New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • Nigerian Army explains arrest of blogger ‘Justice Crack’ over alleged subversive activities

    Nigerian Army explains arrest of blogger ‘Justice Crack’ over alleged subversive activities

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigerian Army has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of blogger and social media influencer Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” over allegations linked to the violation of military social media regulations and acts capable of undermining national security.

    In a statement issued on Saturday, signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the Army said its attention was drawn to complaints allegedly made by some soldiers concerning feeding and welfare issues, which were published on social media by Chidiebere.

    The Army said the matter was under investigation for alleged breach of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy and an attempt to misinform the public.

    According to the military, preliminary findings showed that the soldiers discussed a wide range of issues with the blogger, who was alleged to have encouraged actions capable of creating discontent within the military system.

    The statement added that one of the conversations reportedly bordered on subversive conduct. “It is important to state that a situation where civilians cultivate vulnerable personnel towards acts of subversion has far-reaching implications on discipline and national security,” the Army said.

    The military disclosed that Chidiebere was arrested alongside the soldiers involved for the purpose of investigation.

    While the soldiers remain in military custody, the Army said the blogger had been handed over to the relevant civil authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Army’s clarification follows public outcry by the blogger’s wife, civil society groups and concerned Nigerians over his sudden disappearance.

    On Thursday, Sahara Reporters reportedly published a photograph allegedly showing the blogger’s vehicle parked inside a military facility in Abuja, further fueling concerns over his whereabouts.

    Although the Army did not specify the agency to which Chidiebere was transferred for prosecution, the statement is expected to ease growing public anxiety over the blogger’s safety and location.

    The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure justice is served.

  • Delta Police arrest suspected kidnapper, recover AK-47 rifles, pistol, ammunition

    Delta Police arrest suspected kidnapper, recover AK-47 rifles, pistol, ammunition

    ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected kidnapper and armed robber while recovering two AK-47 rifles, a Beretta pistol and 69 rounds of live ammunition during separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

    The command disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, saying the operations were part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal arms proliferation in Delta State.

    According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 45-year-old suspect identified as Shehu Malami at Ogor Market in Ughelli on April 29, 2026, at about 8:10 p.m.

    Police said the suspect later led operatives to his hideout in Agbarha-Otor, where one AK-47 rifle and 63 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is allegedly a member of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri and other parts of the state.

    The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.

    In a separate operation on May 2, 2026, at about 8:35 a.m., the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations reportedly led operatives of the Buffalo Squad, Crack Squad and Operation Delta Shield to a bush near the Customs Checkpoint along the Benin–Asaba Expressway following actionable intelligence.

    A search of the area led to the recovery of another AK-47 rifle, six rounds of live ammunition and one Beretta pistol, police said.

    The command added that investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest the suspects linked to the recovered weapons.

    Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the state.

    He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and individuals to the police, assuring them that all information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.

  • Uganda begins deportation of 169 foreign nationals over immigration, cybercrime allegations

    Uganda begins deportation of 169 foreign nationals over immigration, cybercrime allegations

    KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — The National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) has commenced the phased deportation of 169 foreign nationals arrested during an intelligence-led operation in the Bukoto-Ntinda area of Kampala over alleged immigration and cybercrime-related offences.

    The deportation exercise began on Friday, May 1, 2026, according to Ugandan authorities.

    The affected foreign nationals are from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia.

    Authorities said some of the deportees were involved in illegal residency and alleged cyber-scamming activities, while others were found working in violation of Uganda’s immigration laws.

    The suspects were arrested during a coordinated intelligence operation and processed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before deportation procedures commenced.

    Officials disclosed that all the deportees had paid the required fines and provided air tickets for their return to their respective countries.

    Of the 169 deportees, 141 are males while 28 are females.

    The NCIC said investigations revealed that many of the foreign nationals lacked the legal qualifications and permits required to work in Uganda.

  • Kwara Police arrest 16 suspects, recover arms, neutralize bandit in rescue operation

    Kwara Police arrest 16 suspects, recover arms, neutralize bandit in rescue operation

    ILORIN, Nigeria (NPA) — The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 16 suspects and recovered 98 rounds of ammunition, firearms, and a vehicle during a statewide crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes in April.

    In a statement issued today, the command said the operations targeted criminal networks involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry across the state.

    The exhibits recovered during the operations included 20 assault rounds and 78 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, additional live AK-47 ammunition, several locally fabricated firearms, including a shotgun, cut-to-size shotgun, pistol and revolver rifle, as well as a Toyota Matrix vehicle and mobile communication devices.

    The command also disclosed that operatives neutralized a suspected bandit during a rescue operation at Apata Aje settlement following the abduction of two persons.

    According to the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, armed men invaded the community on April 28, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m. and abducted two victims before security operatives launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

    A combined team of operatives and National Forest Guards engaged the fleeing suspects during an intensive bush-combing exercise after acting on credible intelligence. “During the ensuing gun duel, one suspected bandit was neutralized, while others escaped with gunshot injuries,” the statement said.

    Additional items recovered from the scene and related operations included live cartridges, expended ammunition, mobile phones, including a Samsung A2S device, and suspected criminal charms.

    The command said the recoveries further revealed the organized and heavily armed nature of the criminal network operating within the area, noting that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and arrest the fleeing suspects.

    The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates and sustaining pressure on kidnapping and banditry networks across the state.

  • Nigerian Army sustains offensive operations in Northeast, neutralises terrorists, arrests suspects

    Nigerian Army sustains offensive operations in Northeast, neutralises terrorists, arrests suspects

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigerian Army has announced fresh gains in its counter-terrorism campaign in the northeast, with troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), recording significant successes under Operation Desert Sanity V.

    According to a statement issued on May 1, 2026, by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK, troops engaged terrorists moving from Yale towards the Sambisa Forest axis in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). Four terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, with troops recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and food items suspected to be part of terrorist logistics. The operation was concluded without casualties.

    Sustained aggressive operations across key routes, including Damboa–Maiduguri, Damboa–Gwoza, and the Goniri axis, successfully denied terrorists freedom of movement and disrupted infiltration corridors.

    In a related development, troops deployed at Kanama arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators during a stop-and-search operation. The suspects were found with clothing, personal effects, and incriminating digital materials linked to terrorist logistics. They are currently in custody for further investigation.

    Furthermore, troops recorded the surrender of a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP member at a checkpoint in Kukawa Local Government Area. The individual claimed he had been abducted earlier in the year and coerced into joining the group. He is undergoing profiling and further investigation.

    The Theatre Command reassured the public of its commitment to restoring lasting peace, security, and economic stability in the region. Citizens were urged to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies. The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo.

  • IGP Disu visits family of slain airwing driver ASP Ejeh, assures police support

    IGP Disu visits family of slain airwing driver ASP Ejeh, assures police support

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late ASP Ejeh Alfred in Abuja, assuring them of the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force.

    ASP Ejeh, a driver attached to the Nigeria Police Airwing, was killed during an operational mission on April 17, 2026, while serving in the line of duty.

    During the visit to the family’s residence, the police chief expressed sympathy to the widow, Mrs Mercy Ejeh, her children and other members of the bereaved family.

    Disu described the late officer as a dedicated and professional policeman whose sacrifice in service to the nation would not be forgotten.

    The IGP assured the family that the welfare of officers who lose their lives in active service, as well as the wellbeing of their families, would remain a priority under his leadership.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the courage and dedication of officers on the frontline remain critical to national security.

    The police chief also prayed for the repose of the late officer’s soul and pledged that the Force would continue to stand by the family during the difficult period.

  • Edo Police clarify viral video, say officers responded to medical emergency

    Edo Police clarify viral video, say officers responded to medical emergency

    BENIN CITY, Nigeria (NPA) — The Edo State Police Command has clarified circumstances surrounding a viral video circulating on social media, insisting that officers involved were responding to a medical emergency and not engaging in misconduct.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the clarification followed an investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.

    According to the command, the investigation revealed that the young man seen in the video, identified as 23-year-old David Michael, had suffered a medical emergency and gone into convulsions.

    Police said the victim became violent during the episode and was difficult to restrain, posing danger to himself and people nearby.

    The command stated that officers at the scene were attempting to control the situation and transport him to a medical facility for urgent treatment.

    According to the statement, the viral footage was recorded from a distance by an onlooker who was allegedly unaware of events preceding the incident, resulting in what the police described as a misleading narrative.

    The command added that individuals involved in the incident, including David Michael, had subsequently released another video explaining the circumstances surrounding the encounter.

    Police authorities expressed hope that the clarification video would receive the same level of circulation as the earlier footage.

    While defending the officers’ intervention as a response to an emergency situation, the Commissioner of Police stressed that all police operations must remain guided by professionalism, civility and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

    Agbonika also directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Departments and Tactical Team Commanders to reinforce first aid training, lawful use of force procedures and compliance with Force Order 237 among personnel.

    The police commissioner further emphasised the need for officers to maintain public trust while carrying out operational duties, and reiterated the command’s commitment to accountability, transparency and the protection of residents across the state.

  • Russian Africa Corps says Mali situation remains tense amid anti-terror operations

    Russian Africa Corps says Mali situation remains tense amid anti-terror operations

    BAMAKO, Mali (NPA) — The Africa Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has said the security situation in Mali remains tense, accusing militant groups of intensifying attacks and propaganda operations against Malian and Russian forces.

    In a statement released on Thursday, the Russian military formation said militants belonging to Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) were regrouping and carrying out reconnaissance around positions occupied by Russian and Malian troops.

    According to the statement, the armed groups were also engaged in what it described as “massive false statements” on social media aimed at weakening the morale of the Malian Armed Forces.

    The group alleged that the propaganda campaign falsely claimed that Malian soldiers had abandoned their positions in parts of the country. The Africa Corps said its forces, working alongside the Malian Armed Forces, identified and targeted militant positions during aerial reconnaissance operations conducted on April 30.

    It stated that two alleged militant camps were discovered in the Folona area of Sikasso Region and the Farani area of Koulikoro Region before being struck by Russian aviation assets.

    The Russian force further disclosed that its personnel, in collaboration with the Malian Armed Forces, carried out security patrols in the northern city of Ménaka on April 30.

    According to the statement, the patrol operation was conducted “in normal mode,” adding that no militants were detected in the city and that residents were continuing daily activities peacefully.

    The Africa Corps also accused FLA militants of circulating old videos online under the guidance of alleged Ukrainian military intelligence instructors. The group claimed the footage, purportedly showing captured weapons and military equipment in Kidal, was in fact recorded three years ago at a school in Ukraine.

    According to the statement, the videos were intended to conceal losses allegedly suffered by militant groups during recent operations conducted by Russian and Malian forces, while also attempting to demoralise civilians.

    Mali has witnessed a worsening security crisis in recent years, with armed groups linked to extremist organisations expanding operations across parts of the country despite intensified military campaigns by the transitional government and its foreign allies.

  • Reverend Dachomo decries killing of Christian family in Plateau as U.S. lawmakers move to restrict security aid to Nigeria

    Reverend Dachomo decries killing of Christian family in Plateau as U.S. lawmakers move to restrict security aid to Nigeria

    JOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has condemned the killing of an entire Christian family in Plateau State, describing it as yet another tragic example of persecution in Northern Nigeria.

    The victims — Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, and two children, Precious and Ishaya — were allegedly killed by radical Islamists on April 27, 2026, and laid to rest three days later in Kwi, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Their only surviving son managed to escape through a window during the attack.

    “My heart bleeds for Nigeria. How can you kill a man of God and his family just because of his choice of worship?” Dachomo lamented.

    In a statement on Friday, the cleric—who has been at the forefront of global awareness campaigns on the killing of Christians in Nigeria—urged citizens and the international community to resist indifference, stressing that families are breaking and faith is being tested. He called for justice, compassion, and an end to the cycle of violence.

    Meanwhile, in Washington, Representative Riley Moore, head of the U.S. Congressional Committee investigating alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, criticized the Tinubu administration for allegedly spending millions lobbying Congress while failing to adequately address the crisis.

    Moore noted that the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee recently passed the annual State Department funding bill, which includes provisions restricting security assistance to Nigeria unless specific criteria are met. These includes effective response to violence and accountability for perpetrators, Prioritization of resources for internally displaced persons, and facilitation of safe return and resettlement of displaced communities.

    The bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to certify Nigeria’s compliance before half of the allocated funds can be released.

    The development adds to mounting international concern over violence against Christians in Nigeria, as local clerics and global lawmakers continue to call for urgent action to protect vulnerable communities and restore peace.

    The Nigerian government has consistently denied allegations of a Christian genocide, stressing that victims of terrorist attacks include Christians, Muslims, and animists alike. Officials argue that armed groups are indiscriminately targeting families and communities across the country, leaving widespread devastation in their wake.

  • Delta Police deny use of live ammunition in Orerokpe incident as Effurun’s extrajudicial killing haunts residents

    Delta Police deny use of live ammunition in Orerokpe incident as Effurun’s extrajudicial killing haunts residents

    ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Delta State Police Command has refuted claims circulating on social media that its operatives discharged live ammunition and shot a civilian during an incident in Oviore, Orerokpe.

    In a statement issued on May 1, 2026, by SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, the Command described the allegations as false and misleading. It clarified that officers from the Orerokpe Division, while on routine patrol on April 30, attempted to apprehend a suspected drug user but encountered resistance from local youths.

    To safely disengage and prevent escalation, the officers deployed smoke canisters (tear gas) strictly as a crowd‑control measure. “No live ammunition was discharged at any time during the incident,” the statement emphasized.

    Police confirmed that one of the smoke canisters struck a civilian on the leg, causing injury. The victim was taken to hospital and is receiving medical attention.

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism and accountability, urging the public to disregard false narratives and rely on verified information from official police channels.

    The latest incident follows the recent dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the extra‑judicial killing of Mr. Mene Ogidi in the Effurun axis of Warri on April 26, 2026. ASP Nuhu Usman, who pulled the trigger, along with other members of his team, has since been dismissed from the force and are now facing prosecution.