KADUNA — The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a 59-year-old man, Aminu Yarima, for allegedly impersonating high-ranking politicians and security officials across Nigeria in a long-running scheme to commit fraud and other criminal acts.
Yarima, a native of Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State, was apprehended on July 19, 2025, at his residence located at No. 6 GRA Government Quarters, Keffi, Nasarawa State. His arrest followed weeks of sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering by police operatives.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the suspect confessed during interrogation to posing as various top figures, including sitting governors, heads of federal agencies, and spouses of prominent public office holders.
Those he allegedly impersonated include the Governors of Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Ondo States; the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); the wife of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the wife of the Kogi State Governor; the Inspector-General of Police; and the Force Public Relations Officer.
The police spokesperson noted that Yarima had consistently posed as influential individuals “across Nigeria’s political and security architecture.”
A search of his residence uncovered incriminating items, including five mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, and multiple diaries and jotters. These contained contact details for senior aides to governors in all 36 states, as well as for traditional rulers, senior police and military officers, and other top government officials.
“Upon arrest, the suspect confessed to having impersonated several high-profile personalities,” the statement read. “During a search of his residence, the following items were recovered: five mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, several diary books and jotters containing phone numbers of all the Chiefs of Staff to the governors of the 36 states across the country, as well as those of high-ranking federal and
state officials, traditional rulers (Emirs and Chiefs), and senior police and military officers.”The suspect is currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of police inquiries.
Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, praised the operatives for what he called “a significant breakthrough” in efforts to dismantle criminal networks involving impersonators and fraudsters.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stating, “The Kaduna State Police Command remains committed to ridding our society of fraudsters, impersonators and all sorts of criminals.”
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