The Niger State Police Command has apprehended four men accused of disguising themselves as law enforcement officers to defraud traders in various markets across the state.
Identified as Aliyu Abbas (35) from Funtua, Katsina State; Jibrin Idris (35) of Gwiwa, Jigawa State; Musa Ya’u and Abubakar Yahaya (45), both from Daura, Katsina, the suspects were taken into custody on April 16, 2025, at the Izom cattle market.
Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the arrest in an official release, stating that the suspects had with them a handcuff, over N1.2 million in cash, counterfeit materials such as chemically-treated paper, and two mobile phones.
“Following reliable intelligence that a group involved in market fraud was operating at Izom cattle market, our officers moved in swiftly and intercepted a black Mercedes Benz with registration number KTU 747 HF,” Abiodun explained.
He further revealed that during interrogation, the suspects admitted to defrauding traders and posing as police officers to gain their victims’ trust. “They even claimed to be currency note producers on some occasions just to trick people,” Abiodun added.
Some of their victims later identified them as the same individuals who had previously deceived them out of money and livestock.
According to the police, the suspects are currently in custody and will face charges after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.