The Nigerian Army has arrested 12 suspected impostors fully dressed in military camouflage within Lagos and Ogun States.
The fake soldiers were apprehended by 81 Division Military Police personnel during OPERATION CHECKMATE in the states.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Umar Thama Musa said several illicit acts are committed by impostors.
A statement on Wednesday April 13, by Acting Deputy Director 81 Division Army Public Relations, Major Olaniyi Joseph Osoba, said the suspects have been portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light.
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“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,” the statement read.
“He noted that person displaying military banners and accoutrement such as belts and stickers on vehicles and driving commercial vehicle in military uniform as well as driving civil vehicle painted in Army colour are most often not personnel of the Nigerian Army.
“He said in an effort to curtail this ugly trend, the Division has heightened the activities of OPERATION CHECKMATE to ensure regular arrest of impostors and offenders within the Division area of responsibility. The GOC disclosed that over 150 impostors have been arrested from January last year till date
“Major General Musa during the parade of the suspected impostors explained that preliminary investigation revealed that some of suspects specialized in mounting road block along Ajah road to extort money from motorist as well as indulge in other illegal duties while dressed in Nigerian Army Camouflage uniform
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“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 the Nigerian Police for further action.
He therefore urged members of the public to desist from wearing military uniform and T- Shirts, display of military Banners, Belts and stickers on vehicles as well as driving of civil vehicles painted in Army colour.