Niger Police Detain Three Impersonating EFCC Officers in Student Robbery Case
Niger Police arrested three individuals impersonating EFCC operatives who abducted and robbed students from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University. The arrests followed a timely police response to reports of the incident. Two accomplices were also detained, and further investigations are ongoing with plans for prosecution.
The Niger Police Command has announced the arrests of three individuals posing as operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The arrests, which occurred after a robbery and alleged abduction aimed at students from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai, also included two informants who assisted the suspects. This information was shared by the Command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement released in Minna.
Abiodun detailed that the police received alarming reports around 8:00 PM on May 13, indicating that four suspects had invaded an off-campus student lodging. The assailants supposedly abducted two students, claiming to be EFCC operatives. Following the tip-off, police from the Lapai Division quickly mobilized and tracked the suspects’ vehicle—a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 245 CU—to Suleja Road, close to Kwakuti, where they executed the arrests.
The identified suspects, Emmanuel Linus, 30, Hyelda Aliyu, 28, and Abduljallid Tanko, 33, all hailed from Abuja. One suspect, named Alfa James, managed to flee during the incident. Abiodun noted that during interrogation, the arrested trio admitted relying on their informants for this criminal enterprise and described their dubious activities as a means of making a living. They allegedly entered the students’ room wielding electric tasers, which they portrayed as firearms, and proceeded to steal five mobile phones while abducting two students.
The suspects reportedly demanded a ransom of N10 million from the students but lowered it to N500,000 before their apprehension. They also confessed to using counterfeit ID cards produced at a local shop in Nyanya, Abuja. Abiodun provided the names of the informants involved: Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both residing in Angwan-Hausa in Lapai. It was revealed that they had prior knowledge of Emmanuel Linus, who has a history of criminal activity and was previously convicted two years ago.
The spokesperson confirmed that investigations are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department. He indicated that once the inquiry is complete, the suspects will face formal charges in court for prosecution soon after.
In summary, the Niger Police have successfully apprehended three suspects impersonating EFCC operatives, who engaged in the abduction and robbery of students. Two informants were also arrested in connection with the case. With ongoing investigations underway, authorities are set to prosecute the suspects, emphasizing a continued commitment to combatting criminal activities targeting students.
Original Source: punchng.com
