Two individuals, David Iluebe from Edo State and Chike E. Eke from Delta State, have been arrested for impersonation and fraud at Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
They had entered a lecture hall at the Faculty of Engineering, posing as lecturers from the department. They introduced themselves to first-year students and pressured them to purchase four textbooks on Use of English, Statistics, Nigerian People and Culture, and Algebra and Geometry Mathematics, claiming these books were essential for their Continuous Assessment (CA) and that failure to buy them would result in failing their courses.
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The intimidated students responded by purchasing numerous copies of the books. However, the scheme was foiled when security operatives, acting on a tip-off, apprehended the impostors on July 25, 2024.
During the preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the allegations, admitting that they were the authors of the books and were selling them due to unemployment. They revealed this was their second visit to the state, having previously targeted Kano State Polytechnic earlier in the year. The books in their possession were of poor quality and believed to be pirated.
This incident highlights a worrying trend in tertiary institutions, where fraudsters pose as academics to exploit unsuspecting students. The suspects will be handed over to the police for further investigation and action. Meanwhile, the university management plans to increase student awareness of such fraudulent activities.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of Information and Publication, Bala Abdullahi, the management of BUK urged students and the public to be vigilant against impersonators. Abdullahi also assured that the university has increased surveillance to prevent similar incidents in the future.
