Fake Air Force Sergeant Arrested in Ibadan Over Alleged POS Fraud

The Oyo State Police Command has detained a man suspected of impersonating a Nigerian Air Force officer in an attempt to defraud a Point of Sale (POS) operator in Ibadan.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the suspect, Yusuf Abdullahi, was taken into custody at the Iwo Road area of Ibadan. He was allegedly wearing military camouflage and claiming to be a serving sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

According to the complaint filed with the Iyaganku Police Division, the incident took place on June 1. The POS operator, Mrs Ayedun Abisola Adedoyin of the Oke‑Padre area, said that Abdullahi visited Ogunpa Market, bought a cooking‑gas regulator and an air freshener, and then asked her to hand over N150,000 in cash. He promised to transfer the money electronically after she paid for the items.

After collecting the cash and the goods, the suspect allegedly vanished without completing the promised transfer, the source said.

Police later tracked and arrested Abdullahi on June 9 at about 1:40 p.m., still in military camouflage. Investigators discovered that he had previously been arrested by the same division for a similar offence and was then handed over to the Nigerian Air Force Base in Akobo, Ibadan, for prosecution and disciplinary action.

During questioning, detectives contacted Flight Lieutenant Amuda, a serving NAF officer attached to the Akobo base but currently posted in Adamawa State. He confirmed that Abdullahi was not an active NAF personnel.

Police authorities said investigations are continuing to determine the full scope of the suspect’s alleged activities and to find out whether other victims were defrauded through the same scheme.

The command urged residents to remain cautious when interacting with individuals claiming to be security operatives.