Tijjani Aliyu, one of fake Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDS, operatives who were arrested in Nasarawa State, has denied belonging to the fake NSCDS syndicate operating in the state.
Mr Aliyu, who was arrested by the operatives in the state, said he is an international 419ner that deals in foreign currency.
According to him, parading himself as an NSCDS operative had never crossed his mind, adding that he only travels abroad to swindle foreign currency and bring them to Nigeria.
“I am an international businessman. I don’t take Nigerian money abroad; I go abroad to bring in foreign money,” Mr Aliyu who is an indigene of Kogi State said.
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When paraded alongside five other suspected fake NSCDC officers at the Nasarawa state command of the NSCDC, Mr Aliyu, however, admitted knowing one of the members of the syndicate whose father, according to him, was a marabout that assisted him with local herbs to cure his diabetes.
Speaking to newsmen, the state commandant of the NSCDC, Gidado Fari, said that the suspects were arrested for conducting illegal recruitment for the service while parading themselves as officers of the Nasarawa state command of the agency.
“Among them are a state commandant, assistant commandant and other officers who collect money from the public and issue their appointment letters.
“We have tracked them to Kaduna, Abuja, Suleja, Jalingo and Minna before finally arresting them,” Mr Fari added.
He explained that the suspects are experts that master the use of different languages to convince their clients and equally quote different verses of Qur’an and the Bible to effectively parry any doubt from their clients.
Mr Fari, therefore, said the suspects would be arraigned before the court after investigation.
