Police arrest pretend soldier for stealing potential employer’s automobile in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspect, John Umar Shehu, for impersonating a Nigerian Army officer, assaulting his potential employer and stealing his automobile.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a press release on thirtieth October, 2026.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested following a petition from one Salisu alleging that She solicited for a driving job at his pure water manufacturing unit and was invited for an interview/evaluation.

While the evaluation was ongoing, the suspect allegedly attacked the manufacturing unit proprietor and one among his neighbour’s sons, and made away together with his automobile.

Police stated the suspect was arrested in by means of intelligence policing.

A search of the suspect additionally led to the restoration of Nigerian Army uniforms, together with desert and inexperienced camouflage uniforms, a raincoat, a camouflage vest, and an Army sweater.

Habib stated the stolen automobile was additionally recovered in his possession in Jos, Plateau State.

“The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested one John Umar Shehu, 26 years old male of Bassa LGA, Plateau State for criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft,” the assertion learn.

“On 22nd October, 2026 at about 1200hrs, the Command received a written petition from one Salisu (other names withheld), a resident of Gida Dubu Area, Bauchi, against the suspect.

“The petitioner said that on 18th October, 2026 at about 1137hrs, he obtained a name from an unknown quantity 09014****65. The caller, who recognized himself as John Umar Shehu, solicited for a driving job at his pure water manufacturing unit in Bauchi and was invited for an interview/evaluation on nineteenth October, 2026.

“However, on 22nd October, 2026, while the assessment was ongoing, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and one of his neighbour’s sons, deceived them and made away with his vehicle to an unknown destination.

“The stolen automobile is described as:
– White H-Jet Motor Vehicle
– Registration No: AE-278-ALK
– Chassis No: 5110P147308
– Engine No: 5110…
– Also stolen: One inexperienced Infinix Smart 5X cellphone, No: 07079****48

“Following the petition, detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.

“A search carried out on him led to the restoration of the next Nigerian Army uniforms in his possession: one full set of Army desert camouflage uniform together with jungle hat, one full set of Army issued inexperienced camouflage uniform, one Army raincoat, one camouflage vest and one Army sweater.

“The stolen vehicle was also recovered in his possession in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State.

“The suspect additional paraded himself as Pte Umar Shehu with Service No: NA/22/82/1064 connected to 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), condemns the act and warns that the Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime.

“He assures that the suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court.”