The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested 10 suspects for forgery racketeering in Ibadan, the state capital.
The command’s police public relations officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Ibadan, the state capital.
He said the suspects were operating from a hideout within the Ogunpa area of Ibadan, where they specialised in forging official documents, stamps, and certificates belonging to government and private organisations.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the following suspects: Mumini Akanbi, male, 62 years; Quadri Muhammed, male, 31 years; Salami Tajudeen, male, 50 years; Oladipupo Hammed, male, 45 years; Oladipupo Taiwo, male, 40 years; Olorunosebi Kazzeem, male, 42 years; Fatai Akanni, male, 54 years; Alamu Kazeem, male, 60 years; Olalekan Afeez, male, 42 years; and Alex Olanrewaju, male, 64 years,” the statement said.
Ayanlade said the command subsequently executed search warrants at the suspects’ operational bases, leading to the recovery of several incriminating exhibits.
According to him, the items recovered included a printed fake police character certificate, Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stamps, Ogun State CID Eleweran Office stamp, Iyaganku Area Command Office stamp, various Divisional Police Officer office stamps, Oyo State Government stamps from different ministries and departments, and stamps of different commercial banks, as well as stamps belonging to several private organisations.
“Subsequently, search warrants were duly executed at the suspects’ operational bases, leading to the recovery of several incriminating exhibits.
“These include a printed fake Police Character Certificate, Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stamps, Ogun State CID Eleweran Office stamp, Iyaganku Area Command Office stamp, various Divisional Police Officer office stamps, Oyo State Government stamps from different ministries and departments, and stamps of different commercial banks, as well as stamps belonging to several private organisations,” the statement added.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a well-organized syndicate engaged in the production and use of forged instruments for impersonation.
Ayanlade added that the suspects had confessed to their involvement and were currently assisting police investigations.
The Commissioner of Police commended members of the public for providing timely information and also praised the Inspector-General of Police for the People-First Policing Strategy, which he said had strengthened intelligence-led policing and community partnership.
The command assured that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations and urged residents to use official channels when obtaining documents to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling criminality and maintaining public safety across the state.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
