Delta Police Arrest Three Suspected Fraudsters For Impersonating Top Government Officials

The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters for allegedly impersonating high-ranking government officials and defrauding a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of ₦5.475 million under the guise of securing his appointment as President-General of the community.

The suspects were identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49. They were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun.

According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of prominent public officials to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

Those allegedly impersonated included Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, Director of Protocol to the Governor of Delta State; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, identified in the police statement as Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor.

The police said the suspects also allegedly exploited a caller-identification application, which displays names associated with incoming telephone numbers, to create the false impression that their calls originated from the officials they impersonated.

In one of the alleged operations, the suspects reportedly posed as the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and collected ₦5,475,000 from the Otu-Jeremi community leader under the false pretence of facilitating his appointment as President-General.

A search of the suspects’ premises reportedly led to the recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals.

The police said investigations were ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying on caller-identification applications as proof of a caller’s identity, particularly when financial demands or promises of government appointments are involved.

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He urged anyone who might have fallen victim to the suspects or similar fraudulent schemes to come forward with credible information to assist the investigation.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, on October 20, 2026.