By John Ogunsemore
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspects for forging documents purportedly emanating from the presidency and the office of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence police recruitment for some applicants.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, November 26.
He said the all-male suspects, Khuzaifa Tafida, Zakari Abdullahi, Abdullahi Baba, and Adeyemo Morufu, were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery of official documents, job racketeering, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretence.
The police spokesman said the suspects belonged to a syndicate involved in forging classified documents emanating from government agencies/organisations in the bid to deceive unsuspecting victims and extort money from them under the guise of securing a job for them at the prestigious Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil and other agencies of the Federal Government.
According to the statement, their arrest by the operatives of the IGP-Special Investigation Unit followed a report received from the office of the Special Assistant to the President and subsequent extensive intelligence gathering.
“The first and second suspects, Khuzaifa Tafida and Zakari Abdullahi had forged a document resembling one emanating from the office of the National Chairman, All Progressive Congress and another document with semblance to one from the State House Abuja. The duo then proceeded to present the documents to the office of the Inspector-General of Police as recommendations in favour of 13 persons for the Nigeria Police 2022 Special Recruitment.
“Upon receipt of these documents with suspicion, followed by a petition from the office of the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a discreet investigation was conducted, which led to the apprehension of Khuzaifa Tafida and Zakari Abdullahi.
“Further investigation would then result in the arrest of the other suspects involved,” Adejobi said.
The police spokesman said upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to their roles in the crime.
Adejobi said, “They admitted to forging documents from several government offices to defraud unsuspecting victims, promising them enlistment and jobs at various Government Agencies.”
He disclosed that some forged classified documents, stamps, N1.7 million cash and other incriminating items, were recovered from them.
The police spokesman urged members of the public are advised to be wary of such fraudulent elements and avoid dealing with persons and individuals offering assistance outside of due process.