Nigeria News
Police Crack Down On Syndicate Promising Fake Federal Jobs, Using Forged Govt Document
The IGP-Special Investigation Unit has apprehended four suspects accused of job racketeering, forgery of official documents, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretence.
Parading the suspects in Abuja on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the arrests followed a report from the office of the Special Assistant to the President and subsequent intelligence gathering.
The suspects, identified as Khuzaifa Tafida, Zakari Abdullahi, Abdullahi Baba, and Adeyemo Morufu, were said to be part of a syndicate forging government documents to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The statement partly read, “Following a report received from the office of the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and subsequent extensive intelligence gathering, operatives of the IGP-Special Investigation Unit have apprehended four (4) suspects alleged of criminal conspiracy, forgery of official documents, job racketeering, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretence.”
The suspects allegedly promised victims employment opportunities in agencies like the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, using fake documents from government offices. They extorted money under the pretense of securing jobs for their targets.
According to Adejobi, “Upon receipt of these documents with suspicion, followed by a petition from the office of the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a discreet investigation was conducted, which led to the apprehension of Khuzaifa Tafida and Zakari Abdullahi. Further investigation would then result in the arrest of the other suspects involved.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to their roles in the crime. They admitted to forging documents from several government offices to defraud unsuspecting victims, promising them enlistment and jobs at various Government Agencies.
“Some forged classified documents, stamps, the sum of One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand (₦1,700,000) and other incriminating items, were recovered from them. With this new trend, members of the public are advised to be wary of such fraudulent elements and avoid dealing with persons and individuals offering assistance outside of due process.”
The police have urged the public to remain cautious of fraudulent schemes and refrain from engaging with individuals offering job opportunities outside established procedures. Further investigations into the case are ongoing.