Nigerian Army Arrests Alleged Impostor Over False Major General Claims

 

The Nigerian Army has uncovered and apprehended an individual identified as Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf for allegedly impersonating a retired Major General and misleading members of the public through false military credentials.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army at any time and did not attain the rank of General nor retire from the Service in any official capacity. Authorities further revealed that he fraudulently claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and also falsely asserted that he was a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). These claims, the Army stated, have been conclusively verified to be entirely fabricated.

The suspect was reportedly found to have consistently exploited these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during court proceedings where he allegedly presented himself as a retired senior military officer in order to command undue respect, sympathy and influence.

During interrogation, media publications from two nationally recognised newspapers were recovered, in which the individual was repeatedly described as a “retired Major General.” These misrepresentations, now established to be false, further demonstrate the extent of the alleged deception within the public space. One such report by Premium Times falsely identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents seeking ₦8 billion in damages. Another report by Independent Newspaper dated 9 November 2020 also referred to him as a “retired major general” while detailing his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit, which the court had earlier described as incompetent and a gross abuse of court process.

The Nigerian Army categorically stated that no retired officer of the Service bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer with such identity ever held the rank of Major General or above. The institution condemned the act of impersonation, describing it as a grave offence that undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour and integrity of officers who have genuinely served the nation.

Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of its ranks and institutions, the Army emphasized that it will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure impostors and fraudsters are brought to justice. Members of the public were urged to verify claims of military status through appropriate official channels and report suspicious representations to security agencies. Law-abiding citizens were also warned against the unauthorized use of military uniforms, badges or titles, noting that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

The Nigerian Army affirmed that it remains steadfast in upholding professionalism, integrity and accountability in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

— APPOLONIA ANELE

Colonel

Acting Director, Army Public Relations

12 February 2026