The Zone One Police Headquarters, Kano, has arrested a 32-year-old suspect, Richard Peter, in connection with an alleged fraudulent ushering job scheme that targeted students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The police also recovered 29 mobile phones and other valuables allegedly stolen from the victims during the operation.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Hussaini, the incident was reported to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police on 12 May 2026, when a group of students led by Clementina Paul submitted a petition against the suspect.
The petitioners alleged that the suspect defrauded them under the pretext of offering ushering jobs.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, through an accomplice identified as Faith Dauda, invited 38 female students to the Mairabo Hotel in Sabon Gari Quarters, Kano, on 10 May 2026.
The victims were reportedly provided with a room to change into what was described as official working attire and were instructed to leave behind their mobile phones and personal belongings, as phones were allegedly prohibited at the supposed job venue.
Police said the suspect later took the students to the hotel restaurant where he ordered food worth N6,000 for each person before disappearing without settling the bill.
After waiting for several hours, the students returned to their room only to discover that their phones and other belongings had been stolen.
The statement added that through intelligence gathering and technical support, one of the stolen phones was traced to Kano Line Motor Park.
Although the suspect had already boarded a vehicle heading to Lagos State, police operatives intercepted and arrested him in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The police recovered 29 stolen mobile phones and other items belonging to the victims.
The suspect is currently in custody at the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID), while investigations are ongoing ahead of his arraignment in court.
AIG of Police in charge of Zone One Headquarters, Kano, AIG Garba Ahmed, commended the operatives for what he described as a swift, intelligence-driven operation.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents from fraud and other criminal activities.
The AIG also advised members of the public to be cautious of unverified job offers and warned against surrendering personal belongings to strangers.
He urged citizens to verify the authenticity of employers and venues before attending any engagement and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
