A fake job offer advertised online has allegedly turned into a nightmare for a Kano resident who travelled to Minna, Niger State, only to fall into the hands of a suspected fraud syndicate, police authorities have revealed.
The suspects, according to the Niger State Police Command, allegedly lured the victim to Minna with a bogus employment opportunity before taking him to a house at Farm Centre, where they reportedly demanded N200,000 from him for an online investment scheme.
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged crime, describing the operation as part of a wider crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
According to the police, the victim insisted that he travelled to Minna for the promised job and not for any investment programme.
However, the suspects allegedly intimidated him and forced him to transfer the money into an account belonging to one Aminu Bello.
The PPRO said the suspects later demanded another N200,000 from the victim, but he refused to pay.
“During the time for prayer, the victim was able to escape from the house, and he was intercepted by the police before narrating the details,” Abiodun stated.
The police said the suspects are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, extortion and fraud linked to a fake QNET online investment scheme.
The arrest came as the command announced the detention of several other suspects involved in different criminal activities, including theft, vandalism, animal rustling and illegal possession of weapons.
Mob Justice Horror: Four Arrested Over Killing Of Man Accused Of Theft
In another major development, police arrested four suspects over the mob killing of a 30-year-old man, Sunday Pada, in the Korokpan area of Minna.
Pada was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death after some residents raised an alarm accusing him of being a thief.
The police said the incident occurred on August 10, 2026, after the victim was intercepted by the suspects following claims that someone shouted “thief”.
Police operatives attached to Paiko Division rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call, but the suspects had already fled.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The suspects — Ibrahim Abubakar, Aliyu Onah, Godwin Musa and Aminu Bawa — were later arrested and are currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, for alleged criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
AK-47, Ammunition Recovered In Bandit Route
The police also announced the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition along a suspected bandits’ route around Krusha-Genu village in Rijau Local Government Area.
The weapon was recovered on August 15 following intelligence from a reliable source.
Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing 19 rounds of live ammunition, another empty magazine and 55 rounds of GPMG anti-aircraft ammunition.
The command said the recovered items were undergoing forensic analysis while joint security operations continue.
Goat Theft Gang, Vehicle Robbers, Transformer Dealers Nabbed
The police further disclosed the arrest of three suspects accused of stealing goats and other animals in Gidan-Kwano area.
The suspects — Danlami Ali, Sabastine Masangu and Masaud Abdullahi — were reportedly intercepted in a black tinted Volkswagen vehicle with animal skins suspected to have been stolen.
The command also arrested suspects linked to thefts along the Mokwa-Jebba road, including alleged attempts to steal cartons of spaghetti and Nestle beverages from articulated vehicles.
In another operation, six suspects were arrested over the alleged theft of truck spare parts worth N600,000 from a spare parts dealer’s shop.
Police said one of the suspects, Mohammed Hassan, allegedly confessed to the crime, leading to the arrest of five others.
Stolen Transformers Worth Millions Recovered
The command also recovered two 1,000KVA transformers allegedly stolen from the Federal Housing Estate, Tungan-Shanu.
According to the police, the transformers were intercepted during stop-and-search operations along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and Maje-Dikko Road.
The driver of the vehicle, Bilyaminu Jibrin, allegedly told investigators that he was hired by Yahaya Nepa to transport the transformers to Jabi, Abuja.
Police said further investigation led to the arrest of Yahaya, who allegedly confessed to buying the transformers from a security guard attached to the estate.
The transformers were reportedly purchased for N750,000 each.
Another security guard, Samuel Adedeji, was also arrested as police continued efforts to track other suspects.
The Niger State Police Command said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits remain in custody, adding that those found culpable would be charged to court.
