Fake EFCC Operatives Arrested for Kidnapping Two Students in Niger State – One Was a Dismissed Soldier

 

In a shocking case of impersonation and abduction, the Niger State Police Command has successfully arrested a group of criminals who posed as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These fake EFCC agents reportedly kidnapped two students from a lodge located in Lapai town, raising serious concerns about the safety of students and the audacity of criminal elements operating in the region.

This troubling development was made public in an official statement released on Thursday, May 15, 2025, by the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun. According to him, the police not only apprehended the three main suspects who carried out the abduction, but also arrested two informants who allegedly supplied information about the students to the criminals.

Among the arrested suspects is Emmanuel Linus, who, according to the police, is a dismissed soldier with a criminal history and is also an ex-convict. This detail raises even more alarm about how such individuals, already known to the authorities, can become deeply involved in criminal operations like this.

How the Abduction Happened

The incident occurred on the night of May 13, 2025, around 8:00 PM, when about four men—pretending to be EFCC officials—stormed a student lodge off campus in Lapai. They were armed with what looked like firearms, but were later discovered to be electric tasers, devices used to deliver electric shocks.

Using these tasers disguised as guns, they forcefully entered the student lodge and abducted two unsuspecting students. Before leaving the scene, they also stole five mobile phones from the students and other occupants of the lodge. The suspects then bundled their victims into a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 245 CU and sped off.

According to the police, the criminals initially demanded a ransom of ₦10 million from the victims' families. However, after some negotiation, they reduced their demand to ₦500,000. Luckily, their criminal plot was short-lived.

Swift Police Response and Arrests

As soon as the Niger State Police Command received the distress report, officers attached to the Lapai Division immediately mobilised and began tracking the suspects. Their investigation and pursuit eventually led them to Suleja Road by Kwakuti, where the suspects’ vehicle was intercepted.

During this operation, three of the four main suspects were successfully apprehended. However, one suspect identified as Alfa James managed to escape at the scene.

The police statement read:

“On 13th May, 2025 at about 8pm, information received indicated that about four suspected fake EFCC operatives were sighted at students lodge, off campus via Lapai, abducted two students into a Toyota Corolla vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 245 CU.”

Further identifying those arrested, the statement continued:

"Police operatives attached to Lapai Div mobilised and trailed the vehicle to Suleja road, by Kwakuti and the following suspects were arrested; Emmanuel Linus 30yrs of Deidei, Abuja, Hyelda Aliyu 28yrs of Nyanya, Abuja and Abduljallid Tanko 33yrs Karo, Abuja.
The suspects were arrested with the said vehicle, unfortunately one Alfa James among the suspects escaped from the scene.”

Suspects Confess and Reveal How Operation Was Planned

Upon interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to their crimes. They revealed that the entire operation had been planned with the help of informants, who gave them inside information about the students living in the lodge.

"During interrogation, they confessed that they were invited by their informants, as this is their means of livelihood. They entered one of the students room with three electric tasers held as guns, collected five phones and abducted two persons.”

The suspects further explained that the fake EFCC ID cards they used during the operation were designed at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja, and that all the ID cards had the same fake identification number: 1069.

They initially demanded a ₦10 million ransom from the students' families but later reduced it to ₦500,000. The police were able to intercept them before any money was paid.

"It was revealed that they requested ten million naira and later negotiated to five hundred thousand naira before they were arrested. They confessed further that the I.D cards used were designed at a shop in Nyanya, Abuja bearing same identification number 1069.”

Informants Also Nabbed by Police

In a further breakthrough, the police were able to arrest the two men who acted as informants to the fake EFCC agents. They were identified as Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both from Angwan-Hausa, near Lapai.

According to police investigations, Emmanuel Linus and one of the informants had previously known each other from Paiko, and that relationship helped facilitate the plot. SP Abiodun added that Emmanuel Linus’ history as a dismissed soldier and repeat offender made him a key suspect in orchestrating the entire operation.

"The two informant collaborators were also arrested who are; Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu both of Angwan-Hausa via Lapai.”
"The informants gave Emmanuel Linus information about the students, having known each other in Paiko. Emmanuel was identified as a dismissed soldier with criminal records and ex-convict in the past two years.”

Next Steps: Prosecution in Court

At the time of this report, all five suspects are in police custody, and the case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Superintendent Abiodun confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

“All the five suspects are under further investigation in SCID, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after the investigation.”

This incident serves as a strong reminder to students and the general public to be vigilant and cautious, especially when approached by supposed security or government officials. Always ask for proper identification and do not hesitate to alert the police if anything seems suspicious.

Stay tuned to NaijaRush for updates on this story as it develops.