The Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel Division 81 has arrested 12 Army imposters in full military attire.
The division’s spokesman, Olaniyi Osoba, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
“Nigerian Army Military Police personnel from the 81st Division have arrested over 12 suspected imposters fully dressed in camouflage military uniforms representing the Nigerian Army in bad light during OPERATION CHECKMAT in Lagos and Ogun states. ”, the statement said.
According to Osoba, a major general, the imposters specialize in setting up barricades around the Ajah area of Lagos and extorting money from unsuspecting citizens.
He said a new operation ‘Operation Checkmate’ has been launched to track down the impostors and so far, more than 150 have been arrested.
He warned the general public against wearing military insignia such as belts, t-shirts, stickers and painting private vehicles in military colors as this will lead to arrest.
Read the full statement:
81ST DIVISION NIGERIA ARMY OPERATION ARRESTS IMPOSTORS IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES
Nigerian Army Military Police personnel from 81st Division have arrested over 12 suspected imposters fully dressed in camouflage military uniforms representing the Nigerian Army in a bad light during OPERATION CHECKMAT in Lagos and Ogun states.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81st Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Umar Thama Musa, in a press conference dispelled the baseless narrative that all unlawful acts committed by people dressed in military uniforms are always military personnel. He pointed out that people displaying military banners and paraphernalia such as belts and stickers on vehicles, driving commercial vehicles in military uniform, and driving civilian vehicles painted in Army color are often not members of the Nigerian Army. He said that in an effort to reduce this ugly trend, the Division has stepped up OPERATION CHECK-OUT activities to ensure the regular arrest of impostors and criminals within the Division’s area of responsibility. The GOC revealed that more than 150 imposters have been arrested from January last year to date.
Major General Musa during the parade of the alleged impostors explained that the preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects specialized in setting up roadblocks along the Ajah road to extort money from motorists and perform other illegal tasks while wearing the uniform. camouflage of the Nigerian army. Similarly, the Chinese government said there are some arrestees fully dressed in military uniform who were caught along the Ilaro border area of Ogun state, where they smuggle rice and other contraband.
81st NIGERIAN ARMY OPERATIONAL DIVISION ARRESTS IMPOSTORS IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES …imposters were fully dressed in camouflage military uniforms depicting the Nigerian Army in a bad light https://t.co/7ZkfSpWbv1 pic.twitter.com/xWwZjtdCfq
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) April 13, 2022
The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over to the Nigerian police for further action. Therefore, he urged members of the public to desist from wearing military uniforms and t-shirts, displaying military banners, belts, and decals on vehicles, as well as driving civilian vehicles painted in Army color. In addition, he implored members of the public to continue to support the Division’s OPERATION CHECK MATE by providing information to the nearest Nigerian Army formations or units as part of efforts to rid Lagos and Ogun states of criminal elements that are bent on tarnishing the much revered image of the N/A. The GOC thanked the members of the press for their efforts in objectively reporting the activities of the AN
OLANIYI JOSEPH OSOBAMajorActing Deputy Director81 Army Public Relations DivisionApril 13, 2022