Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has clarified that the individual recently arrested for armed robbery in Abia State is not a member of its personnel, dismissing circulating claims that he was a soldier attached to the 14 Brigade in Ohafia.
Reports and a video circulating on social media had identified the suspect as Lance Corporal Chukwu Ebuka Peter, allegedly linked to the 14 Brigade. The video suggested that the individual was involved in armed robbery while serving in the Nigerian Army. However, the Army’s Headquarters of the 14 Brigade in Ohafia issued a statement on Wednesday categorically denying these claims.
According to Captain Mazinho Attah, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, the arrested individual does not correspond to any official records within the unit. “Preliminary investigations and records from the Army show that the suspect is a deceitful criminal impersonating a member of the Nigerian Army to carry out illegal activities,” Captain Attah said. He explained that every soldier is assigned a unique identification number and is formally registered to a unit, and the suspect did not provide any verifiable information linking him to the 14 Brigade.
The statement condemned the act of impersonation, describing it as a serious criminal offense. Captain Attah emphasized that the Nigerian Army maintains high standards of discipline, professionalism, and accountability among its personnel, and that any verified soldier involved in criminal activity would face stringent consequences under military law.
He further urged the public to disregard any claims linking the arrested individual to the Army and advised citizens to report any suspicious persons posing as soldiers to the nearest security agencies. The Army’s clarification aims to prevent reputational damage and ensure the public is not misled by false information on social media platforms.
This development highlights the growing concern over criminal impersonation of military personnel in Nigeria. Security experts have previously warned that individuals posing as soldiers to carry out illegal activities undermine public trust in law enforcement and can escalate criminal operations if not addressed promptly.
The Nigerian Army’s statement serves as a reminder that authentic members of the armed forces are strictly regulated and identifiable through official channels, reinforcing that impersonation for criminal purposes is both illegal and punishable under Nigerian law.
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