BREAKING: Bauchi Police Arrest Fake Soldier Over Alleged Vehicle Theft

By Nasiru Hassan

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

The suspect, reportedly from Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested following a police investigation into a petition filed by a Bauchi-based factory owner.

According to the police, the suspect had approached the petitioner seeking employment as a driver at his pure water factory and was invited for an interview and driving assessment.

However, The National Lens reports that during the assessment on October 22, 2026, he allegedly attacked the factory owner and another individual before fleeing with a white H-Jet vehicle and a mobile phone.

Police detectives subsequently tracked and arrested him, recovering the stolen vehicle in Jos, Plateau State.

A search reportedly led to the recovery of two sets of military camouflage uniforms and other Nigerian Army-related items.

The suspect allegedly identified himself as Private Umar Shehu, claiming to be attached to the Army's 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.

The police said investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion.

The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation, warning against the use of military identity and uniforms to facilitate criminal activities.