Police Bust Fake PVC Ring, Arrest Key Suspect in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has dismantled a syndicate involved in the production and sale of fake Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and National Identification Number (NIN) slips, arresting a key suspect and recovering hundreds of forged documents in a major operation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Minna on the Command’s operational achievements for July 2026. He said operatives of the Tactical Support Team (STS), acting on credible intelligence after weeks of surveillance, arrested 42-year-old Mohammed Aliyu Buba at his residence in the Angwan Sarki area of Minna. A search of the residence led to the recovery of 189 fake PVCs and 105 fake NIN slips believed to have been produced for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
According to the police commissioner, investigations revealed that the suspect specialised in producing forged PVCs and NIN slips for residents of Munya and Wushishi Local Government Areas. He said the suspect confessed to producing more than 1,000 fake PVCs, selling each for ₦2,000, while fake NIN slips were sold for ₦1,000 each, generating over ₦3 million from the illegal operation. CP Elleman added that investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and warned residents against patronising illegal agents for voter registration or identity documents, stressing that only authorised government agencies are empowered to issue such documents.
In another operation, the police arrested five suspected armed robbers allegedly terrorising residents of Gauraka in Tafa Local Government Area. CP Elleman further disclosed that the Command arrested a total of 71 suspected criminals across the state during various operations in July, recovering 10 AK-pattern rifles, 15 AK magazines and 330 rounds of assorted ammunition, while rescuing nine trafficked children and one abducted baby. The recovered firearms, ammunition, suspected tramadol and other exhibits were displayed during the briefing.
The commissioner attributed the successes to the professionalism, commitment and resilience of officers and men of the Niger State Police Command. He assured that the welfare of personnel would remain a priority and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime across the state. He also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to support efforts aimed at improving public safety.