Troops arrest man in military camouflage at Maiduguri varsity

Troops of the 73 Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of impersonating a soldier after he was found wearing military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University in Maiduguri, raising fresh security concerns over possible intelligence gathering by criminal elements.

The suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at the university’s Njimtilo campus on July 1 after his appearance in desert camouflage drew the attention of security personnel.

According to security sources, Mohammed initially claimed he was a newly admitted student who borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, his account reportedly collapsed during questioning after he failed to communicate in English, could not produce a valid student identity card, and was unable to access the university’s student portal to confirm his admission.

Troops subsequently contacted the university authorities, who confirmed that Mohammed was not enrolled as a student.

The institution’s Systems Manager also informed security operatives that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s explanation.

Security sources said investigators are probing whether the suspect was gathering intelligence while posing as a military personnel, adding that he remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion as investigations continue.

Military authorities reiterated that the illegal use of military uniforms constitutes a serious security risk, warning that impersonation could be exploited by criminal and terrorist groups to carry out unlawful activities.