Sokoto Police Arrest Abdulnasir Bello for Impersonating Officer

By Richard Ogunsile

The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested Abdulnasir Bello for allegedly impersonating a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and engaging in fraudulent activities. During a press conference at the command headquarters, Commissioner of Police Ali Kaigama revealed that the 27-year-old was apprehended following multiple complaints from his victims.

Kaigama explained that Bello deceived individuals by promising to assist them with recruitment into various positions within the Nigeria Police Force. In 2018, a victim, Danjuma Garba, from Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, reported that Bello extorted N420,000 under the pretense of facilitating police recruitment for him and three others.

On May 21, 2024, acting on a tip-off, police operatives confronted Bello at the Sokoto Police Headquarters. During interrogation, he confessed to impersonating a police officer since 2016, claiming to be a DSP while illegally performing police duties and collecting money from parents hoping to secure their children’s recruitment.

A subsequent search of his residence revealed several incriminating items, including a police training manual, NPF guarantor forms, a letter of introduction, a provisional offer for constable positions, and photographs of 27 applicants. Additionally, police caps and a photocopy of a forged police identity card were found. The forgeries were reportedly designed and printed by Abdulaziz Shuaib, a 29-year-old resident of the same area.

Bello is expected to face charges in court soon.