Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals accused of impersonating FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in a large-scale land fraud scheme.
The suspects allegedly defrauded a retired senior military officer and other victims of more than N150 million under the pretense of facilitating land transactions in Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.
According to Olayinka, one of the suspects was apprehended on Tuesday at a residence located in Kurudu, within the Nigeria Army Post Housing Estate in Abuja.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly deceived victims, including retired Major-General A. K. Ibrahim, by claiming to have direct links with the FCT Minister and officials in the Department of Lands.
The victims were reportedly persuaded to pay large sums for land allocation documents related to Plot 1985 in Guzape II Cadastral Zone, said to cover approximately three hectares, as well as other plots.
Authorities said the suspect collected over N150 million with promises to process and deliver legitimate land documents, which were never provided.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly named two additional accomplices said to be affiliated with the Urban and Regional Planning Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA)
Another individual, based in Durumi 2, Abuja was also identified as part of the alleged fraud network.
Police confirmed that all four suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.
The FCT Administration has reiterated its commitment to tackling land-related fraud and warned members of the public to verify claims before engaging in property transactions.
