KWARA State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 30-year-old woman, Lola Afolayan, for allegedly duping unsuspecting members of the public by operating an illegal employment agency and issuing fake appointment letters.

The suspect, a native of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, who lives at Tanke, Tipper Garage, Ilorin, allegedly claimed to be a civil defence officer and collected money from members of the public.

Speaking with Sunday Tribune in Ilorin at the weekend, the Commandant of the Corps, Mallam Yerima Gana, said the suspect was apprehended following a tip-off.

“At the point of arrest, when she was trying to explain issues, she claimed to have been employed by civil defence corps and that she had been helping others to get their appointment letters.

“Immediately she was arrested, a restricted number called her line and the suspect, Afolayan, confirmed that it was the man who helped her and others in getting the letters.

“Findings also revealed that several fake appointment letters had been issued out to people through Afolayan by the said man. Three of the letters had been recovered from her house while two others were recovered from two victims residing in Omu Aran, Kwara State.

“During investigation, the suspect admitted to have been collecting a sum of N5,000 from each applicant for forms, N2,000 for identity card and N8,500 for appointment letter. Lola Afolayan claimed to have collected the sum of N62,000 altogether”, the Kwara State NSCDC boss said.

Mallam Gana, who said that eight of the victims had been discovered so far, added that they were applicants who reportedly paid about N30,000 each before they were issued the fake appointment letters.