Police arrest bank official over theft of customers N18m in Katsina
The suspect, Adewumi Bolaji Gabriel, the Head of ATM at Access Bank Daura, allegedly conspired with another bank staff, now at large, to steal the money.
Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said the police apprehended the suspect after receiving a complain from the bank’s Assistant Head of Operation, Mr Okojie Hubert Erayomon.
“The suspect criminally conspired with a friend, one David Mesioye, m, a staff member of Access Bank Kafur Branch, now at large, to steal the sum of eighteen million one hundred and sixty-four thousand naira (₦18,164,000.00) from customers bank account.
“The suspect, Head of ATM, who was responsible for managing the bank’s ATM operations at the branch, conspired with his friend to steal the sum of N18 million from the bank. The suspects used their expertise of the bank’s operations to carry out the theft, which was discovered during an audit.”
He said in the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence, and some exhibits recovered from him.
The exhibits recovered include ₦10.18 million from different bank accounts belonging to the suspect, ₦366,900 cash, and other valuables.
“The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.”
The Command’s spokesman also gave details of other recent arrests in the state by its operatives.
His words “The command has succeeded in arresting one Mu’azu Yunusa, m, of Mai Danko via Tudun Wulli village, Kankia LGA, suspected to be in connection with two kidnapping incidents in his village.
“The suspect was arrested on November 24th, 2024, by operatives of Kankia Divisional Police Headquarters and subsequently transferred to the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for a discreet investigation.
“The suspect’s arrest was made possible following a joint complaint by the victims’ families, who suspected his involvement in the kidnapping incidents.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect is believed to be a key player in the kidnapping of 5 victims in his village. The first incident occurred sometime in the month of October when a 14-year-old girl and a housewife were kidnapped from their home.
“Tragically, the suspect allegedly struck again, conspiring in kidnapping another 3 victims from another family on November 16th, 2024. This incident occurred after the suspect had threatened the father of the victims not to joke with him, else he risked being kidnapped or any member of his family.
“Upon receipt of the report, the command launched an investigation, hence his arrest. The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
The Command’s spokesman also gave details of other recent arrests in the state by its operatives.
His words “The command has succeeded in arresting one Mu’azu Yunusa, m, of Mai Danko via Tudun Wulli village, Kankia LGA, suspected to be in connection with two kidnapping incidents in his village.
“The suspect was arrested on November 24th, 2024, by operatives of Kankia Divisional Police Headquarters and subsequently transferred to the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for a discreet investigation.
“The suspect’s arrest was made possible following a joint complaint by the victims’ families, who suspected his involvement in the kidnapping incidents.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect is believed to be a key player in the kidnapping of 5 victims in his village. The first incident occurred sometime in the month of October when a 14-year-old girl and a housewife were kidnapped from their home.
“Tragically, the suspect allegedly struck again, conspiring in kidnapping another 3 victims from another family on November 16th, 2024. This incident occurred after the suspect had threatened the father of the victims not to joke with him, else he risked being kidnapped or any member of his family.
“Upon receipt of the report, the command launched an investigation, hence his arrest. The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
The command has also succeeded in arresting and bursting a 5-man syndicate of suspected notorious shop breakers and thieves terrorizing parts of Sabon Gari, Katsina metropolis.
“The suspects, namely: Umar Musa, alias Nama, m, 25 years old; Abidina Suleiman, m, 24 years old; Aliyu Salisu, alias Jagwa, m, 25 years old and Abdullahi Bala, m, 19 years old, were arrested by operatives attached to Sabon Garin Katsina Divisional Police Headquarters, following the receipt of a report by one of their victims, one Chinele Ezeh, f, of Yahaya Madawaki Way, Katsina.
“The syndicate broke into the complainant’s shop and stole goods worth over N1.04 million.
“During investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence and several exhibits were recovered from them.”
“On November 25th, 2024, at about 11.30 a.m, the command succeeded in arresting one Bishir Abdullahi, m, age 37, of Helele quarters, Sokoto state, a suspected notorious fraudster who specialized in swapping ATM cards of unsuspecting members of the public at ATM points. He was found in possession of 14 stolen ATM cards.
“The suspect was arrested by Inspector Aliyu Muhammad, a police officer on duty at the First Bank branch of Tudun Katsira quarters in the Katsina metropolis. He was arrested after the police officer on duty became suspicious of his activities around the ATM machine. Upon instant search, fourteen (14) suspected stolen ATM cards of different banks were found in his possession.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had been using the stolen ATM cards to withdraw sums of money from his victims’ accounts.
“On 25/11/2024, at about 11.30 a.m, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Binta Yunusa, f, and withdrew the sum of ₦75,000.00k from her bank account.
“On the same date, at a different time, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Fatahu Makiyu, m, and withdrew the sum of ₦49,000.00k from his bank account.
“On 2/9/2024, at Zenith Bank, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Sa’idu Abdullahi, m, and withdrew the sum of ₦680,000.00k from his bank account.
“On a different date and time, at Zenith Bank, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Amina Sule, f, and withdrew the sum of ₦172,000.00k from his bank account.
“On a different date and time, at Zenith Bank, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Babangida Adamu, m, and withdrew the sum of ₦900,000.00k from his bank account.
“On a different date and time, at First Bank, the suspect swapped ATM cards with one Zubairu Labaran, m, and withdrew the sum of ₦198,000.00k from his bank account.
“The total amount withdrawn by the suspect from the victims’ accounts is two million seven hundred and five thousand naira (₦2,705,000.00k). The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
Another suspect, Ismail Sani, alias Dan small, of Sabuwar Unguwa quarters, Katsina, was also arrested for attempted culpable homicide on November 18, when he trespassed into the residence of one Suleiman Yunusa, of Kofar Marusa quarters, with intent to rob him of his valuables.
He subsequently attacked and inflicted grievous injuries on the victim, leaving him unconscious, but was rushed to hospital by the police.
“The suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and will soon be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigation.”
The command also announced the arrest of two suspects in Magama Jibia, Jibia LGA, in connection with criminal trespass, vandalism, and theft.
“The suspects criminally conspired and trespassed into the Ministry of Transport building, and the Nigerian Customs Clinics, all situated at Magama Jibia, vandalized the properties, making away with valuables.
“On November 25th, 2024, at about 1130 hrs, one Mr. Ike Nweke, a caretaker of the Ministry of Transport building situated at Jibia, reported on the above mentioned case.
“Similarly, on November 27th, 2024, one Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed, m, of the Nigerian Customs Service, reported on a similar incident at the Nigerian Customs Clinics, Jibia.
“Items vandalized include: High-tension wires; Armored cable wires; Air conditions; Electric transformer items, and Room heaters.”
When the suspects were picked up and interrogated, they mentioned four people, Shu’aibu Ibrahim, Abdulrahman Sani, Suleman Sada, and Mu’awuya Yahaya, all of Magama Jibia, as the receivers of the stolen properties.
Similarly, a two-man syndicate who specialise in house breaking and armed robbery were also arrested in Katsina, among them one Ibrahim Husaini, alias Bahago, a volunteer with NSCDC Katsina. The other suspects is Suleiman Lawal, alias Manuwa, of Old Mobile Quarters, Katsina.
During investigation, four motorcycles were recovered from them. They also fingered one Mohammed Abdullahi, of Nwala quarters, as the receiver of the stolen properties, while Muhammed Tsini alias Soja, Suleiman, Yaron Shamsu, Muhammadu, Hassan CO Abba, Habu Tandu, Abba Kofar Kwaya, Ahmed Jeje, Yusuf Daura, and Dan Charanchi, as their accomplices.
