Gombe: Fake soldier arrested for N700,000 romance fraud

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

The Nigerian Army has arrested a 35-year-old man, Clifford Maisamari, for allegedly impersonating a military officer and defrauding two women of more than ₦700,000 through relationships in Gombe and Bauchi states.

Troops of the 301 Artillery Regiment, Gombe, arrested Maisamari, a native of Zonkwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a report of alleged military impersonation.

The suspect allegedly obtained more than ₦500,000 from a 34-year-old businesswoman in Gombe and about ₦210,000 from another woman in Bauchi through financial requests linked to their relationships.

Maisamari admitted falsely presenting himself as a military officer but denied deliberately using romantic relationships to defraud the women.

He said the Gombe businesswoman initially gave him ₦50,000 as a gift before providing additional sums on subsequent occasions. He acknowledged receiving more than ₦500,000 from her but insisted that he intended to repay the money.

“I know it is a big thing to say you are an army officer when you are not an officer. I agree to that, and I apologise,” he said.

The Gombe businesswoman, who requested anonymity, said she became suspicious after seeing a Facebook post warning women about a man allegedly posing as a military officer.

She said she contacted military personnel she knew to verify a promotion letter the suspect had shown her. According to her, the contacts told her that the number on the document did not correspond with their records.

The woman said she concealed her suspicions and maintained a cordial relationship with Maisamari to prevent him from escaping before his arrest.

She eventually invited him to her office under the pretext of collecting her car, which he had been using. Soldiers arrested him when he arrived, she said.

Although she expressed interest in recovering her money, the businesswoman said her primary concern was preventing other women from falling victim to similar schemes.

In the Bauchi case, Maisamari admitted receiving about ₦210,000 from another woman, claiming the money was given during discussions about their relationship and possible marriage arrangements.

He said disagreements later developed between them and that he eventually blocked the woman after she demanded repayment.

The suspect denied routinely exploiting romantic relationships for financial gain, insisting that he had genuine intentions towards the women and planned to repay the money.

An Army official at the 301 Artillery Regiment said troops arrested Maisamari following a report of impersonation.

The official said preliminary investigations had been conducted, adding that further questioning would establish whether the suspect had accomplices and determine the extent of his alleged activities.

“We are still going to question him more to know if he has a syndicate and the extent he has gone in his duplicitous act,” the official said.

He explained that the Army intervened because the suspect allegedly impersonated a military officer, adding that the case would otherwise fall within the jurisdiction of the civil police.

The official said the Army would hand Maisamari over to the police after completing its preliminary investigation.

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