The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspected fraudsters who pose as police officers to swindle unsuspecting traders of their money and cattle at different markets.
The suspects identified as Aliyu Abbas, 35, of Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, of Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45, were arrested on April 16, 2025.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said the suspects 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.
“On 16th April, 2025 at about 3pm, acting on a credible intelligence that a syndicate of four men who specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in various markets around Niger State were sighted at Izom cattle market, planning to defraud a person after selling his cattle,” the statement read.
“Based on this, Police operatives of Maje Div mobilised to the scene and intercepted one black Mercedes Benz vehicle with Reg. No. KTU 747 HF with the following suspects; Aliyu Abbas 35yrs of Funtua, Katsina, Jibrin Idris 35yrs of Gwiwa, Jigawa, Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina and Abubakar Yahaya 45yrs of Daura, Katsina.
“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being fraudsters and a sum of one million, two hundred thousand naira was recovered from them. Other exhibits include a bunch of cut to size papers, liquid chemicals claimed to be used for counterfeit notes, handcuff, and two phones.
“Some victims identified the syndicate as fraudsters who had swindled them of their money and cattle at different markets. It was also said that at times, they do present themselves as policemen to their victims or counterfeit notes producer and other means of defrauding people.
“The suspects are under further investigation and will be charged to court after investigations.”