At least three police officers and a civilian are in police custody in Busia on accusations of duping a Kenyan national of Somali origin, Ibrahim Abdimalik Abdulahi, of more than 74 million shillings in a gold transaction scam.
The three police officers in detention over breaking the law they are meant to protect are; Police Constable Joshua Lubale, PC Hamid Abdul, and PC Carlos Patrick Ojuka. The trio’s civilian accomplice has been identified as Rafael Obbo attached to Tororo regional mineral Inspectorate.
Police’s preliminary findings indicate that Ibrahim was informed by one Katana a broker of mineral transactions that two Congolese nationals selling gold. Inspector of Police -IP Moses Mugwe, the Acting Bukedi South region police spokesperson, said Katana made arrangements and proceeded to Busia – Uganda royal hotel from the transaction was done.
IP Mugwe said Ibrahim claimed that after he was given 1,050 grams of suspected gold out of 5 kgs, he deposited 2,500,000 Kenyan shillings and he opted to proceed to Busia-Kenya to confirm its measurement and also bring more cash to complete the payment of 1,050 grams and to purchase the remaining balance of 4 kgs.
“On his way to Busia-Kenya with one of the Congolese nationals on a Bodaboda, they were intercepted by police officers aboard a white Saloon car whose registration number is not yet established at the junction to the equator road off Jinja road,” IP Mugwe said.
Police said two police officers came out; one was dressed in a Khaki uniform and armed with a gun while another was dressed in a navy-blue uniform. According to IP Mugwe, the two police officers ordered Ibrahim and his colleague to board the waiting Saloon car forcefully and they were driven to Tororo regional mineral inspectorate offices.
“It is further alleged that the police officers in the presence of the office attendant one Obbo, ordered Ibrahim and his colleague to remove all their belongings including the 1,050gms of gold and 10,000 Kenyan shillings. Ibrahim was then ordered to board the very Saloon car while his colleague was handcuffed and taken to an unknown destination,” IP Mugwe said.
Ibrahim, according to IP Mugwe, was then driven and dropped off at Tororo-Busia road from where he made his way back to Kenya. IP Mugwe said the three police officers and a civilian were arrested with the exhibits of suspected gold.