Police Arrest Fake Soldier Over Alleged Theft of Employer’s Vehicle in Bauchi

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, identified as John Umar Shehu, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Army personnel, assaulting his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.

The suspect allegedly attacked a factory owner and his neighbour’s son before escaping with a vehicle, which was later recovered in Jos, Plateau State.

The suspect, who hails from Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026.

According to the statement, the Command received a written petition from one Salisu, a resident of Gida Dubu area of Bauchi, on October 22, alleging that the suspect had stolen his vehicle after being invited for a driving job assessment at his pure water factory.

The petitioner reportedly received a call from the suspect on October 18, during which he expressed interest in securing a driving job at the factory. He was subsequently invited for an interview and driving assessment on October 19.

However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before making away with the employer’s vehicle to an unknown destination.

The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly stolen.

Following the petition, detectives launched an investigation and subsequently arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.

Police said a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of several Nigerian Army military items, including a full set of desert camouflage uniform with jungle hat, a green camouflage uniform, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.

The stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The statement further alleged that the suspect had been parading himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation and warned that the Command would not tolerate the use of security agencies’ identities to perpetrate criminal activities.

He assured residents that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court.