The police in Niger State have apprehended two individuals for trying to switch a female victim’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card at a commercial bank gallery in Suleja Local Council.

The suspects, identified as Aver Wese, 31, from Cross-Rivers State, and Godwin Deor, 30, from Kogi State, were arrested on November 16 by police operatives from the Suleja Area Command.

According to the police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, the victim noticed the attempted card swap and raised an alarm.

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The suspects, realizing they were caught, hastily fled in a Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number YAB 267 CW.

A police patrol team intercepted the vehicle at Old NEPA roundabout, Suleja, leading to the arrest of the two suspects, while the driver, David Therma, managed to escape.

During questioning, the suspects confessed that they, along with David from Zuba, Abuja, had been involved in fraudulent activities for the past five months.

They targeted victims in ATM galleries, spying on PINs and attempting to swap cards.

In this particular case, they had successfully withdrawn about N170,000 from victims’ accounts in Nasarawa State and N90,000 in Lokoja, but their attempt in Suleja was thwarted.

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The police recovered a Toyota Corolla vehicle, nine ATM cards, a Point of Sale (PoS) machine, and a flash drive from the suspects.

The suspects, claiming to be graduates of Educational Technology from Benue State University, are currently undergoing further investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna.

Efforts are underway to apprehend David Therma.

Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, urged the public to exercise caution at ATM galleries and other public places.

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He commended the cooperation and support of Nigerlites and the victim, which contributed to the successful arrest of the suspects.