By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has uncovered and apprehended a notorious impostor, Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who falsely claimed to be a retired Major General, misleading the public and exploiting the prestige of the military institution.
In an official signed statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, confirmed that investigations revealed the individual was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army, never held any rank, and has no record of retirement from the Service. Additionally, he falsely claimed to have attended the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and to have received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). All these claims have been conclusively verified as fabricated.
Colonel Anele disclosed that the impostor had leveraged these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians and gain undue respect, including during court proceedings where he presented himself as a retired senior officer to influence outcomes.
During investigations, media reports were recovered from nationally recognised newspapers in which he was repeatedly referred to as a “retired Major General.” One such report by Premium Times identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit filed against the Lagos State Government seeking ₦8 billion in damages. Another report by the Independent Newspaper dated 9 November 2020 similarly misrepresented him as a retired Major General while detailing his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit.
The Nigerian Army clarified that no officer, past or present, bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer of such identity ever attained the rank of Major General or above. The Army strongly condemned the act of impersonation, noting that it undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour of officers who have genuinely served with distinction.
The Army reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its ranks and institutions and affirmed its collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure impostors and fraudsters are brought to justice. Members of the public are urged to verify claims of military status through official channels and report any suspicious representations. Law-abiding citizens are warned of the legal consequences of impersonating military personnel or unlawfully using military uniforms and insignia.
Colonel Anele stressed that the Nigerian Army remains steadfast in upholding professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
