From Auwal Salim, Damaturu
The Yobe State Police Command, in furtherance of its commitment to intelligence-led policing, has successfully arrested a four-man criminal syndicate specializing in fraud, impersonation, and abduction.
This is contained in a release made by SP Dungus Abdulkarim,
Police Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Police Force
Yobe State Command
The release reads in part :
The operation also led to the rescue of an abducted victim and the recovery of a Toyota Prado SUV used in the commission of the crime.
Operatives of the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence, on 16th February, 2026, at about 2230 hours, intercepted a suspicious Toyota Prado SUV exhibiting unusual movement within Potiskum metropolis. This timely intervention resulted in the rescue of Abdulhamid Garba, aged 35, of Nayi-Nawa Area, Damaturu.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was abducted in Damaturu by the suspects, who posed as security operatives. The suspects allegedly leveled false allegations of graft and financial impropriety against the victim as a ploy to unlawfully detain, intimidate, and extort him, before forcefully conveying him toward Potiskum in the hired vehicle.
Further findings established that the abduction was masterminded by Mohammed Usman (32), in conspiracy with Kabiru Ibrahim Umar (42), Idriss Abdullahi Zakaria (27), and Matthew Obata (21).
The suspects allegedly specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, particularly merchants, by disguising as security personnel. All suspects claimed to be staff of Transworld Private Security Guard, Kano.
Investigations further revealed that the suspects hired a Toyota Prado SUV from Giwa Company, Kano, at the cost of ₦400,000 for the operation. The vehicle, bearing registration number ABJ 295 NB, was deliberately concealed to evade identification.
The suspects reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦10,000,000 from the victim’s relatives.
Upon receipt of the report, detectives swiftly swung into action and arrested the suspects at A.U. Kaifayi Filling Station, Potiskum LGA, along the Potiskum–Kano Road.
The victim was rescued unharmed and subsequently taken to the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, for medical examination.
The suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime and are currently in police custody, while investigation continues with a view to diligent prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, commended the gallantry, professionalism, and swift response of the officers involved.
He reassured members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and urged continued cooperation through timely and credible information.
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