The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a fake police officer and his accomplice for possession of mercury metal worth N7.5m along Nigeria and Benin Republic border in Dolekaina village, Dandi local government of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, said the suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, impersonation, illegal importation of prohibited foods and unlawful possession of mercury.
According to the PPRO, the fake police officer claimed to be attached to rijiyar Zaki divisional Police office Kano state.
The statement added that the suspect was aided in the crime by one Tijjani Muhammed and had journeyed from Lome Togo through to Nigeria before they were intercepted at the border.
“On the 21st September, 2025, at about 1300hrs, one Yusuf M. Alhaji m of Kano State, who claimed to be a special constabulary officer with a rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, attached to Rijiyar Zaki Divisional Police Headquarters, Kano State Police Command, was arrested by the Divisional Police officer, Dolekaina, along the Nigeria/Benin Republic border in Dandi LGA of Kebbi State,” the statement read.
“On conducting a thorough search, the suspect was found in possession of three (3) metal jars of silver liguid mercury, each weighing 34.5kg, with a total market value of 2,800,000 C F A, French currency, equivalent to Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (# 7,500,000:00), reasonably suspected to have been illegally imported into Nigeria without a valid license or registration.
“Discreet investigation at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi, further revealed that, the said mercury was smuggled from Lome, Togo, through Malleville border into the country, and the journey was allegedly sponsored by one Tijjani Muhammed m age 42yrs of the same address, who has also been arrested and identified as the owner of the smuggled mercury.
“Further investigation is ongoing with a view to unraveling their modus operandi and arresting their accomplices for diligent prosecution.
“However, the case of impersonation of being a police special constabulary is already apace, as the suspect has only one eye which put more than a shadow of doubt that his entry into the special constabulary unit of the Kano State Police Command is questionable.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani had lauded the efforts of the DPO Dolekaina and his team for their commitment and gallantry in ensuring the safety and security of the lives and property along the border communities.
“He urged the members of the public to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies by providing credible intelligence that will assist in curbing the infiltration of criminals into Nigeria.
“The CP further reiterated the Command’s unwavering determination of combating crimes by ensuring of intensifying efforts in not making Kebbi State a safe haven for criminals to hibernate.”
