The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old man for allegedly operating a fake identity document syndicate that produced forged National Identification Number (NIN) cards and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for more than 1,000 people.
The suspect was arrested in Munya Local Government Area after intelligence reports indicated he had been producing fake identity documents for residents of Munya and Wushishi.
Operatives of the Tactical Support Team launched an investigation and arrested him at his residence.
Commissioner of Police Adamu Elleman disclosed the arrest while briefing journalists in Minna on Friday.
He identified the suspect as Mohammed Aliyu Buba of Angwan Sarki, Munya Local Government Area, alleging that he made more than N3 million from the illegal operation.
“A search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of 105 fake NIN cards and 189 fake Permanent Voter Cards,” Elleman said.
He added that the suspect confessed during interrogation to charging N2,000 for each fake NIN card and N1,000 for each fake PVC.
“The suspect admitted that he realised more than N3 million from the illegal business,” the police commissioner said.
Elleman said the suspect remains in police custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
He warned residents against patronising illegal producers of identity documents, stressing that possessing or obtaining forged government documents is a criminal offence.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in fraud, forgery and identity-related crimes across the state, and urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police.