Niger Police Nab Fake EFCC Operatives in Kidnapping Sting
Niger State Police have arrested three fake EFCC operatives for kidnapping students, with two informants caught aiding their scheme. They demanded ransom but were apprehended. Separately, two others were arrested for drug trafficking with significant amounts of narcotics found.
Police in Niger State have detained three individuals who allegedly posed as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while attempting to kidnap and extort unsuspecting students. These arrests occurred in Lapai, where the suspects were caught alongside two alleged accomplices who helped facilitate their crimes.
The operation unfolded on May 13, 2025, at around 8:00 PM, when the group swarmed an off-campus student lodge. Eyewitnesses reported that they abducted two students and forced them into a Toyota Corolla with the license plate ABJ 245 CU. Notably, one suspect, known as Alfa James, managed to escape and is currently evading capture.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, during questioning, the apprehended suspects admitted that they were brought into this scheme by informants, revealing that their illicit actions were a means of financial survival. They allegedly broke into at least one student’s room with electric tasers disguised as firearms, which they used to intimidate their victims.
The suspects reportedly stole five mobile phones from the students they kidnapped and initially demanded a ransom of N10 million. However, this amount was negotiated down to N500,000 before their arrest. Authorities discovered that the suspects possessed forged EFCC identification cards, which they had allegedly obtained from a shop in Nyanya, Abuja, all displaying the same fake ID number, “1069.”
The informants arrested were identified as Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both residents of Angwan-Hausa in Lapai. They provided intelligence about the students to Emmanuel Linus, a former soldier with a criminal record who was released from prison two years ago. Linus, who is also facing charges, was known to both informants prior to this incident.
The Niger State Police indicated that the five apprehended individuals are undergoing further investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will be presented in court once the inquiries are complete.
In a separate incident, police in Kontagora arrested two other suspects for alleged drug trafficking. Jimoh Adamu, 26, and Usman Abubakar, also 26, were detained on May 12, 2025, around 10:00 PM. They were intercepted on a Bajaj motorcycle along the Babban-Rami/Rafin-Gora road.
During the arrest, officers recovered a substantial amount of drugs, including 327 wraps of cannabis, 38 packs of Emzol tablets, and four sachets of tramadol, as well as nearly ₦291,200 in cash. Jimoh Adamu reportedly confessed to being a drug dealer, while Usman Abubakar recognized his role as an accomplice. Police have stated that both suspects will be handed over to the NDLEA for further action and prosecution.
The Niger Police continue to crack down on crime, with these recent arrests highlighting their ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and tackle criminal activities in the region.
In summary, the Niger State Police have successfully apprehended a group impersonating EFCC operatives involved in kidnapping and extortion of students. Alongside these arrests, efforts to combat drug trafficking are also underway with two suspects detained for drug-related offenses. The police are reinforcing their commitment to addressing crime in the region, ensuring that offenders face justice for their actions.
Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com
