Yobe Police Nab Fraudsters Masquerading As NGO For N78.9m Fraud

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested some individuals who allegedly posed as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to swindle their victims of N78,900,000.00.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a crime bulletin released to journalists in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Friday.

He stated that the Command takes a strong stance against such criminal acts and has initiated comprehensive investigations.

According to the statement, the Command received a complaint involving criminal conspiracy, cheating, and breach of trust from Ibrahim Mohammed and Abubakar Usman of Abasha Ward, Damaturu.

The complaint alleged that Mohammed Modu of Nayi Nawa Ward, Damaturu, had collected 180 bags of maize grains, each valued at N40,000, totaling N7,400,000, with the agreement that payment would be made once the supply reached its destination at an NGO based in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. However, payment was delayed for several days, and the goods were not returned.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, instructed the State Intelligence Department to conduct an immediate investigation.

The PPRO further added that on January 30, 2024, the primary suspect, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, aged 44, from Anguwan Sinusi, Kaduna State, who had fled, was apprehended in Kaduna State. Her accomplice, Sunday Ezra Haruna, aged 35, the secretary of the gang, and Ishaku Abdulsallam, aged 40, from Hotoro, Kano State, who acted as the accountant, were arrested in separate locations in Kano and Maiduguri.

The suspects are known for targeting unsuspecting victims, primarily farmers and marketers, by offering them contracts to purchase food items while masquerading as officials of an NGO.

Abdulkarim explained that the suspects deceived victims, primarily farmers and marketers, into selling food items on credit under the guise of being NGO officials. They promised to pay after delivery to various destinations, claiming the goods were for donation to IDP camps. However, they sold the goods at low prices without the victims’ consent and absconded with the proceeds.

Victims of the fraud included Mohd Modu of Nayi Nawa Ward, defrauded of maize grains worth N7.4 million; Ibrahim Mohd and Abubakar Usman of Abasha Ward, defrauded of maize grains worth N22 million; Alh. Arma Yau Yahaya of Bauchi State, defrauded of rice worth N29.995 million; and Ishaku Salihu Chaptu of Mangu, Plateau State, defrauded of maize grains worth N22 million. Additionally, two other victims were rescued by detectives before their supplies were offloaded.

Seven suspects are currently detained in connection with receiving stolen property and illegal purchasing.

Abdulkarim stressed the legitimacy of NGOs, which do not demand money as part of their operational procedures but source relief materials through official channels.

The Commissioner of Police has urged the community to be vigilant of fraudsters posing as NGOs and defrauding individuals. The Command has committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting anyone involved in similar fraudulent activities.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.