Niger command arrests fraudsters impersonating policemen

Four suspected fraudsters who go about major markets in Niger State were arrested after they visited the Izom cattle market to swindle unsuspecting traders.

Upon their arrest, they were found to be in possession of a handcuff, N1.2 million, cut-to-size papers, liquid chemicals for counterfeiting notes, and two mobile phones.

The suspects were identified as Aliyu Abbas, 35, of Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, of Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45.

Following their arrest at the market, some of the traders who visited the scene to identify the suspects as the same set of people who swindled them of cash and even cattle.

The spokesman of the Niger State Police Command Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the arrest and said the suspects were under interrogation prior to their prosecution.

“On 16 April 2025, at about 3 pm, acting on credible intelligence that a syndicate of four men who specialise in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in the various markets across the state had been sighted at the Izom cattle market and were planning to defraud an individual after selling his cattle.

“Based on this intelligence, police operatives from the Maje Division mobilised to the scene, intercepted a black Mercedes-Benz vehicle with registration number KTU 747 HF, and apprehended the suspects.

The suspects are identified as Aliyu Abbas, 35, of Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, of Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45.

“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being fraudsters, even as some victims identified the syndicate as individuals who had swindled them of money and cattle at various markets.

It was also said that at times, they do present themselves as policemen to their victims or counterfeit notes producers.

“Exhibits recovered include the sum of N1.2 million in cash, cut-to-size papers, liquid chemicals for counterfeiting notes, a handcuff, and two mobile phones.

“The suspects are currently under investigation and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of inquiries,” Abiodun narrated.

The spokesman also disclosed that the Command had arrested a suspect with a locally fabricated AK-49 riffle with live ammunition in the state.

According to him, “on 11 April 2025, police operatives from the Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, intercepted one Abdullahi Sani, 20, of Rafin-Daji, Abaji area of the FCT, at Gidan-Gwona, Saminaka area of Gurara LGA, Niger State, with a fabricated AK-49 rifle and a magazine containing three live rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition

During interrogation, the suspect claimed he was returning from Kwakuti, where he had attended an occasion, and was accosted by the police on reaching Saminaka.

“The suspect claimed he is a member of the Yansakai group in Abaji, and the rifle was given to him by his commander, one Danlami Bala, of the same address.

“The said Bala was also arrested, and he claimed that he got the rifle from one Yakubu who is presently at large. However, the two suspects are under investigation,” the PPRO stated.