The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested two members of a criminal syndicate, Nura Mohammed and Abubakar Iliyasu, that has been perpetrating fraud against both serving and retired police officers.
The syndicate is involved in a series of criminal activities, including impersonation, fraud, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this during a press briefing at the force headquarters on Friday.
Giving details of the modus operandi of the syndicate, ACP Adejobi said the syndicate operates by impersonating aides to high-ranking police officers, specifically the Personal Assistant to very senior police officers or the Director in charge of promotion at the Police Service Commission.
According to him, the IGP Monitoring Unit in concert with the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Nigeria Police has been investigating the criminal syndicate over the past two years.
The force spokesman, however, said the prime suspect of the syndicate, Ismaila Ayedade is currently at large.
He, therefore, declared him wanted and called on members of the public with information on his whereabouts to come forward and assist in his apprehension.
“Ayedade, along with his accomplices, Nura Mohammed and Abubakar Iliyasu, uses various tactics to deceive their victims,” ACP Adejobi said.
“They claim to be acting on behalf of high-ranking officers, promising promotions, postings, or even exoneration from disciplinary actions in exchange for monetary payments. They have also used the guise of auctioning SUV vehicles to entice victims.
“To date, this criminal syndicate has successfully defrauded both retired and serving police officers of over 100 million naira through various fraudulent schemes. They utilize different phone numbers and bank accounts to avoid detection. While the principal suspect, Ismaila Ayedade, remains at large, we have made significant progress in this case. Nura Mohammed and Abubakar Iliyasu have been apprehended and are currently in police custody.
“Ismaila Ayedade, the prime suspect in this case, is now officially declared as wanted by the Nigeria Police Force. We call on anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to come forward and assist in his apprehension. The arrested suspects, Nura Mohammed, and Abubakar Iliyasu, will be charged to court soon to face the full weight of the law.”
The force public relations officer also gave a word of caution to both serving and retired police officers.
“We strongly caution all police officers, both serving and retired, as well as members of the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in discussions or transactions that involve pecuniary obligations. Always verify the authenticity of such requests through official channels, and adhere strictly to the due process of internal control and supervision within the Force.”
