The police command in Borno says it arrested seven members of an ATM robbery syndicate in Maidugiri.

The police commissioner Abdu Umar said two of the suspects were arrested on February 22, after swindling their victim, using her ATM card. Their confession led to the arrest of the other five suspects.

The two suspects are Mohammed Medugu and Usman Saidu both of Bulumkutu ward in Maiduguri. Others are Samson David, Saminu Shehu-Turaki, Mohammed Sani, Emma Audu and Felix Haruna.

The police chief said the suspects belonged to a nine-man syndicate, adding that on February 17, Messrs Medugu and Saidu conspired with two others at large and robbed a victim, Fati Al-Fantami of her ATM card.

Mr Umar said the suspects copied Al-Fantami’s PIN at a commercial bank in Bulumkutu, when she was trying to make some withdrawals.

“When the transaction could not be completed, the customer decided to return home. The culprits followed her, robbed her of the ATM card and then fled in a tricycle.

“The suspects, went to another ATM within the city and withdrew N65,000 from the victim’s account,’’ Mr Umar added.

He further explained that acting on coordinated intelligence, the police Crack Squad trailed and arrested the suspects.

The police commissioner said the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that the ATM card and N65,000 were recovered from them.

(NAN)