Uncategorized
Impersonation: Army Arrests Man Posing As Military General
The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it has arrested Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, a man posing as a military general, misleading the public and abusing the prestige of the military institution.
In a statement issued by Appolonia Anene, the Army said it uncovered and arrested Rauf who parades himself as a retired Major General after he consistently exploited false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians,
Anene said investigations showed that contrary to his claims, the imposter was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army, nor did he attain the rank of a general from the service.
She stated that further investigations revealed that Tijjani also fraudulently claimed attendance at the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, while asserting that he was a recipient of the national honour, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
“The impostor was found to have consistently exploited these false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during court proceedings where he presented himself as a retired senior military officer to command undue respect, sympathy and influence.
“During interrogation, media reports published in two nationally recognised newspapers were recovered, in which the impostor was repeatedly referred to as a “retired Major General.” These misrepresentations, now established to be false, further demonstrate the extent to which the individual sustained his deception within the public space,” Anene said.
Continuing, she highlighted that one such claim, published by an online newspaper, was the identification of Tijjani as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, in which he sought ₦8 billion in damages.
In another report, the imposter was also referred to as a Major General while detailing his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit, which the court had earlier described as a gross abuse of court process and incompetent in law.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that no retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer with such identity ever held the rank of Major General or above within the Service. We strongly condemn this act of impersonation, which constitutes a grave offence, undermines public trust and tarnishes the honour and integrity of officers who have genuinely served the nation with distinction.
“The Nigerian Army reiterates its commitment to protecting the sanctity of its ranks, honours and institutions and will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that impostors and fraudsters are brought to justice. Members of the public are hereby urged to verify claims of military status through appropriate channels and report any suspicious representations to security agencies,” she added.
She further called on the general public to be mindful of the dangers associated with the impersonation or use of military uniforms and badges by unauthorised persons as the Army will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute such persons in accordance with the law.
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated Muslims in Kano State and across the country on witnessing the new Islamic year, which begins with Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The statement was signed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on Monday, with a copy made available to the press in Kano.
The governor urged residents of the state and the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion as a period of reflection, assessing their actions over the past year and renewing their commitment to righteousness and community development.
He also called on citizens to offer special prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Yusuf further reassured the people of Kano of his administration’s commitment to improving their living standards through people-centred policies and dedicated governance.
The state government expressed hope that the new Islamic year would usher in greater progress, stability and blessings for the people of Kano and the nation at large
The Niger State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a work-free day across the state to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448 AH.
The declaration, approved by Mohammed Umaru Bago, is intended to enable Muslims and other residents to reflect on the spiritual significance of the Hijrah—the historic migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Abubakar Usman, described the Hijrah as a symbol of sacrifice, perseverance, faith, discipline, resilience, and commitment to righteousness.
Residents have been urged to use the occasion to pray for lasting peace, security, unity, and prosperity in Niger State and Nigeria, while religious leaders are encouraged to promote patriotism, tolerance, moral values, and peaceful coexistence.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to the New Niger Agenda, aimed at improving the welfare of citizens through transformative policies and programmes.
The government congratulates the Muslim Ummah and all residents on the beginning of 1448 AH and prays for a year filled with peace, progress, good health, abundant opportunities, and renewed hope.
Preliminary results from the local government elections held in Adamawa State on Saturday show that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gained an early lead in 18 out of the 21 local government areas.
However, the elections experienced a notable degree of voter apathy across many polling units.
Notably, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who recently switched from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not present in the state during the voting. State officials have stated that he was engaged in a significant commitment outside of Adamawa State at that time.
In light of the initial results, State Commissioner for Information, Leader Leneke, credited the PDP’s early success to effective grassroots campaigning, while indicating that the ruling APC had not engaged in campaigning to the same extent.
“The PDP governorship candidate and the chairmanship candidates were going out every day for campaigns, but the ruling APC was not doing the same. So, if the PDP wins the election today, it is due to its hard work,” The Punch quoted Leneke.
Leneke noted that the low voter turnout was partly driven by a historic perception among rural populations that local government polls automatically favor the party in power. He also stated that heavy rainfall after 1:00 p.m. further disrupted voter participation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta expressed satisfaction with the exercise after visiting the Karewa Primary School polling unit and other centers. Farauta described the turnout as impressive and orderly, praising the electorates for their peaceful conduct and urging the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) to maintain professional standards.
Some voters also reported that material distribution and simultaneous accreditation began smoothly around 8:00 a.m. at locations like Jambitu unit 002.
Conversely, opposition candidates have alleged widespread irregularities. At Girei I Ward, observers noted that seven polling units were without election officials and voters by 11:00 a.m. In Song Local Government Area, officials were present in only three township units but recorded no voter turnout.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Demsa Local Government Area, Dennis Kakaba, strongly criticized the process, alleging that voting occurred in only eight out of the 172 polling units in his council.
“There is no local government election in Adamawa State. They wrote the results last week and are pretending that an election has taken place. It is a shame for democracy,” Kakaba stated.
Despite the criticism and low turnout, APC Publicity Secretary Dogo Victor expressed confidence that the ruling party would emerge victorious once the final results are officially computed and released by ADSIEC.
The electoral commission had earlier confirmed that 11 political parties, including the APC, PDP, ADC, SDP, YPP, and the Labour Party, participated in the local government contests.
Blood Sisters Season 2 Answers Old Questions, Then Creates New Problems (REVIEW)
BREAKING: Kano Governor, Yusuf Declares One-Day Public Holiday
BREAKING: Niger Governor, Bago Declares One-Day Public Holiday
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
News8 hours agoNigerian Government Announces June 16 Public Holiday
-
Politics1 day agoREVEALED: 48 Powerful Lawmakers Who Lost APC Primaries (FULL LIST)
-
Politics1 day agoNo Going Back: APC Declares Primaries Result Ahead 2027 Elections
-
Uncategorized2 days agoBREAKING: PDP Takes Early Lead Over APC in LG Election Results
-
News1 day agoFresh Tension as Bandits Kidnap Monarch, Shot Wife
-
Politics12 hours ago
FULL LIST: APC Governorship Candidates for 2027 Elections Emerge
-
Politics5 hours agoBREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Dumps Atiku, Gives Shocking Reason
-
Business1 day agoNo More N2.400/kg: Cooking Gas Landing Cost Crashes, as Dealers Release Fresh Prices