The Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday said its men have arrested an alleged serial fraudster, Abdullahi Saliu.
Abdullahi was said to have paraded himself as a senior military officer, swindling unsuspecting job seekers across four states.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, said in a statement that the suspect was finally tracked down and arrested at Top Quality Hotel where he had continued to pose as a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army.
Ayanlade said Saliu’s arrest followed painstaking investigations by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command led by Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.
According to his the suspect’s latest victims were two women desperate to secure Customs and Immigration jobs for their sons.
The two victims were said to have been duped of a staggering N1.377 million which the fake officer converted to personal use.
The statement said: “Investigations further revealed that the suspect’s operations cut across state lines, with victims traced to Edo, Delta, Kogi, and Ondo States.
“He has long been on the Command’s watchlist as a notorious job racketeer, known for impersonating senior officers of different security agencies.
“His disguise and fraudulent claims include presenting himself variously as a Colonel in the Nigerian Army, a Naval officer, a senior Immigration and Customs officer, among others, all in a bid to defraud unsuspecting citizens of their hard-earned money.
“The suspect has since been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 for appropriate prosecution.
“This feat represents one of the several cases successfully cracked by the Ondo State Police Command in recent times.
“The Command seizes this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the lives, property, and interests of all.”
It urged residents to be vigilant, warning that criminals like Saliu thrive on desperation and misplaced trust.
