Adamawa: NSCDC arrests fake money transfer specialist

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, detained a man in Adamawa State who was accused of buying products from traders and getting cash from POS operators via fraudulent bank transfers.

The suspect, Jeremiah Stephen, who is alleged to work primarily in Michika, a large town in northern Adamawa, and Yola, the state capital, was apprehended by NSCDC operatives from the Michika Division.

On Sunday, Adamawa State NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Amidu Nyako, revealed that Stephen, 24, admitted to defrauding persons in Michika and Yola of up to 500,000 naira.

According to Nyako, the suspect claimed that his medical condition forced him to commit the murder.

The NSCDC PRO recommended vendors and POS operators to double-check any money transfers into their accounts before releasing items or making any cash payments to clients.

He further stated that the Adamawa State NSCDC commandant, Ibrahim Mainasara, has ordered a thorough investigation, and the suspect will be charged in court.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Oyo State, has apprehended four alleged human traffickers and rescued nine people who were being used as prostitutes in the state.

The command also reported recovering 55 30-litre kegs of petrol at Gwagwasu Moore Road in Kishi, in the state's north. 

Augustine Padonu, NSCDC Commandant in the state, said this while parading the suspects at the command's headquarters in Ibadan on Friday.

Padonu stated that the command's Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit apprehended the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday at a hotel in Ibadan's Apata neighbourhood for alleged trafficking for prostitution purposes.

He identified the rescued victims as seven female adults and two underage children.

The commandant stated that three of the accused specialised in importing young girls from communities for prostitution.

He claimed that the fourth suspect was the hotel's male manager, who coordinated with the three female suspects to employ trafficking minor girls as sex workers there.

"The Oyo State Command of NSCDC has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking and smuggling of petroleum products.

“This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse as well as safeguarding the nation’s economy from illegal activities,” he said.

Speaking of the seized smuggled petrol, Padonu stated that the command's monitoring team received credible intelligence about the smuggling of petrol on July 30 in Kishi town and moved quickly.

He stated that during the mission, the command uncovered 55 30-litre petrol canisters stashed in the jungle.

Padonu stated that the discovery underscored the continuous issues created by smuggling petroleum products across borders, which undermines the economy and endangers public safety.