Dare Babalola
The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of 10 suspects linked to a syndicate involved in impersonation and the forgery of official documents in Ibadan, the state capital.
In a press release issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the arrests were carried out by operatives of its Monitoring Unit following credible intelligence received on April 9.
According to the statement, the intelligence revealed that a group specialising in the production of forged certificates, stamps, and official documents of government agencies and private organisations was operating from a hideout in the Ogunpa area of Ibadan.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation which led to the arrest” of the suspects, the statement noted, listing them as Mumini Akanbi (62), Quadri Muhammed (31), Salami Tajudeen (50), Oladipupo Hammed (45), Oladipupo Taiwo (40), Olorunosebi Kazzeem (42), Fatai Akanni (54), Alamu Kazeem (60), Olalekan Afeez (42), and Alex Olanrewaju (64).
The police disclosed that search warrants were subsequently executed at the suspects’ operational bases, leading to the recovery of several incriminating items.
These include a fake Police Character Certificate, stamps belonging to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ogun State CID Eleweran Office, Iyaganku Area Command, and various Divisional Police Officer offices.
Other recovered items include stamps of the Oyo State Government from different ministries and departments, as well as those of commercial banks and private organisations.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Command, indicate that the suspects are part of a “well-organised syndicate engaged in the production and use of forged instruments for the purpose of impersonation.”
The statement added that all suspects have confessed to their involvement and are currently assisting the police with useful information to aid ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, while also appreciating members of the public for providing timely and credible information that aided the operation.
He further lauded the Inspector-General of Police for the “visionary People-First Policing Strategy,” noting that it has continued to strengthen intelligence-led policing and community partnership across the country.
The Command reiterated that investigations are ongoing and assured that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the process.
It also advised members of the public to follow due process when obtaining official documents and certificates to avoid falling victim to fraudsters, while urging residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies in combating crime.
