Category: Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, in Abuja, reaffirming the party’s commitment to unity and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Kwankwaso described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s cohesion, resilience and strategic readiness ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“Today, I paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of our party, the NDC, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, at his residence in Abuja,” he said.

According to the former Kano State governor, the meeting focused on consolidating the party and reinforcing its commitment to democratic principles despite recent legal challenges.

“As true democrats, we remain committed to the rule of law and have absolute confidence in the judicial process. No temporary setback can weaken the spirit of a movement built on hope, justice, equity and the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Kwankwaso urged party members, supporters and other Nigerians to remain calm, resolute and focused on the party’s objectives.

“Together, we will rise above every challenge,” he added.

The meeting comes days after the NDC rejected a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Lokoja on June 26, which set aside an earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party and confirmed that it has filed an appeal against the judgment.

The party said the latest ruling followed an application by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP).

According to the NDC, it approached the Federal High Court in December 2025 after INEC declined to register it as a political party.

The party said the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it, a directive the electoral commission subsequently implemented.

Since its registration, the NDC said it has conducted nationwide membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, as well as its national convention and primary elections for all elective positions in line with INEC’s timetable.

The party also stated that it participated in recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has arrested seven suspects for offences ranging from armed robbery and one-chance robbery to cultism, illegal possession of firearms and obtaining money by false pretence in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.

The Command said the coordinated operations, carried out across the Ilaro Area Command and the Ibafo, Mowe, Adatan and Ode-Remo divisions, also led to the recovery of a stolen Toyota Venza, three firearms, an operational vehicle used by a one-chance robbery syndicate, 17 stolen mobile phones, an HP EliteBook laptop, and ₦1.1 million allegedly linked to a travel fraud case.

In a statement issued by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the police identified the suspects as Bola Salau, 42; Segun Balogun, 25; Emmanuel Friday; Tunde Abioye; Ankpa James; Tunde Ogunseye, 41; and Owodunni Seun, 36.

The Command said the operations formed part of Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni’s sustained intelligence-driven offensive against criminal activities across Ogun State.

According to the police, operatives attached to the Ilaro Area Command recorded a major breakthrough when they intercepted a blue Toyota Venza during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Oja-Odan/Ilaro Road.

The vehicle, bearing Lagos registration, was occupied by Bola Salau and Segun Balogun, who allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of how they came into possession of it.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of its original registration documents concealed beneath the carpet.

Further investigation enabled detectives to trace the rightful owner in Ede, Osun State, who confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen during an armed robbery attack on his residence on June 23.

The victim reportedly told investigators that five-armed men invaded his home, robbed him and members of his family of valuables before escaping with the vehicle.

Police said the Toyota Venza has been recovered, while investigations are ongoing to determine the suspects’ involvement and arrest other fleeing members of the robbery syndicate.

In a separate operation, detectives attached to the Ibafo Division dismantled a suspected one-chance robbery syndicate operating around the Magboro axis.

The operation followed a complaint by a female victim who reported that she was dispossessed of her Samsung A16 mobile phone valued at ₦295,000 and ₦120,000 in cash after boarding a commercial vehicle operated by the suspects.

Acting on credible intelligence, police traced the suspects to the Freeway Hotel in Magboro, where Emmanuel Friday and Tunde Abioye were arrested.

The operatives also recovered a Toyota Camry allegedly used by the syndicate to carry out its robbery operations, while the victim positively identified the suspects.

Police said investigations are continuing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen property before the suspects are charged to court.

In another operation, operatives of the Mowe Division arrested Ankpa James following a complaint by a 21-year-old man who alleged that the suspect fraudulently obtained ₦1.276 million from him under the false pretence of facilitating his travel to Luxembourg.

The suspect was arrested after detectives responded to a distress report received through the Command’s Gateway Shield emergency platform. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the offence, leading to the recovery of ₦1.1 million, which was released to the complainant on bond. Police said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

At the Adatan Division, a joint operation involving police operatives and other security agencies led to the arrest of suspected cultist Tunde Ogunseye.

The police alleged that the suspect attempted to attack security personnel with a locally fabricated pistol before he was overpowered and disarmed. A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of another locally made pistol.

Investigators further alleged that Ogunseye is a member of the Eiye Confraternity and is involved in illicit drug trafficking. He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

In another operation, officers attached to the Ode-Remo Division foiled an armed robbery attack targeting students at Itun-Raye in Ode-Remo after responding to a distress call.

Police said the hoodlums fled into a nearby bush upon sighting security operatives, abandoning several items as they escaped, some with suspected gunshot injuries.

Items recovered included a locally made Dane gun, two expended cartridges, one HP EliteBook laptop, three power banks, one rechargeable touch light, nine iPhones, seven Samsung Android phones, one Itel Android phone and other personal belongings, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to 17.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Owodunni Seun, who was found loitering around the scene under suspicious circumstances. Police described him as a habitual offender previously convicted for receiving stolen property.

Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the robbery gang and recover additional exhibits.

Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the professionalism and bravery of the operatives, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and collaboration with other security agencies.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to support efforts to combat crime and enhance public safety across Ogun State.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a businesswoman attempting to smuggle cocaine to China, intercepted illicit drugs worth over N12.3 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos, and dismantled a syndicate that plants narcotics in the luggage of unsuspecting interstate passengers.

The agency also arrested suspected transnational drug traffickers and recovered hundreds of thousands of tramadol pills concealed in a specially fabricated compartment of a truck.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the 38-year-old suspect, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China.

The suspect, who claimed she regularly travelled to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria, was intercepted on June 21 following credible intelligence.

A search of her luggage uncovered 7.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a professionally constructed false bottom compartment.

In another major operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed inside a 40-foot container at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The shipment, comprising 195 large sacks of the illicit drug with an estimated street value of N12.397 billion, was recovered during a joint examination involving the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

Babafemi said the agency tracked the shipment for more than four weeks from Toronto, Canada, through Montreal and Tangier Med, Morocco, before it arrived in Lagos.

The container was monitored from its arrival at Tin Can Port before being transferred to Apapa Port, where it was eventually intercepted.

In the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives, working with their counterparts in Anambra State, uncovered a syndicate that secretly plants illicit drugs inside the luggage of unsuspecting passengers travelling by commercial buses.

The operation followed the interception of a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi to Abuja, where officers discovered 467.7 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a passenger’s luggage.

Investigations led to the arrest of the supposed recipient, Gloria Peter, who denied ownership of the package.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of bus loaders in Nnewi, who revealed that the drugs had been planted in the passenger’s bag on the instruction of the driver, Abdurrazak Isah.

The driver subsequently identified one Onyebuchi Victor Okoye as the owner of the illicit consignment, leading to his arrest in Abuja.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives arrested Ikechukwu Uwakwe, 57, at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos while attempting to transport 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud to Enugu.

The agency also arrested two nationals of the Republic of Benin—Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19—alongside a Nigerian, Jackson ThankGod, after intercepting their truck on the Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a specially fabricated compartment.

In another operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, NDLEA arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo while transporting 118 kilograms of skunk concealed among legitimate goods in a truck bound for Onitsha.

Similarly, Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, were arrested in the Amukoko area of Lagos, where officers recovered 28.8 kilograms of skunk. Investigators alleged that the principal suspect used the location as a storage and distribution point for illicit drugs.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it sustained its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Enugu states.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain the momentum in reducing drug supply while intensifying public awareness campaigns against drug abuse.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Operatives of the Borno State Police Command have intercepted a large consignment of suspected illicit substances and arrested a suspect in Maiduguri as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and cross-border crime.

The Command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, signed by ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, Borno State Command Police Public Relations Officer, saying the operation was carried out by operatives of its X-Squad acting on credible intelligence.

According to the police, the operatives intercepted an Isuzu Bedford pick-up vehicle along the Baga Road Bypass in Maiduguri at about 7:11 p.m. on June 26.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 55 sacks containing numerous 60ml bottles of an illicit substance popularly known as “Gumm.”

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was being transported to Ngamboru Ngala Local Government Area, from where it was to be smuggled across Nigeria’s international border.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Babagana Modu, 51, was arrested during the operation.

According to investigators, the suspect admitted he had been contracted to transport the consignment to its intended destination.

The Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network who remain at large.

It added that investigations are continuing and that further details would be made public as the case progresses.

The Borno State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state through intelligence-led operations and sustained law enforcement efforts.

ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected electric cable vandals and recovered vandalised electric cables during an operation aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the suspects were arrested on June 25 following a joint operation by operatives of the Kwale Police Division and members of a local vigilante group.

According to the police, the team acted on credible intelligence that suspected vandals were dismantling and stealing electric cables along the Ibabu–Ugiliamai Road.

The command said the suspects attempted to flee upon sighting the security operatives, but were apprehended during the operation.

Police identified the suspects as Osakwe Sunday, 28, and Ekene Obocha, 34.

According to the statement, one of the suspects sustained injuries while attempting to escape and is currently receiving medical treatment, while the other remains in police custody.

The police also recovered the vandalised electric cables as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, warned criminal elements to desist from vandalising public infrastructure, stressing that the command would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.

He also urged residents to support law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information to assist in preventing crime across the state.

MAKURDI, Nigeria (NPA) — The Benue State Police Command has condemned the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isa, describing the attack as a criminal act capable of undermining ongoing peace and security efforts.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the two men were reportedly attacked and killed by unidentified assailants while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu-Ogoli Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.

The command said it had commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and deployed tactical and intelligence teams to identify and apprehend those responsible.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by the incident.

“The command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, while tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said.

The police commissioner assured residents that no effort would be spared to ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

He urged members of the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands and avoid spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.

The command also appealed to anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or through its emergency channels.

The Benue State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and pledged to continue working with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security across the state.

IBADAN, Nigeria — The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false reports claiming that a pastor was arrested for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to suspects involved in the abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, described the reports circulating on social media and some online platforms as “entirely false, misleading and unfounded.”

According to the command, the viral Facebook post alleged that a pastor, whose identity and address were not disclosed, had been arrested for acting as an arms supplier to the kidnappers.

The police, however, said no such arrest had been made by the command or any other security agency participating in the ongoing rescue operation.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading and unfounded. No such arrest has been made by the Police or any other known security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation, while investigations are ongoing,” the statement said.

The command described the publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and undermine public confidence in the professionalism of security personnel.

It urged members of the public to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through the official communication channels of the Oyo State Police Command.

The command also warned individuals and media platforms against spreading unverified information, stating that anyone found responsible for disseminating false reports that could jeopardise security operations would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police reiterated their commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across Oyo State.

LAGOS, Nigeria — Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old suspected armed robber allegedly found in possession of a suspected human body part, firearms and other items believed to have been stolen during recent robberies.

The suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, was arrested along the Lekki-Epe Expressway after police intercepted an unregistered commercial shuttle bus conveying six occupants.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, officers searched the vehicle and its occupants, during which the suspect was allegedly found with a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, one Point of Sale (POS) terminal and five ATM cards.

Police said the suspect confessed during interrogation to recently robbing three individuals of their belongings, including the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards.

The command said efforts were ongoing to identify and contact the victims for the return of the recovered property.

It added that investigations had also commenced to determine the identity of the owner of the suspected human body part, the circumstances surrounding its possession and its intended use.

According to the police, efforts are also being intensified to identify and arrest other suspects believed to be connected with the case.

The suspect is expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and other criminal activities across the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention and enhance public safety.