Men of the Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi state command have arrested Ibrahim Mohammed, a 25-year-old indigene of Kano State, for stealing a car at a mosque in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Mohammed, who hails from Unguwan Gyadi-Gyadi in Kano State but resides in Gwarinpa, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was arrested by operatives attached to the Tilden Fulani Police Divisional Headquarters after he stole the vehicle and fled with it.

In a statement released and signed by Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, d on Wednesday, the owner of the vehicle, a Toyota Vibe, parked it to observe the sunset prayers in a mosque but Mohammed stole it and was intercepted by the police after they received a signal on the incident from Kaduna.

“On November 28, 2023, at about 0841hrs, credible intelligence available at the division’s disposal that a motor vehicle Toyota Vibe brand, red in colour with number plate MRR 227 AA was reported to have been stolen from a mosque on November 24, 2023, in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state.


“The vehicle was stolen when the owner parked at the mosque to observe sunset prayer. Upon receiving the report, operatives attached to the division led by the Divisional Police Officer intensified stop-and-search on the highway linking Bauchi and Plateau states.

“As luck ran out of the suspect, the vehicle alongside the suspect was intercepted along the highway. Thus, the suspect is identified as Ibrahim Mohammed (25), male, of Unguwan Gyadi-Gyadi Kano State but residing in Gwarinpa, FCT Abuja.

“During the preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to have stolen the said vehicle at the mosque premises in Zaria Kaduna state. The vehicle was thoroughly searched and a document of the vehicle was equally recovered,” the statement read.

According to him, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, directed that the suspect be transferred to Kaduna state for further investigation and prosecution

In a recent statement issued on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sounded an alarm over the surge in ATM switch scams, cautioning Nigerians to exercise heightened awareness to protect themselves from falling victim to this nefarious activity.

Mr. Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, conveyed the urgent recommendation in response to a rising tide of complaints related to this type of financial crime. The EFCC’s investigations have unveiled a concerning trend where unauthorized withdrawals are traced back to ATM Debit Card switching or fraud.

The perpetrators employ a cunning method, as outlined by Oyewale. They seize the opportunity when a bank customer appears confused or in need of assistance at an ATM. In a hurried and inconspicuous manner, the fraudsters swap the customer’s debit card with another from the same bank. Simultaneously, they memorize the PIN used during the transaction.

“The cards get stuck in the machine due to a wrong pin, and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising him/her to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account,” explained Oyewale.

This deceptive card-swapping tactic is not limited to ATMs alone; it can occur at various service delivery points, including Point of Sale (POS) terminals. The EFCC’s warning serves as a crucial reminder for individuals to remain vigilant during their financial transactions and to report any suspicious activity promptly.

As technology continues to advance, so do the methods employed by criminals. The EFCC encourages the public to adopt additional safeguards, such as regularly checking bank statements, reporting lost or stolen cards promptly, and being cautious of any unsolicited assistance at ATMs. By raising awareness about the risks associated with ATM switch fraud, the EFCC aims to empower Nigerians in safeguarding their financial well-being.

The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted drug cartels operating within the nation’s coastal waters and land borders, handing over substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol to the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The handover ceremony took place on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

During a joint press briefing, Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, disclosed that the illicit substances were seized in operations conducted by the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations, with notable contributions from the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’

Emphasizing the commitment to combat drug trafficking, the CGC mentioned that the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) strengthened their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on April 4, 2023.

CGC Adeniyi stressed on  the significance of community support in the battle against drug trafficking, stating, “This is a battle for every citizen.” He detailed the seized items, including 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, along with 935 sacks of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘C’.

From Ogun I Command, 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing a total of 3,312.7kg, were seized. Additionally, the Western Marine Command contributed with 2,205 parcels weighing 624kg.

The Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama, representing the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its pivotal role in cleansing the country of illicit drugs. He stressed the severe societal threat posed by Cannabis Sativa and affirmed the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with the NCS in the relentless fight against drug trafficking. Gazama concluded, “We will not relent until our battles on drug trafficking are achieved.”