The Katsina State Police Command has arrested five suspects over an alleged N10 million fraud involving the use of multiple bank accounts and forged identity documents.
The police also recovered vehicles, mobile phones, cash and other items suspected to have been used in connection with the criminal activities.
The command said the arrests represented a major breakthrough in its sustained efforts to tackle cybercrime and financial fraud in the state.
Nigerian Post gathered that this was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, on November 7, 2026.
According to the statement, the incident followed a complaint submitted to the Commissioner of Police on October 27, 2026, on behalf of one Nasir Dan-Rimi.
The complainant alleged that on October 10, 2026, at about 3:45pm, he gave one Ahmed Abdulhakim, 23, the sum of N10 million to facilitate a business transaction on his behalf.
However, after receiving the money through his bank account, Ahmed allegedly absconded and diverted the funds for personal use despite repeated efforts to recover the money.
Following the complaint, police detectives launched an investigation, which led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspect.
During interrogation, Ahmed reportedly confessed to the allegation, claiming that the money was part of a fraudulent operation carried out by the group.
He further alleged that both himself and the complainant were involved in defrauding members of the public.
The investigation subsequently led police operatives to a hotel allegedly being used as a hideout by the syndicate, where two other suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Abdulrahman Abdullahi, popularly known as Khaila, 24, and Mustapha Ayuba, also 24.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been staying at the hotel for a considerable period, using it as a base for their fraudulent activities.
The assistant manager of the hotel, identified as Fahad Ahmad, was also arrested for allegedly aiding and harbouring the suspects.
He was accused of repeatedly changing their rooms to prevent security operatives from locating them and effecting their arrest.
The statement further disclosed that investigations revealed that the three principal suspects allegedly used fake identity documents, including Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs), to open several bank accounts with fictitious names.
According to the police, Ahmed allegedly possessed three BVNs and three NINs, which he used to operate 13 bank accounts.
Similarly, Abdulrahman allegedly had three BVNs and three NINs linked to six bank accounts, while Mustapha was also found with three BVNs and three NINs used to operate another six accounts.
The command said all the accounts were opened using false identities to conceal the actual owners and operators.
Further investigations reportedly identified two other suspects, Saifullahi Idris and Umar Faruq Bala, who were allegedly responsible for supplying the syndicate with fake BVNs and NINs.
The police added that all the suspects arrested had confessed to their alleged involvement and explained the different roles they played in the criminal network.
Items recovered from the suspects included a grey Peugeot 206 and a white Mercedes-Benz C300.
Other exhibits included Samsung Fold, Redmi, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 mobile phones, as well as N2 million in cash.
The police also recovered nine NIN cards, three each from the three principal suspects, nine BVN documents allegedly obtained using false identities, one additional NIN card, nine ATM cards and 14 SIM cards.
Also recovered were 12 packs of SIM cards belonging to different telecommunications networks, which were allegedly used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
In addition, the command said it had secured restrictions on withdrawals from two bank accounts containing N19 million and N3 million, bringing the total amount to N22 million.
However, investigations reportedly revealed that the original complainant, Aminu Nasir Dan-Rimi, alongside another suspect, Surajo Sani Muhammad, were allegedly the masterminds of the fraud syndicate.
The police said both suspects were currently at large, adding that efforts were ongoing to track them down and bring them to justice.
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and commitment, which led to the arrests.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain its fight against cybercrime, financial fraud and other criminal activities across the state.
The commissioner also warned hotel owners and managers against harbouring criminals or assisting suspects to evade arrest.
He urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious individuals and questionable business transactions to the police for necessary action.
