The Nigerian Army has arrested twelve fake suspected soldiers said to have fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms to deceive innocent citizens and residents, to as well extort from motorists and passerby.
Penpushing reports that General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Major General Umar Thama Musa made this known at a press conference, adding that the arrested impostors were portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light during Operation Checkmate within Lagos and environs.
The Acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, Major Olaniyi Osoba in a statement dispelled the unfounded narrative that all illicit acts committed by persons dressed in military uniforms are always military personnel.
Penpushing further reports that, 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.
The statement added that in an effort to curtail this ugly trend, the Division has heightened the activities of Operataion Checkmate to ensure regular arrest of impostors and offenders within the Division area of responsibility.
Penpushing also reports that, the statement explained during the parade of the suspects the General Officer Commanding (GOC) disclosed that over 150 impostors have been arrested from January last year till date.
The military boss explained that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects specialized in mounting road block along Ajah road to extort money from motorist as well as indulge in other illegal duties while dressed in Nigerian Army Camouflage uniform.
Penpushing reports that in similar vein, he said there are some suspects fully dressed in military uniform that were caught along the Ilaro Border area of Ogun State where they carry out smuggling of rice and other contrabands.
The General Officer Commanding said the arrested impostors would be handed over the Nigerian Police for further action, just as he called on 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.
Penpushing further reports that, he implored members of the public to continue to support the Division’s operation checkmate by proving information to the nearest Nigerian Army formations or units as part of efforts to rid Lagos and Ogun States or criminal elements who are bent on tarnishing the highly revered image of the Nigerian Army
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