The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly loitering within the premises of a commercial bank in Minna metropolis in a suspicious manner.
ASP Wasiu Abiodun, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
The police also announced the arrest of 45-year-old Usman Yohanna, of Television area Kaduna, an alleged fake Inspector of Police, for mounting an illegal checkpoint and extorting the public.
Abiodun said on June 5, at about 10am, Police Intelligence Operatives on Bank surveillance in Minna arrested one Victor Okebugwu of Tungan-Goro Minna, aged 32, and James Amaonye, 33, of Korokpa via Chanchaga Minna.
He explained that the two suspects were noticed to be loitering within the premises of a commercial bank in Minna in a very suspicious manner.
Investigation revealed that the suspects specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public with the pretence of opening bank account or to assist them in operating ATM.
He added: “Thirty three pieces of GT Bank ATM cards, two Access Bank ATM cards, one Zenith Bank ATM card, seven pieces of MTN Sim cards and nine pieces of 9mobile Sim cards, were recovered from the suspects.
“Eight pieces of Airtel Sim cards, four pieces of GT bank account opening forms, 19 pieces of Airtel and nine mobile customer registration forms, one Tecno black phone, one Infinix S5 phone and one Motorcycle.
“During interrogation, the suspects claimed that the cards were collected from their game betting customers for the purpose of crediting their account with proceeds from the games, and later unlawfully withdraw their money.”
Abiodun said the case was still under investigation.
Similarly on June 6 at about 10am, Police detectives, led by DPO of Gawu Babangida Division, while on patrol along Boyi-Sarkin Daku Road, Gurara Local Government Area, discovered an illegal checkpoint.
He said the illegal police checkpoint was mounted by an alleged Inspector of Police, later identified as Usman Yohanna, 45, of Television area, Kaduna State, and others now at large.
Abiodun added: “The suspect claimed that he is a Police officer attached to Federal SARS Abuja.
“Investigation revealed that the said inspector was dismissed from service as sergeant on February 2019 at Sabon Tasha Division Kaduna State Command.
“The suspect arranged the check point to extort unsuspecting members of the public.
“The suspect confessed to the crime, exhibits recovered include a complete set of Police Camouflage, case will soon be charge to court.”