The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno State, has confirmed the arrest of seven people for forging fake school certificates and security documents.
The Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, disclosed this to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday.
Ibrahim explained that the apprehended suspects were members of a seven-man gang who forged fake diploma certificates, degree statements of result and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
While stating that the suspects were arrested on August 21 at the post office area of Maiduguri by the anti-fraud unit of the command, Ibrahim confirmed that investigation would continue for five days because of the huge number of people connected with the fraud. He further said that the seven suspects apprehended so far would be charged to court.
“The syndicate siphoned huge sums of money from the bursary departments of the affected institutions.
“They also forged assorted and customized stamps of banks, government agencies, and other organizations.
“Some of the holders of such fake certificates are currently studying or working with government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the state, ” Ibrahim stated.
Noting that the suspects confessed to forging fake admission letters and identification cards of the University of Maiduguri and the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Ibrahim said the suspects who remain anonymous included two non-academic staff members of the university and five collaborators.