The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCID

  • FCID intercepts 300 rounds of ammunition, busts cybercrime ring in Lagos

    FCID intercepts 300 rounds of ammunition, busts cybercrime ring in Lagos

    Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, have seized a container carrying 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.

    The consignment also contained two Toyota Sienna vans, one SCION XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, seven bales of used clothes, cartons of vegetable oil and household items, Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Margaret Ochalla, said yesterday.

    The AIG, who displayed the items at a news conference, said five suspects were arrested in connection with the contraband items, including the driver, Nelson Peretei.

    According to a statement by the spokesperson for the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aminat Mayegun, investigators traced the shipment to a United States-based sender, Mrs Maria Adeyemi, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and other contraband in the bill of lading.

    A man, who claimed to be a retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, also attempted to claim ownership of the ammunition but could not provide verifiable details, the FCID alleged.

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    “Preliminary findings showed that the contraband and ammunition were deliberately concealed to evade security checks at the port. “Further investigations underway. The FCID is working with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services (DSS) to trace the source of the ammunition, its intended destination, and possible links to wider criminal networks,” the department added.

    It said detectives also dismantled an alleged online movie piracy syndicate, arresting a ringleader who unlawfully uploaded movies on TikTok and shared them to viewers on Whatsapp for a fee.

    “Acting on a petition from FilmOne Entertainment Limited, operatives arrested a suspect who unlawfully uploaded the movie ‘’Owambe Thieves’’ on TikTok on August 23, 2025. He charged viewers N1,000 for access to the pirated film and distributed full copies via WhatsApp.”

    “Investigations showed he sourced the movie from an illegal website and had been involved in the piracy of several Nollywood titles, including ‘’Farmers Bride’’, ‘’Thinline’’ and ‘’Alakada Bad’’ and ‘’Bourjee’’.

    “A forensic analysis of two seized iPhones uncovered lists of buyers and pirated movies shared through WhatsApp and Telegram. The suspect’s OPay account showed inflows and outflows totalling about N7.6 million over two months, believed to be proceeds of piracy and cyber fraud. He has been arraigned in court,” the statement added.

    According to Mayegun, AIG Ochalla reaffirmed the department’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, protecting intellectual property, and combating arms trafficking, urging the public to continue providing credible information to support policing efforts.’

  • FCID intercepts 300 rounds of ammunition, busts cybercrime ring in Lagos

    FCID intercepts 300 rounds of ammunition, busts cybercrime ring in Lagos

    Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, have intercepted 300 rounds of ammunition and intercepted a container carrying 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed inside a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.

    The consignment also included two Toyota Sienna vans, one SCION XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, seven bales of used clothes, and cartons of vegetable oil and household items, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Margaret Ochalla said on Wednesday.

    The AIG who displayed the items at a news briefing said five suspects were arrested in connection with the contraband items, including the driver, Nelson Peretei.

    According to a statement by the spokesperson for the command, ASP Aminat Mayegun, investigators traced the shipment to a U.S.-based sender, Mrs Maria Adeyemi, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and other contraband in the bill of lading.

    A man who claimed to be a retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, also attempted to claim ownership of the ammunition but could not provide verifiable details, the FCID alleged.

    “Preliminary findings showed that the contraband and ammunition were deliberately concealed to evade security checks at the port. Further investigations are underway. The FCID is working with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services (DSS) to trace the source of the ammunition, its intended destination, and possible links to wider criminal networks,” the department added.

    It said detectives also dismantled an alleged online movie piracy syndicate, arresting a ringleader who unlawfully uploaded movies to TikTok and shared them with viewers on WhatsApp for a fee.

    “Acting on a petition from FilmOne Entertainment Limited, operatives arrested a suspect who unlawfully uploaded the movie Owambe Thieves on TikTok on August 23, 2025. He charged viewers ₦1,000 for access to the pirated film and distributed full copies via WhatsApp.

    “Investigations showed he sourced the movie from an illegal website and had been involved in the piracy of several Nollywood titles, including Farmers Bride, Thinline, and Alakada Bad and Bourjee.

    “A forensic analysis of two seized iPhones uncovered lists of buyers and pirated movies shared through WhatsApp and Telegram. The suspect’s OPay account showed inflows and outflows totalling about ₦7.6 million over two months, believed to be proceeds of piracy and cyber fraud. He has been arraigned in court,” the statement added.

    According to Mayegun, AIG Ochalla reaffirmed the department’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, protecting intellectual property, and combating arms trafficking, urging the public to continue providing credible information to support policing efforts.

  • FCID arraigns business mogul for alleged N343m fraud against Chinese investor

    FCID arraigns business mogul for alleged N343m fraud against Chinese investor

    The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned businessman Ogochukwu Ofodume before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N343 million fraud.

    The defendant appeared before Justice Alexander Owoeye on a seven-count charge, including conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

    Ofodume was charged alongside three companies, namely: B.I.G VIP Excallance Ltd, VIP Impress Hollywood LTD, and VIP Apartments LTD.

    The prosecutor, M.A. Animashaun, alleged that the defendant committed the offence sometime in 2023 in Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant obtained and dishonestly took delivery of 1,228 bales of wax clothes, valued at N202.6 million, through one Kelvin Igwe, with intent to defraud.

    The defendant was also alleged to have obtained delivery of 583 bales of wax clothes, valued at N96.1 million through the same Igwe, with intent to defraud.

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    The goods are said to be the property of one ZHU YAN QIN.

    He was again alleged to have obtained N45.2 million from ZHU YAN QIN under the false pretence of purchasing a container load of timber from the Republic of Guinea for shipment to China.

    The representation was said to be false, as the defendant allegedly converted the money to his use for constructing VIP Apartments.

    The offence contravenes the provisions of section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

    It also contravenes the provisions of section 1(1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.

    The court has adjourned the case until March 28 for the defence’s bail application.

    Justice Owoeye ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody, pending bail.

  • FCID Lagos busts drug syndicate

    FCID Lagos busts drug syndicate

    • Recovers N200m Tramadol, arrests four suspects

    Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Lagos have recorded a significant breakthrough, with the busting of goods, hijacking syndicate and recovery of N200 million diverted pharmaceutical drugs.

    Four suspects identified as Mgbemena  Innocent, Anayo Benchuks Ambrose, Uche Frank and Jemilu Chindo were said to have been apprehended in connection with the criminal act.

    Police spokesperson, Force CID Annex, Alagbon Lagos, ASP Mayegun Aminat, broke the news in a statement made available to reporters.

    She said the breakthrough was recorded through discreet investigation initiated into the case, following a petition to AIG Force CID Annex, Lagos, AIG Ogundele Ayodeji, by a company in Anambra State.

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    According to the police spokesperson, the petition by the company outlined how the two trucks conveying 5,000 rolls of Tramadol 100mg capsules were hijacked and diverted by suspected criminals to an unknown place after being cleared at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos in June, last year.

    The suspected criminals were said to have worn National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) jackets and military camouflage at the time of committing the crime.

    Commenting on the arrest, AIG Ogundele reiterated his commitment to hold those responsible for crime accountable, saying he would protect public health and safety.

  • Prime suspects in NRC fraud moved to Abuja

    PRIME suspects in the N1 billion pension scam at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), arrested last week by the Nigeria Railway Police Command, have been transferred to the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja.

    Their movement may have been at the instance of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    Among those flown to Abuja were  Mr. Celestine Chukwu, Mr. Euna Igbe, Mr. Olumide Lawal and Ms. Ifeoma Onyeabo, who are all top management staff.

    The NRC Board of Directors on April 16, mandated the management to fire all those involved in the fraud as recommended by a panel set up to probe the scam.

    Some arrowheads of the scam have been rounded up, but the workers are complaining that some of those involved in the scam are being shielded.

    When The Nation visited the Ebute Metta, Lagos head office of the corporation, the workers were seen discussing the development in hushed tones.

    A worker who refused to be named, said the scam had been going on for long. “One thing that is very sure is that the fraud has been going on for a very long time. Three years ago, one top official was sacked by the management for stealing about N3 million. This one is, however, mind boggling and you can see the calibre  of people involved. I am very sure if a keen investigation is conducted, more revelations would be unravelled.”

    He said the workers were miffed that while about 70 persons were indicted by the panel, only a handful were being quizzed, giving the impression that the others were being protected.

    He called on the security operatives to do their job without fear and assist the corporation in getting to the root of the scam.

    Contacted on phone, the corporation’s spokesman, Mr. David Ndakotsu, said he was not aware of the suspects’ movement.

    “I have been away from the office since Easter and I am just resuming, I am not aware of that development (the arrest and transfer of the suspects to Abuja) yet, when I get any information on the matter I will reach you,” Ndakotsu said.

    He, however, said he would not deny the development as the police can investigate a fraud case.

  • Suspected serial fraudster in police net

    Suspected serial fraudster in police net

    A FARMER, Godwin Diavel, who allegedly withdraws money from accounts of bank customers, has been arrested by the police in Lagos.

    Operatives attached to the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) arrested the suspect, following a tip-off.

    It was gathered that Diavel, 54, attempted to withdraw N500,000 from a new generation bank’s branch at Ogba on March 20 from the account of Saheed Ademola Adegbola, with a forged signature on the withdrawal slip.

    The suspect confessed that he was at the Warehouse Road branch of the bank three weeks ago, where he got an instrument belonging to the customer and took it to the Ogba Branch where he was caught.

    Police spokesperson at the SFU Ngozi Isintume-Agu said: “Investigation conducted by the bank before the suspect was handed over to SFU detectives revealed several other fraudulent successful withdrawals and attempted ones by the fraudster using various pseudo names.

    “Sometime in February, the suspect was arrested at Ejigbo branch of the bank where he identified himself as Peter Okoro, while attempting to seek information on another customer’s account.  He was subsequently held and handed over to the Police.”

    “Also on October 4, 2013,” Isintume-Agu added: “he was caught at Opebi branch where he identified himself as Samson Omobo and fraudulently impersonated another customer and attempted to withdraw N300,000.00 from the customer’s account.

    “Similarly, on January 29, the suspect was at Ilupeju branch of the bank and impersonated a customer, Sunday Onwuabaizo and successfully withdrew of N470,000.00 from his account. Again, on November 19, 2013, he was at the Abule Egba branch of the same bank where he impersonated Chinedu E. Onwutaly and fraudulently withdrew N220,000.00. Also, sometime in 2013, he was at Abraka branch of the bank where he succeeded in withdrawing N470,000.00 from the account of Kabiru Mohammed Baday.”

    Diavel, who hails from Oghare in Ethiope West Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, said that he goes to the various bank’ branches, picking up used withdrawal slips by customers.

    He said he would take the slips home and study the signatures on them before forging them for presentation. He confessed that it was the cashier at Ogba branch of the bank that discovered that his picture did not tally with the one on the mandate card.  He added that he was unable to answer correctly some of the cashier’s questions.

    The suspect allegedly stated that he had succeeded on several occasions in withdrawing from customers’ accounts in Delta State, adding that he was arrested at Opebi while attempting to withdraw N300,000.00 and was handed over to Police.

    The case was charged to court, but was struck out because the bank did not appear to give evidence.  He also stated that he has no account with the said new generation bank.

    Investigation is on-going, according to the police.  It is strongly believed that the suspect belongs to a syndicate that specialises in forging documents and defrauding unsuspecting people and financial institutions.

    Isintume-Agu said efforts had been stepped up to arrest other members of the syndicate, adding that suspect would soon be charged to court.

    She said the Commissioner of Police (SFU), Umar Farouk Idris has assured account holders of the continued cooperation of the police with banks to secure their deposits against suspected fraudsters like Diavel.

    He enjoined other banks to be on the alert and promptly report suspected persons to the police.

    Farouk also advised account holders to protect their personal information and always destroy used deposit/withdrawal slips before leaving the bank.

  • Policemen occupy Ibadan ‘forest of horror’

    Policemen occupy Ibadan ‘forest of horror’

    •Oyo to shelter mentally-ill

    Policemen from the Oyo State Police Command and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, have taken over the Soka “forest of horror” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The FCID team, which includes forensic experts, arrived in the state last Friday.

    Residents are prevented from going near the crime scene to enable the police carry out their investigation undisturbed.

    When our reporter visited the scene yesterday, he was politely advised to keep a distance and was not allowed to speak with any personnel.

    Mechanics whose workshops are close to the scene were sacked by the policemen and the street was deserted, but for the security agents.

    The State Security Council met yesterday to discuss the discovery of the kidnappers’ den and how to curb crime.

    The meeting was presided over by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The council assured residents that the operators of the “forest of horror” would be apprehended.

    Commissioner of Police Muhammed Ndabawa told reporters after the meeting that the kidnapper’s den had been in operation for over 10 years.

    Ndabawa said: “From the information available so far, that place has been there for a very long time, perhaps about 10 years. It was initially used by a construction company during the channelisation of the Ogunpa River. After then, the site was abandoned. The kidnappers’ den had been on for a long time but the government (past and present) was not aware of it.”

    He said the forest was discovered following the prompt response of the state anti-crime unit, Operation Burst, to a distress call.

    Besides revoking the Certificate of Occupancy of the land on which the kidnapper’s operated, Ndabawa said the council has told security agencies to identify uncompleted/abandoned buildings in the town to enable them respond promptly to distress calls in the future.

    He said the police had evacuated 42 mentally-ill persons from the streets after angry residents killed two of them, who were suspected to be ritualists.

    The police commissioner said: “After the discovery of the Soka forest, the police rescued 42 or presumed lunatics from the streets. So far, two have been killed. Investigations are ongoing and two of the so-called lunatics have confessed that they were looking for human body parts, but are not related to the Soka incident.”

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs Toye Arulogun said the state government would create a temporary shelter with medical personnel and other facilities for the mentally-ill before they are re-united with their families.

    He said: “The Oyo State government has decided to establish a temporary site to accommodate the destitute that were rescued from the streets by the police. That will also go for others as time goes on. This is an invitation to Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and religious groups who have some expertise in this area to support the government.”

  • FCID takes over Ibadan ‘forest of horror’ probe

    FCID takes over Ibadan ‘forest of horror’ probe

    •Two more suspects arrested

    The Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has taken over investigation of the Soka “forest of horror” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The investigation is expected to expose those operating the kidnappers’ den, their activities and the cause of deaths in the camp.

    Five detectives from the FCID arrived in Ibadan and visited the forest on Friday, 24 hours after the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 11, Femi Omojola, visited the crime scene.

    Zone 11 comprises Oyo and Osun states, with the headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The FCID team, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, includes a pathologist from the Homicide Section.

    The detectives will work with their state counterparts.

    Police spokesperson Olabisi Ilobanafor confirmed the development.

    She said the team was sent by the inspector-general of police to probe the incident.

    Ilobanafor said: “The inspector-general wants transparency in the investigation. Hence, he has directed that the detectives work with those at the State CID under the watch of the police commissioner.”

    The team will work with forensic pathologists from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    Ilobanafor said the hospital’s management offered its services, adding that a delegation from the hospital visited the command on Friday.

    Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the camp. This brings the number of suspects arrested to eight.