Suspected Fraudsters Caught Impersonating Police To Defraud Traders In Niger

Niger State Police Command has arrested four men suspected of posing as police officers to scam traders and steal their money and cattle at various markets.

The suspects, named as Aliyu Abbas, 35, from Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, from Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u from Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45, were arrested on April 16, 2025.

Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects were caught with handcuffs, N1.2 million in cash, counterfeit materials including cut-up papers and chemicals for making fake money, and two mobile phones.

He said the police were tipped off about the gang, which was known for tricking people at markets around Niger State.

“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.”

Abiodun said the suspects are currently under investigation and will face charges in court after the investigation is complete.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently arrested four Chinese nationals and 104 Nigerians in Abuja over alleged involvement in internet fraud.