Crime
NIGERIA POLICE FORCE FOILS MULTIPLE BANDIT ATTACKS, RESCUES 207 ABDUCTED CHILDREN
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant successes in its efforts to combat crime across the nation, with the foiling of multiple bandit attacks and the rescue of 207 abducted children. The Force’s commitment to adopting a more proactive approach in its efforts to combat crime has yielded impressive results, with intelligence-led policing being a key factor in these successes.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that on January 18, 2025, Police operatives attached to the Kogi State Command got information of a group of armed bandits holding a strategic meeting for a possible attack at a forest in Budon, Kogi State. Adejobi stated that operatives were mobilized and deployed to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, neutralizing one bandit and arresting four others.
Adejobi also revealed that the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 30 rounds of live ammunition, and two motorcycles. Similarly, on the same day, a distress call was received at the Dutsinma Divisional Police Headquarters, Katsina State, that some suspected armed bandits were headed to attack Ruwan Doruwa Village, Dutsinma LGA of the State.
Adejobi stated that Police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, mobilized and intercepted the armed bandits, engaging them in a fierce gun battle that resulted in the neutralization of seven bandits, with the rest of the gang fleeing and abandoning 109 livestock suspected to be rustled animals.
In another significant development, Adejobi disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has escalated its initiatives to combat human trafficking and the operation of illegal baby factories, successfully rescuing more than 207 abducted children from suspected traffickers nationwide. A significant breakthrough was achieved with the arrest of a syndicate involved in child abduction and trafficking by the Ondo State Police Command.
Adejobi stated that the operatives apprehended members of the syndicate, identified as Abosede Olanipekun, Lukman Isiaka, and Sabira Izuorah, and rescued 14 children between the ages of one week and seven years old. The success of these operations is a significant blow against those who serve as threats to the nation’s security, contributing to the overall efforts of the Force to enhance public safety.
The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its dedication to duty and commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens. Adejobi reaffirmed the Force’s role as the protector of peace and security of the society, stating that the Force will continue to take a firm stance against criminal activities and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
A Nigerian national, James Junior Aliyu, has been sentenced to 90 months (seven and a half years) in prison in the United States for his involvement in a large-scale wire fraud and money laundering scheme.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Aliyu played a key role in a transnational cybercrime network that targeted business email systems and defrauded individuals and organisations of millions of dollars.
Investigations revealed that the fraud scheme involved hacking into corporate email accounts and using them to divert funds through fraudulent transactions. Authorities said the operation affected multiple victims and formed part of a broader business email compromise (BEC) conspiracy.
Aliyu was arrested in South Africa in 2022 following an international investigation involving Interpol and local law enforcement before being extradited to the United States to face trial.
The 30-year-old later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. As part of the sentence, the court ordered him to forfeit $1.2 million and pay $2.4 million in restitution to victims.
Authorities also confirmed that Aliyu will be deported after completing his prison term.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, in Cross River State, intercepting a cache of 850 rounds of live ammunition.
The arrest, which took place on March 16 at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area, followed credible intelligence on the suspect’s alleged plan to acquire the ammunition.
Security sources said Dugo was apprehended shortly after receiving the consignment, which had been concealed inside food items. The ammunition was reportedly supplied by another suspected gunrunner, Azenda Barnabas, also known as Jagaban, based in Aliade, Benue State.
Items recovered during the operation included 850 rounds of live ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines.
The sources noted that the DSS has stepped up operations nationwide in a bid to dismantle gunrunning networks and curb the proliferation of illegal arms.
They added that the latest arrest underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to tracking down and prosecuting individuals involved in arms trafficking across the country.
Crime
NDLEA Arrests 74-Year-Old Man with 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport, Seizes Large Drug Consignments in Nationwide Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after officers discovered a large consignment of cocaine concealed in his luggage.
NDLEA operatives intercepted the suspect at the departure hall while he was attempting to board a British Airways flight to London, United Kingdom for what he claimed was a vacation.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside food items such as ground dry pepper. The drugs were carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons to evade detection.
Lagos Island Drug Raids
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites while she allegedly attempted to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
She was reportedly with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. During interrogation, she said the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested the same day.
Investigations revealed that Olatunji had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment in 2015 for a similar offence.
Codeine and Tramadol Interceptions
NDLEA operatives also arrested Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim at Ebetu Ero, where 68,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a truck that was being prepared for transportation to Benin Republic.
A follow-up operation at Idumota Market led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian. NDLEA officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol (250mg) that had already been prepared for waybill delivery.
In another raid at the same market on March 13, operatives arrested Nwanosike Kelvin and recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection from his shop.
Other Arrests Across Nigeria
In Kano, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, in the Bebeji area with 386 kilograms of skunk.
Similarly, operatives in Gwagwalada recovered 282.2 kilograms of skunk from a suspect identified as Isah Wako.
In Edo State, NDLEA said its operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village, where Chinedo Odalonu was arrested. Officers also destroyed large cannabis farms in the forest and recovered 16.5 kilograms of skunk from the site.
The NDLEA said the operations form part of its ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.