Police Arrest 2 For Swindling Father Of Convict N4.6m

Two people have swindled an unsuspecting father of a convicted inmate at Minna Correctional Centre of the sum of N4.6 million by impersonating the chief judge of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, to effect the release of his son.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that the two suspects Shamsiya Aliyu of Angwan Kampani and one Yusuf Yunusa of Bosso area Minna, conspired to approach the father of the inmate for money on different occasions amounting to N4.6 million, promising to influence the release of the inmate whenever the Chief Judge begins tour for decongestion of the correctional centres.

LEADERSHIP reports that the chief judge recently toured the correctional centres in Niger State where  she reviewed some of the cases and their sentences as well as to ensure that the number of awaiting trial inmates were reduced.

Sources hinted that the father of the inmate however raised alarm when the chief judge concluded the  tour and the son was not among those released or sentences reduced.

“The father reported to some people at the judiciary who drew the attention of the Chief Judge to the incident, the Chief Judge known for his strict and straight adherence was very irked , she  invited the police and the perpetrators who  were traced and picked by the police” a Judicial source who prefers anonymity hinted.

Confirming this to LEADERSHIP, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Niger State Command Wasiu Abiodun said, “Based on a direct complaint received, on Thursday 12th March, 2026 Police operatives of the Command arrested two persons; Shamsiya Aliyu of Angwan Kampani and one Yusuf Yunusa of Bosso area.”

“These suspects were arrested for an alleged criminal conspiracy, false personation and corrupt practices. Preliminary findings indicated that in a desperate effort by the relatives of one Ukasha, who is serving a jail term to be released from custody. Shamsiya and Yusuf allegedly conspired, under the pretence of assisting the family of Ukasha to be released from custody, extorted about N4.6m,” he added.

He said a  POS account was given where about N2.4m was confirmed to be paid through, saying that  further investigation was ongoing to unravel more facts in respect of the case.