Category Nigeria News

A 65-year-old man named Akpan Godwin was found with more than 1000 rounds of live ammunition in Onitsha, which police in Anambra State have taken into custody.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s PR officer, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

He claimed that Godwin was detained on Friday at Nkpor, close to Onitsha, by Akwuzu-based Rapid Response Squad members.

One Akpan Godwin “m” in the age of 65 years was taken into custody, according to Ikenga, by police operatives acting on credible intelligence.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Godwin admitted to being involved in the illegal sale of ammunition while also mentioning other people connected to the illegal trade during interrogation.

Read more about Gov. Okpebholo’s ultimatum to cultists in “Leave Edo State.”

Ikenga claims that the state’s wider network of supply and distribution centers are in need of improvement.

The operatives have increased their investigation and manhunt efforts to find and apprehend all complicators, Ikenga continued.

One of the South-East’s states where gunmen have been having security issues is Anambra.

As a result, there are more firearms and ammunition being sold, which are linked to violent crimes like armed robberies, kidnapping, cult clashes, and attacks by non-state actors.

The state’s police chief recently made the arrests of a number of criminal elements, including arresting some syndicates involved in arms smuggling and illegal weapons possession.

Four suspects reportedly were detained in Onitsha and Obosi in separate operations in August.

As the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) searches for notorious bandit kingpin Babaro and his gang, the masterminds of the recent da-death attack on Gidan Mantau Community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, another 76 people were reported dead and 76 were rescued.

The State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs stated in a statement signed and released on Saturday by Dr. Nasir Mu’azu that the NAF conducted a decisive airstrike at Pauwa Hill in the state’s Kankara Local Government Area and that it had rescued 76 kidnapped victims, including women and children.

He claimed that the precise air interdiction, which took place between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., specifically targeted Babaro’s notorious base at Pauwa Hill, which has long been a source of terror for nearby communities.

The Minister of Internal Security and Home Affairs confirmed the information, revealing that all victims who had been abducted during the Unguwar Mantau attack in Malumfashi were included in the list.

However, he regrettably revealed that a child died tragically while going through the ordeal.

The development, according to the Commissioner, reflected the renewed fervor for security operations throughout Katsina State.

He added that the strike is a component of a larger plan to end the cycle of murder, kidnapping, and extortion that has plagued innocent people.

READ ALSO: Every Year, Nigeria Loses Over $1.5 billion to malnutrition.

He added that the rescue of the kidnapped victims further underlines the effectiveness of coordinated air and ground operations as security forces increase their efforts to eradicate bandits and restore confidence in the populace.

The Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, and all other security organizations are recognized by the Katsina State government for their bravery and skill in this conflict, through the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. Their sacrifices are successfully releasing criminals’ hold on Katsina’s towns and villages.

We reaffirm our ongoing support through logistics, information sharing, and community engagement, ensuring that these efforts continue until banditry is completely eradicated.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has in a bold demonstration of zero tolerance to criminality, issued a stern ultimatum to cultists, kidnappers, and criminal elements to vacate the state immediately, or face the full weight of the law.

The declaration followed the demolition of a building in Egbaen Community along Upper Siluko Road in Egor Local Government Area, which was used as a base for cult initiation rites and ritual practices.

The operation was executed by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, working in concert with various security agencies and community stakeholders.

Idemudia Noah, Coordinator of the Security Squad, confirmed that the building was linked to one Marvelous Adetarami, a leader of the Maphite cult group, who had converted the bungalow into a shrine and meeting point for illegal activities.

“We were here some days ago to seal up this building following allegations of cultism, ritual practices and other nefarious activities of suspected Maphite cult leader Marvelous Adetarami and his members”, Idemudia told journalists at the scene.

READ ALSO: Okpebholo Holds Security Meeting, Vows To End Cultism, Kidnapping In Edo

He disclosed that despite the earlier sealing of the premises, intelligence reports confirmed that the suspects resumed their clandestine operations under the cover of darkness. Their continued defiance prompted the government’s decision to demolish the structure.

“We got credible information that the suspected cult leader Marvellous Adetarami and his members still gathered to have their meetings in this sealed bungalow, where the horrible shrine was discovered”, he revealed.

Residents of the area, who had lived in fear for months applauded the government’s swift action, expressing relief that a major source of insecurity in the community had finally been neutralised.

“Neighbours and community members are all joyous seeing the building pulled down, as they have lived in fear following the suspect’s activities”, Idemudia noted.

He reiterated the state’s commitment under Governor Okpebholo to creating a secure and law-abiding environment that fosters peace, development, and community well-being.

“Edo State Government has promised hard times for those perpetrating criminal activities across the state. There is no hiding place for them. Edo is no longer a safe haven for crime or criminality”.

The security squad stated that law enforcement agencies have invited the key suspect for questioning. However, he has reportedly refused to appear, maintaining an air of impunity despite the serious allegations against him.

In his message to citizens, Idemudia urged vigilance and cooperation, encouraging residents to report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) notified the Ibadan and Lagos Zonal Directorates of their requests for further investigation on Friday.

The EFCC is currently prosecuting three suspects, Adefowora Olanipekun, Otorudo Avwerosuo, and Ehirim Chukwuebuka, according to a statement from Oyo State’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, in Ibadan.

The commission explained that CBEX allegedly defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians into making investments that would result in significant financial losses for many.

The EFCC is requesting victims who invested their funds through individuals connected to the CBEX offices in Ibadan and Idimu, Lagos, to report to the Ibadan Zonal Directorate and Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in light of the above and the need to assist the commission in its ongoing investigation, the statement continued.

Thousands of Nigerians were drawn to CBEX because it promised high returns on cryptocurrency investments when it first launched in July 2024. Users started reporting misplaced and lost funds by April 2025, causing outrage on social media.

Four Nigerians and four foreigners were among the eight people the EFCC had in custody in connection with the scheme in April.

Investors were instructed to deposit USDT, a stablecoin, into wallets owned by the suspects, according to investigations led by the EFCC’s cybercrime section.

In a pending outcome of the investigation, Judge Emeka Nwite approved the EFCC’s request to detain and arrest six suspected Ponzi schemers, Adefowora Abiodun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Awerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

The Federal High Court in Abuja’s Judge Mohammed Umar arraigned Messrs Otorudo and Ehirim on July 7th. According to an online report, they were later given bail worth $10,000 each, with two similar-sized sureties.

On July 18, Olanipekun and his business, ST Technologies International Limited, appeared in court in the same court.

Read more about how police kill six suspected kidnappers in a gunfight.

The defendants allegedly invited members of the public to deposit money for a fixed term or payable on call through CBEX without getting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s written consent in one of the allegations.

They are alleged to be in violation of Section 96(5) of the Investment and Securities Act of 2025. The suspects have entered a not-guilty plea.

In a statement, the EFCC urged victims to offer their assistance to the Commission in its investigation by investing money in individuals connected to the CBEX offices mentioned in this report.

Rivers State’s indiscriminate waste disposal problem and the government’s poor management may soon be unavoidable.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of the state, inaugurated the new board of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

Ibas urged the new board members to take a comprehensive and disciplined approach to managing waste and alerted the public to the risks of poor sanitation.

Read more about the police’s alleged detention of children at the Kebbi orphanage.

According to reports on social media that Christian children who were kidnapped were en route to a Muslim-based orphanage in Birnin Kebbi, the police in Kebbi State have refuted those claims.

Nafiu Abubakar, the Command’s police public relations officer, described the report as “fake, mischievous, and baseless” in a statement on Saturday.

An unnamed corps member claimed to have met a four-year-old Igbo Christian boy named Uzochukwu in the orphanage, making up the statement.

The child allegedly recounted being abducted, resold, and later saved by police, who later reportedly placed him and other Christian children in the orphanage.

Read more about the ex-Mali PM Maiga being detained and imprisoned for allegedly embezzling.

The Command categorically refuted the claim, claiming that it was “a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Command’s good image and undermine the integrity and professionalism of its officers.”

Regardless of religion, Abubakar emphasized that the police remained committed to preventing crime and upholding justice in all communities.

He also advised those who were involved in spreading false information to stop engaging in these activities because they could damage public trust and societal harmony.

The police pledged to work with reputable media outlets to keep up with the law enforcement efforts and stop misinformation being spread.