The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects for criminal conspiracy, forgery, and false personation after they allegedly disguised as a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Katsina Central Constituency.
The suspects — identified as Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Obeten John, Abubakar Mohammed, and Lucky Ndirika Emenike — were apprehended by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) following a directive from the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR.
According to the Commandant, Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant A.S. Dandaura, preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, had been posing as a member of the House of Representatives. He allegedly issued official correspondences and complimentary cards bearing the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Member, House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.”
The suspect and his accomplices were arrested when they visited the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja, pretending to be on an official assignment from the National Assembly.
Investigations further revealed that the impostor had been involved in several illegal visits to ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Art and Culture, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and the Ministry of Works and Housing.
He also allegedly visited the Embassy of Spain, where he submitted visa applications for over ten persons under the guise of a serving federal lawmaker.
Recovered exhibits include multiple fake complimentary cards, National Assembly letterheads, dispatch envelopes, and official letters purportedly addressed to various embassies and government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Also found were photographs with individuals he claimed to be ambassadors of Spain and Romania.
Commandant Dandaura confirmed that all four suspects confessed to their roles in the crime. He added that diligent prosecution will follow upon completion of the investigation to serve as a deterrent to others.
He further advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest security agency to avoid falling victim to impostors.