(PVCs. Photo by Daily Post)
The Niger State Police Command detained a 42-year-old man for reportedly running a false identification document syndicate, creating forged National identification Numbers (NINs) and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for over 1,000 persons and earning over N3 million from the unlawful enterprise.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, made the announcement while briefing press in Minna on the command’s operational accomplishments for July.
Elleman identified the suspect as Mohammed Aliyu Buba of the Angwan Sarki area in Munya Local Government Area of the state.
According to the commissioner, intelligence received on July 28 indicated that the suspect had been producing fake NIN and voter cards for unsuspecting members of the public, particularly in Munya and Wushishi Local Government Areas.
He said operatives of the command’s Tactical Support Team immediately launched an investigation and arrested the suspect at his residence the same day.
The police commissioner said a search of the residence led to the recovery of 105 fake NIN cards and 189 fake Permanent Voter Cards.
Elleman said the suspect confessed during interrogation to producing fake identity documents for more than 1,000 people, charging N2,000 for each fake NIN card and N1,000 for each fake voter card, adding that the suspect admitted to realising over N3 million in proceeds from the illegal operation.
Elleman said the suspect remains in police custody and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
He warned members of the public against patronising illegal identity document producers, stressing that obtaining forged government documents is a criminal offence with serious legal consequences.
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.