Bauchi police arrest fake soldier accused of attacking employer, stealing vehicle

Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar Shehu, for allegedly impersonating a member of the Nigerian Army, attacking his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.

The suspect, a native of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026.

According to the statement, the command received a written petition on October 22 from a resident of Gida Dubu area of Bauchi, who alleged that the suspect had contacted him seeking employment as a driver at his pure water factory.

The petitioner said the suspect contacted him on October 18 and was invited for an interview and driving assessment.

However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before fleeing with the employer’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.

The police said detectives subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.

A search conducted on him led to the recovery of several Nigerian Army uniforms and military items, including desert camouflage, green camouflage, a jungle hat, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.

The stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The statement said the suspect allegedly presented 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.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of security agencies’ identities to perpetrate crimes.

He said: “The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime.”

The police commissioner further assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

He added: “The suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court.”

The police said the arrest followed intelligence-led policing, while the recovered vehicle and military items would serve as exhibits in the investigation.