The Yobe State Police Command has busted a criminal syndicate allegedly specialising in fraud, impersonation and abduction of unsuspecting members of the public.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this yesterday in a statement made available to newsmen in Damaturu.

He said four suspected members of the syndicate were arrested following an intelligence-led operation which led to the rescue of one abducted victim and the recovery of a Toyota SUV allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was abducted in Damaturu by the suspects, who posed as security operatives.

“The suspects allegedly levelled false allegations of graft and financial impropriety against the victim as a ploy to unlawfully detain, intimidate, and extort him, before forcefully conveying him toward Potiskum in the hired vehicle,” the statement added.

The police spokesman said the four suspects had voluntarily confessed to the crime and were currently in police custody, adding that investigations were ongoing with a view to diligent prosecution.