The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial ATM thief, Chibuzor Amaechi, believed to be responsible for a wave of ATM card-swapping and financial fraud incidents across Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
Amaechi, a native of Ubima Village in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, was apprehended on Saturday, July 26, at approximately 4:00 p.m. at a bank located along Abak Road in Uyo. His arrest followed a swift police response to a distress call from two commercial banks in the area.
Confirming the development, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the suspect was captured on CCTV footage while attempting to swap ATM cards belonging to unsuspecting customers. Police officers moved quickly to the scene and arrested him at the bank premises.
A search of the suspect revealed seven ATM cards from various banks, suspected to have been stolen from previous victims. In a confession obtained by the police, Amaechi admitted to acting alone and operating mainly within Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
One of the victims, a resident of Ikot Inyang Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, has identified Amaechi as the individual who swapped his card and fraudulently withdrew funds from his account.
DSP John noted that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant when using ATM points and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement authorities.
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