Yobe State Police Command arrests nine suspects for phone theft and ATM fraud, recovering 12 Android phones and warning hotels against aiding criminals

Yobe State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing clampdown on phone theft and ATM card fraud, with the arrest of a nine-man syndicate accused of using stolen mobile phones to gain access to victims’ bank accounts.

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In a statement released on Friday night, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed that operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID) apprehended the suspects at Lale Guest Hotel in Damaturu.

The arrested suspects include Abba Ali (23) of Gwange, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (22) of Baga Road, Maiduguri; Yakubu Ba’a Mai (19) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Usman Mohammed of One Million Road, Damaturu; Abdullahi Mohammed (23) of Nayi Nawa, Damaturu; Abubakar Mohammed (25) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; Mohammed Umar (21) of Bolori, Maiduguri; Sani Aminu (18) of Bulunkutu, Maiduguri; and Umar Abba (25) of Ummarari, Maiduguri.

According to the statement, the arrests followed numerous complaints from victims of phone snatching, internet fraud, and unauthorised bank withdrawals.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their crimes and demonstrated the techniques used to retrieve PIN codes and passwords from stolen devices for fraudulent transactions.

Police operatives recovered 12 Android phones and other valuable items linked to the syndicate’s activities. Investigations, Abdulkarim said, are still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of inquiries.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, commended the operatives for their dedication and urged them to maintain the momentum in curbing cybercrime across the state.

He warned hotel operators against offering accommodation to criminal elements, stressing that anyone caught aiding or harbouring suspects would face legal consequences.

“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, as their reports matter,” the statement added.

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CP Ado reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain security and public safety, ensuring that Yobe remains hostile territory for cybercriminals and fraudsters.