The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspect, John Umar Shehu, for impersonating a Nigerian Army officer, assaulting his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on 30th 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 factory and was invited for an interview/assessment.
While the assessment was ongoing, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and one of his neighbour’s sons, and made away with his vehicle.
Police said the suspect was arrested in through intelligence policing.
A search of the suspect also led to the recovery of Nigerian Army uniforms, including desert and green camouflage uniforms, a raincoat, a camouflage vest, and an Army sweater.
Habib said the stolen vehicle was also 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 statement read.
“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 stated that on 18th October, 2026 at about 1137hrs, he received a call from an unknown number 09014****65. The caller, who identified himself as John Umar Shehu, solicited for a driving job at his pure water factory in Bauchi and was invited for an interview/assessment on 19th 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 vehicle is described as:
– White H-Jet Motor Vehicle
– Registration No: AE-278-ALK
– Chassis No: 5110P147308
– Engine No: 5110…
– Also stolen: One green Infinix Smart 5X phone, No: 07079****48
“Following the petition, detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.
“A search conducted on him led to the recovery of the following Nigerian Army uniforms in his possession: one full set of Army desert camouflage uniform including jungle hat, one full set of Army issued green 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 further paraded himself as Pte Umar Shehu with Service No: NA/22/82/1064 attached 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.”
