…as bandits kidnap scores in Katsina
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Nigeria police, Katsina state Command said it has arrested a fake Nigerian Airforce officer who specialized in defrauding and stealing from unsuspecting members of the public.
The man who gave his name as Khamis Abdullahi, ‘M’, of W02 Quarters, NDA, Kaduna, was arrested based on credible intelligence reports, according to statement issued and signed by Police public relations officer, PPRO, katsina state SP Gambo Isah.
The command stated that “On 2nd December 2020, at about 16:00hrs, based on credible intelligence, the Command succeeded in arresting one Khamis Abdullahi, ‘M’, of W02 Quarters, NDA, Kaduna, a notorious fraudster and a thief who specializes in defrauding and stealing from unsuspecting members of the public.
It also stated that Abdullahi is using fake bank transfer alert and similar other tricks to defraud people. “Nemesis caught up with the hoodlum when on 24th November 2020, at about 10:11hrs, he dressed in Nigerian Air force Uniform, bearing the name K. Abdullahi with Captain rank, approached one Muhammadu Isah Girka, a Car dealer in Alfrah Motors LTD, IBB Way, Katsina and introduced himself as Air Force Captain who returned from the United Kingdom and posted Katsina on special duty as a Pilot.
He demanded to buy a motor vehicle, Toyota Corolla S, 2016 Model, blue in colour, valued five million four hundred thousand naira (N5,400,000:00K) from the car stand. He also promised to come later and pay for the vehicle.
Subsequently, on 02 December 2020, at about 10:45hrs, he called the said car dealer, Muhammadu and asked him to meet him at First Bank, Yahaya Madawaki way, Katsina, and collect his money for the vehicle. “In the process he deceitfully filled a bank transfer teller for the sum of (N5,400,000:00K), stamped with his fabricated fake stamp and asked the victim to sign.
He later created a fake bank alert of the said amount and showed it to the victim who believe it to be true and genuine. “They later proceeded to Alfra motors where the fake military captain deceitfully took the vehicle and left to unknown destination. Hence he reported the matter to the police. In the course of investigation, suspect was accosted with the stolen vehicle at Hunkuyi Junction on the highway along Danja to Zaria.
The Suspect also confessed to have used the same modus operandi on that fateful date and deceitfully collected one I-Phone X valued one hundred and eighty five thousand naira (N185,000:00K), from one Abdulwahab, of Unguwar Alkali Quarters, Katsina which was also recovered in his possession.”
The following items were recovered in the possession of the suspect during police search–One T-Shirt with Captain rank and UN Badge One Toyota Corolla, 2016 Model, three I-Phone GSM handsets, and one Infinix phone, One fabricated fake First Bank rubber stamp, Two fake stamped First Bank Tellers, Motor vehicle documents, Stamp pad.
Investigation revealed that the fake officer is a habitual offender and an ex-convict who has been convicted severally for similar offences in Kaduna state. Investigation is ongoing.
In a related situation, police Foiled Kidnapping incident And Rescue of Victim on 7th December 2020 at about 04:00hrs, when DPO Kankara Division, led ‘Operation Puff Adder’ to Gatakawa village, “based on the report that bandits in their numbers, on motorbikes, armed with AK 47 rifles, shooting sporadically, attacked the village, broke shops and stole away food items and kidnapped thirteen persons. “Subsequently, the team engaged the bandits into a gun duel and dislodged the hoodlums.
They also succeeded in rescuing all the kidnapped victims and recovered all the items stolen by the bandits. “Search parties are combing the area with a view of arresting the injured bandits and/or recover their dead bodies. Investigation is ongoing.”, the statement added
