The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a five-member syndicate accused of defrauding victims across multiple states. The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Suleman, Sani Salisu, Nasiru Mohd, Alhasan Illiya, and Weti Mohd, were apprehended in a joint operation by the State Intelligence Department (SID) and the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the Police Public Relations Officer, the group posed as travellers seeking help. They deceived their victims by claiming to perform rituals to ward off enemies and bring prosperity. Their most recent victim, Mallam Audu Shehu from Shekau Village in Tarmuwa LGA, was defrauded of N500,000. However, the police recovered the stolen funds during a search of the suspects’ belongings.
Abdulkarim further revealed that the suspects admitted this was their first operation in Yobe State, but they had been involved in similar fraudulent activities across Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba states over the past three years.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, reassured the public of the command’s commitment to safety and security, urging citizens to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.