Kebbi Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Large-Scale Recruitment Fraud

The Kebbi State Police Command have arrested a man identified as Hamza Sama over an alleged employment scam that reportedly defrauded more than 175 job seekers of about ₦5.2 million.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the suspect, who resides in the KCC area of Birnin Kebbi, allegedly presented himself as an authorised representative capable of securing positions under a government-supported school feeding programme across primary and secondary schools in the state.

Usman explained that investigations showed the suspect collected ₦30,000 from each applicant as a supposed processing fee, convincing them that the recruitment exercise was officially approved.

The victims were said to have paid in good faith, believing the offers were genuine.

Among those reportedly affected are Shafa’atu, Yusuf Yahaya, Hussai Sani, Ubaida Abubakar, and over 170 others. Police investigations further revealed that no such recruitment exercise existed and that the suspect had no mandate from any government body to conduct employment on its behalf.

The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspect

allegedly obtained a total sum of ₦5.2 million through false representations. He added that the suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

The Command also cautioned job seekers to be vigilant against individuals promising employment opportunities in exchange for money, warning that fraudsters often prey on desperation.

Meanwhile, the development comes amid growing concerns over employment-related scams in parts of the country.

In a related incident reported earlier this month, several Nigerians allegedly lost millions of naira to a job scam in Ghana after being promised lucrative positions, only to discover the offers were fake.