Police arrest 4 persons for allegedly impersonating Wike in N150m land fraud in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four persons 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 over $150 million under the guise of facilitating land transactions in Abuja.

The development was made known 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 arrested on Tuesday at a residence located at Kurudu, within the Nigerian Army Postal Residential Complex in Abuja.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly deceived victims, including retired Major General AK Ibrahim, by claiming to have direct links with the FCT minister and officials of the Department of Lands.

The victims were reportedly convinced to pay large sums for land allotment documents relating to the 1985 plot in the Guzape II cadastral area, which is said to cover around three hectares, as well as other plots.

Authorities said the suspect raised more than $150 million by promising to process and deliver legitimate land documents, which were never provided.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly named two other accomplices who are believed 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 ring.

Police confirmed that all four suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigations.

The FCT administration reiterated its commitment to combating land-related fraud and warned members of the public to verify applications before engaging in real estate transactions.