Police Arrest Impostors Posing as EFCC Operatives in Niger State

Niger State Police have arrested three suspects who impersonated EFCC operatives to abduct and rob students from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University. They used tasers as weapons and demanded N10 million ransom, later lowering it to N500,000. The police intercepted them and are searching for an additional suspect.

In Niger State, authorities have apprehended three individuals impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a scheme targeting students at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai. The suspects—Emmanuel Linus, 30, Hyelda Aliyu, 28, and Abduljallid Tanko, 33—all hail from Abuja and allegedly stormed a student lodge on May 13, claiming to be EFCC officials.

Armed with electric tasers mistaken for firearms, the trio abducted two students and initially demanded a ransom of N10 million, later settling for a negotiated sum of N500,000. The swift response of police operatives from the Lapai Division led to their interception along Suleja Road, Kwakuti, resulting in their arrest and the seizure of their getaway vehicle, a Toyota Corolla with registration ABJ 245 CU. Notably, another suspect, Alfa James, managed to elude capture during the police operation.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects had been aided by informants, namely Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, residing in Angwan-Hausa, Lapai. In addition, the police disclosed that the suspects possessed forged EFCC identification cards, which were purportedly printed in Nyanya, Abuja, all bearing identical fraudulent ID numbers, specifically 1069.

Of particular concern is the background of Emmanuel Linus, one of the apprehended suspects who is identified as a dismissed soldier with a criminal history, having been previously convicted two years ago. The Niger State Police Command aims to reassure the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the escaping suspect and dismantle the entire criminal network involved in this operation.

The arrest of the three suspects underscores the importance of police vigilance and swift action in combating crime impersonating law enforcement agencies. With ongoing efforts to apprehend the fourth member of the gang and dismantle their network, the Niger State Police Command is working diligently to restore safety to the community.

Original Source: punchng.com