Fake official arrested after collecting N4.5m for 3 hajj slots

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended one Ganiyu Yusuf Olalekan, 38, for allegedly defrauding one Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha of N4.5 million naira. 

The suspect, the NSCDC said, falsely claimed to be a politician and senior staff member of the Ministry of Finance and promised the victim three Hajj slots in exchange for the payment.

“Upon investigation, it was discovered that the suspect is a scammer who deceives unsuspecting members of the public for financial gain”, Ayoola Michael, the NSCDC Publicity Secretary, said on Tuesday.

Michael added that two other suspects were arrested for alleged theft and burglary.

He said detectives from the command tracked one Ibrahim Wasiu, 31, a resident of Eyenkorin, after a report by one Mr. Mumini Kabir regarding several burglaries at his residence where valuable items including a motorcycle, two Android phones, a home theatre system among other household items were stolen.

“On 30th of June, 2024, acting on a tip-off, another suspect, Soliu Jimoh, 33, was tracked and arrested for habitual theft of electrical cables and fittings from buildings under construction in Gaa Ajanaku, area in Ilorin,” he said.

He added that all the stolen items including wires and tools used during operations were recovered.

“All the suspects have confessed to the crime and will be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction once the investigation is completed.

“The NSCDC commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, assured the public that the corps will not rest in its quest to combat criminality in the state,” he submitted.