Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested five persons for allegedly Impersonating as Civil Defence officials from Abuja.

The five are also accused of extorting money from unsuspecting petrol stations in Ilorin metropolis.

A statement by the Kwara Command spokesman, Babawale Afolabi said investigations have commenced, primarily, to find out whether the suspects were running a syndicate with other members.

According to Mr Afolabi, the Command's Anti-vandal Unit, on March 8, 2022, received an intelligence report that a group of men, wearing civil defence uniforms, had been going around filling stations in Ilorin metropolis claiming to be members of the national task force on assignment from Abuja.

The Unit, led by ACC Yusuf Ayinde Olatunji, uncovered the activities of the suspects, who, after meeting the managers of the said petrol stations, proceeded to extort money from them.

Mr Afolabi also explained that during interrogation, the suspects claimed to be members of the Importers Association of Nigeria, a pretext, which according to him, allowed the suspected impersonators to go around extorting money from unsuspecting petrol sellers.

He urged petrol station managers and the general public to be vigilant and report to the Command any suspicious movement around them for prompt action.