Abuja Police Dismantle Fraud Syndicate Following Alleged N150 Million Land Scam Impersonating FCT Minister Nyesom Wike

Abuja police arrest a syndicate for impersonating FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to defraud a retired general of N150m in a land scam. Details inside.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 6:23 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from News Diary Online

The Discovery of an Elaborate Impersonation Scheme

The Police Command in Abuja has initiated a high profile investigation into a syndicate accused of using the identity of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to orchestrate a massive financial fraud. According to Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, the group successfully targeted a retired Major General, identified as A. K. Ibrahim, along with several other victims. The fraudulent activity centered on a fictitious land transaction within the Guzape II Cadastral Zone, a highly sought after area in the federal capital. By leveraging the Minister’s name, the suspects managed to bypass the typical skepticism associated with large scale real estate deals in the region.

Arrest and Identification of the Primary Culprit

The breakthrough in the case occurred on Tuesday when the primary suspect was apprehended at a residence within the Nigeria Army Post Housing Estate in Kurudu. Following his arrest, the suspect allegedly admitted to luring victims into believing he was a high level operative working directly with both the FCT Minister and the Director of Lands within the FCT Administration. This false affiliation allowed the syndicate to collect over 150 million Naira under the guise of processing official land documents for a three hectare plot, specifically designated as Plot 1985 at Guzape II. The suspect's ability to navigate the terminology of the FCDA administrative processes was instrumental in convincing the retired military officer of the deal's legitimacy.

Collaboration Within the FCT Administration

During the course of the police interrogation, the primary suspect identified two accomplices who are reportedly employees of the Urban and Regional Planning Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The involvement of internal staff suggests a breach of administrative protocols and a sophisticated level of coordination intended to give the scam an air of official authenticity. A fourth accomplice was later identified and apprehended at a residence on Chief Palace Road in Durumi. The detention of these four individuals highlights a troubling intersection between external criminal elements and internal administrative staff within the capital’s planning and land management departments.