New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • Imo police investigate viral video of officer assaulting man on Owerri–Orlu Road

    Imo police investigate viral video of officer assaulting man on Owerri–Orlu Road

    OWERRI, Nigeria (NPA) — The Imo State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a viral video showing an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) allegedly assaulting a man along the Owerri–Orlu Road.

    The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye.

    The statement identified the officer involved as ASP Gabriel Utuh, team leader of a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol team deployed along the Owerri–Orlu Road.

    The command said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being thoroughly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any officer found culpable.

    It assured the public that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and impartially, in line with the principles of accountability and professionalism.

    The police also urged the victim to contact the command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU) on 08148024755 to assist with the ongoing investigation.

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct, abuse of authority and violations of citizens’ fundamental rights.

    He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability, discipline and professionalism, stressing that officers were expected to discharge their duties in accordance with the law.

  • FBI commends EFCC for role in international sextortion crackdown

    FBI commends EFCC for role in international sextortion crackdown

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for their cooperation in Operation Artemis, an international law enforcement effort targeting financially motivated sextortion networks that prey on minors.

    The commendation was conveyed in a letter signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who praised the EFCC for its assistance in the investigation, arrest and extradition of two Nigerian suspects facing federal charges in the United States.

    In the letter addressed to Olukoyede, Patel acknowledged the commission’s contribution to the operation.

    “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has played a vital role in Operation Artemis, a joint effort focused on disrupting financially motivated sextortion rings targeting juveniles,” he said.

    Patel said the EFCC, under Olukoyede’s leadership, designated personnel to support the investigations and facilitate the transfer of suspects from Nigeria to the United States to face prosecution.

    He specifically commended the commission for apprehending Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudashiru Afeez Olawale, who were indicted in the United States in 2023 over allegations relating to the sexual exploitation and extortion of minors.

    The two suspects were extradited to the United States in August 2026, with the EFCC facilitating the process following investigations and extradition proceedings.

    According to the FBI, the suspects face federal charges relating to sexual exploitation involving minors whose deaths were linked to the alleged schemes.

    Patel said the successful outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the EFCC’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.

    “The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” he said.

    The FBI director also expressed appreciation to Olukoyede and the commission for their commitment to justice and continued cooperation, while expressing optimism about strengthening the partnership between both agencies.

    “Please accept my sincere appreciation for your commitment to justice and steadfast cooperation. I look forward to the continued partnership with the EFCC,” Patel said.

    The extradition of Adekunle and Olawale followed FBI investigations into separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors in the United States.

    The investigations linked the alleged activities to two teenage victims who died by suicide after reportedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.

    Sextortion involves threatening to release a person’s intimate images or other sexual material unless the victim complies with demands, which may include money or additional explicit content. Authorities have warned that such schemes can cause severe psychological distress, particularly among young victims.

    The EFCC’s cooperation with the FBI underscores the role of international law enforcement partnerships in investigating cybercrime and pursuing suspects across national borders.

  • 23 killed, 16 hospitalised in Nairobi-Mombasa Highway head-on collision

    23 killed, 16 hospitalised in Nairobi-Mombasa Highway head-on collision

    NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Twenty-three people have died, and 16 others are receiving treatment in hospital after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and collided head-on with a lorry on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Sunday morning.

    The accident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. in the Kanga area of Kambu Sub County, where 19 people died at the scene and four others died while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital on Sunday.

    According to Makueni County Traffic Enforcement Officer John Kirima, of the 23 people who died, 12 were female, 10 were male and one was a juvenile. The bus driver survived the accident, while the truck driver succumbed to his injuries.

    The accident occurred when the driver of the bus, registration number KCN 373N, an Isuzu belonging to the Power of the Word Church International, overtook a convoy of vehicles and collided head-on with a tipper trailer truck, registration number KDP 473W/ZG504F, that was travelling from Mombasa.

    “This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., a serious road accident occurred in the Kanga area near Mtito Andei involving a bus belonging to a religious institution and a tipper truck. The impact of the accident ripped off about half of the roof of the bus and severely damaged both vehicles,” said Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif, who confirmed the accident to the Kenya News Agency on Sunday.

    “Unfortunately, a total of 23 passengers from both vehicles have been confirmed dead, and six others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital,” Khalif added.

    The administrator said police have launched investigations to establish the cause of the accident, noting that 45 passengers were on the bus.

    Speaking to the media, the Chief Officer of the Department of Health, Dr Harvey Mulei, said 16 patients were received at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital, noting that two have since been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital.

    “The facility currently has 16 patients who are being treated, while two have been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital. We also received 23 bodies. Nineteen died at the scene and four succumbed while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital,” Dr Mulei said.

    A month ago, Catholic faithful died along the same highway as they were travelling to Nakuru County for prayers.

    -KNA

  • Biafra activist Simon Ekpa awaits Finnish Appeal Court ruling on six-year jail term tomorrow

    Biafra activist Simon Ekpa awaits Finnish Appeal Court ruling on six-year jail term tomorrow

    HELSINKI, Finland (NPA) — Finnish-based Biafra separatist activist Simon Ekpa is expected to learn the outcome of his appeal against a six-year prison sentence on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as both he and Finnish prosecutors challenge the 2025 judgment.

    The appeal concerns Ekpa’s conviction for terrorism-related offences, including participation in the activities of a terrorist group and incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes. He was arrested by Finnish authorities in November 2024 following investigations into his activities linked to the pro-Biafra movement.

    In September 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison after finding that he had used his social media influence between August 2021 and November 2024 to promote activities linked to a militant separatist movement seeking an independent Biafra.

    The court also found that he facilitated the supply of weapons, explosives and ammunition through his network of contacts and encouraged followers on X, formerly Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria.

    Beyond the terrorism-related convictions, the district court found Ekpa guilty of aggravated tax fraud and offences under Finland’s legislation governing legal practice.

    Ekpa, Prosecutors Challenge Sentence

    Ekpa is seeking to overturn or reduce his conviction and sentence, while Finnish prosecutors argue that the six-year prison term is too lenient and are seeking a harsher punishment.

    The appeal court’s decision will determine whether the conviction and sentence are upheld, modified or increased.

    Ekpa, a prominent supporter of the Biafra separatist cause and a follower of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, is hoping for a favourable outcome.

    Biafra Agitation and Its Historical Roots

    The Biafra agitation predates Ekpa and is rooted in the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970, during which millions of people, predominantly from the Igbo population, died from fighting, hunger and disease.

    Separatist campaigners, including Kanu and Ekpa, have invoked the principle of self-determination and provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to support their demands for Biafra.

    The Nigerian government, however, maintains that the country’s unity and territorial integrity must be preserved.

    Following Kanu’s rendition from Kenya to Nigeria and his subsequent detention, Ekpa became one of the prominent voices sustaining the separatist campaign among some of its supporters.

    For those who support the movement, the appeal ruling carries political and emotional significance beyond Ekpa’s individual legal case. His role in the Biafra debate has made the proceedings a closely watched development among supporters and opponents of the separatist cause.

    -NPA

  • Kano police arrest four suspects, recover three stolen vehicles

    Kano police arrest four suspects, recover three stolen vehicles

    KANO, Nigeria (NPA) — The Kano State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered three stolen vehicles during intelligence-led operations conducted across parts of the state between October 8 and 9, 2026.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the command said the operation resulted in the recovery of a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota Hiace minibus and a Mitsubishi Canter truck.

    “Kano Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered three stolen vehicles in intelligence-led operations conducted on October 8–9, 2026,” the statement said.

    The police said the suspects were undergoing investigation and would be charged to court upon completion of the process.

    Also, on October 9, 2026, the comand handed over a recovered orange Vibe motor vehicle and an ash-coloured Haojue motorcycle to their rightful owners after verification and documentation.

    The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the success of the operation and urged residents to remain vigilant.

    He also called on members of the public to provide credible information to support the police’s efforts to combat vehicle theft across the state.

  • Amnesty International condemns police blocking of ‘Tinubu Must Go’ protest in Kano

    Amnesty International condemns police blocking of ‘Tinubu Must Go’ protest in Kano

    KANO, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the reported blocking of a “Tinubu Must Go” protest in Kano, accusing the police of violating the rights to peaceful assembly and political association.

    The human rights organisation said heavily armed police officers blocked both ends of the road leading to the venue on Sunday.

    In a statement posted on its official X account on Sunday, Amnesty International called on the Nigeria Police Force to stop what it described as the unlawful obstruction of peaceful political activities.

    The organisation said supporters of all political parties and candidates had the right to organise peaceful gatherings, regardless of whom they supported or opposed.

    “The duty of the police is to facilitate peaceful conduct of such political gatherings — no matter the political party or candidate being supported or opposed,” it said.

    Amnesty International stressed that freedom of association and peaceful assembly should not be exclusive to supporters of any particular political party.

    The organisation described the Kano incident as part of what it called a troubling pattern of police repression targeting opposition supporters in different parts of the country.

    It warned that repeated intimidation and obstruction could undermine the ability of opposition groups to associate freely and hold peaceful public gatherings.

    The “Tinubu Must Go” campaign and related demonstrations have also taken place in Maiduguri, Borno State, in north-eastern Nigeria, and Sokoto State in the north-west, according to the report.

    The protests come amid economic hardship and growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The demonstrations have taken place against the backdrop of public concerns over the cost of living following the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    The Federal Government has maintained that its reform programme is producing results, pointing to foreign exchange market liberalisation and efforts to stabilise the naira against the US dollar.

    Amnesty International urged the police to respect fundamental rights and facilitate peaceful political gatherings, irrespective of the political affiliations of participants.

  • SERAP sues CBN over alleged unaccounted $6.23m election funds, ₦1.63tn in other public funds

    SERAP sues CBN over alleged unaccounted $6.23m election funds, ₦1.63tn in other public funds

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seeking an order compelling the apex bank to account for $6.23 million in allegedly unaccounted-for election funds and more than ₦1.63 trillion in other public funds flagged in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 report.

    The suit follows findings contained in Volume II of the Auditor-General’s 2023 Annual Report, published on August 7, 2026, covering issues recorded between January and December 2023.

    SERAP is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the CBN to explain the whereabouts and use of the funds, disclose the beneficiaries and repayment status of affected loans, and reveal measures taken to investigate alleged financial irregularities and recover outstanding amounts.

    The organisation is also seeking the identification of officials responsible for approving and disbursing the funds, as well as details of any disciplinary or administrative action taken.

    In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2450/2026 and filed last Friday, SERAP is further asking the court to order the CBN to disclose records relating to seven boxes of currency notes awaiting examination, unserviceable vehicles reportedly abandoned at its Lagos branch and a bullion van at its Abeokuta branch.

    According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report identified several areas requiring explanation, including:

    • $6.23 million: Payments linked to an election-funding request purportedly made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which the Auditor-General said required investigation.
    • ₦1.25 trillion: Intervention loans granted to state governments that the CBN reportedly failed to recover.
    • ₦116.18 billion: Loans to distressed and liquidated banks that were reportedly not recovered.
    • ₦262.86 billion: Funds disbursed under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, for which the CBN reportedly failed to provide a complete list of beneficiaries and an assessment of the programme’s impact.

    The Auditor-General reportedly raised concerns that some of the funds could have been lost or diverted to private purposes and recommended recovery of outstanding amounts and their remittance to the treasury.

    On the alleged election-funding payments, the report said the CBN’s internal audit had disclosed that the money was spent following a request purportedly made by Buhari. However, the bank reportedly failed to provide its investigation report to the audit team for scrutiny and confirmation.

    The report also raised concerns over the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, saying some funds remained with participating “anchors”, potentially undermining the programme’s food-security objectives.

    SERAP argued that public institutions, including the CBN, must remain subject to constitutional oversight, statutory accounting requirements and public scrutiny.

    “The accountability of public institutions, including the CBN, is a crucial pillar of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy,” the organisation said in its suit.

    It added that the allegations raised fundamental questions about the custody, expenditure, safeguarding and recovery of public resources.

    SERAP also argued that the CBN’s institutional independence should not exempt it from financial audits, transparency requirements or investigations into credible allegations of fraud and financial misconduct.

    The organisation cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the CBN Act 2007 and the United Nations Convention against Corruption in support of its position.

    It maintained that the bank had a legal obligation to account for the amounts identified by the Auditor-General, explain the basis for the transactions, identify the individuals or entities that received the funds and disclose steps taken to investigate and recover any money found to have been improperly paid or lost.

    Beyond the disputed funds, the Auditor-General reportedly raised concerns about seven boxes of currency notes awaiting examination, warning that the failure to account for them could lead to mismanagement and recommending sanctions for gross misconduct.

    The report also flagged unserviceable vehicles reportedly abandoned at the CBN’s Lagos branch and an unserviceable bullion van at its Abeokuta branch.

    According to the findings cited by SERAP, the condition of the vehicles could hamper branch operations and delay critical currency-related activities. The Auditor-General reportedly requested evidence of their disposal or replacement.

    SERAP said identifying those responsible for any established financial misconduct, recovering missing public funds and ensuring accountability would serve the public interest and help curb the mismanagement of public resources.

    The suit was filed on SERAP’s behalf by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Kelechi Anwu.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

    As of the time of filling this report, the CBN has not issued a statement over the allegations.

  • Abia police arrest 40-year-old suspect, recover fake ₦200 notes in Aba

    Abia police arrest 40-year-old suspect, recover fake ₦200 notes in Aba

    ABA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as John Paul, over alleged currency counterfeiting in Obikabia community, Aba.

    The police said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested the suspect during a raid on a hideout where suspected members of a criminal group were allegedly producing counterfeit Nigerian currency.

    In a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the police said seven bundles of counterfeit ₦200 notes were recovered during the operation.

    The command said investigations were ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend other suspected members of the group who fled.

    The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and protecting residents across the state.

    He warned criminal elements against engaging in illegal activities in Abia, assuring residents that the command would sustain operations to improve public safety.

  • Media Freedom Coalition demands justice 20 years after Anna Politkovskaya’s assassination

    Media Freedom Coalition demands justice 20 years after Anna Politkovskaya’s assassination

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Media Freedom Coalition has called on Russian authorities to bring all those responsible for the assassination of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya to justice, including those who ordered her killing.

    Politkovskaya, a correspondent for the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was murdered in Moscow on October 7, 2006, after years of reporting on human rights abuses, including in Chechnya.

    In a statement marking the 20th anniversary of her assassination, members of the Media Freedom Coalition said impunity for crimes against journalists and media workers must not be allowed to continue.

    The coalition said Russia has systematically eroded media freedom and independent journalism over the past two decades, with repression intensifying since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022.

    It cited Russia’s ranking of 172nd out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index as evidence of the severe pressure facing journalists in the country.

    According to the coalition, journalists and media organisations in Russia have faced designation as “foreign agents” and “undesirable” organisations, as well as threats, intimidation, detention, prosecution, criminal cases in absentia and lengthy prison sentences.

    It also raised concerns over the so-called “civic death law” and what it described as increasing transnational repression against journalists.

    The coalition said it stands with journalists and media workers who continue to document Russia’s war against Ukraine, corruption, repression and human rights abuses despite censorship, prosecution, restrictive legislation, forced exile and other forms of pressure.

    It urged the Russian Federation to allow journalists to work freely and safely, release people it said had been unjustly detained or imprisoned, and end the transnational persecution and criminalisation of journalists.

    The coalition also called on Russian authorities to end impunity for crimes against journalists and ensure accountability for those who order, facilitate or carry out attacks.

    It further urged Russia to uphold its international human rights obligations, including the right to freedom of expression.

    The statement was signed by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

  • Finance Ministry Unaware of N124.86bn CBN withdrawal, witness tells court in Emefiele trial

    Finance Ministry Unaware of N124.86bn CBN withdrawal, witness tells court in Emefiele trial

    ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) —  The Federal Ministry of Finance was not aware of the withdrawal of N124.86 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a director in the ministry told the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

    Ali Mohammed, who testified as the prosecution’s 10th witness, PW10, made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed, the witness said the Ministry of Finance received a letter from an investigation team concerning N154 billion reportedly withdrawn by the CBN.

    Mohammed, who oversees the Department of Home Finance, said the department comprises three divisions — State and Public Finance, Trade and Banking, and Other Financial Institutions.

    He told the court that after receiving the investigator’s letter, he contacted the three divisions under his supervision to determine whether any of them was aware of the transaction.

    According to Mohammed, none of the divisions had knowledge of the transaction.

    He said the State and Public Finance Investment Division was particularly relevant because it oversees the CBN.

    Accountant-General Also Unaware

    Mohammed told the court that he subsequently wrote through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to determine whether the office was aware of the transaction.

    He explained that the OAGF was the appropriate office to approach because it serves as the custodian of payments for the Federal Government.

    According to the witness, the OAGF responded in writing that it was not aware of the transaction and indicated that the money represented a direct credit from the CBN.

    Mohammed said he relied on the response from the Accountant-General before preparing a response to the Special Investigator.

    “I responded via a memo of what has transpired between my office and that of the AGF and sought for clearance for such document to be forwarded to the Special Investigator. Subsequently, the letter was forwarded,” he told the court.

    The documents sent to the Special Investigator included a letter bearing the logo of the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mohammed, alongside a letter signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    Court Admits Documents as Exhibits

    Mohammed identified the documents when they were shown to him in court, after which the prosecution sought to tender them as evidence.

    The witness said the original documents had already been forwarded to the Special Investigator and therefore sought to tender certified true copies.

    Defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, did not object to their admission.

    Justice Maryanne Anineh subsequently admitted the documents and marked them as Exhibits AJ, AK and AL.

    While examining the exhibits, the prosecution asked Mohammed to explain the purpose of Exhibit AJ.

    The witness said the document established that the Federal Ministry of Finance was not aware of the N124.86 billion withdrawal.

    He said his conclusion was based on the letter forwarded to the ministry by the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    On Exhibit AL, Mohammed told the court that the document confirmed that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was also not aware of the transaction involving the N124.86 billion.

    -NAN