Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF),has arraigned 113 foreign Nationals involved in series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams among others.

The suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended operatives of the Force for their professionalism and reaffirmed the “capabilities and expertise of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling cybercrimes and protecting cyberspace in Nigeria and beyond.”

According to a statement signed by the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP stated this while “commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign Nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams.”

It indicated that, “During investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations.

“The recovered items include 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.

“These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities.

“The scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.”

” As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the “Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

“The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.

“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.”

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun  reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space.

He further reiterated that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.

Mohammed Shosanya

Gunmen on Tuesday abducted three workers from the Motorcycle showroom of INNOSON Motor Manufacturing company Limited in Nnewi, Anambra industrial city.

According to the spokesman of the Anambra Police Command, Ikenga Tochukwu, a Superintendent of Police, the victims were abducted about 6:45 pm at Innoson motorcycle showroom located along Owerri Road, Nnewi.

The Police Command, Ikenga said is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for their rescue operations.

It also urged residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the police headquarters, Awka, or the nearest police station.

It also encouraged those with useful information to call the Command Emergency number 112 or call 07039194332 for a prompt response.

No fewer than 30 persons have been feared dead in two separate attacks on Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State by Fulani militia herdsmen, leaving about 40 persons severely injured.

Twenty persons have been confirmed dead in the attack on Tombo Council ward of Logo LGA, while10 others were feared dead in the attack on Katsina-Ala LGA. The herders had attacked Adabo and Tse Gwebe communities in Utange council ward, Shitile in Katsina -Ala LGA and left as swiftly as they had come.

According to Elder Joseph Anawa,who hails from Logo LGA, the attack on Tombo council ward, may have been carried out by foreign Fulani militia herdsmen.

He said that the herdsmen militia who laid siege on Tombo council ward had in their possession sophisticated weapons and it took only the intervention of the military with military jets to dislodge them from the area.

But,the Chairman,Logo LGA,Clement Kav, who said that the gunmen were claiming ownership of the area, noted that the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has intervened in the matter and more security men have been drafted to the area to restore peace.

He said:”It is true that some herdsmen came all the way from Nasarawa state and attacked my people. They attacked Tombo council ward and killed seventeen persons and injured thirty seven others.

“The Governor has already mobilized more security to the area and peace has been restored. No case of missing persons for now. The herdsmen are claiming ownership of the land that the Tombo land belongs to them.”

Speaking,Elder Joseph Anawa,said “There was an attack on Azege settlement and environs of Tombo council ward yesterday, Sunday 24th November 2024 about 7am by Fulani herdsmen militia terrorists.

“They were numbering over 300 well armed men suspected to be militia from outside Nigeria; probably hired from neighbouring countries because their appearance was slightly different from the Fulanis we have around.

“This invasion was carried out in the morning hours and the invaders were clearly seen by the locals. The security operatives on ground were unable to repel them because of their number and the sophisticated weapons they were carrying. It was not until the arrival of a military jet before they were able to subdue them to retreat.

“At the time of this report over 20 corpses were discovered while the search for more missing persons is on going”, he said.

The Chairman, Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, who confirmed the attack on the LGA said, “Yes ,another incident of attack by herder marauders was reported to have taken place this morning the 25th day of November, 2024 at about 8am.

“Information is that many of them heavily armed stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange council ward, Shitile in Katsina -Ala LGA.

“From reports, they killed many people number yet known, destroyed valuable properties and looted a lot of house hold items and left uninterruptedly.

“Benue state is under severe security threat by herder armed bandits. The level of destruction and scores killed would be made known to you in due course, please”, he said.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Police authorities in Ekiti State have confirmed four young men dead  after they got drowned at Osun River where they had gone for swimming .

The Police Public Relations,Sunday Abutu, in a statement said the Command  received a  distress report that  four young men lost their lives at a River in Ekiti

According to the statement,two of the deceased came from Lagos to join two others colleagues n Ekiti for a burial party at Okemesi-Ekiti .

The statement  reads: ” We received a report  on 10/11/2024 that on the same date, a 23 year old and a 25 year old natives of Okemesi-Ekiti went to River Osun Ajindo/Idoile road to swim alongside two of their friends that came from Lagos State to attend a burial ceremony which took place at Okemesi.

“The four young men unfortunately got drowned. Their bodies have been recovered and deposited in the morgue,while investigation is underway”.

       Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 130 suspects comprising 113 foreign nationals (87 males and 26 females), primarily of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and their 17 Nigerian collaborators  for their alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities that threaten national security.

The strategic operation was conducted through a coordinated raid on a building at the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja,said in a statement on Sunday.

The operation which was led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, on Saturday, 3rd November 2024, comprises officers of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC),the statement said.

It added:”We are  investigating the matter and scientifically analysing the exhibits recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of our investigations. We will update the public on the outcomes of our investigations as and when due”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Rivers State Police Command says three inspectors have been arrested for extorting motorists under the Rumuokoro Flyover in Port Harcourt.

The state police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko,who confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the three Police officers were arrested following a coordinated monitoring patrol by operatives from the Commissioner of Police  team, Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit.

Iringe-Koko said the misconduct of the erring officers were captured on video via a mobile phone.

She identified the accused as Inspector Sarah Anendei, Inspector Caroline Promise, and Inspector Christiana Jatau.

She further disclosed that the arrested officers have be detained and are awaiting appropriate disciplinary measures, reiterating the command’s zero tolerance stance for inappropriate conducts by officers.

She said: “The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three of its officers following a coordinated monitoring patrol by operatives from the Commissioner of Police  team, CP Monitoring Unit on October 29, 2024.

“The operation, conducted under the Rumuokoro Flyover around 3 pm, led to the arrest of Inspector Sarah Anendei, Inspector Caroline Promise, and Inspector Christiana Jatau, who were caught engaging in a corrupt practice against innocent motorists under the flyover.

“Two of the officers, Inspectors Caroline Promise and Christiana Jatau, were found conducting this unprofessional behaviour while out of uniform, further contravening police standards. Their misconduct was captured on video by a mobile phone, providing clear evidence of their actions.

“During the immediate on-site investigation, the operatives searched the officers and recovered the money taken from the motorists, marking a swift response in upholding ethical practices within the Rivers State Police Command.

“The officers are currently detained and awaiting appropriate disciplinary measures”.

  Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Police Force,Wednesday arraigned before Kuje Magistrate Court,a member of the House of Representative, Hon. Alexander Ikwechegh,for assaulting a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.

He was brought before the court on the charges of abuse of office,criminal intimidation and criminal force and assault contrary to sections 397(b) and 265 of the Penal Code Act,a statement said.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer,Force Headquarters,Abuja,said in the statement that the lawmaker’s arraignment followed the conclusion of investigation by the  Nigeria Police Force Special Investigation Unit and the Legal Section.

The statement added:”The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., had ordered a proper investigation into the matter to ensure that justice is served and promoting human respect and dignity in Nigeria.

“The IGP hereby reaffirms the Force’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, reassuring members of the public that the Force remains dedicated towards ensuring all fundamental steps are taken towards assuring justice always as no one is above the law”.