Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - The Yobe State Police Command has disclosed that it recorded a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat the rising trend of phone theft and ATM card fraud in the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday night, by the
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, it stated that,
“operatives from the State Intelligence Department successfully arrested a
highly specialised criminal syndicate notorious for using stolen mobile phones
to gain authorised access to unsuspecting victims’ bank accounts and
perpetrate various Internet and ATM fraud schemes.
“The suspects, arrested at Lale Guest Hotel, included: Abba
Ali (23) of Gwange, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (22) of Baga Road, Maiduguri;
Yakubu Ba’a Mai (19) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Usman Mohammed of One Million
Road, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (23) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Abubakar
Mohammed (25) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; Mohammed Umar (21) of Bolori, Maiduguri;
Sani Aminu (18) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; and Umar Abba (25) of Ummarari,
Maiduguri,” Dungus stated.
He narrated further, “The arrests followed several
complaints from victims of phone snatching, internet fraud, and unauthorized
bank transactions.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their
crimes and demonstrated some of the methods they used to steal and manipulate
victims’ phones to retrieve PIN codes and passwords for fraudulent
transactions,” the statement revealed.
He indicated that, “The police recovered 12 Android phones
and other valuable items used in perpetrating their criminal activities,”
adding that, “Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to
court upon completion.”
The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, commended the
operatives
for their commitment and urged
them to sustain the momentum, even as he reiterated the command’s determination
to keep criminal elements in check and ensure that Yobe State remains safe.
He also cautioned hotel operators
against providing safe havens for criminals, warning that anyone found aiding
or harbouring suspects will face legal consequences.
“The public is urged to remain
vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, as
their reports matter,” the statement stressed.
The Yobe State Police Command has recorded a significant
breakthrough in its efforts to combat the rising trend of phone theft and ATM
card fraud in the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday night, October 3,
by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, “operatives from
the State Intelligence Department (SID) successfully arrested a highly
specialised criminal syndicate notorious for using stolen mobile phones to gain
unauthorised access to victims’ bank accounts and perpetrate various internet
and ATM fraud schemes.
“The suspects, arrested at Lale Guest Hotel, include Abba
Ali (23) of Gwange, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (22) of Baga Road, Maiduguri;
Yakubu Ba’a Mai (19) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Usman Mohammed of One Million
Road, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (23) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Abubakar
Mohammed (25) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; Mohammed Umar (21) of Bolori, Maiduguri;
Sani Aminu (18) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; and Umar Abba (25) of Ummarari,
Maiduguri.
“The arrests followed several complaints from victims of
phone snatching, internet fraud, and unauthorised bank transactions. During
interrogation, the suspects confessed to their crimes and demonstrated some of
the methods they used to steal and manipulate victims’ phones to retrieve PIN
codes and passwords for fraudulent transactions, “the statement revealed.
He indicated, “The police recovered 12 Android phones and
other valuable items used in perpetrating their criminal activities.
Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon
completion, “it added.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, commended the
operatives for their commitment and urged them to sustain the momentum. He
reiterated the Command’s determination to keep criminal elements in check and
ensure that Yobe State remains safe.
He also cautioned hotel operators against providing safe
havens for criminals, warning that anyone found aiding or harboring suspects
will face legal consequences.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any
suspicious activities to the nearest police station, as their reports matter,
“the statement added.
0 Comments