Friday, February 13 2026 - The Nigerian Army has arrested a notorious impostor, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who has been falsely parading himself as a retired Major General.
The suspect fraudulently claimed to have attended the
prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS),
Kuru.
Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia
Anele, who disclosed this in a statement on 12 February 2026 stated that no
retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf,
nor ever held the rank of Major General or above within the Service.
According to the statement, the impostor allegedly exploited
false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians.
“The Nigerian Army has uncovered and apprehended a notorious
impostor, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who falsely paraded himself as a retired
Major General of the Nigerian Army, thereby misleading the public and abusing
the prestige of the military institution” the statement read.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the
individual was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army at any time, nor did
he attain the rank of General or retire from the Service in any capacity.
"Further findings established that he fraudulently
claimed attendance of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and
Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
"He also falsely asserted that he was a recipient of
the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). All
these claims have been conclusively confirmed to be entirely false and
fabricated.
"The impostor was found to have consistently exploited
these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during
court proceedings where he presented himself as a retired senior military
officer to command undue respect, sympathy and influence.
"During interrogation, media reports published in two
nationally recognised newspapers were recovered, in which the impostor was
repeatedly referred to as a “retired Major General.”
"These misrepresentations, now established to be false,
further demonstrate the extent to which the individual sustained his deception
within the public space.
"One of such report published by the Premium Times,
falsely identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit
instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, in which
he sought N8 billion in damages.
"Another report by the Independent Newspaper dated 9
November 2020, also referred to him as a “retired major general” while
detailing his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit, which the court
had earlier described as a gross abuse of court process and incompetent in law.
"The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that
no retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul
Rauf, nor has any officer with such identity ever held the rank of Major
General or above within the Service.
"We strongly condemns this act of impersonation, which
constitutes a grave offence, undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour
and integrity of officers who have genuinely served the nation with
distinction.
"The Nigerian Army reiterates its commitment to
protecting the sanctity of its ranks, honours and institutions and will
continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors and
fraudsters are brought to justice.
"Members of the public are hereby urged to verify
claims of military status through appropriate channels and report any
suspicious representations to security agencies.
"Law abiding citizens are therefore warned on the
dangers of impersonation or use of military uniforms and badges by unauthorized
persons.
"We shall not hesitate to subject any individual
engaged in such act to the full wrath of the law.
“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in upholding
professionalism, integrity and accountability in the defence of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.”
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