NSCDC Arrests Fake Soldier Over Alleged POS Fraud, Impersonation In Kwara, Recovers Multiple ATM Cards

Ilorin,  Kwara State– The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested a 34-year-old man, Akinola Tosin, for alleged involvement in fraud and impersonation, following accusations that he defrauded a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator through the use of a fake bank transfer alert.

The arrest was announced in a press statement issued on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC 1 Ayoola Michael Shola.

According to the NSCDC, the suspect was apprehended after a complaint was lodged by a POS operator who alleged that Akinola fraudulently obtained cash by presenting a fake debit alert as proof of payment.

The Corps disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect collected the sum of N40,600 from the POS operator after deceiving the victim into believing that a successful electronic transfer had been made.

The statement read, “The suspect was apprehended following a complaint that he defrauded a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator through the use of a fake bank transfer alert.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect collected the sum of Forty Thousand Six Hundred Naira (N40,600) after presenting a fake debit alert to the POS operator, deceiving the victim into believing a successful transfer had been made.”

Further investigations by the NSCDC uncovered what authorities described as a more elaborate scheme involving impersonation of military personnel.

According to the statement, the suspect had allegedly been posing as a member of the Nigerian Army using a fake military identity card bearing his name.

Investigators also recovered military-related paraphernalia allegedly used by the suspect to gain the confidence of unsuspecting members of the public and facilitate his fraudulent activities.

The NSCDC stated that during interrogation, Akinola allegedly confessed to engaging in previous fraudulent activities involving multiple victims.

The investigation also led operatives to identify a suspected accomplice, Feranmi Idoko Godwin, who is currently on the run.

“Further investigations revealed that the suspect had been impersonating a member of the Nigerian Army using a fake military identity card bearing his name, alongside military-related paraphernalia, which he allegedly used to gain public trust and facilitate his criminal activities,” Shola added.

“The suspect also confessed to previous fraudulent activities involving multiple victims, while further investigation uncovered a suspected accomplice, identified as one Feranmi Idoko Godwin, who is currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and conclude investigations.”

The Corps disclosed that several items believed to be connected to the alleged crimes were recovered from the suspect during the operation.

Recovered items include two Opay ATM cards, two UBA ATM cards, two First Bank ATM cards, one PalmPay ATM card, and one National Identity Card.

The NSCDC said the suspect would face prosecution after the completion of investigations.

“The suspect will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations,” the spokesperson noted.

Reacting to the arrest, the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Abbas Ndah Mohammed, reiterated the Corps’ determination to tackle criminal activities across the state and warned residents to exercise caution when carrying out electronic transactions.

He urged members of the public, particularly POS operators and business owners, to verify electronic transfers and payment notifications before releasing cash, goods, or valuables to customers.

“The NSCDC Kwara State Commandant, Commandant Abbas Ndah Mohammed, reaffirmed the Corps’ unwavering commitment to combating crime and other forms of criminality, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and verify electronic transactions before releasing cash, goods or other valuables,” he added.