81 Division Nigerian Army Arrests Impostors

The 81 Division Nigerian Army Military Police personnel have arrested over 12 suspected impostors fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms portraying the Nigerian Army in a bad light during OPERATION CHECKMATE within Lagos and Ogun States.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Umar Thama Musa in a press briefing dispelled the unfounded narrative that all illicit acts committed by persons dressed in military uniforms are always military personnel.

General Musa noted that people displaying military banners and accoutrement such as belts and stickers on vehicles and driving commercial vehicles in military uniforms as well as driving civil vehicles painted in Army colour are most often not personnel of the Nigerian Army.

He said to curtail this ugly trend, the Division has heightened the activities of OPERATION CHECKMATE to ensure the regular arrest of impostors and offenders within the Division's area of responsibility.

The GOC disclosed that over 150 impostors have been arrested from January last year to date.

Major General Musa during the parade of the suspected impostors explained that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects specialised in mounting roadblocks along Ajah road to extort money from motorists as well as indulge in other illegal duties while dressed in Nigerian Army camouflage uniform.

Similarly, the GOC said there are some arrested fully dressed in military uniform who were caught along the Ilaro Border area of Ogun State where they carry out smuggling of rice and other contrabands.

The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further action.

He, therefore, urged members of the public to desist from wearing military uniforms and T-Shirts, display military banners, belts and stickers on vehicles as well as driving civil vehicles painted in Army colour. 

He further implored members of the public to continue to support the Division’s OPERATION CHECKMATE by providing information to the nearest Nigerian Army formations or units as part of efforts to rid Lagos and Ogun States of crime.