The Jigawa State Police Command said it has smashed a major scam cartel operating in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.
In a statement by the command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ibrahim Sunusi Idris on Wednesday evening, 13 suspects were arrested alongside fake currencies and motorcycles suspected to be contraband.

Part of the statement reads, “In response to numerous complaints from victims of fraud and robbery, the Command conducted a decisive raid on several identified criminal enclaves in a well-coordinated joint operation with operatives from the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups.

“These fraudsters, masquerading as currency exchangers, lure unsuspecting members of the public with promises of lucrative dollar deals, only to rob them of their valuables—posing an increasing threat to lives and property in the region.”

He said the raid which started at around 1:30am focused on known criminal hideouts in Kankare, Bigidan, Zurkuda, Karofi, and Daurawa which are deemed to be the center of the fraud syndicates famously known as ‘419ers’ in the region.

ASP Idris noted that the locals were lured into scam dollar exchanges by people masquerading as legitimate currency dealers.

Officers from the Nigerian Police Force acting based on actionable intelligence, together with the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups executed the operation with what the police described as ‘surgical precision.’

“The Command also appreciates the synergy of the military, DSS, NSCDC, and vigilante operatives, as well as the cooperation of community members who continue to provide vital information that makes such success possible.”

Among the 13 suspects captured, were 5 alleged kingins; Salisu Ibrahim aka Gwamna, Umar Dauda aka Tontere, Abdullahi Umar, who is also known as Ubale Daurawa; Magaji A. Mohd, who is also known as Magaji Gurgu; and Abubakar Ibrahim, who is also called Yellow.

According to the police, items recovered included bundles of counterfeit $100 bills, counterfeit ₦1,000 notes, the boxes for the currency of the Central Bank which were improvised, and three motorcycles that are suspected to be the ones used to carry away the proceeds of the fraud.

The Commissioner of Police of Jigawa State, CP AT Abdullahi reiterated that the Command is committed to the intelligence-based and community-supported policing.

He assured that the suspects will be made to face the law, after thorough investigation.

The police appealed to the people not to be complacent, be alert always, and keep informing the police on time to help it unearth the criminal elements in all parts of the state.