KOGI POLICE ARREST 11 SUSPECTS OVER CULTISM, ATM CARD-SWAPPING FRAUD, RECOVER 59 CARDS

By NaijaParrot 

LOKOJA, KOGI STATE — OCTOBER 21, 2026 The Kogi State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in two separate operations involving alleged cult-related activities and ATM card-swapping fraud, recovering two motorcycles, dangerous weapons, 59 ATM cards and a vehicle believed to be connected to the cases. The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing in Lokoja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The arrests involved eight suspects apprehended in Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area, over alleged cult activities and three men arrested in Idah over an alleged ATM card-swapping operation linked to the loss of ₦1.5 million by a bank customer.

 The police said eight suspects were arrested on October 17, 2026, at about 5:45 p.m. at a location behind Government Secondary School, Itobe. The operation was reportedly carried out by operatives of the Itobe Police Division, working with local auxiliary security personnel and community leaders. The suspects were identified as Mutari Ahmed, 26; Mohammed Tairu, 21; Audu Moses Yahaya, 27; Peter Vincent, 28; Progress Aminu, 21; Wisdom Friday, 21; Gabriel Enema, 22; and a 14-year-old boy whose identity was withheld because of his age. Items reportedly recovered during the operation included two TVS motorcycles, an axe and a cutlass. According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had allegedly assembled to appoint a leader for a local cult group. Some of them were also alleged to have links with the Aro-Baga Vikings and Aiye confraternities. The command said intelligence reports had raised concerns about possible clashes involving rival groups in Itobe and Ejule, where disputes over territory, rivalry and reprisal attacks were among the security concerns being investigated. The case has reportedly been transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals suspected of involvement. The police said security measures had also been strengthened to prevent possible violence and maintain peace in the affected communities. 

 In a separate operation, police arrested three men in Idah over an alleged ATM card-swapping fraud involving a reported loss of ₦1.5 million. The suspects were identified as Philip Akiola, 50; Ojo Thomas, 56; and Abdulrauf Suleiman, 48. The command said their arrest followed an investigation into a complaint lodged on May 19, 2026, by a victim who reported losing ₦1.5 million after an alleged ATM card-swapping incident. The suspects were reportedly arrested on October 20, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m. Police said 59 ATM cards belonging to different banks and a vehicle allegedly used by the suspects were recovered during the operation. Investigators suspect that the alleged scheme involved a coordinated method in which one person watched a customer enter a personal identification number (PIN), while another distracted the customer and swapped the ATM card. With the original card and the observed PIN, the suspects allegedly gained access to victims’ bank accounts to carry out unauthorised transactions. The police said preliminary findings suggested that the alleged operation might have continued for more than a year. The suspects reportedly told investigators that a person identified only as “Sunday”, who was said to be abroad, introduced them to the scheme. The claim remains subject to investigation. The suspects were also alleged to have targeted ATMs associated with First Bank, Union Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA). The case is expected to undergo further investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lokoja. The police have not established the guilt of the suspects in court, and the allegations against them remain subject to the ongoing investigation and judicial process. 

 Following the arrests, the police advised bank customers to exercise caution when using automated teller machines and other banking channels. Customers were urged to shield their PINs while entering them, avoid accepting unsolicited assistance from strangers at ATMs, and check that their cards are returned to them after every transaction. The command also advised anyone who suspects that their card has been swapped or compromised to contact their bank immediately, block the affected card and report the incident to the police. The recovery of 59 ATM cards is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged fraud network and whether additional victims or accomplices can be identified. 

 The latest arrests come as the Kogi State Police Command continues efforts to address suspected cult activities, violent crime and financial fraud across the state. The command said investigations into both cases were continuing, with further action expected as evidence is gathered and other suspected participants are identified. Residents were encouraged to provide credible information to security agencies that could help prevent crime and protect communities. NaijaParrotMedia will continue to follow developments in the cases and report verified updates as they become available. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

NaijaParrot...Hear It First, Hear It True