A team of operatives attached to the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) section, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja has arrested a syndicate of seven Nigerians specialising in the forgery of certificates and other sensitive documents.
Confirming this on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said the arrest followed a discreet investigation by the security forces.
The syndicate, which has its operational base at the UTC Shopping Complex, Area 10 Garki, Abuja, the country’s capital, allegedly specialised in forging documents such as WAEC Certificates, university degrees, NYSC discharge certificates, assorted land documents, as well as certificates of incorporation.
The gang also reportedly engaged in the falsification of travel documents and drivers licenses, amongst others, for a fee ranging from N5,000 to N30,000 depending on the socioeconomic status of their client or the urgency of the transaction.
Five of the arrested suspects, according to Mba, are four males — Emmanuel Onyehiela, Ugorji Chibueze Ramsey, Emeka Chukwu, and Abdulazeez Sadiq — and a female, Chinyere Bright.
He said Police undercover agents who presented themselves as prospective clients played a major role in their arrest.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include forged copies of Corporate Affairs Commission documents, land document of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), University of Abuja degree and official stamps, National Pension Commission Clearance Certificate, a certificate purportedly issued by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Statement of Result of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi State and Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company tickets and other sundry fake documents.
Also recovered from them are electronic equipment used in perpetrating the crime, such as laptops, desktops and printers.
The suspects, Mba said, have made very useful statements to the Police and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Mba also quoted Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, as commending the officers of INTERPOL, FCID, Abuja for their diligent investigation that led to the smashing of the syndicate, and warning the citizenry, particularly the youths of the country, to desist from corrupt and fraudulent tendencies capable of landing them in jail and bringing embarrassment and shame to their families.
