Police operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested a 33-year-old suspect, Yusuf Idris, for impersonating the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Umar Nadada, and defrauding unsuspecting job seekers.
The arrest was made by officers from the State Intelligence Department after Idris, a resident of Ombi I in Lafia, allegedly defrauded victims under the pretense of securing them jobs in the Nigeria Police Force and the Nasarawa State Hospital Management Board.
According to a statement from DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer, preliminary investigations revealed that Idris collected ₦300,000 from one victim, Monday Akinde, with a false promise of securing him a position with the Nasarawa State Hospital Management Board.
Nansel stated that he later tried to extort an additional ₦500,000 from Akinde, claiming he could sell a recruitment slot in the Nigeria Police Force.
To lend credibility to his claims, the suspect brought the victim to the entrance of the State Police Command Headquarters in Lafia, pretending to have access to recruitment opportunities.
However, Idris was arrested after suspicious behavior and subsequent investigations revealed his fraudulent activities.
“In a bid to convince his victim of the authenticity of his claims, the suspect lured the victim to the State Police Command Headquarters and left him at the entrance of the Command.
“The suspect then entered into the Command Headquarters and was lurking around before he was consequently arrested, and the aforementioned confessions were made.” Nansel stated.
The police chief further stated that officers recovered two fake promotion letters from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, which the suspect claimed to have sourced from Facebook, ₦300,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from the scam.
The statement also added that CP Shehu Umar Nadada urged members of the public who may have fallen victim to the scam to come forward with their complaints.
Nadada also advised residents to be cautious of employment racketeers and to avoid sharing sensitive personal information on social media.
The Commissioner warned those considering similar fraudulent activities to desist, adding that the police would not hesitate to bring perpetrators to justice.
The suspect remains in custody, and further investigations are underway, stated Nansel.
Police arrest suspect for job scam, name-dropping in Nasarawa