Police operatives attached to the Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano have arrested a 32-year-old Lagos-based suspect, Richard Peter, over an alleged fraudulent ushering job scheme that reportedly targeted female students of Bayero University Kano.
The suspect was accused of deceiving about 38 female students into attending what was presented as an ushering engagement, after which their phones and other valuables allegedly went missing following their stay at a hotel in Kano.
According to a statement from the Zone Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Hussaini, the incident was reported to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police on May 12, 2026, by a group of students led by Clementina Paul.
Investigations revealed that the suspect, allegedly working with an associate identified as Faith Dauda, invited the students to a hotel in the Sabon Gari area of Kano on May 10, 2026, under the pretense of job recruitment.
Upon arrival, the students were reportedly instructed to change into ushering outfits and were told to deposit their phones and personal belongings, with claims that mobile devices would not be allowed at the venue. The suspect later allegedly fled, but was intercepted and arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State, while attempting to escape to Lagos.
Authorities confirmed that 29 mobile phones and other stolen items were recovered from him, and he is currently in custody at the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department pending prosecution.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Garba Ahmed, praised the operatives for the swift intelligence-led operation and cautioned the public, especially job seekers, to verify employment offers and avoid surrendering personal belongings to strangers.
