A sweeping police operation in Kebbi State has exposed an alleged employment scam that preyed on desperate job seekers, leaving more than 175 people counting losses running into millions of naira.
Security sources confirmed that a Birnin Kebbi resident, identified as Hamza Abdullahi Sama, has been taken into custody for allegedly running a fraudulent recruitment scheme linked to the state’s school feeding programme.
Investigators disclosed that the suspect reportedly positioned himself as a middleman with access to government-approved school feeding placements.
Using this claim, he allegedly convinced victims that teaching and support roles were available in selected primary and secondary schools across the state.
Moreover, police findings indicate that each victim was asked to pay ₦30,000 as what was described as a mandatory “processing fee,” a condition many reportedly accepted in hopes of securing stable employment.
As the probe deepened, officers reportedly uncovered that no such recruitment exercise existed.
Authorities also established that the suspect had no approval or mandate from any government agency to recruit or process jobs on its behalf.
Consequently, the total amount allegedly collected from the victims was put at about ₦5.2 million, with funds traced to deliberate misrepresentation rather than any legitimate employment arrangement.
Confirming the development, the command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the case highlights a growing pattern of employment-related fraud.
“Our investigation shows a calculated effort to exploit job seekers by creating the illusion of government-backed opportunities,” he said.
However, Usman assured residents that the police would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion. He added that the suspect would be formally charged once investigations are completed.
Furthermore, the police warned the public to exercise caution when approached with job offers that involve upfront payments.
“Genuine government recruitment does not require secret fees or unofficial agents,” the spokesperson said, stressing that intelligence-led policing remains a priority in Kebbi State.
Hence, authorities urged residents to verify employment offers through official government channels, noting that early reporting of suspicious schemes could prevent further losses and protect vulnerable job seekers.