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The Nigeria Police Force, Kwara State Command has resolved to collaborate more with the point of sales operators and computer professionals in a bid to curb the use of money transfers in crime especially in kidnap-related cases.
This much was gathered during the Monday visit to the Kwara State Police command by Kwara Association of Professional Point of Sales Agents, KAPPSA, and the Information Technology Professional Association, ITPA, a body of artisans who are into computer repairs and dealings in the state.
During the visit, the associations requested assistance from the Police in curbing the manace of fraudsters using their businesses to defraud unsuspecting victims, thereby dragging their means of livelihood into disrepute.
Speaking on the menace of money transfer and cyber related criminality, the Commissioner of police, CP, represented by Adekimi Ojo, DCP, Operations, admitted that crime relating to POS agency and machines are almost overwhelming.
But he pointed out that the POS agents and their computer artisans compatriots have taken the right steps by unionizing.
“Not even the police can victimize you now,” he said.
He however stated that criminal elements hibernate within the ranks of POS agents.
Even more, he stated that with KAPPSA, the police now has useful partner in the fight against criminality that involves money transfers.
“Kidnap ransoms are paid through POS. We have cases where robbers go to homes with POS machines now.
“With an association capturing legitimate operators in the state, it makes it easy to track criminality,” explained DCP Ojo.
The police also itemized steps operators of POS need to take in going about their business to stay out of harms way.
“Don’t make it a habit to transact money beyond certain thresholds. When you do, make sure the customer leaves with you a means of traceable identification like his NIN,” he explained.
The police also offered to train task force units of KAPPSA.
Making a case on the imperative of police coming to their assistance, Mr Ridwan Ayinde Opakunle, who doubles as president of both KAPPSA and ITPA, at the state command of Nigerian Police in Ilorin, said that the associations intend to rid Kwara of all criminal elements trying to use their business to perpetrate criminality.
“We have no choice but to come to you and other security agencies for assistance on the growing menace of fraudsters threatening our livelihood,” explained Opakunle.
According to him, cybercriminals and money transaction crooks have grown more sophisticated, requiring that ITPA and KAPSSA task force units are better trained to help protect their members.
“We are reliably informed that fraudsters posing as POS operators now carry a pre-configured machine which when an unsuspecting customer’s card is imputed into it, the machine automatically downloads financial data and key codes that helps them empty people’s account.
“We have no option but to come to you because we need your help.
“ITPA and KAPSSA are two leading industries engaging Nigerian youths in gainful employment.
“But by virtue of the nature of the businesses, we are vulnerable. We take loans to start our business; we buy our POS machines and pay back in installments.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch some nefarious individuals ruin our business and put innocent people’s money in harm’s way,” Opakunle stated.
At the meeting in Ilorin at the police command on the side of the associations were, apart from Opakunle, for KAPSSA, Kayode Olatunji Moses, General Secretary; Alh Yakub Abdulmumineen Aduagba Gowon, BOT Chairman;Alh Nasir Salaudeen, Treasurer; Olukayode David, PRO.
For ITPA, there was Abdulhammeed Abiodun Jamiu, and many others.
Also at the meeting with the associations were DCP Nurudeen Abdulraheem, DCP Adegboyega Oyeleye, head of CID, and ACP Amos Bello.
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