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Category: Crime

2 teenage girls brutally killed in Kogi

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Shock and grief have gripped Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State after two teenage girls, identified as Ajuma Simon and Omojo Shuaibu, were gruesomely murdered while returning from a local market.

 

The tragic incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday as the victims walked along a bush path leading to their village.

 

Residents reported hearing screams for help during the attack but arrived too late.

 

“They only came to the scene to meet the victims already dismembered. As at the time we got to the scene, one of the victims was still breathing. She told us that the armed men came with the intention to rape or kidnap them,” a witness recounted.

According to locals, the girls attempted to escape but were chased for nearly 300 meters before being caught and brutally attacked.

 

“I know the girls; one of them, Omojo Shuaibu, was my ex-student at the UEC Secondary School Ogbogbo. Very brilliant and dedicated; she was the assistant head girl,” said Yahaya Edibo, a teacher in the community.

 

On Thursday, local vigilantes and youths evacuated the bodies to a morgue in Idah Local Government Area.

 

The Igalamela chapter of the Ukomu Igala socio-cultural organization expressed alarm over increasing attacks by armed men in the area, calling on the state government for urgent intervention.

Confirming the incident, Kogi Police Command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said police operatives have been deployed to the community to investigate the killings.

 

(DAILY TRUST)

8 Yahoo Boys sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to internet fraud

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has eight Nigerian youths to one year over their involvement in internet fraud.

A statement issued by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, said the convicted Internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) were arraigned on Tuesday, July 29,  before Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa of the Federal High Court Lafia, Nasarawa State.

They were arraigned on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences.

” The suspects are Timileyin Jude, Kelvin Godwin, Benedict  Udoh and Israel Ugwu. Others are Friday Onigbe, Ismaila Jemilu, Salifu Mustapha Achema and Paul Attah.

“Godwin’s count reads, ‘That you Kelvin  Godwin sometime in the year 2025 at Karu, Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria fraudulently impersonated one Bad Ass Kylie from America by means of your iPhone 14 Pro mobile device via a fake Telegram social media account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals, under the guise of which you benefitted the sum of $200 (Two Hundred States Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act”.

“Udoh’s count reads, ‘That you Benedict Simon Udoh sometime in the year 2025 at Karu Nasarawa state within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently through your iPhone 14 Pro Max fraudulently impersonated black military man from the

United states of America using different social media site Neckter-recovery of Instagram, Wizzytechassit on email and anededepablo on Facebook with intent to obtain money and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act,” the statement said.

According to the statement,  all the suspects pleaded guilty,  prompting prosecution counsel S.N. Robert to urge the court to convict and sentence them.

Young man commits suicide in Abuja over gambling debts

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Tragedy struck in the Saburi 2 community of Abuja on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as a young man identified as Stephen Chidubem reportedly took his own life over mounting gambling debts.

 

 

The heartbreaking incident occurred at Chidubem’s residence on Abba Street, located behind the Anglican Church in Saburi 2. According to reports, the young man allegedly hanged himself using a rope tied to a ceiling fan.

 

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident via social media, said the deceased had been battling emotional and financial distress as a result of his gambling habits.

 

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and evacuated the body to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed d3ad by a medical doctor.

The corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.

 

A suicide note recovered at the scene pointed to gambling addiction as the cause of the tragic act.

 

In the note, Chidubem apologized to those he owed and to those he believed were affected by his financial troubles.

 

The note read in part: “Sorry to everyone who cared, I can’t continue putting people in trouble because of my gambling addiction. Please forgive me Elvis, Paul, and all I’m owing. And you, Bishop Andy Ero, give the balance of N507,500 to Elvis or Paul.”

 

It was gathered that the deceased had been struggling with a severe gambling addiction that plunged him into debt and emotional distress.

NDLEA auctions forfeited drug traffickers’ properties in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Ogun

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Targeting proceeds of crime ‘ll serve as punishment and deterrence – Marwa

 

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday 29th July 2025, conducted a public auction of forfeited houses which were either acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking or used as instrumentality of committing the crime.

The exercise which took place at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja had pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organizations and the media as well as other government agencies in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) who was represented by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrack Haruna, said the exercise forms part of the Agency’s strategic efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks by depriving offenders both liberty and illicit wealth in strict compliance with legal frameworks and due process.

He reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to pursue drug offenders not only through prosecution but also by targeting all assets acquired through proceeds of crime. According to him, “this auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice. Beyond prosecuting drug offenders, we are committed to ensuring that the financial incentives that drive these crimes are neutralized through legal forfeiture. This serves as both punishment and deterrence. When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, including their ill-gotten assets, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone.”

The auction involved forfeited eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun. Two of the houses located in Lekki and Ikorodu areas of Lagos were stepped down from the process due to notices of appeal received after the processes had begun. Six other properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold at over N139 million following successful bids above their reserved prices. Others either failed to receive any bids or attracted offers below the benchmark.

Speaking at the bidding exercise, Umar Yakubu of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, commended the NDLEA for conducting a process that was open, credible, and compliant with international best practices. He noted that the level of transparency observed was commendable and reflective of a strong institutional culture that prioritizes public accountability. He further encouraged the Agency to amplify such efforts as a public education tool to underscore the consequences of drug crimes.

In his remarks, Director, Proceeds of Crime Management in NDLEA, Jerry Iorwa Aernan noted that participating auctioneers were pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and had met the required integrity checks to ensure that disposed assets are not returned to original owners through the back door. He emphasized that successful bidders must pay 10 percent of their bid value within fourteen days to confirm their interest, while the full payment is expected within a stipulated timeframe.

Chinese bizman, 80-yr-old grandma arrested as NDLEA seizes Colos in moimoi sachets

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By Ebinum Samuel

Intercepts Loud consignments in processed food cans from Canada; others in Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi raids

 

A Chinese businessman Liang Tak You and an 80-year-old grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme top the list of arrests made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in nationwide interdiction operations leading to the seizure of consignments of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis hidden in moimoi sachets and Canadian Loud, another strong strain of cannabis concealed in canned food items imported from Canada.

Liang was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 25th July 2025 based on actionable intelligence. The suspect, who arrived Nigeria from Bangkok via Dubai, UAE, on Emirates Airline flight, is a Chinese national, naturalised and based in Malaysia, but flew to Thailand where he picked two suitcases filled with 50 parcels of Loud weighing 26.10kg before heading to Nigeria via UAE.

Upon his arrival at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives who were tracking his movement from his port of departure allowed him to pass through necessary protocols before picking him up on his way out of the airport. The octogenarian grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme was arrested at Edet-Nsa street, Base Site, Calabar South, Cross River state with over 3kg skunk in the early hours of Saturday 26th July following intelligence on her drug dealing activities.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 23rd July intercepted a suspect Chidi Agbafo along Epe – Ajah expressway while taking consignments of 21.7kg Colorado, some of which were packaged in moimoi cooking sachets and 3.8litres of codeine based syrub in a commercial bus to deliver in Warri and Oghara, Delta state.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a total of 101kg Canadian Loud factory packed in 202 tins of imported food item labelled ‘Bean Salad Mix’ and concealed in two Toyota Sienna buses in a container that came from Canada, were recovered. The discovery was made during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA officers, men of Customs Service and other security agencies on Friday 25th July.

No fewer than 71,000 pills of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5 were recovered from Usman Musa by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja- Kaduna highway on Wednesday 23rd July when the suspect was travelling with the consignment of opioids in a commercial bus going to Kano.

In Borno, a 30-year-old lady Binta Usman was on Wednesday 23rd July arrested by NDLEA officers who recovered 30.1kg skunk from her house at Muna Moforo area of Maiduguri.

A follow up operation later led to the arrest of her accomplice Bala Abdullahi in the same area of the Borno state capital on Friday 25th July.

Three brothers: Nanna Ozirinye, Chizom Ozirinye and Maxwell Ozirinye were on Saturday 26th July arrested when NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis plantation at bending corner forest, Idoani, Ose local council area of Ondo State where they destroyed 2,500 kilograms of skunk on an hectare of land and recovered already processed 121.4kg of same psychoactive substance.

In Edo state, NDLEA officers on Wednesday 23rd July raided the Asakpa community in Benin city, where they arrested a 26-year-old lady Bright Sunday Okon and recovered various quantities of Colorado, Loud, Arizona and skunk, all strains of cannabis as well as Methamphetamine from her.

While a total of 105.4kg skunk was recovered by NDLEA operatives from an abandoned Honda car marked ABC 204 KM in Keffi, Nasarawa state, their counterparts in Niger state on Monday 21st July arrested a suspect Bashir Abdullahi with 6,400 pills of tramadol 225mg at Kasuwan Gwari area of Minna, even as a notorious drug dealer Jamiu Omolaja was taken into custody and 113kg skunk retrieved from his enclave in Ifo, Ogun state on Thursday 24th July after a violent resistance and attack on NDLEA operatives by members of his gang.

A total of 10,910 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect Adamu Adamu (a.k.a Dankyado) by NDLEA officers on patrol along Gombe-Bajoga road, Gombe state on Saturday 26th July, while operatives in Kogi state on Thursday 24th July intercepted a consignment of skunk concealed inside garri, dried scent leaves, and other food items along Okene-Lokoja highway. A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of 27-year-old Kindness Bala who was planning to travel to Katsina state with the cargo and later to Qatar. Similarly, operatives in Kogi on Saturday 26th July recovered 23,600 pills of tramadol, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 700 grams of skunk from a truck at a motor park in Ayingba area of the state.

The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Komu/Babaode High School, Babaode, Itesiwaju LGA, Oyo state; Beacon Christian Academy, Ngodo, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi; Government Day Secondary School, Araba, Illela, Sokoto; and Government Junior College, Agege, Lagos; while the Anambra state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to the traditional rulers of Awka community, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Ezeuzu 11 and Ukpo community, Igwe Robert Eze, Okofia VI, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna and Kogi Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Court Convicts Ex-NHIS Boss, Femi Thomas, BDC Operator For $2,198,900 Fraud In Lagos

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Courtw sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July, 24, 2025, convicted the duo of Dr. Olufemi Martins Thomas, a former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, and one Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change Operator, for $2,198,900.00 fraud. Thomas was arraigned alongside Sidi on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.00 brought against them by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

PSC VOWS TO FLUSH OUT DRUG ADDICTS IN POLICE UNIFORM, VISITS NDLEA, says it is dangerous to arm a drug addict

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By Ebinum Samuel

The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.

 

The Commission today, Tuesday, July 22nd 2025 visited the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.

 

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirious of joining the Nigeria Police Force.

 

DIG Argungu who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.

 

He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.

The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force. “We want you to assist us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system”. “We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.

 

DIG Argungu said it is dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.

 

The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.

 

General Marwa in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.

 

He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment. ” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training etc” he noted.

 

Brigadier Marwa said there was also need to visit police barracks and Police Training colleges on advocacy and counselling.

 

He wished the PSC Chairman success on his new endeavour.

Passenger crushed to death as agberos clash with monarch’s supporters in Lagos

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Tension gripped the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State, on Sunday as a violent clash broke out between road transport workers, popularly known as agberos, and supporters of a local traditional ruler.

 

The chaos, which began in the early hours of the day, tragically claimed the life of an unidentified passenger who was crushed by a speeding vehicle amid the fracas.

 

Eyewitnesses revealed to PUNCH Metro that the conflict was sparked by the recent commissioning of a new motor park in the area. The park, allegedly built by the monarch, was designated for vehicles heading to northern and eastern parts of Nigeria an initiative that did not sit well with existing transport workers.

The monarch built a park at the Alaba Market side of the road. It was unveiled on Saturday for vehicles going to the North and East,” a resident identified only as Shola said.

 

“But the road transport workers were not comfortable with the development. The CP (Commissioner of Police) was even there. There was a tussle over the park between the monarch and some of the agberos. That’s what led to the fiasco,” the resident added.

 

According to residents, the agberos allegedly saw the new park as a threat to their existing system of collecting levies from drivers in the area.

 

Tensions escalated when supporters of the monarch and the transport workers clashed on Sunday morning.

 

“In the process of chasing themselves and

fighting, a passenger was trying to cross the road near the new park when a speeding vehicle hit and killed the person on the spot,” another resident, Abbey, told PUNCH Metro on Monday.

Footage shared with our correspondent showed a crowd of sympathisers gathered at the scene of the incident.

In one video, the lifeless body of the victim lay in a pool of blood, while in another, residents were seen covering the body with a wrapper to shield onlookers from the gruesome sight.

Reacting to the clash, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed efforts were underway to de-escalate the situation and broker peace between the warring factions.

“The CP was personally on the ground

yesterday for an on-the-spot assessment,” the spokesperson said.

“He also met with all parties today (Monday) at the command headquarters in Ikeja to find a lasting solution to the problem,” Hundeyin added.

Sunday’s incident adds to a growing list of violent clashes involving road transport workers and union operatives across Lagos and neighbouring states.

In late 2023, a similar confrontation between commercial motorcyclists and agberos in the Akute and Alagbole areas of Ogun State reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities.

ISWAP terrorists kill immigration officer, set body ablaze

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Terror struck Lumma Sanke in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State over the weekend, as suspected members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a deadly attack on a service outpost of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

 

The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening along the Babanna-Wawa road, claimed the life of a Superintendent of Immigration, identified simply as Suleiman. The officer was reportedly ambushed and killed by the terrorists, who then set his body and his carbine weapon ablaze.

 

Local sources said the attackers arrived in large numbers, overwhelming the outpost in a brutal assault that sent shockwaves through the community.

In

a related development, a mobile police checkpoint at Luma Ba’are, also in the area, was attacked by the same terrorist group. While details remain unclear, authorities are yet to confirm if there were any casualties from that second assault.

Patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and private vehicles belonging to police officers were reportedly burnt during the attack.

Residents told our correspondent that the attacks on the two locations were carried out simultaneously within a short time interval.

Daily Trust gathered that another immigration personnel, identified as Ahmed, has been missing since the incident.

Insiders in the Immigration Service confirmed the attack to Daily Trust.

One of the sources said, “The outpost is called Luma Immigration Service Patrol Outpost and

is located on Babanna-Wawa road.

“When the terrorists carried out the attack, Officer Suleiman was killed, and his body was set ablaze. Another personnel, Ahmed, has not been seen, and there is no information about him yet.”

Another source added, “The attacks were carried out at the Nigeria Immigration Outpost, Luma-Sanke, and the Mopol Checkpoint at Luma-Ba’are, Borgu, Niger State. This is becoming unbearable. Terrorists are having a field day in the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to investigate and respond, but had not done so at the time of filing this report.

DCP Kyari : Northern Youth beg Tinubu

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A Coalition of Arewa Youths from the North East and North West has launched a passionate appeal to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to grant

presidential amnesty to the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Abba kyari.

In an open letter signed by Dan Arewa and Dr Sufi Abdullahi to President Tinubu,made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Sunday the group stated that the embattled detective still have a lot to contribute to nation building and National Security as we prepare for the 2027 elections

 

“With utmost respect and patriotic concern, I write to Your Excellency to express a sincere opinion regarding the political an̈d Security climate of the nation as we approach the next general election in 2027. As a concerned citizen with deep interest in national unity, National Security and political stability, I feel compelled to draw your attention to a matter that may significantly impact the perception and support of your leadership, especially in Northern Nigeria”

 

“Your Excellency, the continued detention of Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari has remained a subject of passionate discourse across the North. While we all recognize the importance of upholding the rule of law, justice must also be balanced with mercy, strategic foresight, and political wisdom. Many Northerners, especially youths and grassroots stakeholders, still hold Abba Kyari in high regard due to his past outstanding contributions to national security and his visible dedication in fighting crime.”

 

‘I strongly believe that granting clemency or facilitating a lawful, fair resolution to his case could serve as a powerful symbol of reconciliation, unity, and renewed trust. It will not only soften hardened hearts but also serve as a bridge to reconnect with a large section of the Northern electorate who currently feel overlooked or disillusioned”

 

The group while appealing for clemency noted that ” There is growing sentiment that such a gesture from Your Excellency will be seen as a sign of strong leadership not weakness and it could change the political narrative in the North. Even those who may not have supported your first mandate may begin to see your presidency in a different light.”

 

“Your Excellency, I share this with a strong sense of responsibility and without any intention to interfere in judicial processes. However, history often remembers great leaders not only for their policies but for their political intelligence and ability to unite a nation in moments of deep division”