The Niger State Police Command officials have arrested a 35-year-old man, Aliyu Umar, for posing as a soldier in Nasko, in the state’s Magama Region.
The suspect stated that he never intended to cause any harm by wearing the uniform as he was only using it for “cruising and having fun”
Umar is said to have been on the Niger Police Command watch list since 2020 when he drove a Honda Accord vehicle Reg. RBC 143 FF in Maje along Kotangora Road to avoid arrest for a similar offence.
During interrogation, Umar, who is from Kebbi State, admitted that he was not a military officer, adding that the military equipment he was carrying and found on him belonged to his brother, who serves in the army in Warri.
State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Wasiu said Nasko Division police officers arrested Umar after receiving a tip about a person posing as a military officer in Nasko.
Abiodun said the suspect was arrested with N720,000, a Mercedes Benz reg. No. BDG 300 TA, an NDA emblem, a military camouflage jungle hat, a military vest with a belt, a military face mask, two ropes and three SIM cards from different carriers.
He said: “The suspect was on the command watch list when he drove a Honda Accord vehicle Reg. RBC 143 FF in Maje along Kotangora Road in 2020 to avoid arrest for a similar offence.
“He was unable to make a satisfactory statement about himself as he claimed to be a car dealer and a farmer, while also saying that the cash in his possession was for the purchase of a vehicle.”
Abiodun said the case is under investigation and the suspect will be brought to justice immediately after the investigation.
