Nigerian Army Arrests Fake ‘Major General’ Who Allegedly Used False Rank To Intimidate Courts, Sue Lagos Govt For ₦8bn

Abuja, Nigeria– The Nigerian Army has arrested and exposed a man, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who for years allegedly paraded himself as a retired Major General, deceiving the public and abusing the prestige of the Nigerian military.

According to the Army, preliminary investigations have conclusively established that Abdul Rauf was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army at any time and never attained the rank of General or retired from the Service in any capacity.

The military authorities further revealed that the suspect also falsely claimed to have attended the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and fraudulently asserted that he was a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The Army stressed that all these claims have now been verified and confirmed to be entirely false and fabricated.

In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the Army said the impostor consistently exploited the fake credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians and gain undue influence, including during court proceedings where he allegedly presented himself as a retired senior military officer to command respect, sympathy and advantage.

The statement disclosed that during interrogation, several media reports were recovered in which Abdul Rauf was repeatedly described as a “retired Major General,” a misrepresentation the Army says further demonstrates how deeply the deception had penetrated the public space.

One of the reports, published by Premium Times, falsely identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit he instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, where he sought ₦8 billion in damages.

Another report by Independent Newspaper, dated November 9, 2020, also referred to him as a “retired major general” while reporting his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit.

The court had earlier described that suit as a gross abuse of court process and incompetent in law.

The Nigerian Army categorically stated that no retired officer of the Service bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf and that no officer with such an identity has ever held the rank of Major General or above.

The Army condemned the act of impersonation, describing it as a grave offence that undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour and integrity of officers who have genuinely served the nation with distinction.

Reaffirming its position, the Nigerian Army said it remains fully committed to protecting the sanctity of its ranks, honours and institutions, adding that it will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors and fraudsters are brought to justice.

Members of the public were urged to always verify claims of military status through appropriate channels and to report suspicious representations to security agencies.

The Army also warned law-abiding citizens against the dangers of impersonation and the unauthorised use of military uniforms, badges or ranks, stressing that offenders will be subjected to the full wrath of the law.

The Nigerian Army reaffirms its steadfast commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.