Tag: Police

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have rescued 25 Ivory Coast citizens from the hands of a cross-border kidnapping syndicate operating in Ogun State.

The police also arrested eight suspects in connection with the crime during an operation carried out in collaboration with Interpol.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation was launched in response to a formal request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abidjan.

Adejobi said the request followed a report by Kaussi Marianman, who alleged that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretences by Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga with a promise to secure travel documents to Belgium.

Upon arrival, Adejobi said Pierre was held captive, and the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs, approximately ₦6.6 million.

He said, “The operation was triggered by a report filed on April 23rd, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman at NCB Abidjan alleging that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under pretences by some individuals who were later identified as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, who promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium.

“Once in Nigeria, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive, with the abductors demanding a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (equivalent to six million six hundred and twenty-five thousand Naira).”

Adejobi said the Commissioner of Police, Interpol Annex,  Lagos, Bode Ojajuni, immediately deployed a team of experienced investigators to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.

He added that on May 5, 2025, the operatives stormed Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, rescuing two victims and arresting two suspects.

Adejobi said a follow-up operation at Ejegun Itele in the same area led to the rescue of 23 additional victims, including Ladji Yoa Pierre himself, and the arrest of six more suspects.

He said, “Upon receiving the request from NCB Abidjan, the Commissioner of Police Interpol, Annexe, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni PSC, immediately deployed a team of trained investigators to rescue the victim and apprehend his abductors.

Read Also: Police nab 78 suspects, recover weapons, drugs in Kano

“On May 5, 2025, the team successfully stormed the hideout of the abductors, rescuing two victims and apprehending two suspects at Osehi Hotel, located at Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State. Subsequent operation conducted at Ejegun Itele, Ado-odo-Ota resulted in the rescue of 23 additional victims, including the said Ladji Yoa Pierre, and the arrest of six more suspects.”

Following the successful rescue, Adejobi said Pierre was reunited with his mother, who travelled from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria.

He said the remaining 24 rescued victims were handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, for further processing.

“The eight apprehended suspects are in Police custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution, ” he added.

In response to this successful operation, Adejobi said the Head, NCB Abidjan in his letter dated May 6, 2025, expressed deep appreciation and compliment to the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol Unit for the brilliant operation leading to the rescue of the victims and hope to strengthen collaboration between both agencies towards tackling trans-border crimes.

The police have arrested 78 suspects for various crimes in Kano state.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said among the among the suspects are five armed robbers, seven drug dealers, a cattle rustler, four fraudsters, 13 thieves and 48 thugs (Yan Daba).

Weapons recovered included two Beretta pistols with 10 rounds of live ammunition, 12 cutlasses and 15 knives.

Drugs recovered included four cartons and four sachets of pregabalin tablets, 63 pieces of Diazepam tablets, 47 pieces of Tramadol tablets and three cartons of Pentazocine injection.

Also, 25 bottles of codeine syrup, five parcels and 65 wraps of dried leaves of Cannabis.

Vehicles recovered included eight motor vehicles, three tricycles and two motorcycles.

Different denominations of counterfeit currencies were recovered, 198 pieces of US Dollar notes and N311,000 Naira notes.

Other items recovered included 12 mobile phones, five sheep, two rams, an Alternator generator and nine pieces of wrappers, among other household items.

The police commissioner said, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on crime prevention measure aimed at reducing crimes, the Kano State Police Command streamlined its crime fighting strategies to include Operational sectorization of the State towards ensuring round-the-clock visibility patrols, effective response to distress calls, join inter-agency collaborations; security operations along border Local Government Areas and Incorporating broad-based community policing approaches.

Other strategies, he said, include Coordinated Intelligence-led crime prevention raids and stop-and-search operations as well as Continuous Training and Retraining programumes for the officers of the command, especially CID personnel.

As a result of these strategic measures, Bakori said, a notorious drug dealer, named Sulaiman Danwawa, 32, old of Tudun Yola Quarter, Kano was nabbed. He was earlier on arrested on 31st July 2022, by the Command with 500 cartons of the same suspected Tramadol Tablets and charged to court only for him to be re arrested for the same crime, police said.

• Photos: Items recovered…on Friday

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have rescued 25 Ivorian nationals from a cross-border kidnapping syndicate operating in Ogun State.

The police also arrested eight suspects in connection with the crime, following a swift and coordinated operation carried out in collaboration with Interpol.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation was launched in response to a formal request from the National Central Bureau, Abidjan.

Adejobi said the request followed a report by Kaussi Marianman, who alleged that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses by Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga with a promise to secure travel documents to Belgium.

Upon arrival, Adejobi said Pierre was held captive, and the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs, approximately ₦6.6 million.

He said, “The operation was triggered by a report filed on April 23rd, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman at NCB Abidjan, alleging that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretences by some individuals who were later identified as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, who promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium.

Read Also: Police nab 78 suspects, recover weapons, drugs in Kano

“Once in Nigeria, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive, with the abductors demanding a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (equivalent to six million six hundred and twenty-five thousand Naira).”

Adejobi said the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL Annex Lagos, Bode Ojajuni, immediately deployed a team of experienced investigators to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.

He added that on May 5, 2025, the operatives stormed Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, rescuing two victims and arresting two suspects.

Adejobi said a follow-up operation at Ejegun Itele in the same area led to the rescue of 23 additional victims, including Ladji Yoa Pierre himself, and the arrest of six more suspects.

He said, “Upon receiving the request from NCB Abidjan, the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni psc, immediately deployed a team of trained investigators to rescue the victim and apprehend his abductors.

“On May 5th, 2025, the team successfully stormed the hideout of the abductors, rescuing two victims and apprehending two suspects at Osehi Hotel, located at Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State. Subsequent operation conducted at Ejegun Itele, Ado-odo-Ota resulted in the rescue of 23 additional victims, including the said Ladji Yoa Pierre, and the arrest of six more suspects.”

Following the successful rescue, Adejobi said Pierre was reunited with his mother, who travelled from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria.

He said the remaining 24 rescued victims were handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, for further processing.

“The eight apprehended suspects are in Police custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution,” he added.

In response to this successful operation, Adejobi said the Head, NCB Abidjan in its letter dated May 6, 2025, expressed deep appreciation and compliment to the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol Unit for the brilliant operation leading to the rescue of the victims and hope to strengthen collaboration between both agencies towards tackling trans-border crimes.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice sitting at Osborne, Lagos State, has dismissed a discrimination claim brought by a Ghanaian musician, Charles Mensah (also known as Shatta Wale), against his country.

The court delivered judgment in suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/25/24.

The suit was filed by the musician against Republic of Ghana and its Gaming Commission,

The court ruled against the applicant, holding that he failed to provide sufficient evidence of discriminatory treatment against him.

The court also held that there was  lack of proof regarding correspondence with the gaming company.

It added that the applicant failed  to disclose the identity of the company.

Mensah had alleged that he was denied an endorsement deal by a gaming company in Ghana because of Guideline VII of Ghana’s Advertising Guidelines.

Read Also: Why trade among ECOWAS member states is underreported, by Hon. Munir

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the guideline  prohibits gaming operators from using celebrities in advertisements.

Mensah claimed that the restriction violated his right to non-discrimination under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Republic of Ghana denied the allegations, arguing that no celebrities were permitted to endorse gaming products under Ghanaian law.

It challenged the musician to present evidence of celebrities who had been treated differently under a similar circumstance.

In the judgment, the court held that the applicant failed to prove that there was any correspondence with the gaming company, adding that he  failed to show any directive from the government.

The court also held that the applicant did not identify the gaming company which, it said, was a necessary party to the suit.

The court also noted that the applicant did not present credible evidence of discriminatory treatment.

The court declared that it had jurisdiction over the matter and found the application admissible but had to dismiss it in its entirety for lack of merit.

The judgment was delivered by a panel comprising Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding), Sengu Koroma and Dupe Atoki.

(NAN)

The Nigeria Police Command in Anambra says President Bola Tinubu’s successful official visit to the state confirms that the state is safe.

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Ikioye Orutugu, said this in a statement issued on his behalf Friday in Awka by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

During the visit, Tinubu inaugurated the Anambra State Government House, Solution Fun City, the Governor’s and Presidential lodges.

The president also inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy Centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Orutugu commended the people of Anambra for their support to security agencies before, during and after the president’s visit.

Read Also: Lagos Police nabs suspected traffic robber with N20m hair products

“The hosting of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Awka further confirms that Anambra state is safe for residents and visitors,’’ the CP said.

Orutugu said that prioritising security coordination and collaboration was a proactive approach to addressing security concerns and promoting a safer environment for all.

He commended police personnel and other security agencies for improved coordination and resilience in enhancing safety in the state.

(NAN)

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested six suspected kidnappers terrorising Eket Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John in Uyo on Thursday.

“Following credible information regarding a planned kidnapping targeting key personnel within Eket, a coordinated operation led to the apprehension of six suspected kidnappers,” John said.

Read Also: BREAKING: Court sentences Gospel singer Osinachi’s husband to death

She said that based on actionable information, operatives of the command moved in to arrest one Joseph Alafia in Oron Town on Tuesday which led to raids on two other locations in Eket where more suspects were arrested.

The police spokesman said during the operations, authorities recovered five mobile phones and a Lexus RX 300 vehicle with identification plate number KMR 491 AE, suspected to be used for kidnapping activities.

She said that the arrested suspects were believed to be connected to recent kidnapping incidents within Eket and are currently undergoing intensive interrogation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has commended the vigilance and swift action by the police officers involved in the operations.

Azare reiterates the commitment of the command to maintaining law and order in ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Akwa Ibom.

(NAN) 

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested two Nigerian fugitives identified as Felix Omoregie and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, who are wanted for human trafficking and armed robbery in Belgium and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that Omoregie is believed to be the leader of a human trafficking network sought by Belgian authorities, while Ezeje is a member of an armed robbery syndicate based in Dubai, UAE.

Adejobi explained that the Omoregie was the coordinator of a large-scale human trafficking ring and had been placed on an International Police (INTERPOL) Red Notice by Belgium on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

He said that Omoregie is accused of trafficking Nigerian women and minors to Italy, and then across various parts of Europe for sexual exploitation.

Omoregie forced his victims to undergo rituals and psychological pressure, including fabricated debts ranging from £20,000 to £50,000 to ensure compliance and control.

Adejobi stated that the police investigations revealed that the suspect’s operations extended to handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims and sent proceeds back to him.

The statement read: “Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organisation leadership, the suspect fled to Nigeria.

Read Also: Police arrest two high-profile human trafficking, armed robbery suspects

“Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada.”

However, he was apprehended in Benin City, Edo State, following an intelligence-driven operation.

Adejobi noted that Omoregie is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Benin.

The FPRO also stated that the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja arrested Ezeje at a hideout located in Nsukka, Enugu State.

He revealed that authorities in the UAE are requesting his extradition in connection with crimes such as armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organised criminal acts.

The FPRO noted that Ezeje continued managing criminal activities from Nigeria and has been linked to several high-profile robbery cases in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery incident at a store in Dubai Mall.

Adejobi said Ezeje will be prosecuted soon.