By Ado Oyeyemi
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar, for allegedly posing as a Nigerian Army personnel before attacking a water factory owner and stealing his vehicle.
The suspect, who hails from Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the arrest followed a petition by a resident of the Gida Dubu area of Bauchi metropolis.
According to the police, the complainant, identified only as Salisu, received a call from an unknown number on October 18, 2026, from a man who introduced himself as John Umar Shehu and expressed interest in working as a driver at his pure water factory.
Salisu subsequently invited him for an interview and driving assessment scheduled for October 19.
However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before making away with the owner’s vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly stolen.
Habib said detectives launched an investigation following the complaint and eventually apprehended the suspect through intelligence-led policing.
A search conducted on him reportedly led to the recovery of military uniforms and other items allegedly used to impersonate an Army officer.
The recovered items included a complete set of Army desert camouflage uniform with a jungle hat, Army green camouflage uniform, an Army raincoat, camouflage vest and an Army sweater.
The police spokesperson added that the stolen vehicle was recovered from the suspect’s possession in Jos, Plateau State.
Investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had been presenting himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation and warned that the command would not tolerate the misuse of security agencies’ identities to commit crimes.
READ ALSO
- ICPC recovers 400 tricycles allegedly withheld by lawmaker
- Two men arrested over alleged ATM card swap in bank
- Osolo Stool: I’m The Duly Elected Osolo, Prince Jimmy Yekini-Goloba Tells Court
- Police uncover over 30 decomposed bodies after bandits’ attack
- Youths storm checkpoint, recover N4,200 allegedly extorted by police
The police commissioner assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court.
