The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • NDLEA intercepts N3.3b drugs concealed in auto parts shipped from Canada

    NDLEA intercepts N3.3b drugs concealed in auto parts shipped from Canada

    • Customs seizes 695,000 litres of petrol, says Adeniyi

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted shipments of Methamphetamine and Loud worth billions of naira concealed in automobile spare parts imported from Canada at the Tin Can Seaport in Lagos

    Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement,  said: “For the first time in the history of NDLEA’s anti-narcotic operations, two consignments of methamphetamine weighing 83.301 kilogrammes, were on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th December 2024, recovered from separate containers bearing vehicles and spare parts coming from Canada and heading to warehouses in the Ladipo automobile parts market in Mushin area of Lagos.

    “While one of the containers going to Ladipo market through the Sifax Bonded Terminal was examined on Thursday 12th December, not less than 5.001kg methamphetamine hidden in a bag wrapped in bed sheet that came in a Toyota Camry car, was recovered, even as a businessman, Isaac Onwumere linked with the consignment was promptly arrested.

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    “The other container bearing automobile spare parts checked on Friday 13th December was found to contain 1, 735 parcels of Loud packed in 44 jumbo bags with a total weight of 867.5kg and six plastic coolers containing 87 packs of methamphetamine weighing 78.3kg. At least two businessmen: Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe have been arrested in connection with the seizure.”

    The two consignments, which weighed 83.301kg, were worth N124,951,000 while the 867.5kg Loud is worth N2,168,750,000 .

    The consignments were tracked from the Canadian port to Lagos by the Special Operations Units in NDLEA and their colleagues at Tin Can Port.

    He added: “The first container with 5.001kg meth came under the radar of NDLEA’s intelligence network on 4th October 2024 when the preparation for the shipment began in Toronto, Canada, monitored through 8th October when the shipment was received at the rail ramp, loaded on the rail and departed to Montreal, Canada where it arrived and was unloaded the following day 9th October.’’

    Babafemi continued: “The consignment was further monitored till it was loaded on a vessel on 19th October through when the vessel arrived and discharged at Antwerp in Belgium on 30th October after which the consignment was trans-shipped and loaded on 14th November before arriving Lagos port on 1st December and released to a bonded terminal two days after.

    “The second shipment containing 867.5kg Loud and 78.3kg methamphetamine followed the same route. It came under NDLEA’s intelligence tracking on 8th October 2024 when the consignments were delivered to the shipper in Toronto, Canada, loaded on the rail on 14th October and arrived Montreal the following day, 15th, after which they were loaded on a vessel to Europe on 20th October.’’

    He said after the trans-shipment at Antwerp in Belgium on November 6 and 17, the consignments were tracked from the vessel at Lagos port on December 6 before they were moved to the terminal four days later.

    Babafemi said at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State, 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup from India worth over N4.4 billion were seized on December 9,11, and 13,.

    The seizures, he added, were made during an examination of four containers by men of the NDLEA, and Customs, among others, at the port.

     Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) stated that the successes should show the drug barons and cartels that the agency has the capacity  to track their movements and their consignments even before getting to Nigeria. He said they would continue to lose heavily if they fail to back down on the criminal trade.

    Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi yesterday said, Customs, in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), intercepted over 695,000 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol.

     Adeniyi made this known at the 18th Africa Security Watch Conference in Doha, Qatar, according to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada.

    Adeniyi, who gave the keynote address entitled: “Protecting National Security Through Effective Border Control: The Nigeria Customs Example,” emphasised the vital role of border management in national security, describing borders as more than just geographical boundaries. .

    Adeniyi added that the NCS generated a record-breaking N5.1 trillion.

    “We have equally strengthened partnerships with both domestic and international stakeholders,’’. he said.

    The CGC noted that this achievement was not merely about numbers, but also reflected the efficiency of the Customs workers

     The NCS also intercepted several arms shipments, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at Onne Seaport.

    “These efforts have significantly disrupted the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which remain a persistent threat to national security. Additionally, the NCS’s collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led to so many interceptions of illicit drugs.” CGC Adeniyi said.

    He also brought attention to the Service’s role in combating wildlife trafficking, detailing how officers intercepted 4,200 kilograms of pangolin scales and ivory, underscoring the NCS’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and international compliance.

    The CGC said the use of geospatial technologies, such as satellite feeds and geo-mapping, has enhanced the Service’s surveillance and enforcement capabilities, ensuring that these operations are not only effective but sustainable.

    Meanwhile, the NCS clinched the ‘Best National Security Service in West, East, and Central Africa 2023/2024’ award at the event.

  • Court jails man seven years for cultism

    Court jails man seven years for cultism

    An Ogun Special Anti-Cultism Court in Abeokuta yesterday sentenced a 36-year-old man, Oluwole Olushola, to seven years imprisonment for belonging to a secret cult.

    Olushola of no fixed address was convicted on a two-count charge of membership of an unlawful society and possession of dangerous weapon.

    The Magistrate, Mr O.L. Oke, said that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt.

    He sentenced the convict to seven years on count one and five years imprisonment on count two.

    Oke sentenced the convict without an option of fine, adding that the sentence should run concurrently.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the convict committed the offences on March 10 at Eloham Hostel, Harmony Estate at Camp Alabata area of Abeokuta.

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    Rawlings said that the convict was arrested by officers on patrol after they received a distress call over a cult rival clash.

    She said during the convict’s arrest he was found with a cutlass which he could not give a satisfactory account of.

    “Upon his arrest, the convict made a confessional statement of belonging to a Black Axe secret cult group,” she said.

    Rawlings, however, said the offences contravened Sections 34 and 80 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti-Violence and other Related Offences Laws, 2016.

  • Lecturer arrested over kidnap of ASUU chairman’s wife in Benue

    Lecturer arrested over kidnap of ASUU chairman’s wife in Benue

    A  lecturer with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM),  Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, has been arrested by the police for alleged kidnap of the wife of ASUU Chairman in same University, Mrs Susan Anyagh.

    A statement signed  by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state,  Kate Aneene, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and made available to newsmen yesterday stated:

    “On the 7/12/2024 at about 0900hrs, information was received at Police Headquarters, Makurdi that Mrs. Susan Anyagh, wife of the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University Makurdi (JOSTUM) chapter, Joseph Sawuaan Tarka, was kidnapped along Otukpo Road, Makurdi and taken hostage in her car that was being driven to an unknown destination.”

    Aneene further stated that “in quick response, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Steve Yabanet, immediately ordered all patrol officers and checkpoints to ensure her rescue and arrest of the kidnappers involved.”

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    She said: “At about 1300hrs another information was received along Yandev-Ugbema Road that the said victim was attacked by her assailants and left unconscious by the roadside.”

    According to the PPRO, “she was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu for treatment.

    “Subsequently, the victim started responding to treatment and gained consciousness.

    “She stated that while she was driving from NNPC mega fuel station, Kanshio where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flagged down on Otukpo Road by persons who claimed to be in need and she stopped to render help.

    “They quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordered her to drive towards Wurukum area.

    “Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husband’s colleague, Dr.  Ichor Tersagh Smart of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM), standing by the car. She beckoned to him for help but he turned his back and walked away.

    “While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Dr. Ichor who ordered that she should be killed, and she became agitated.

    “When they sighted a police checkpoint ahead checking vehicles, they decided to reverse the car to a hidden place.

    “They parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of one million three hundred and fifty thousand naira ( N1,350,000 ) she had in the car,  opened the car boot and took a vehicle jack which they used to hit the back of her neck and she fell.

    “Dr. Ichor has been arrested in connection with the case and investigation is ongoing. Details of the investigation will be communicated in due time and necessary actions shall be taken.

    “The CP has advised all concerned persons to be law abiding and patient with the police as diligent investigation will be carried out to establish the fact in issue.”

  • Pastor in row with husband of church member over paternity of 4-yr-old

    Pastor in row with husband of church member over paternity of 4-yr-old

    • My son exposed his amorous affair with my wife – husband 

    • She’s been my lover for 20 years – Embattled clergyman

    A pastor based in Ogun State is locked in a messy paternity row with a commercial driver following a secret affair between the clergyman and the driver’s wife exposed by the driver’s 14-year-old son, KUNLE AKINRINADE reports.

    A rancorous scene occurred at the premises of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ona Iye Parish in the Iloye area of Sango-Ota, Ogun State penultimate week as a commercial driver swathed by his family members and associates clashed with the pastor and founder of  the church, Prophet Abiodun John, in a scandalous paternity row.

    The driver, Badiru Folarin, who is the husband of a female church member brought to the church for spiritual healing, screamed that the pastor claimed ownership of his four-year-old child after he caught him having an illicit affair with his wife, Morufat.

    Folarin claimed the pastor’s sexual escapades with his wife was revealed by his 14-year-old son, Saheed, who told him that his mother was always visiting and cooking for the clergyman while he was away and that the cleric in turn visited their home at odd hours.

    He said: ”The pastor claimed that my in-law had given my wife to him as his wife. However, the question is, can a woman be given to two men as wife?

    ”The pastor confronted me to my face that he is the biological father of our last child, a four-year-old. Yet my wife rained curses on me, saying that Ogun (Yoruba god of iron) should strike me dead so she can enjoy her benefactor.

    ”I am a driver. I never enjoyed my wife at home. She was always away to church for several days in the guise of vigils and special spiritual protection. My mother-in-law was disturbed about my wife’s continuous absence from home under the pretext of participation in church activities.”

    Amid the yelling, screaming and cacophony of noise at the scene, Morufat told her husband’s family members and bystanders that she was not in the least prepared to leave her husband, although she conceded the paternity of the child in question to the embattled pastor when asked to choose between the latter and Folarin.

    She said: ”No one should blame me for what has happened…and If you all must know, I cannot be married to two men in my life…but my husband is not ready to take care of me, he is a shameless man…I will deal with him when we return home.”

    Folarin, however, retorted: ”You cannot come back to my house…anything can happen to you if you come back to my house.”

    Recalling how the messy affair between the pastor and her wife began, the father of six said he did not believe that the clergyman was having an affair with his wife when neighbours alerted him until his son tipped him off that his wife was having a tryst with the cleric at his house within the church premises.

    Folarin said: ”I did not realise that the pastor was sleeping with my wife.

    “I am a Muslim while my wife is a Christian. She was having some spiritual attacks and went to the church for deliverance.

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    “Suddenly, she started frequenting the church, and when I heard that she was having an affair with the pastor, I confronted her but she denied it.

    ”She would send my children to me for upkeep while at the church and I usually sent money to her, not knowing that she was using my money to prepare meal for her pastor-lover.”

    ”The pastor knows me very well. He had even given me some spiritual items for use that would attract fortune, but my transport business witnessed a reversal of fortune instead.

    ”I have been married to Morufat for more than 30 years and our first child is 30 years old. I was giving her about N6,000 every day for upkeep.

    “When I got home a few days ago, she rained curses on me. Her action got my 14-year-old son, Saheed, angry, and he opened up that his mother had been flirting with the pastor to the extent that she was cooking for the cleric with the money I have been giving her as daily upkeep.

    “My son said his mother had just returned from the church where she took food to the pastor shortly before I returned home on that day.

    ”The pastor told me to my face that he is the biological father of my last child, a daughter (Alimot).

    “I gave my wife the sum of N68,000 when she was pregnant with our last child, but she gave the money to the pastor and relocated to the church for several months under the pretext of seeking spiritual protection.

    “Along the line, we had accommodation problem, and that was when I gave her money for a new accommodation. Instead, she spent the money on her lover and later claimed she was sick and that she used the money for treatment.

    ”Again, I got some money and got another apartment for her at Plaza area in Sango-Ota despite her insistence that she did not want me to get another accommodation.

    “I warned her against having any close affair with pastor and asked her to stay in the new apartment.  

    “Surprisingly, she complained she did not like the fact the apartment is in a one-storey building.

    “I would give her N3,000 in the morning and N3,000 in the evening because I usually left home around 5 am to take early turn to pick passengers at the motor park.

    “Last week, my son told me that his mother had been with the pastor’s house for four days. I stormed the place and I was shocked to find them together in a room half naked.

    “The pastor tied a towel around his waist while my wife also tied a piece of cloth around her waist while she pushed two of my little children to play outside the room.

    ”She started abusing me and calling me all sort of names. I reported the affair to my wife’s uncle and the old man slapped the pastor for luring my wife to bed to the extent of impregnating her.

    “We tried to take my children away from her but she bit off my hand while the pastor claimed that he is the father of my last daughter, who is my sixth child.

    “The pastor told all of us at the scene that he is the biological father of my daughter and that I cannot take the girl away from him.

    “My wife said she was not ready to leave me and that she cannot also leave her pastor-lover. 

    “I later discovered that she had aborted a pregnancy for the same pastor some years ago.

    “I cannot take my wife back and because the pastor has vowed to deal with me.

    “I have 13 siblings and only three of us are the surviving children of my parent.

    “I don’t want the pastor to kill me. Nigerians should save me from the ruthless pastor.”

    Speaking with our reporter, Saheed, Folarin’s son, who allegedly exposed his mother’s illicit affair with the pastor, said his mother threatened to poison him for exposing her affair with the pastor.

    ”My mother threatened to poison me for exposing her escapades with the pastor of our church to my father.

    “She called me an unfortunate child for telling my father that she even cooked for the pastor.

    “I know she attacked me because I knew too much about her secret affair with the pastor.”

    Giving his own side of the story, Pastor John explained that he is the biological father of Morufat’s sixth child.

    He said he had been having an on and off affair with the woman in the last 20 years.

    He said: ”My name is  Prophet John Abiodun, the founder and pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Orisun Iye Parish.

    “I have been dating Morufat for about 20 years now. She told me that her husband abandoned her with two children.

    ”My church was formerly located in the Ijamido area of Ota before I moved it to Iloye area of Sango-Ota.

    “Morufat came to my church about 20 years ago with two young children, Serifat and Saidat, for deliverance and spiritual protection.

    “When I noticed that she did not leave after some time, I asked her to bring any of her family members.

    ”She later invited her aunt called Mama Lekan, who frequently visited her at the church.

    “She stayed with me in the church for about six months, during which we started an affair.

    “She later left and I did not see her again until about a year later.

    ”By the time she returned to my church in 2004, she was already pregnant for her husband.

    “I reprimanded her for getting pregnant for the same man she had claimed was irresponsible.

    ”She said her husband had abandoned her again and bolted with a widow.

    “I took her to a hospital when she went into labour and carried out special prayers for her and she was safely delivered of the baby. Afterward, I did not see her again.

    ”I ran into her again when I was supervising the construction of my new church building in the neighbourhood of the apartment where she lives with her husband.

    “She later ran to me when she was owing a lender, and that was when we reignited our affair.

    ”She had a disagreement with her husband and said she was no longer interested in her marriage.

    “She said she would have left her husband a long time ago but for her mother’s insistence that she must not leave her husband. By that time, she already had five children.

    ”My affair with her and the controversial pregnancy led to the separation with my own wife who could not stand it and left me about three years ago.

    “Morufat’s mother knows that I am the real father of the baby, and I struck a deal with her mother who was accompanied to my home by one of her friends that I would come back for my daughter when she is 10 years old.

    “It was during the discussion that my wife overheard that I was responsible for Morufat’s pregnancy, hence, she quit our marriage.

    “It is a pity that Morufat’s mother is not here. I would have challenged her to say the truth.

    ”I took her(Morufat) on my motorcycle to the hospital when it was time to deliver the baby.

    “I paid for her delivery at the hospital, although I heard that her husband had given her the delivery money too before she was discharged from the hospital.

     “I was not the one that buried the baby’s placenta: her husband did. However, I am sure that I am the biological father of the girl.”

    Prophet Abiodun boasted that he is not ashamed to affirm his affair with Morufat and that she was impregnated by him.

    ”I can boldly say that I was responsible for the training of some of her children in vocations.

    “The husband was not responsible for the upbringing or naming of any of their children.

    “Morufat ran to me one day and had a clash with my wife, and that was when my wife took the final decision to leave me.

    ”I cannot be ashamed to say it anywhere, any day, even it is on a radio programme.

    “I named the girl Bose because she was born on Sunday, while her husband named her Shadiat. She was a twins as was revealed to me by ‘God’, but the second child was evacuated from her womb dead.”

    Prophet Abiodun, however, added that he cannot take Morufat as wife because of her past relationship with other men.

    ”I cannot marry Morufat because I know about her journey and some of the men she had dated in the past,” he said.

    “I am only claiming my child because I know that she was impregnated by me and I have a scan of the baby.  

    “Morufat is 46 years old, and she said it in the presence of everyone that I am the real father of her last baby.

    “Besides, my family members and hers know that I am the real father of the baby, and I am saying it again that I am not ashamed to say so.”

  • Dismissed soldier arrested for armed robbery in Osun

    Dismissed soldier arrested for armed robbery in Osun

    A 34-year-old dismissed soldier, Anthony Emmanuel has been arrested after several robberies of residents of Esa-Oke community in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.

    The Nation learned that Emmanuel perpetrated the crime alongside three others who were also dismissed soldiers.

    Parading the suspects at the Osun State Police Command, the Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola disclosed that Emmanuel alongside others took their victims into a bush and forced them to transfer N3 million to their account before they were released.

    “They also robbed one Olawumi Oluwaseun and Ishola of their iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 respectively, valued at N1.25 million before they were also freed. They carried out their operations in military uniform.”

    She noted that the Anti- Kidnapping Squad of Command led the operation and Emmanuel was arrested and discovered that one David Agbebaku who they carried out the operation together had been arrested in Oyo State for another offence.

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    Speaking with the suspect, he explained, “I and David, another dismissed soldier, kidnapped a young man who transferred money into an account. David later transferred N2million to my account.

    “The victim didn’t transfer money to me. The military paraphernalia is all mine, I bought the rank and put it on. David brought me for the operation from Ibadan to Esa-Oke. I served in the Nigerian Army for fourteen years and nine months. I went on a foreign mission with the United Nations in 2014 under the 35 192 battalion and went for a mission in the North East.

    “I was court-martialed for misconduct to the service, indiscipline, insubordination, and desert. I was dismissed as a corporal in January. I know I have committed an offence against the Military and Nigeria and I hope I can be forgiven. This will not repeat itself.”

  • Edo Police rescue abducted 14-month-old baby

    Edo Police rescue abducted 14-month-old baby

    Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have successfully rescued a 14-month-old baby, Grace Osamagbe, who was abducted by her nanny, Rejoice Chukwu, in April.

    Commissioner of Police Umoru Ozigi told newsmen on Saturday in Benin that the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit arrested Chukwu, 24, and her boyfriend, Destiny Uchechukwu, 28, in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

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    According to Ozigi, the suspects abducted the child in Benin and collected a ransom of N160,000.

    “In spite of receiving the ransom, the suspects allegedly sold the baby for N500,000 to Doris Chiwendu in Owerri, Imo State.

    “Following intense interrogation, police tracked down Chiwendu and another suspect, Jane Amaigbo, in Ubomiri, Imo State, and rescued the baby on November 9.”

    The police commissioner explained that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Police arrest suspected kidnappers, cattle rustler, vandals in Kaduna

    Police arrest suspected kidnappers, cattle rustler, vandals in Kaduna

    • 58 kidnap victims freed in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Police Command, through its Operation Fushin Kada, has arrested six kidnappers, a cattle rustler and five suspects involved in vandalism.

    The operations also led to the recovery of a locally made firearm and charms.

    A statement issued by the Command’s PPRO, ASP Mansir Hassan, said on November 12, 2024, four members of a kidnapping syndicate were apprehended in Rahama and Dutsen Wai village, and nearby areas.

    “The suspects, Yahaya Abdullahi, Shamsu Ibrahim, Linus Obasi and Hauwa Mohammed, all from Dutsen Wai Village in Kubau LGA, were arrested.

    “Abdullahi confessed to conspiring with Ibrahim to kidnap a woman from Rahama Village, who was held in Obasi’s brothel under Mohammed’s watch until a ₦3 million ransom was paid for her release,” the PPRO added.

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    The police spokesman also stated that in a separate operation on November 6, 2024, officers in Ikara LGA arrested two members of a gang that had been terrorising residents. 

    According to him, “the suspects, Surajo Hassan and Abdulhadir Usman, admitted to multiple kidnappings and robberies, including one case where a victim was held for 60 days before an ₦8 million ransom was paid.

    “Both suspects disclosed receiving ₦1 million each as their share.

    “On November 13, 2024, officers arrested a 27-year-old cattle rustler, Audu Abdullahi, in Kujama.

    “He confessed to belonging to a syndicate operating with AK-47 rifles and other weapons.

    “A search in a nearby bush led to the recovery of a locally made firearm and charms.

    “Meanwhile, officers responding to a distress call from the Kaduna State Vigilance Service at the Trade Fair Complex arrested three suspects—Salisu Mohammed, Mohammed Abubakar, and Aliyu Isah—caught vandalising armored cable wires.

    “They confessed to the crime and named Abubakar Garba and Isiaku Abdullahi, who were also arrested, as receivers.”

    Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday handed over 58 people rescued during joint security operations to the Kaduna State Government.

    The victims were presented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, to the Kaduna State Chief of Staff, Sani Limankila, who represented the state governor during the ceremony.

    Gen. Musa emphasised that no ransom was paid for their release.

    “This rescue was achieved through the combined efforts of the military and other security agencies,” Musa said, adding that “the operation utilised both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, underscoring the need for collective effort; not just military actions.”

    He highlighted the importance of collaboration at all levels, from the presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and the Kaduna State Government.

     According to him, it was such synergy that enabled the successful rescue of the victims.

    Musa reiterated that every Nigerian has a role to play in ensuring security, saying “if we do not work together, it will be extremely difficult to succeed. It’s a whole-of-society approach.”

    He also warned against sabotage by individuals attempting to undermine government efforts, stressing that security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.

    “Many of us have sacrificed weekends and holidays, working day and night to achieve these successes.

    “We assure Nigerians that we will continue until every captive is freed and every Nigerian can move freely across the country,” Musa said.

    The CDS noted that some individuals involved in banditry were forced into it, but the military remains determined to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

    The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, provided details about the victims.

    He said they were kidnapped from Gayam, Sabon Layi, and Kwaga villages in Dan Musa council area of Katsina State.

    Laka revealed that the joint operation, conducted by troops of 1 Division on November 14, led to their rescue.

    The victims included 35 males and 23 females.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that they were kidnapped by armed bandits under the command of a notorious criminal known as Janbros.

    “The victims were forced to trek hundreds of kilometers through the Birnin Gwari forest”, Laka said.

    He added that following their rescue, the victims received medical care and necessary assistance to stabilise them, explaining that six victims who required hospitalization had now recovered and were reunited with the others for the handover.

  • CISLAC petitions PSC over alleged Yobe officers’ misconduct

    CISLAC petitions PSC over alleged Yobe officers’ misconduct

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to probe officers of the Yobe Police Command.

    CISLAC in a petition to the PSC made available to The Nation yesterday alleged that the officers acted in contempt of court on October 29, when they allegedly invaded a Magistrate’s Court, disrupted proceedings, created fear and forcibly removed two convicted individuals, Abdulahi Aji Bulama and Mr. Kabir (A.T.O.), despite a lawful court order for their detention.

    The petition signed by the Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), specifically accused the Potiskum Area Commander and the Yobe Commissioner of Police of alleged misconduct, breach of conduct, and contempt of court.

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    According to the organisation, the actions of the officers disregarded judicial authority and violated the Police Act, which mandates officers to uphold integrity, respect for the rule of law, and judicial processes.

    It said the officers’ interference in the judicial process undermined public trust in the police.

    The petition detailed a history of alleged non-compliance with court orders by the Potiskum Area Command, which failed to serve summons and ignored arrest warrants issued by the court.

    Musa said: “Despite multiple hearings and court orders, the suspects failed to attend hearings, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant. On October 29, the suspects were finally brought to court but were removed by police officers shortly after being sentenced, in defiance of the court’s authority. CISLAC’s petition highlights several violations, including contempt of court, breach of the Nigeria Police Code of Conduct, and disregard for both national and international legal standards. The petition calls for a public condemnation of the officers’ actions, a thorough investigation, and disciplinary action in accordance with the Police Act.

    “Additionally, CISLAC recommends mandatory training on legal and ethical compliance for police officers to prevent future misconduct. By bringing these concerns to the Police Service Commission, CISLAC aims to restore public confidence in the police force, reinforce judicial independence, and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.”

  • Absence of legal representation stalls trial of 109 foreigners

    Absence of legal representation stalls trial of 109 foreigners

    The inability to secure legal representation by the 109 foreigners charged cybercrime stalled their planned arraignment yesterday before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The foreigners, who are said to be citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia and Myanmar, were recently arrested by the police in their residence at plot 1906, Cadestral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja, where they were said to be engaging in cybercrime by allegedly promoting “a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.

    In a six-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024 filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the foreigners were charged with cybercrime, money laundering and unlawfully residing in Nigeria.

    When they were brought to court, the prosecution indicated its readiness for the arraignment of the defendants.

    Justice Ekerete Akpan noted that the defendants were not represented by any lawyer, a development that promoted the judge to reschedule the arraignment for November 22 to enable the foreigners secure the services of lawyers.

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    It was alleged in one of the counts that they did aid, abet, conspire among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

    They were also alleged to have “knowingly access a computer and network and input, alter, delete of suppress data resulting in inauthentic data with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon as If they were authentic or genuine and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

    In another count, the 109 defendants alleged to have, “knowingly and without authority caused loss of property to persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria when you caused the inputting and suppression of data by deceiving people to believe that the unregistered and gambling platforms they were marketing were authentic “for the purpose of conferring economic benefit on yourselves and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024)”

    They were said to have, with intent to defraud, “did promote via electronic Messages on the internet, a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platform, materially misrepresenting facts about the said fraudulent gambling platform upon which reliance, persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria suffered enormous economic losses and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

    They were alleged to have  removed “from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms, namely:  9f.com, c2.top, 8pg.top and you thereby commit Money Laundering, contrary to and punishable under section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

    The defendants were also accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed, or neglected to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit and remained in Nigeria without a valid resident permit or appropriate valid visa and you thereby contrary to section 4 (2) and punishable under section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

  • School proprietor flees over rape allegation of girl, 14

    School proprietor flees over rape allegation of girl, 14

    The Proprietor of Royal Experience School, Mr. Ebere Francis, has been accused of raping a 14-year-old Junior Secondary School pupil in his school.

    It was gathered that the incident took place at his second campus located at Ohuru, in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

    The victim, who is also a prefect in the school, while narrating the incident, said after their morning devotion, their class was noisy.

    The proprietor who was passing-by came into their class to caution the classmates.

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    She said: “After cautioning my classmates over the noise, he asked me to follow him to his office. When we got to his office, our director locked his office and he grabbed me firmly, pressing his body against mine. I tried running away from his, but the door was locked. He used the opportunity to remove my knicker. The only thing that I remembered was that he removed my knicker.  The next time I became conscious was when I saw him cleaning up my body with tissue.

    “The tissue he had was stained with blood. I snatched the tissue and ran outside. I went to one of my teachers to show the teacher the tissue.

    “I asked him what the meaning of the blood on the tissue is; the teacher said it could be my flow. But I told the teacher, that it is not. It was at that point that I narrated what happened to the teacher. It was the teacher who gave me money to go to our first campus to go and narrate what happened to the director’s wife.

    “While I was going, I noticed that the director was chasing after me with his bicycle. I had to run into a nearby compound and narrated what happened to them.

    “The people were the ones that gave me phone to call my parents who later came and took me home, after reporting the matter to the police station.”

    The father of the victim, Mr. Luke who corroborated the daughter’s account of the incident, said he reported the case at the Eastern Ngwa Police Divisional Headquarters under whose jurisdiction the incident happened to bring the proprietor, who had been at large since last Wednesday, the incident happened to book.

    He said that he was at the market when he got a distress call from his daughter over the incident.

    Inquiry by our correspondent revealed that the matter has been transferred to the Aba Area Command, where the accused have been given 48hrs to report or risk being declared wanted.

    When contacted, on a telephone interview, the said school proprietor denied having canal knowledge of the student.

    Meanwhile, youths Ohuru have barricaded the school gate with palm fronds since the incident happened.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that, the 14-year-old isn’t the first victim of the “randy” school director, which the father of the victim also disclosed that youths in the community had informed him that his daughter wasn’t the first rape victim of the school director.

    A source at the Aba Area Command confirmed that the case has been transferred to them, adding that the complainant and accused would be visiting the command today, (yesterday) for interviews.