Operatives of Zone One Police Headquarters, Kano, have detained a man identified as Ali Alhassan-Mohammed for allegedly defrauding job seekers of more than ₦40 million by promising to secure government appointments for them.
Abdullahi Hussaini, the zone’s police public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano.
Hussaini said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department following complaints from members of the public.
He said preliminary investigations showed that Alhassan-Mohammed allegedly impersonated a special assistant to the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board to gain the confidence of prospective job seekers.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly presented himself as a Special Assistant in Kano State Universal Basic Education Board.
“He used the false identity to gain the confidence of prospective job seekers,” Hussaini said.
The police spokesperson said more than 10 victims had so far come forward, while investigations showed that the suspect allegedly collected more than ₦40 million from victims.
According to Hussaini, the suspect confessed to defrauding more than 20 people and producing fake appointment letters.
“He admitted to producing and presenting fake appointment letters to some of them as evidence of purported appointments,” he said.
Hussaini said some of the fake appointment letters had been recovered from the suspect as exhibits.
The suspect remains in police custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded, he added.
Garba Ahmed, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone One, cautioned job seekers against paying money to individuals who promise to secure government employment or appointments.
Ahmed urged members of the public to verify claims by anyone requesting money in exchange for jobs or government appointments.
