Police arrest two military impersonators scamming POS operators in Borno

The Borno State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Umar Grema, 26, and Mohammed Bukar, 28, who specialised in defrauding Point of Sale operators while dressed in military uniforms.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said the suspects had been on the police watchlist for a long time due to their repeated acts of impersonation and fraud in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The statement read in part: “On 22 January 2025, at about 10:30 hrs, operatives of the Borno State Intelligence Department, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects—Umar Grema, 26, and Mohammed Bukar, 28—who had been on the police trail following multiple complaints.

“The suspects were apprehended around the Post Office area while attempting to defraud a POS operator,” he said.

According to Daso, victims who narrated their experiences confirmed that one of the suspects had been wearing a military singlet and falsely claimed to be a soldier, using the disguise to deceive and defraud them.

“Police investigations revealed that the suspects had been engaging in fraudulent activities targeting POS operators,” he added.

He listed the recovered items from the suspects, which included: two Android phones, four ATM cards, one military camouflage vest, and ₦100,000.

Daso stated that the case was still under investigation and would soon be charged to court.

The police spokesperson reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the state.
“We urge members of the public, especially POS operators, to remain vigilant and exercise caution during transactions,” he advised.