THE 81 Division of the Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel have arrested about 12 suspected fake soldiers fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms portraying the Nigerian Army during an 'Operation Checkmate' within Lagos and Ogun States.
This information was disclosed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major-General Umar Thama Musa, in a press briefing where he dispelled the unfounded 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 reiterated that 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's area of responsibility.
The GOC then disclosed that over 150 impostors have been arrested from January 2021 till date.
Major-General Musa during the parade of the suspected impostors explained that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects specialized in mounting road block along Ajah road to extort money from motorists, as well as indulge in other illegal duties while dressed in the Nigerian Army Camouflage uniform.
Similarly, the GOC said there are some who were arrested, fully dressed in military uniform, along the Ilaro border area of Ogun State where they carried out smuggling of rice and other contrabands.
The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further action.
He also urged 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.
