The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) just nabbed four suspects allegedly involved in a serious mix of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and trying to trick the public by impersonating others. Talk about a quadruple threat to public safety!
The suspects — identified as Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Obeten John, Abubakar Mohammed, and Lucky Ndirika Emenike were all picked up by the expert Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) after reports showed they were part of a complex fraud ring. Their alleged targets were bold: they used impersonation and forgery to try and trick both government institutions and foreign embassies!
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, by the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, preliminary investigations indicated that the principal suspect, Jikan Mallam, had been posing as a member of the House of Representatives for the Katsina Central Constituency.
Under his fake title, he allegedly issued out official correspondences, complimentary cards, and envelopes all proudly branded with the inscription: “Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Member, House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.”
Babawale explained that the suspects were arrested after they deceitfully sought an audience with the NSCDC Commandant General, posing as an Honourable Member of the National Assembly.
However, upon interrogation, their claims collapsed under scrutiny. During subsequent profiling and interviews, the principal suspect provided a detailed account of his operational methods.
He confessed to hiring a Toyota Prado SUV (Registration No.: ABC 359 GN) via a car hire driver identified as Ismaila, who then introduced him to the driver, Lucky Ndirika Emenike.
Furthermore, the suspect admitted to actively seeking a police escort to bolster the perceived legitimacy of his operation. This led to an individual named Inalegwu Ameh, identified as a police officer reportedly on duty at the NICON Luxury Hotel, volunteering to participate in the suspect’s activities.
It was revealed that the principal suspect and his accomplices conducted multiple illegal “official” visits to various ministries and corporate offices throughout Abuja. These locations included the Ministry of Art and Culture, the Federal Secretariat, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and an automobile workshop in Jabi. Following these visits, the group reportedly proceeded to the principal suspect’s residence, located at No. 21 Bamako Street, Zone 1, Abuja
In a subsequent effort to secure another security orderly, he made the request through his associate, Lucky Ndirika Emenike. The previously mentioned police personnel, Inalegwu Ameh, then referred Emenike to Police Inspector Obeten John. John, dressed in a camouflage uniform suspected to be that of the Nigeria Police, agreed to serve as the orderly.
The three individuals—Mallam, Emenike, and John—then proceeded from Mallam’s apartment to several locations:
The Ministry of Art and Culture.
The Spain Embassy (No. 8 Bobo Close, Maitama), where Mallam allegedly met with the Spanish Ambassador and others. While at the Embassy, he reportedly submitted visa applications for over ten (10) applicants, operating under the guise of an Honourable House of Representatives member.
The Ministry of Works and Housing, Mabushi, Abuja.
The operation of Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam and his three accomplices concluded abruptly when they attempted to extend their fraudulent activities to the office of the NSCDC Commandant General. Posing under the guise of an Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives for Katsina Central Constituency, the suspects were apprehended and taken into custody at that location.
Investigations recovered several exhibits from the principal suspect, Mallam. These items included multiple copies of complimentary cards that falsely identified him as an “Hon. Member, House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency, National Assembly FCT, Abuja.”
Multiple copies of official National Assembly of Nigeria letterhead paper and dispatch envelopes were reportedly used without authorization in the creation and transmission of official-looking correspondence. The recovered documents include signed letters that were illicitly addressed to the Ambassadors of Spain, France, the Netherlands, and China, as well as official government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Human Resources department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The materials also contained photographic evidence showing individuals with the accredited Ambassadors of Spain and Romania.
The Commandant of the Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Commandant A.S. Dandaura JP, officially confirmed the arrest of four suspects. Commandant Dandaura stated that all four individuals have confessed to varying degrees of involvement in the criminal scheme.
He assured the public that the case will be diligently prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction to establish a strong deterrent. The Commandant emphasized that while the investigation is ongoing, the suspects have admitted their roles in the elaborate impersonation scheme.
Furthermore, he urged the public to exercise vigilance when interacting with individuals claiming to hold public office and to promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies. The NSCDC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public institutions, underscoring that the impersonation of government officials is a serious, punishable offense.
