Police Officers Allegedly Defraud Three of ₦700,000 Over Recruitment Slots
Two serving officers of the Niger State Police Command have been accused of defrauding three Nigerians of over ₦700,000 by promising them police constable recruitment slots.
The officers implicated are Inspector Usman Mohammed and SP Nura, both attached to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) at the Command Headquarters in Dutsen Kura, Minna.
The victims, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said the officers collected money in instalments during the 2023/2024 police constable recruitment exercise, claiming they could secure employment in the Nigeria Police Force.
One of the victims, Muhammad, a Niger State indigene currently residing in Kano, said his two younger brothers applied for the recruitment in 2023.
He explained that after submitting their applications, they were introduced to a man named Usman, who promised to facilitate their recruitment.
“He asked for payments in small amounts—₦20,000 one day, ₦10,000 the next, ₦15,000 after that—and the payments continued over several months,” Muhammad said.
He added that in November 2024, he was also invited into the arrangement after being told there was a vacancy.
“I had just completed my NYSC in Kano and was not even in Niger State at the time. I transferred ₦50,000 as part of the deal and still have the receipt,” he said.
Despite paying over ₦700,000 in total, none of the three brothers secured employment.
Muhammad said they were assured from the start that their money would be refunded if the recruitment failed.
“When the exercise ended and our names were not on the list of successful candidates, we demanded a refund. They kept promising to pay, saying ‘next week’ or ‘Monday,’ but up till now, we have received nothing,” he added.
SaharaReporters has obtained receipts and telephone records linking the officers to the transactions.
The funds were reportedly paid into multiple accounts, including those belonging to Usman Mohammed, via Moniepoint and OPay platforms.
Efforts to reach Inspector Usman Mohammed and SP Nura for comment were unsuccessful.
The Niger State Police Command has also yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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