Police Arrest Suspected Fake Soldier, Recover Stolen Vehicle in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar Shehu, over alleged impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft, recovering a vehicle reportedly stolen from a water factory owner.

The suspect, a resident of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was accused of posing as a Nigerian Army personnel to facilitate criminal activities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday, saying it followed a petition by a resident of the Gida Dubu area of Bauchi metropolis.

According to the police, the complainant, identified as Salisu, received a telephone call on October 18 from a man who introduced himself as John Umar Shehu and requested employment as a driver at his sachet water factory.

The factory owner subsequently invited him for an interview and practical driving assessment scheduled for October 19.

However, on October 22, while the assessment was ongoing, the suspect allegedly attacked the employer and his neighbour's son before fleeing with the factory owner's vehicle.

The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet mini truck with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly taken during the incident.

Habib said detectives launched an intelligence-led operation following the complaint and arrested the suspect in Jos, Plateau State, where the stolen vehicle was recovered from his possession.

A search conducted on the suspect also led to the recovery of military clothing and other items allegedly used to impersonate an Army personnel.

The recovered items included a complete set of desert camouflage uniform with a jungle hat, a set of green camouflage uniform, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and a military sweater.

The police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect had been presenting himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 134 Special Forces Battalion, 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, Borno State.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation and warned against using the identities of security agencies to commit crimes.

He assured residents that the suspect would undergo a thorough investigation and be charged to court.