Fake ushering job lands Lagos man in police net

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano

Police operatives from the Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano have arrested a Lagos-based suspect, Richard Peter, 32, in connection with a fraudulent ushering job scam reported by students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Twenty-nine mobile phones and other items were recovered from the suspect.

A statement issued by the Zone’s Police Public Relations Officer,  Abdullahi Hussaini, said:

“On 12 May 2026, at about 10 a.m., a group of students led by Clementina Paul submitted a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, alleging that the suspect defrauded them under the guise of offering ushering jobs.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, acting through one Faith Dauda, invited 38 female students to Mairabo Hotel in the Sabon Gari area of Kano on 10 May 2026.

Upon arrival, he allegedly provided a room for them to change into work attire and instructed them to leave their phones and other belongings behind, claiming that phones were not permitted at the event venue.

The suspect reportedly took the students to the hotel restaurant, ordered food worth ₦6,000 per person, and left without settling the bill.

After eating and waiting for several hours, the victims returned to the room and discovered that their phones and other valuables had been stolen.

Through intelligence gathering and technical support, one of the stolen phones was traced to Kano Line Motor Park along Zaria Road.

By the time operatives arrived at the park, the suspect had already boarded a vehicle bound for Lagos State. However, he was intercepted and arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State.

29 phones and other items belonging to the victims were recovered.

The suspect is currently in custody at the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone One Headquarters, Kano, AIG Garba Ahmed, commended the operatives for the swift, intelligence-led operation.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting citizens from fraud and other criminal activities.

The AIG also advised members of the public to exercise caution regarding unverified job offers.

“Do not surrender personal belongings to strangers, and verify the legitimacy of employers and venues before attending any engagement.

“Suspicious activities should be reported promptly to the nearest police division,” Ahmed added.