Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of belonging to a syndicate allegedly involved in stealing and swapping ATM cards and using them to defraud unsuspecting bank customers.
The suspects were identified as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, the suspects were arrested on Monday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad following credible intelligence about their activities around the ATM gallery of Wema Bank, Okesa Branch, Ado-Ekiti.
Abutu said the suspects fled on a TVS motorcycle when they sighted the police officers. The operatives reportedly pursued them and intercepted them in the Basiri area of the state capital.
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A search conducted after their arrest allegedly led to the recovery of 16 ATM cards belonging to different banks and individuals.
The police spokesperson said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly targeted bank customers at ATM points within bank premises, where they would hijack or swap their cards before allegedly using them to make unauthorised withdrawals from victims’ accounts.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Michael Falade, has reportedly ordered an intensified investigation to uncover other members of the alleged syndicate and determine the full extent of their activities.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant when using ATM facilities and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or the Ekiti State Police Command.
The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
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