FCT NSCDC Nabs Suspects Behind Fake Facebook Account Impersonating Commandant, Others
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command has arrested two brothers, Henry Ushie Odep, 34, and Emanuel Ushie Odep, 23, for allegedly impersonating the FCT Commandant, Commandant Olusola Odumosu, and other citizens on Facebook for fraudulent purposes.
Odumosu disclosed this in a press briefing today, in Abuja, stating that the manhunt began in September 2023 after a fake Facebook account in his name was discovered.
According to him, “Emmanuel was first to be apprehended after being lured to Abuja. He then confessed to his brother, Henry, being the mastermind behind the fake Facebook account and withdrawing funds sent to an Opay account via POS machines.
“Henry, upon arrest, admitted to his involvement and luring his brother into the scheme. He further confessed to defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians through various fake Facebook accounts since 2016, including one impersonating a late Assistant Commandant General, Helen Amakiri, in 2016.
The FCT Commandant said the investigation revealed the suspects used Opay, Moniepoint, and Palmpay accounts, alongside two accounts belonging to an unsuspecting individual, Victory Chinagorom, to receive funds.
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Odumosu, while speaking further said the two other suspects, Amadi Chisom, 31, and Mrs. Okafor Evelyn, 24, were initially arrested alongside the Odep brothers but later granted bail due to lack of knowledge of the crime.
He said: “Today, I am glad to inform you that the manhunt which began about 7 months ago, followed by a well-coordinated covert operation by my men, with the assistance of our counterparts in Delta and Anambra State Command, finally paid off as we have in our custody the masterminds behind the fraudulent Facebook account.
“One of the suspects, Emmanuel Ushie was the first to be apprehended after being lured to Abuja, made a very useful confessional statement which led to the arrest of Henry Ushie Odep, his elder brother, who incidentally had the phone used to operate the fake Facebook account on him at the point of arrest in Asaba, Delta State.
“Emmanuel confessed that his brother, Henry Ushie Odep is a yahoo boy and was the one that created the fake Facebook account bearing Olusola Odumosu immediately he was appointed as the FCT Commandant in August, 2023.”
Items recovered from the suspects include POS machines and mobile phones. The NSCDC assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.
He used the opportunity to warn cybercriminals to desist from their criminal activities, stating that they will be apprehended. He however, emphasized Corp commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to fight all forms of criminality.
