The Niger State Police Command has arrested a dismissed soldier for allegedly impersonating military personnel and defrauding Point of Sale (PoS) operators of a total of N920,000 across different locations in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Minna, disclosing that the suspect, identified as Michael Musa, was apprehended while wearing military uniform.
According to the statement, the case was initially referred to the Tudun-Wada Police Division from a magistrate court on May 27, following complaints from three PoS operators who reported the suspect for criminal breach of trust, fraud, and theft.
The first incident occurred on May 12 around 10 a.m. at a PoS shop near Musa Bello Primary School, Bida, where the suspect allegedly deceived the operator and fled with N120,000. A second incident was recorded on May 23 at Kataeregi, where N300,000 was fraudulently collected, while the third took place on May 29 along Mandela Road, resulting in a loss of N500,000.
Police detectives, aided by technical intelligence, arrested the suspect, who confessed to the crimes and admitted that he was dismissed from military service in 2022 in Benin, Edo State.
“During interrogation, the suspect, who was arrested in military camouflage, confessed to the crimes and claimed he was a dismissed soldier,” Abiodun stated.
The Police also noted that more victims have since come forward with similar complaints as the investigation continues.
The suspect remains in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
