Delta Police Arrest Three Over Alleged Impersonation, ₦5.475m Fraud
By Naomi Onome
The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters for allegedly impersonating top government officials to defraud members of the public, including a community leader who reportedly lost ₦5.475 million in a fake political appointment scheme.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly operated a fraud syndicate that impersonated high-ranking government officials to deceive unsuspecting individuals with promises of employment, political appointments and other government privileges.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered in the names of prominent public officials, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, identified as the Governor’s Chief of Staff, among others.
The suspects also allegedly exploited a caller-identification application that displays names associated with incoming telephone numbers to make their calls appear to originate from the officials they were impersonating.
In one of the alleged fraudulent operations, the suspects reportedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of ₦5,475,000 under the pretence of facilitating his appointment as the community’s President-General.
This is another opportunity to own a faster-loading website to expand your business and take it digitally online. Meet the best website designer/master coder for any kind of website. Contact them now it is affordable Chat now: 09077260922
Read Also:PHOTO NEWS: DELTA CP VISITS INEC RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER, PLEDGES PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
A search of the suspects’ premises led to the recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification details belonging to various individuals.
The police said investigations were ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices connected to the alleged criminal operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, cautioned members of the public against relying on caller-identification applications as proof of a caller’s identity, particularly when financial demands or promises of government appointments are involved.
He urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The statement was issued on October 20, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD.
Leave a Reply