The Nigerian Army has apprehended an individual, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, for allegedly impersonating a retired Major General and falsely claiming elite national credentials, including attendance at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and receipt of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) honour.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2026
Time: 18:42 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
The discovery followed internal verification confirming that no officer bearing that identity has ever been commissioned into the Service or retired at the rank claimed.
Preliminary investigations established that the suspect was never enlisted or commissioned into the Nigerian Army at any time and did not attain the rank of General in any capacity. The Army’s findings further indicate that the individual fraudulently presented himself as a senior retired officer in public and legal settings, allegedly using the false status to command undue respect and influence.
According to a statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, further checks confirmed that the individual also falsely claimed to be an alumnus of NIPSS and a recipient of the national honour of OFR. The statement emphasised 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.
The Army disclosed that media reports recovered during interrogation had repeatedly referred to the individual as a “retired Major General,” amplifying the misrepresentation in the public domain. One report reportedly identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit seeking ₦8 billion in damages against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, while another publication dated 9 November 2020 similarly described him as a retired senior officer in relation to an appeal dismissed by the court as incompetent and an abuse of process.
The Nigerian Army condemned the alleged act of impersonation, describing it as a grave offence that undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour of officers who have genuinely served the nation. It reiterated its commitment to protecting the sanctity of its ranks, honours, and institutional integrity, and warned that impersonation, including the unauthorised use of military uniforms and insignia, remains punishable under the law.
The Service urged members of the public to verify claims of military status through appropriate official channels and report suspicious representations to security agencies, reaffirming its resolve to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
FACT-CHECK & BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Military impersonation constitutes a criminal offence under Nigerian law, particularly where it involves fraudulent claims of rank, honours, or institutional affiliation.
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, maintains verifiable participant records, while national honours such as the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) are officially gazetted and traceable through government documentation.
Security agencies have periodically cautioned against the misuse of military identity in civil, commercial, and legal engagements, noting that false authority can distort judicial processes and erode public confidence in institutions.
🏷️Tags: Defence, Nigeria, Nigerian Army, Impersonation, National Honours, Rule of Law
#Defence #NigerianArmy #Impersonation #RuleOfLaw #Abuja
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