A member of a syndicate has been arrested in Anambra State for allegedly posing as the personal assistant to the registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Segun Aina, to provide fake official services.

Spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Ani Iniedu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspect also used the bank account of his late nephew to commit the fraud, thereby hiding his identity and evading detection.

Mr Iniedu, in the statement, said, “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence, Operations, and Investigation Unit attached to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) National Headquarters have uncovered a fraud syndicate, arresting one suspect while efforts remain underway to apprehend the principal culprit.

“The operation originated from a petition submitted on 10th August, 2026, by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Segun Aina, alleging criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, and fraud. Following approval of the Inspector-General of Police, operatives launched an immediate investigation that extended to Nasarawa and Katsina States to track down those involved. However, individuals initially tracked in those states were discovered to be victims who had been defrauded by the syndicate while the criminals impersonated the Registrar.

“Investigators revealed that the syndicate created fake social media accounts using the Registrar’s identity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of providing official services. Through intelligence gathering, operatives analyzed the phone numbers and bank account details used in the scheme. The trail led to Anambra State, where police arrested Nwogba Arinze, who had been posing as the Personal Assistant to the Registrar.

“Further investigation revealed that Arinze, taken into custody on 27th August, 2026, used the bank account of his deceased nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity and evade detection. The suspect had been entrusted with the late nephew’s account details and debit cards to assist with funeral arrangements conducted on 31st July, 2026.”

Mr Iniedu said the police are currently pursuing the fleeing principal suspect, Nnabuife Nwekpa, a close relative of the arrested suspect, who is already cooperating with investigators to assist in apprehending Mr Nwekpa and any other accomplices.