Police Arrest Impersonators of EFCC in Niger for Kidnapping and Extortion
Three individuals posing as EFCC operatives were arrested in Niger for kidnapping and extortion of students. The suspects, along with two informants, had abducted two students and demanded ransom. In a separate incident, police arrested two others for drug trafficking, recovering significant quantities of illegal drugs. Both cases are under investigation.
Police in Niger State arrested three individuals who posed as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegedly attempting to kidnap and extort students in the town of Lapai. These arrests occurred with the assistance of two informants who were implicated in the operation, highlighting a concerning trend of deception and criminal activity targeting the local student population.
According to a press release from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, these incidents unfolded on May 13, 2025, around 8:00 p.m. The suspects allegedly stormed a student lodging facility off-campus, abducting two students and forcibly placing them into a Toyota Corolla vehicle with the registration number ABJ 245 CU. One additional suspect, named Alfa James, managed to flee the scene and remains at large.
During police questioning, the apprehended suspects reportedly confessed their involvement was facilitated by two informants, admitting that this criminal scheme served as their primary means of livelihood. The suspects claimed they had entered student accommodations wielding electric tasers, which they falsely disguised as firearms. It is notable that five mobile phones were also stolen during the incident.
The suspects confessed they had initially demanded a ransom of N10 million (approximately $13,000), which they later negotiated down to N500,000 (around $650) before their arrest. Additionally, it has been reported that the fake EFCC identification cards utilized in this operation were produced at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja, all bearing the same fraudulent identification number: “1069.”
The police subsequently arrested two informants, identified as Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both residents of Angwan-Hausa in Lapai. They allegedly provided critical information about the students to Emmanuel Linus, a known criminal with a history of dismissal from military service and who had recently been released from incarceration.
The Niger State police have indicated that all five suspects will remain under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will face charges in court once investigations conclude.
In a related matter, police operatives from the 61 PMF based in Kontagora apprehended two other suspects involved in drug trafficking. The pair, Jimoh Adamu and Usman Abubakar, both aged 26, were apprehended while riding a Bajaj motorcycle along the Babban-Rami/Rafin-Gora road.
A search conducted during their arrest revealed a substantial amount of illegal substances, including 327 wraps of cannabis, 38 packs of Emzol tablets, and four sachets of tramadol, alongside cash totaling ₦291,200. During questioning, Jimoh Adamu admitted to being a drug dealer, while his accomplice acknowledged his involvement in the activities.
According to SP Wasiu Abiodun, the drug-related suspects will be referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, marking yet another step in the ongoing battle against drug-related crimes in the region.
In summary, the Niger State Police have successfully apprehended a group of suspects impersonating EFCC agents, bringing to light serious concerns regarding kidnappings and extortion targeting students. The collaboration with informants illustrates the depth of criminal networks operating in the area. Additionally, recent actions against drug trafficking further emphasize the police’s commitment to addressing crime in Niger State. The investigations into both incidents are ongoing, with law enforcement vowing to address these serious offenses urgently.
Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com
