Officers from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have successfully dismantled a fraudulent network accused of swindling prominent Nigerians out of millions of naira over an extended period.
DSP Timfon John, the police-arrest-10-stolen-motorcycle-receivers-recover-7/” title=”Kano … Crack Down: Arrest 10 Motorcycle Thieves' Receivers, Recover Seven Stolen Bikes”>police public relations officer, informed reporters at the command’s headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, that the breakthrough was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering and strategic operations.
The spokesperson revealed that the syndicate primarily targeted influential individuals, including politicians, senior military personnel, and high-ranking police officers.
Among those apprehended are Prince Francis Albert, 27, hailing from Edem Aya in Ikot Abasi local government area; Augustine Ernest Bassey, 39, from Okobo LGA; and Mbetobong Godwin, 35, from Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
She stated, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspects believed to be key players in a criminal ring responsible for defrauding numerous victims nationwide. This followed multiple reports lodged with the Command.”
“Under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, the Command launched a technically driven intelligence operation in July 2025.”
“This initiative led to the capture of the three main suspects on September 5, 2025, around 1:30 pm, at their hideout located in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.”
“Prince Francis Albert, the 27-year-old from Edemeya village in Ikot Abasi LGA and alleged ringleader, admitted to deceiving victims across various states by using multiple phone lines.”
“He revealed that his fraudulent activities began in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic. He confessed to successfully duping several high-profile targets, including politicians, military officers, and senior police officials, by assuming false identities.”
“The suspect explained that he obtained victims’ contact details from sources such as wedding invitations, funeral announcements, complimentary cards, and online platforms. He also disclosed relocating from Oyo State to Akwa Ibom in April 2025 to avoid arrest by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).”
“The second individual, Augustine Ernest Bassey, 39, from Okobo LGA, operates a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal and is accused of receiving illicit funds through his OPay account. He admitted to handling substantial sums from victims between April and August 2025.”
“The third suspect, Mbetobong Godwin, 35, residing in the same compound as the gang leader in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, also confessed to receiving and managing large amounts of money for the syndicate via his OPay account during the same timeframe.”
“All suspects are cooperating fully with law enforcement to retrieve their SIM cards and aid in the identification and apprehension of other members of the fraud ring who remain at large.”
The police command urged the public to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious behavior to security agencies to facilitate swift intervention.
