The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a suspected fraudster who allegedly posed as a senior Army officer and duped victims of over ₦1.3 million in a job scam.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayannlade Olayinka, said the suspect, Abdullahi Saliu, was arrested after he reportedly introduced himself as a Colonel in the Nigerian Army and promised to secure jobs for two victims’ children in the Nigeria Customs and Immigration Services.
According to the police, Saliu obtained ₦1,377,000 from the women, identified as Oshoade Janet and Daisi Remilekun Joy, under the guise of facilitating the employment, but instead pocketed the money.
Further checks revealed that his activities cut across several states, including Edo, Delta, Kogi and Ondo. The suspect was said to have a history of impersonating security officers, often switching identities as a Naval officer, a Customs official, or an Immigration officer to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
DSP Ayannlade noted that Saliu has already been charged before Magistrate Court 1 in Akure to face trial.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, described the arrest as another success in the command’s ongoing clampdown on fraud and other criminal acts.
He assured residents that the command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, while also crediting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for providing the strategic leadership that made the breakthrough possible.