Police apprehend ATM fraud ring In Yobe, recover 48 cards

The Yobe State Police Command has successfully disrupted a criminal network responsible for scamming ATM users across the state.

On Friday, operatives from the State Intelligence Department arrested three suspects: Sani Kasim, 35; Nura Umaru, 24; and Umar Suleman, 22.

The suspects admitted to their crimes, revealing that they tricked ATM users into disclosing their PINs by pretending to offer help. They would then discreetly swap the victims’ ATM cards and withdraw funds from their accounts.

A press release issued on Saturday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the arrests and outlined the recovery of 47 ATM cards, four mobile phones, and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle from the suspects.

The statement revealed the extent of the operation, noting, “The police recovered 47 ATM cards, four cellphones, and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle from the suspects. Six victims, including a visually impaired individual who lost N181,550, have positively identified these suspects.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, has instructed detectives to strengthen their efforts in locating and apprehending other members of the syndicate who remain at large.

Reassuring the public of the command’s dedication, Ahmed stated, “Yobe State will not be a safe haven for criminal activities.”

He further encouraged residents to report any suspicious behavior and urged the public to stay alert and vigilant.

To help protect the public, the police have shared practical tips for ATM users to prevent similar scams: