Katsina, Nigeria – The Katsina State Police Command yesterday paraded Adewumi Gabriel, the Head of ATM Operations at a new-generation bank in Daura, for allegedly conspiring to steal ₦18 million from a customer’s account.
The suspect was accused of colluding with a colleague, David Mesioye, who is currently at large, to carry out the theft, which was discovered during an internal audit.
Adewumi, who confessed to the crime, revealed that the operation was executed using his expertise and access to the bank’s systems.
The police recovered several exhibits, including ₦10.18 million traced to multiple bank accounts held by the suspect and ₦366,900 in physical cash. Other valuables linked to the crime were also seized.
Speaking on the case, the spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized that investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mesioye and any other individuals connected to the fraudulent activity.
“This case highlights the importance of internal audits and stringent oversight in financial institutions,” Aliyu said. He commended the bank for promptly reporting the anomaly, which led to the swift arrest of Adewumi.
ATM Fraudster Caught Red-Handed
In a separate development, the police arrested 37-year-old Bishir Abdullahi, a notorious fraudster, at an old-generation bank’s ATM in Katsina. Abdullahi, a resident of Sokoto State, was caught with 14 stolen ATM cards from various banks, allegedly used to steal ₦2.7 million from unsuspecting victims.
The suspect was apprehended by a vigilant police officer stationed at the Tudun Katsira branch of the bank. The officer noticed Abdullahi’s suspicious activities around the ATM and conducted an instant search, uncovering the stolen cards.
According to Mr. Aliyu, Abdullahi specialised in swapping ATM cards of unsuspecting individuals at ATM points, using the stolen cards to withdraw money from victims’ accounts.
“Preliminary investigations have confirmed that the suspect withdrew a total of ₦2.705 million from various accounts using these cards. The police are working to trace and recover the stolen funds. Abdullahi will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations,” Aliyu stated.
Community Alert
The Katsina State Police Command has urged residents to exercise caution while conducting transactions at ATMs. Citizens are advised to shield their PINs, avoid accepting assistance from strangers, and immediately report any suspicious activities.
Both cases have sparked concerns about financial security in the region. Financial institutions have been urged to tighten internal controls and enhance customer education to mitigate the risks of fraud.
The police also called for cooperation from the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of accomplices in the ongoing investigations.
These incidents underscore the persistent challenges of fraud and insider threats in Nigeria’s banking sector. As authorities intensify efforts to combat these crimes, residents and businesses are reminded to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their financial transactions.
