Army Arrests Impostors Engaging in ‘Illegal Duties’ in Lagos and Ogun States
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Army Arrests Impostors Engaging in ‘Illegal Duties’ in Lagos and Ogun States
By Alabidun Shuaib Abdulrahman
The 81 Division of Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel on Wednesday said it has arrested over 12 suspected impostors fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms in both Lagos and Ogun States.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Major General Umar Thama Musa, who addressed newsmen on the recent feats made during the “Operation Checkmate”, said the suspects were arrested by troops based on preliminary investigation.
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The GOC said: “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,” the action, he said portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light.
He added that some were also caught along the Ilaro Border area of Ogun State where they are engaging in smuggling of rice and other contrabands.
The senior military officer, however, described as unfounded the narrative that all illicit acts committed by persons dressed in military uniforms are always military personnel.
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.
The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over the Nigerian Police for further action, while urging 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.
