Bauchi police arrest second suspect over fake employment letters

The Bauchi State Police Command has launched an investigation into another case of criminal conspiracy and forgery involving the production and distribution of fake appointment letters in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, identifying the suspect as Saleem Alhassan, a resident of Zango Area in Bauchi Local Government Area. He said the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a discreet inquiry.

According to the statement, the case was referred to the SCID by the Area Command, Bauchi Metropolis, on May 18, 2026. The suspect was handed over alongside the case file.

The latest arrest comes barely a week after two other suspects were arrested and prosecuted in a similar matter, following a formal complaint from the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

Habib revealed that five fake temporary appointment letters were recovered from the suspect. Preliminary findings indicate that sometime in 2025, Alhassan allegedly forged and printed appointment letters purporting to come from a government office.

The suspect is accused of using the forged documents to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, collecting between N500,000 and N750,000 from each victim under the pretext of securing employment. The police spokesman noted that all the appointment letters and offers issued were later discovered to be forged and invalid.

The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged to court if found culpable at the conclusion of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has warned the public to be cautious of individuals or groups promising employment in exchange for money. He also urged anyone with useful information to report to the nearest police station.