The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, Adamu Musa, for allegedly impersonating a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and defrauding members of the public.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command.
Kiyawa said the suspect, a resident of Kureken Sani Quarters, Kano, was arrested on Sept. 1 following a distress report from the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Challawa.
He said operatives of the Panshekara Police Division arrested Musa after credible intelligence indicated that he was parading himself as a senior police officer.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by presenting himself as a senior officer with influence over police recruitment and postings,” Kiyawa said.
He said the suspect allegedly used edited photographs and AI-generated images of himself with senior police officers to convince victims that he could secure recruitment slots and transfers for a fee.
Kiyawa said a search of the suspect’s premises led to the recovery of police-related uniforms, two pairs of black shoes and N300,000 in cash.
He said the suspect remained in police custody and would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.
The PPRO cautioned the public against fraudsters using photo-editing and AI technology to impersonate senior police officers.
He reminded members of the public that recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force was free, stressing that “no officer will ever demand money for enlistment or posting.”
Kiyawa urged residents to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
