Police arrest fake soldier, recover stolen vehicle in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar, for alleged impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft, recovering a vehicle reportedly stolen from a water factory owner in Bauchi.

The suspect, a resident of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was also accused of impersonating a Nigerian Army personnel to perpetrate criminal activities.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, adding that the arrest followed a petition by a resident of the Gida Dubu area of Bauchi metropolis.

According to Habib, the complainant, identified as Salisu, whose other names were withheld, reported that he received a call from an unknown number on October 18, 2026, from a man who identified himself as John Umar Shehu and sought employment as a driver at his pure water factory.

The statement said the complainant subsequently invited the suspect for an interview and driving assessment scheduled for October 19.

“However, on October 22, 2026, while the assessment was ongoing, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and one of his neighbour’s sons, deceived them and made away with his vehicle to an unknown destination,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson said the stolen vehicle was a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also allegedly stolen.

Habib said detectives swung into action following the petition and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.

He added that a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of military uniforms and other items allegedly used to impersonate an Army personnel.

The recovered items included a complete set of Army desert camouflage uniform with a jungle hat, a set of Army green camouflage uniform, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.

“The stolen vehicle was also recovered in his possession in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State,” the statement added.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly presented himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, 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.

“The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.

Aliyu assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court.

“The suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court,” he added.