Army declared.
She further mentioned that the suspect used these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during court proceedings where he posed as a retired senior military officer to gain undue respect and influence.
Anele revealed that during questioning, media articles from two national newspapers were found, repeatedly referring to the suspect as a "retired Maj.-Gen."
One report from Premium Times identified him as "Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)" in a lawsuit he filed against the Lagos State Government and others, seeking N8 billion in damages.
Another article from the Independent Newspaper dated November 9, 2020, also labeled him as a retired Maj.-Gen. while covering his appeal against the dismissal of the same lawsuit, which the court deemed incompetent and a serious abuse of court process.
Anele confirmed that no retired officer of the Nigerian Army is named Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer with that identity ever held the rank of Maj.-Gen. or higher within the service.
She condemned the act of impersonation, calling it a serious crime that undermines public trust and tarnishes the reputation of officers who have genuinely served the nation with honor.
Anele reaffirmed the Army's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its ranks, honors, and institutions, stating that it will continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors are prosecuted.
She encouraged the public to verify military status claims through proper channels and report any suspicious representations to security agencies.
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