Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have taken into custody a 26-year-old individual identified as John Umar Shehu for reportedly posing as a military personnel, assaulting a prospective employer, and carting away his automobile. The suspect, who hails from Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau State, faces multiple preliminary charges encompassing criminal impersonation, breach of trust, assault, and theft.
According to an official release distributed by the command's spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, law enforcement received a formal complaint on October 22, 2026. A local resident living within the Gida Dubu district of Bauchi reported that the individual had previously approached him on October 18, expressing interest in securing a driver's position at his packaged water production facility.
What happened during the employment assessment?
The complainant invited the applicant for a formal interview and a practical driving evaluation on October 22. During the course of this assessment, the suspect allegedly turned violent, attacking both the factory owner and the son of a neighboring resident before absconding with the employer's transport vehicle.
Authorities identified the stolen property as a white H-Jet utility van carrying the registration plates AE-278-ALK. Additionally, a green Infinix Smart 5X cellular device was reported missing from the scene.
How was the suspect tracked down?
Acting on the formal petition, police detectives initiated a discreet inquiry driven by intelligence-gathering tactics. This investigation ultimately led operatives to Jos, the capital of Plateau State, where the suspect was successfully apprehended and the hijacked vehicle was retrieved.
A subsequent search of the suspect yielded a cache of military gear. Law enforcement recovered multiple sets of Nigerian Army attire, including desert camouflage, standard green camouflage uniforms, a jungle hat, a military raincoat, a camouflage vest, and an official army sweater.
What false identity did the suspect use?
Preliminary findings indicate that the detainee falsely introduced himself as Private Umar Shehu, bearing the service number NA/22/82/1064. He reportedly claimed to be actively deployed under the 7 Division at Maimalari Barracks, specifically assigned to the 134 Special Forces Battalion stationed in Borno State.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, strongly denounced the fraudulent activities, issuing a stern warning against individuals exploiting the identities of national security institutions to commit illegal acts.
"The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime," the commissioner stated, while reaffirming that a comprehensive inquiry is currently underway to ensure the suspect faces appropriate legal action in a court of law.