An 18-year-old boy has been arrested in Niger State for allegedly posing as a woman on social media to defraud his friend.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old, Victor Ugwu, for allegedly engaging in a dating scam and obtaining money under false pretence.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 19, 2025, revealing that the suspect disguised as a woman to defraud his friend, identified simply as Peter.

According to the statement, Peter had approached Victor last year, asking him to introduce him to a female colleague. However, Victor allegedly dressed up as a woman, took photos of himself, and sent them to Peter via social media while pretending to be the lady. He then demanded money from him.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to sharing the fake pictures on Facebook and TikTok as part of his dating scam.

“On October 16, 2025, at about 6 p.m., a patrol team attached to Maje Division, while on routine patrol along Kaduna Road, intercepted one Victor Ugwu, aged 18, of Easy Life Street, Kaduna Road, during a public argument with one Peter of the same area,” Abiodun stated.

He added that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

“Surprisingly, Victor chose to dress like a lady, took self pictures and forwarded to Peter through social media, requested for money. During investigation, a search was conducted in Victor’s house, a wig and female clothes were recovered.

“He confessed that he shared the pictures to his contacts on Facebook and Tiktok for a dating scam, and to also achieve one thousand viewers and followers for monetisation. Case under further investigation.”

In another development, the command arrested three suspected phone snatchers and robbers in Minna

“On October 12, 2025 at about 3.30pm, a distress call was received at GRA Div from Kure Market that some suspected miscreants who usually use unregistered tricycle to dispossessed/snatch phones from unsuspecting members of the public were sighted around the market,” the statement read.

“The Police patrol team of the Div moved to the scene, rescued and arrested three suspects; Hassan Abdullahi, 19yrs of Abdulsalam motor-park area, Abubakar Ali, 25yrs of Chanchaga and Kalipha Bashiru, 21yrs of Bosso.

“Other victims appeared at the Police station with packs of their phones and identified the suspects to be responsible for incessant snatching of phones around the market, and other thuggery incidents.

“The suspects are under investigation and will soon be charged to court for prosecution.”