An attempt to defraud the Benue State Government of three million dollars (about N495 million) by three men who posed as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials has been foiled by the Department of State Security (DSS) operatives in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Parading the suspected fraudsters before journalists, DSS Director, Rashidi Adedirun, disclosed that the conmen were apprehended by men under his unit.
He added that they pretended to be EFCC operatives while trying to blackmail some top government officials in order to actualise their objective of extorting funds from them.
Adedirun revealed the identity of the culprits as Mark Gbaa from Buruku Local Government of the state and Bulus Ashom and Nuhu Bawa from Plateau State.
He however regretted that a fourth member who is allegedly the kingpin is still at large and efforts are being intensified to apprehend him so he can face the full wrath of the law along with his partners who are already in custody.
When Saturday Mirror questioned one of the suspects, Mark Gbaa, he claimed to be innocent of the allegation, described himself as a consultant on conflict resolutions and emphatically denied that he attempted to swindle the Benue State Government of the said three million dollars.
He claimed that he had earlier met with Governor Gabriel Suswam who asked him to see him for further discussions but that Suswam did not make clear the reason for his request that he should see him.
Bawa also said he is innocent of the alleged crime and that he was unjustly arrested for an issue he knows nothing about.
In his own case, Bulus said the truth shall triumph eventually and his innocence will then be proven.
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