Ondo police arrest fake colonel who defrauded victims of ₦1.37m in bogus job scam, posing as top military and security office

In a Sunday statement titled “Ondo Police Command Arrest Fake Army Colonel Over ₦1.37m Employment Scam”, the command confirmed the arrest of Abdullahi Saliu at Top Quality Hotel.

Also read: AAUA lecturers kidnapping: Ondo police arrest three suspects after ransom release

He was said to have paraded himself as a serving colonel in the Nigerian Army while defrauding victims.

Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olushola revealed that Saliu deceived two women, Oshoade Janet and Daisi Remilekun Joy, under the pretext of securing employment for their sons in the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service. He allegedly collected ₦1,377,000, which he diverted for personal use.

Investigations indicated that Saliu had a long history of fraud, operating across Ondo, Edo, Delta and Kogi states.

According to the police, he was notorious for impersonating senior officers, not only as a colonel but also as a naval officer, customs official and immigration officer.

The suspect has already been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Ondo State.

DSP Olushola described the arrest as part of an ongoing clampdown on fraudsters, noting that it was “one of several cases successfully cracked by the Ondo State Police Command in recent times.”

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to protect residents and ensure offenders face justice.

Also read: ‘Ondo 2020’ Police chase away thugs allegedly led by federal lawmaker after attempting to disrupt poll

“The command remains committed to safeguarding lives, property and the interests of all residents, while bringing fraudsters and criminally minded elements to justice,” he said.