Man Arrested in Kaduna Over Multiple Land Fraud Schemes

Kaduna, Nigeria — The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a man identified as Alhassan Garba for his alleged involvement in multiple land racketeering cases.

Garba, who posed as an estate agent, is suspected of defrauding numerous victims by selling them properties with fake documents. The arrest follows several petitions filed against him by victims who were left with nothing after dealing with the suspect.

In one instance, Garba allegedly sold a plot of land for N14.5 million, providing the buyer with forged documents. An EFCC investigation revealed that the money was paid into a UBA account he provided. The funds were then transferred to Garba and a company account.

Another victim reported that in 2020, Garba and an accomplice claimed a piece of land belonged to a third party, Muhammed Murtala Khalid. The victim paid N8 million for the land, with N7.8 million deposited into Khalid’s bank account and a cash payment of N198,000 to Garba. The victim later discovered the land belonged to someone else.

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In yet another case, Garba and five others are accused of selling plots of land worth N32 million in 2018 using fake title documents. He is also implicated in a 2022 case where he and two others sold a plot of land for N2 million, a property they did not own.

Garba, who had previously jumped administrative bail, was rearrested on August 12, 2025, after being tracked to his hideout in the Kabala Costain area of Kaduna. The EFCC stated that he will be charged to court once investigations are completed.

Land fraud remains a significant concern in Nigeria, with the EFCC continuing to pursue those involved in such crimes. The public is advised to conduct thorough due diligence and verify property documents with relevant government agencies before making any payments.