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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a 34-year-old man, identified as Akinola Tosin, for allegedly defrauding a Point-of-Sale (PoS) operator in Kwara State while impersonating a member of the Nigerian Army. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a PoS operator who claimed the suspect used a fake bank transfer alert to obtain cash without making any actual payment.
According to the NSCDC Kwara State Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly collected ₦40,600 from the victim after presenting what appeared to be a successful debit notification. Further inquiries reportedly uncovered that he had been using a fake military identity card and other military-related items to gain the trust of unsuspecting members of the public and facilitate similar fraudulent activities. During the operation, security operatives recovered eight ATM cards and a National Identity Card from the suspect.
The command’s spokesperson, Ayoola Michael, disclosed that the suspect allegedly confessed to engaging in previous fraudulent transactions involving multiple victims. Investigators also identified another individual, Feranmi Idoko Godwin, as a suspected accomplice who is currently on the run. The NSCDC said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and conclude investigations before the matter is taken to court.
Reacting to the development, the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Mohammed, reiterated the agency’s commitment to tackling fraud and impersonation across the state. He advised PoS operators, traders, and business owners to always verify electronic payments directly through official banking platforms before releasing cash or goods, warning that criminals are increasingly exploiting fake transaction alerts to deceive unsuspecting victims. The incident has also renewed concerns over the misuse of military uniforms and identities by fraudsters seeking to exploit public trust.
