×

Most Widely Read Newspaper

Police foil fraud, arrest suspects in Niger

James-Obiora-and-Kelvin-Onyeka

The suspects

Enyioha Opara, Minna

The police in Niger State have foiled a plot by suspected fraudsters to defraud a bank customer in Suleja.

The suspects, James Obiora, 32, of Dawaki Extension, Abuja and Kelvin Onyeka, 37, of No. B, Efab Estate, Apo, Abuja were arrested by the police detectives attached to ‘A’ Division Suleja, who acted on a tip-off.

It was learnt that the suspects went to the Suleja branch of Access Bank where they attempted to obtain the Bank Verification Number belonging to one Mathew Obezuwa, in order to defraud him.

Northern City News gathered that two other suspects, Cyril Osuji of Bwari, Abuja and Kenneth James of the same address, who were waiting outside the bank, took to their heels on sighting police operatives.

Checks revealed that the suspects usually accessed their victim’s bank account by opening  another account in his name.

One of the suspects, Obiora, admitted to our correspondent that they committed the crime.

“It is not by mistake; we voluntarily, willingly committed the crime. We went to Access Bank in Suleja to perpetrate the act and we were apprehended by the police operatives,” he explained.

“Honestly, I thought we would succeed; in fact, we almost succeeded (but) luck ran out on us and we found ourselves in the police net while two other members of our gang ran away,” Obiora added.

When asked about the number of times they had defrauded bank customers, he said, “I can’t tell you how many times, but I know we have done it several times.”

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, said the suspects had confessed to the crime and admonished the public to be discreet with their banking transactions, to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.

He said police were on the trail of the fleeing suspects, adding that the case had been charged to court.

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

 

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Join The Punch Newspapers Channel