Police Arrest Lagos-Based Man For Luring 38 Female BUK Students With Fake Ushering Jobs, Stealing Phones In Kano Hotel

Kano State– Police operatives attached to the Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano have arrested a 32-year-old Lagos-based suspect, Richard Peter, over an alleged fraudulent ushering job scheme that targeted dozens of female students of Bayero University Kano.

The suspect was accused of luring 38 female students to a hotel in Kano under the pretense of offering them ushering jobs before allegedly carting away their phones and valuables.

According to the police, 29 stolen mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered during the operation that led to his arrest.

In a statement issued by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Hussaini, the incident was reported to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police on May 12, 2026.

“On 12 May 2026, at about 10 a.m., a group of students led by Clementina Paul submitted a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, alleging that the suspect defrauded them under the guise of offering ushering jobs,” the statement said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly worked through an accomplice identified as Faith Dauda to invite the students to Mairabo Hotel located in the Sabon Gari area of Kano on May 10.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the students were reportedly given a room to change into what they believed were work outfits. The suspect allegedly instructed them to leave their phones and valuables behind in the room, claiming that mobile phones would not be allowed at the supposed event venue.

The suspect later took the students to the hotel restaurant where he allegedly ordered meals worth ₦6,000 for each person before disappearing without paying the bill.

After waiting for several hours without hearing from him, the students reportedly returned to the room only to discover that their phones and valuables had vanished.

Police said intelligence gathering and technical tracking later helped operatives trace one of the stolen phones to Kano Line Motor Park along Zaria Road.

By the time officers arrived at the location, the suspect had already boarded a vehicle heading to Lagos. However, operatives intercepted and arrested him in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The police said the suspect is currently being held at the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department and would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone One Headquarters, Kano, Garba Ahmed, commended officers involved in the operation, describing it as a swift intelligence-led intervention.

He also warned Nigerians, especially young job seekers, against accepting unverified job offers or handing over personal belongings to strangers.

“Do not surrender personal belongings to strangers, and verify the legitimacy of employers and venues before attending any engagement. Suspicious activities should be reported promptly to the nearest police division,” the AIG said.