RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Delta State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of impersonating senior government officials to defraud a community leader of ₦5,475,000 under the pretence of securing his appointment as president-general of his community.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were apprehended by detectives attached to the Effurun Area Command following investigations into their alleged fraudulent activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly operated a fraudulent scheme involving the impersonation of prominent government officials to deceive members of the public seeking employment, political appointments and other government privileges.
Among the officials whose identities were allegedly exploited were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor, Onoriode Sunday; and the governor’s Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo.
Edafe explained that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the names of government officials and manipulated caller-identification applications to make their communications appear legitimate.
The technique reportedly enabled them to convince unsuspecting individuals that they were communicating directly with influential government representatives.
Police investigations further revealed that a community leader from Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area allegedly transferred ₦5,475,000 to the suspects after they promised to facilitate his appointment as president-general of the community.
The suspects reportedly presented themselves as persons with access to the Delta State Government and the capacity to influence the appointment.
During a search of their premises, detectives recovered seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 automated teller machine cards bearing different names and a point-of-sale terminal.
Other items recovered included documents containing financial records and personal identification details belonging to several individuals.
The police said investigations were ongoing to determine whether additional victims had been targeted and whether other accomplices were involved in the alleged scheme.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, cautioned residents against relying solely on caller-identification applications to verify the identities of individuals claiming to represent government officials.
He warned that fraudulent callers could exploit such applications to create misleading impressions about their identities.
The commissioner urged members of the public to independently verify requests involving financial payments, employment opportunities and promises of government appointments.
He also encouraged anyone who might have fallen victim to similar activities to provide credible information to assist investigators.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to combating financial fraud and ensuring that suspects found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The three arrested men remain suspects, and the allegations against them have not been established by a court of law.
