The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected fraudster who allegedly impersonated a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel and defrauded a Point of Sale (POS) operator in Ibadan.
Sources said the suspect, identified as Yusuf Abdullahi, was apprehended at Iwo Road, Ibadan, while allegedly dressed in military camouflage and posing as a serving Air Force sergeant.
According to the sources, the arrest followed a complaint lodged at the Iyaganku Police Division by a POS operator, Mrs Ayedun Abisola Adedoyin, of Oke-Padre area of Ibadan.
The complainant alleged that on June 1, the suspect visited Ogunpa Market and purchased several items, including a cooking gas regulator and air freshener, from a nearby trader.
“The suspect allegedly introduced himself as a sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force and convinced the complainant to hand over N150,000 in cash on the pretext that he would transfer the money electronically alongside payment for the items he had purchased.
“After collecting the cash and the items, he allegedly disappeared without making the promised transfer,” the source said.
Police sources disclosed that the suspect was tracked and arrested on June 9 at about 1:40 p.m. while still dressed in military camouflage.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had previously been arrested by the same police division for a similar offence and was subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Air Force Base, Akobo, Ibadan, for disciplinary action and prosecution.
During interrogation, police investigators reportedly contacted a serving Air Force officer, Flight Lieutenant Amuda, attached to the NAF Base in Akobo but currently deployed in Adamawa State.
The officer confirmed that the suspect was not a serving member of the Nigerian Air Force.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities and whether other persons might have fallen victim to the alleged scheme.
The command urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to be security personnel and to verify identities before engaging in financial transactions.
By: Zagazola Makama
