Authorities have apprehended two individuals accused of falsifying the signature of Marafan Gobir, the district head and Hakimin of the Sabon Birni locality in Sokoto, reportedly as part of a scheme to lay claim to 40 stolen cattle within the region.
Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps conducted the arrest of the suspects, who were subsequently presented to the public on Tuesday at the NSCDC headquarters in Gusau.
Mustafa, speaking through the Command’s spokesperson, Ikor Oche, revealed that the detained suspects included Bashir Bala, aged 30, residing in the Unguwar Gwazar vicinity of Gusau, and Usman Mohammed, aged 33, who goes by the alias Alhaji GEDE and resides in the Lalan Area within Gusau metropolis.
According to Uche’s account, the suspects’ motive was to utilize the forged signature to assert ownership of 40 rustled cattle.
“The said suspect was laying claim falsely to about 40 rustled cows which he claimed to be the original owner as stated in the forged document.”
“Exhibits recovered were a copy of the forged Document said to have emanated from Marafan Gobir Hakimin Sabon Birnin local government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.
“On the 21 March 2024, one Bashar Bala (m) 30 years was arrested at Zakat and endowment board where rustled animals are kept for claims by legitimate owners with a suspected forged document reading Marafan Gobir Hakimim Sabon Birnin local government area of Sokoto State.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed that the said document was actually forged and given to him by one Alh. Usman Mohammed aka Alh. Gede who happens to be a member of the committee.”
According to the corps, Gede confessed to collaborating with the said suspect to falsely assert ownership of the 40 rustled cows during the committee’s assessment.
The alleged activity is reported to violate sections 121, 63, and 59 of Law No. 18 of the Zamfara State Penal Code Law of 2024.