The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kano State has arrested two men for impersonating its personnel and extorting money from government officials.
The suspects, identified as Muhammad Sarari, 43, from Goron Dutse in Dala Local Government Area, and Madaki Zaharaddeen, 32, from Hotoro Quarters in Nassarawa Local Government Area, were caught in the act while attempting to intimidate a media executive.
The NSCDC Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Monday. He noted that the suspects had been posing as NSCDC officers, visiting various government offices in Kano, where they allegedly pressured officials into giving them money.
“The suspects were impersonating by parading themselves as civil defence staff. They used to storm some ministries and agencies of government in Kano intimidating top government officials and extort money from them,” Abdullahi stated.
Their fraudulent activities were exposed when they entered a well-known television station in the state, where they attempted to coerce a high-ranking staff member into giving them cash. However, their scheme fell apart when real NSCDC personnel from the Tarauni Divisional Office apprehended them on the spot.
Following their arrest, both men were taken to the state headquarters for questioning. During the investigation, they reportedly admitted to the crime. One of the suspects was found carrying a fake NSCDC identity card and an inner uniform bearing the agency’s logo.
Abdullahi further noted that the investigation had been completed, and the suspects would soon be charged with offenses including impersonation of a public servant, conspiracy, intimidation, and extortion.
