Police Crack Down on Impersonators and Drug Dealers in Niger State

Niger State police arrested three suspects impersonating EFCC agents involved in the kidnapping and extortion of students in Lapai. Two informants aiding the criminals were also taken into custody. Separately, two individuals were arrested for drug dealing in Kontagora. Investigations are ongoing.

In Niger State, police have apprehended three individuals posing as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who were involved in a kidnapping and extortion scheme targeting students. The arrests occurred in Lapai on May 13, 2025, when the suspects allegedly stormed an off-campus student lodge, kidnapping two students and stealing mobile phones. Two informants who facilitated the crime were also arrested, raising concerns about the group’s modus operandi.

According to a press release from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the incident unfolded around 8:00 PM when four fake EFCC agents entered a student residence with what appeared to be electric tasers disguised as firearms. They managed to abduct two students, forcing them into a Toyota Corolla. Out of the four, one suspect, identified as Alfa James, fled the scene and remains at large.

Upon questioning, the suspects revealed they were recruited by two informants, implying that their criminal acts were a form of income generation. They initially demanded a ransom of N10 million for the release of the students, which was later negotiated down to N500,000 before their capture.

The fraudulent use of EFCC identity cards was further investigated, with reports indicating these cards were manufactured at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja, all marked with a shared fake identification number, 1069. Among the arrested informants were Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, who allegedly provided vital information about the students to Emmanuel Linus, a dismissed soldier and known criminal with a past prison record.

The five individuals in custody are now undergoing thorough investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and are expected to face court proceedings once inquiries are completed. In a separate incident, police operatives in Kontagora apprehended two suspects related to illegal drug dealings.

On May 12, 2025, at around 10:00 PM, officers intercepted Jimoh Adamu and Usman Abubakar on a motorcycle. A search of their possession uncovered various drugs, including 327 wraps of cannabis, 38 packs of Emzol tablets, four sachets of tramadol, and cash totaling ₦291,200. Both suspects confessed their roles in the drug operation and are now set to be turned over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and potential prosecution.

In summary, recent police operations in Niger State have led to the arrests of individuals posing as EFCC agents, highlighting issues of extortion and kidnapping in the region. Additionally, a drug-related arrest in Kontagora underscores ongoing concerns about illicit substance trade. Authorities are proceeding with investigations and anticipate court actions against the suspects.

Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com