Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu Said on Thursday that officers of the command have arrested some unscrupulous persons impersonating as NGO officials and extorting money from IDPs under the guise of supplying relief materials to their camp.
This is just as the Police Commissioner confirmed that elements of the Boko Haram Terrorist group on Wednesday, 13th November 2017 attacked Mainok Town at about 6.30pm along Maiduguri-Damaturu road.
A statement read by the CP at a briefing reads, “Following a tip off that some unscrupulous elements were impersonating as staff of an NGO – ‘Safe The Children’, and were extorting money from IDPs at 777 and 1000 Housing Estate, Maiduguri, the locations were raided on 22nd and 23rd November, 2017 respectively.
The following persons were arrested- Hadiza Zanna, Malgana Mohammed, and Halima Mohammed. Others are still at large.
“They engage in registering and collecting money from their victims ranging from N2, 000 to N15, 000, on the pretense that they will be supplied with Relief materials for the whole year.
“Investigation however revealed that the suspects have no connection, nor are they representing ‘Safe The Children’ NGO.
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“This press briefing has become necessary because of reports of proliferation of fake NGOs taking advantage of innocent people of Borno state in the guise of providing humanitarian services.
“The command therefore wishes to use this medium to enlighten members of the public not to have any dealing with any NGO that is demanding money for whatever reason(s).
“All the suspects arrested will be charged to court as soon as investigations are over, while effort is being made to arrest other members of the syndicate still at large.
On the attack, CP Chukwu said, “On Wednesday 13/12/2017, at about 1830hrs, suspected Boko Haram Terrorists invaded and attacked Mainok town, about 59km from the state capital along Maiduguri/Damaturu highway.
“The attack was repelled by combined forces of military and SARS personnel.
“Two civilians (one Baba Kachalla and another identity not yet known) sustained gunshot wounds and are responding to treatment at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“A state Government rebuilt residential building was also burnt in the attack.
“Normalcy has since been restored, while monitoring around the town and environs continues.”
CP Damian A. Chukwu, Commissioner of police, Borno State Command.
