Four men have landed in katsina police net after allegedly swindling five business owners four million, seven hundred and sixty three thousand, six hundred naira (N4,763,600.00).
According to the police, the four suspects were rounded up on 12,May,2024 following a tip off.
The Spokesman for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu confirmed the arrest.
He explained “The Command has succeeded in bursting a four-man syndicate of fraudsters who specialised in swapping Point of Sale (POS) machines to empty victims’ accounts.
“The suspects, who were identified as Abdulhakeem Haruna 20, of Magamar Jibia, Jibia Local Government Area; Habibu Kabir 28 of Sabuwar Unguwa quarters, Katsina Local Government Area; Aminu Abubakar 27 of Barhim quarters and Abubakar Bishir 25 of Sabon Titin Kwado, Katsina, were arrested on May 12, 2024 at about 10.a.m following a tip-off.
“In the course of investigation, it was revealed that the syndicate would criminally swap the POS machines of unsuspecting victims with fake ones that looked identical, and then criminally withdraw money from the victims’ accounts. The suspects had swindled five (5) victims who are mostly business owners a total sum of four million, seven hundred and sixty-three thousand, six hundred naira (₦4,763,600) as four (4) POS machines were recovered in their possession. The suspects confessed to the commission of the offense as the investigation proceeds.”
The command spokesman added that the state Police Commissioner, Aliyu Musa urged residents of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the command for swift and decisive action.
He further gave the assurance of the police commissioner that the command would He further stated that the command would continue to work tirelessly to ensure that fraudsters are brought to book and members of the public are protected from their criminal activities.
The state police command has also arrested a member of an armed robbery syndicate which specializes in snatching tricycles.
The command spokesman gave further details thus “The Katsina State Police Command is pleased to announce the arrest of one Umar Musbahu of Behind Garka Quarters, Daura Local Government Area, a member of a syndicate of suspected armed robbers who have been terrorising commercial tricyclists (KEKE NAPEP) in the state, in connection with a string of armed robberies targeting unsuspecting commercial tricycle riders.
“On May 16, 2024 at about 10.25 p.m, at Barhim roundabout, with the aid of some good Samaritans, our operatives succeeded in arresting the suspect while attempting to rob a commercial tricycle rider as other members of the syndicate escaped. The syndicates’ modus operandi is to drug their victims by offering them drinks laced with sedatives before robbing them of their tricycles. However, during the arrest, as efforts are being made to apprehend them.
“In the course of investigation, two (2) other victims identified the suspect, corroborating his involvement in the crimes robbing them of their tricycles valued at one million, six hundred thousand naira (₦1,600,000.00) and two million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (₦2,250,000.00) respectively.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and further mentioned one Abdulrahman, of Jibia and Dan Hajiya of Katsina state both now at large; efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. “Investigation is currently on-going.”
Meanwhile, the police command has arrested two suspected rapists.
The police revealed that the suspects, namely Nasiru Yusuf, 53, and Sani Ahmed, 25 both of Batagarawa low-cost, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina were arrested on 13,May,2024 in connection with a suspected rape of a sixteen (16) year old girl.
According to the police, the duo criminally conspired and lured the victim (name withheld) into the room of the second suspect situated at the above mentioned address where they forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim .
The Command spokesman said the the suspects would be arraigned in court after completion of investigation.