16 students of Delta State University, Abraka and Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, both in Delta state were on Friday paraded by the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army Benin for allegedly being in possession of Nigerian Army uniforms and accoutrements.
Cpt. Roseline Managbe, the brigade’s Public Relations Officer, told newsmen on Friday that the suspects claimed to be members of the Nigerian Army Cadet Force and Safety Corps of Nigerian Cadet Team.
She said that the illegal acquisition, use and abuse of the Nigerian Army uniform and accoutrement posed a serious security threat to the nation.
“Experience has shown that these impostors have impersonated the Nigerian Army in various scenarios in acts of criminality to the embarrassment of the army and the nation in general.
The Nigerian Army which is widely respected worldwide cannot fold its arms and watch its name dragged into the mud by a group parading themselves as affiliate of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army disassociates itself from the activities of this group. There is only one Nigerian army and no affiliates.”
Managbe explained that the suspects were arrested by troops of the 3 Battalion Nigerian Army deployed in Asaba, Delta state.
Items recovered from the suspects were 20 pairs of army boots, 32 pairs of army green uniforms, five pairs of army camouflage uniforms, nine pairs of Army peak caps, nine pairs of Army beret, and three pairs of Army jungle hats.
Others included three pairs of Army general duty belts, three pairs of Army anklets, a pair of Army camouflage T-shirt, 11 yards of Army green materials, one Nigerian Army flag and 10 Nigerian Cadet recruitment forms.
them wan become army officers by force?