Nigerian Army operatives have arrested over 12 suspected impersonators clad in military uniforms in Lagos and Ogun states.

TheNation reports that the suspects were apprehended by military police personnel of the 81 Division deployed for Operation Checkmate, an overt operation aimed at instilling discipline, professional and ethical conduct in service personnel.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the division’s headquarters in Lagos, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Maj.-Gen. Umar Musa, said the suspects engaged in conducts that portrayed the Army in bad light while dressed in camouflage.

He noted that it was people like the suspects who committed all sorts of atrocities in military camouflage that were usually blamed on service personnel.

According to him, most persons who display military banners or accoutrements like belts, stickers on vehicles or those who drive commercial vehicles in military uniform are usually fake soldiers.

He also revealed that the army has arrested over 150 impersonators since January.

On the latest arrest, the GOC said preliminary investigation revealed some of the suspects specialised in mounting roadblocks along Ajah Road to extort motorists and indulge in other acts of criminality.