Troops Arrest Fake Soldier At Borno Varsity

Troops of the 73 Battalion (Motorised) under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a 25-year-old man allegedly posing as a soldier at Kashim Ibrahim University in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at the university’s Njimtilo campus after soldiers became suspicious of his appearance in a military desert camouflage uniform.

According to Zagazola Makama, a security expert posted on his X page, reported that the suspect claimed during initial questioning that he was a newly admitted student who had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, investigators said inconsistencies emerged during interrogation.

Zagazola quoting security sources said Mohammed was unable to communicate in English, failed to present a valid student identity card and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission claim.

Troops subsequently contacted university authorities, who reportedly confirmed that the suspect was not enrolled as a student at the institution.

The university’s Systems Manager also informed security personnel that the ongoing Career Week programme was strictly for final-year students, contradicting the suspect’s explanation for being on campus.

Zagazola noted that security investigators are probing whether the suspect was gathering intelligence while posing as a member of the military.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion as investigations continue.

The military reiterated its warning against the illegal use of military uniforms, stressing that impersonating personnel of the Armed Forces poses a serious security risk and could aid criminal or terrorist activities.