The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a notorious impersonator, Abdullahi Saliu, who posed as a Colonel in the Nigerian Army to defraud unsuspecting victims in a bogus employment scheme.
Saliu, a resident of Top Quality Hotel, was arrested following an in-depth investigation that uncovered his involvement in a ₦1.3 million recruitment scam. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
According to Ayanlade, the suspect deceived two individuals—Oshoade Janet and Daisi Remilekun Joy—into paying him a total of ₦1,377,000, under the false promise of securing employment for their sons in the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
However, police investigations revealed that Saliu had no affiliation with any of the mentioned security agencies and had used the funds for personal gain.
Further findings exposed the broader scope of Saliu’s fraudulent activities, with victims traced across multiple states, including Edo, Delta, Kogi, and Ondo. The suspect had reportedly been impersonating high-ranking officials of various security outfits such as the Nigerian Army, Navy, Customs, and Immigration Services to win the confidence of his targets.
“This conduct was solely aimed at defrauding innocent citizens of their hard-earned money,” DSP Ayanlade stated.
Saliu has since been arraigned at Magistrate Court 1 and will face prosecution accordingly.
Reaffirming its dedication to public safety, the Ondo State Police Command emphasized its commitment to bringing fraudsters to justice and safeguarding the lives and property of residents.
The command also commended the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, whose strategic initiatives and morale-boosting efforts were praised for contributing to the success of operations such as this.
