A gang of suspected fake EFCC operatives has been busted by police in Niger State after allegedly abducting two students from a lodge off-campus near Lapai town on Tuesday at about 8:00 PM.
According to information released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, the suspects dashed into a student house and kidnapped two individuals into a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 245 CU. They claimed as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), armed with what appeared to be electric tasers disguised as firearms.
FCNN gathered that prompt response by operatives from Lapai Division led to the pursuit of the suspects’ vehicle. The chase ended near Suleja Road by Kwakuti, where three suspects were arrested:Emmanuel Linus, 30, from Dei-Dei, Abuja,Hyelda Aliyu, 28, from Nyanya, Abuja and Abduljalid Tanko, 33, from Karu, Abuja
One member of the gang, identified as Alfa James, managed to escape the scene and is currently at large.
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During interrogation, the suspects admitted to orchestrating the abduction in collaboration with two local informants. The operation involved breaking into a student’s room, using electric tasers, stealing five mobile phones, and abducting two students. They initially demanded a ransom of ₦10 million from the victims’ families, later reducing it to ₦500,000 before their arrest.
Further investigation revealed that the fake EFCC ID cards used in the operation were manufactured in a shop located in Nyanya, Abuja. All cards bore the same false identification number: 1069.
The two local informants, Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu of Angwan-Hausa, Lapai, were also arrested. One of the suspects, Emmanuel Linus, was identified as a dismissed soldier with a criminal history and a previous conviction two years ago. He reportedly met the informants during a past stint in Paiko.
All five suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will be charged to court after investigations have been finalized.
The Niger State Police Command advises the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement authorities.
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