The Delta State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of impersonating senior government officials to defraud a community leader of ₦5.475 million under the pretence of securing his appointment as president-general of his community.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested by detectives attached to the Area Command in Effurun following investigations into an alleged fraud syndicate operating in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly impersonated prominent public officials to convince unsuspecting individuals that they possessed the influence required to secure government employment, political appointments and other official privileges.
Among the public officials whose identities were allegedly used were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor, Chief Onoriode Sunday; and the governor's Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo.
The police alleged that the suspects used telephone SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of these officials to create the impression that they were communicating directly with influential government figures.
Investigators also discovered that the suspects allegedly exploited caller-identification applications capable of displaying names associated with telephone numbers.
The applications were reportedly used to make incoming calls appear to originate from the public officials whose identities were being impersonated.
According to Edafe, the alleged scheme was designed to establish credibility and persuade victims to part with substantial sums of money in exchange for promised appointments or government-related benefits.
In one of the transactions under investigation, the suspects allegedly presented themselves as the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and approached a community leader from Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
They reportedly convinced the victim that they could facilitate his appointment as president-general of his community.
The community leader allegedly paid ₦5,475,000 in connection with the promised appointment.
Police said the transaction formed part of the activities being investigated, although the identity of the victim and the precise circumstances surrounding the transfer of the money were not disclosed.
The command also did not establish in its public statement whether the entire amount had been traced or recovered.
Following the arrests, detectives searched premises associated with the suspects and recovered several items believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The recovered materials included seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 automated teller machine cards bearing different account holders' names and one Point-of-Sale terminal.
Police also recovered documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals.
Investigators are examining the items to establish whether they were used in the alleged impersonation scheme and to identify possible connections with additional financial transactions.
The presence of multiple SIM cards and bank cards bearing different names has prompted further inquiries into the possible scale of the operation.
However, the recovery of these materials does not, by itself, establish that every item was used in a criminal transaction.
The police said investigations were continuing to identify other possible victims and determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged scheme.
The command is also seeking information that could assist investigators in tracing the movement of funds and establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent transactions.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying exclusively on caller-identification applications when verifying the identities of individuals claiming to hold government positions.
He explained that the name displayed on a mobile phone during an incoming call should not be regarded as conclusive proof of the caller's identity.
The commissioner particularly warned against responding to financial demands from individuals claiming to possess the authority or influence to facilitate government appointments, employment opportunities or other official privileges.
He advised residents to verify such claims independently through recognised government offices and authorised communication channels before making financial commitments.
Erale also appealed to individuals who may have encountered the suspects or experienced similar schemes to provide credible information to the police.
According to the commissioner, information from the public could assist investigators in identifying other victims, tracing alleged proceeds and determining whether further arrests were necessary.
He reaffirmed the command's commitment to investigating financial crimes and ensuring that individuals found responsible for criminal conduct are brought before the appropriate courts.
The case highlights concerns about the misuse of digital communication tools in identity-related fraud.
Caller-identification services can help users recognise incoming telephone numbers, but the names displayed may depend on information supplied by users, stored contacts or other databases.
Consequently, a familiar or official-looking name appearing on a telephone screen does not necessarily establish that the call originated from the person or institution displayed.
Fraudsters may exploit this limitation by creating misleading caller identities or using other forms of impersonation to gain the confidence of potential victims.
In cases involving purported government appointments, the use of the names of senior public officials can create an appearance of authority that may influence individuals unfamiliar with legitimate appointment procedures.
The Delta police investigation is therefore focused not only on the reported financial loss but also on how the alleged suspects obtained and used identifying information associated with public officials.
The authorities have not indicated that Akume, Sunday or Erijo participated in the alleged scheme. Their names were cited because the suspects allegedly impersonated them.
The police statement also did not announce that criminal charges had been filed or that the suspects had been convicted.
All three suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the allegations against them are established before a competent court.
The investigation is expected to examine the financial records, communication devices and other materials recovered during the operation.
Further findings may clarify how the alleged fraud was organised, whether additional victims were affected and whether the reported ₦5.475 million can be recovered.
For members of the public, the police have emphasised the importance of independently verifying requests for money, particularly where such demands are linked to promises of employment, political appointments or access to government officials.
The command has urged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the police and assist ongoing inquiries.
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