Category: Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 6 Division have intensified operations across the Niger Delta Region, recording significant successes against oil theft and related economic sabotage between April 1 and 26, 2026.

Operating in collaboration with other security agencies, the troops arrested nine suspected oil thieves, dismantled 10 illegal refining sites, and confiscated more than 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and over 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Several items used in illicit refining activities were also destroyed. The recovered products are estimated to be worth over ₦250 million.

In Rivers State, multiple operations were conducted across creeks, forests, and hinterland communities. Acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted an abandoned truck with registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano at Ukpeye Community along the East-West Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area. The vehicle was found loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. At the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops uncovered a large reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as another site with more than 26,000 litres of refined AGO, alongside galvanized pipes used for siphoning, all of which were destroyed.

Further operations at Ebocha in Omoku, within Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, led to the seizure of 266 sacks containing 17,760 litres of stolen products. At Abessa Forest, also in Ahoada West, troops discovered four drum ovens and 50 sacks holding over 3,000 litres of crude oil, while two waste pits used for illegal refining were dismantled. Around Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an additional 1,500 litres of stolen crude stored in 30 sacks was recovered.

In Delta State, troops uncovered a tapping point near Obazogbe Community in Ethiope East LGA, linked to a dugout storage pit located about 500 metres away and containing over 2,700 litres of stolen products. Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, troops recovered 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in 45 bags at Ikot Ekpene LGA, with suspects fleeing upon sighting the troops.

Operations in Bayelsa State also recorded sustained pressure on oil theft networks, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the state.

According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their resilience and operational effectiveness, urging them to sustain the momentum against economic saboteurs and related crimes in the region.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national assets and curbing illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 26 April 2026 (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission, challenging what they described as an “arbitrary, unconstitutional and unlawful” directive threatening sanctions against broadcasters over the expression of opinions.

The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/854/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, follows a recent “Formal Notice” issued by the NBC warning broadcast stations and presenters against “expressing personal opinions as facts,” as well as “bullying or intimidating guests” or failing to maintain neutrality in programming.

The NBC had justified its directive by citing what it described as a “sustained increase in breaches” of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across news, current affairs and political programmes.

However, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine whether the provisions of the Broadcasting Code relied upon by the regulator are inconsistent with the Constitution of Nigeria and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that several sections of the Code are vague, overly broad and constitute a breach of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media independence. They are also requesting an interim injunction restraining the NBC from imposing sanctions on broadcasters pending the determination of the suit.

In their filings, SERAP and NGE argued that journalistic work inherently includes opinion, commentary and analysis, which are protected forms of expression under both domestic and international law.

“The right to impart ideas necessarily includes opinions, commentary and analysis. A blanket prohibition on the expression of ‘personal opinions’ by presenters amounts to an impermissible restriction,” the applicants stated.

They further contended that the NBC’s reliance on undefined standards such as “professionalism” introduces ambiguity and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement, thereby creating a chilling effect on journalists and media organisations.

The groups maintained that the Broadcasting Code, as subsidiary legislation, cannot override constitutional guarantees, stressing that any law inconsistent with the Constitution is null and void.

They also cited Nigeria’s obligations under international instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect the right to receive and impart information without interference.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) is leading the legal team representing SERAP and NGE in the matter.

The plaintiffs warned that the NBC’s directive, if allowed to stand, could undermine democratic discourse, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections, by encouraging self-censorship and limiting robust scrutiny of public officials.

They also argued that provisions prohibiting “bullying” or “intimidation” lack clear definitions and could be used to suppress critical or adversarial questioning—an essential component of investigative journalism.

Furthermore, SERAP and NGE contended that classifying such conduct as “Class B breaches” attracting fines or suspension constitutes a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and raises concerns over due process and fair hearing.

The suit is seeking, among other reliefs, the nullification of multiple sections of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the NBC from enforcing the contested provisions. No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the interim application or the substantive suit.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of illicit drugs and explosives across multiple states, dealing a significant blow to criminal networks attempting to destabilize Nigeria.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Kwara State, operatives seized 10,000 pills of Captagon and nine packets of Tapentadol 250mg from a passenger, Nasiru Mu’azu, on April 21.

Just days later, on April 24, a trailer marked RMY-70XA was intercepted with 155,900 capsules of tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of Co-Codamol, and 9,000 tablets of Bromazepam concealed in a false compartment. Suspect Aminu Isah was taken into custody.

In Oyo State, a passenger identified as Eze Prince Emeka, 33, excreted 45 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.043kg after ingestion to evade detection. Investigations revealed he planned to traffic the drugs through trans-Saharan routes with Algeria as a transit point and Europe as a possible destination.

Further seizures included 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids in Edo State, 810kg of Arizona cannabis in Lagos, 288 blocks of skunk weighing 154.5kg in Bauchi, and 466.8kg of skunk in Ekiti. In Cross River, NDLEA destroyed 20,000kg of psychoactive substances hidden in forest enclaves.

In Niger State, 394 pieces of improvised explosive device (IED) components were recovered from a suspect, Mohammed Aliyu, 26.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) praised the vigilance of officers nationwide, describing the Captagon seizure as a wake-up call. “Captagon will never find a foothold in Nigeria,” he assured, stressing its links to insurgent groups and its role in fueling insecurity.

He emphasized that NDLEA is disrupting the supply chains that power violence, while also intensifying sensitization campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in schools and communities.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has called for justice after a teenage girl’s hand was amputated in Northern Nigeria because her family allegedly refused to consent to an Islamist marriage. Dachomo, who has long been a symbol of Christian persecution in the region, described the ordeal as a moment when “the heart can no longer carry the weight of silence.”

In a statement on Sunday, the cleric said the attack came “like a storm, unannounced, without mercy, and her hand was cut off.”

“Left in pain, left in tears, left in a darkness no words can fully describe. What kind of world are we becoming? What kind of hearts can look at a child and choose cruelty? What kind of evil answers faith with blood and suffering,” he lamented.

Sharing the picture of the assaulted girl, Dachomo said her story is “a cry from the soul of the nation. A cry that something is deeply broken. A cry that we cannot ignore.”

“Imagine waking up to a life forever changed because of a decision she did not even make. The pain is not just in her body, it is in her spirit, in her future, in every dream she once held. This is beyond cruel. This is beyond evil,” he added.

The cleric urged Nigerians not to lose their humanity despite the darkness. “We must not allow hate to consume us, but we must also refuse to be silent because silence in the face of such pain is another kind of injustice,” he said.

Expressing solidarity with the victim, Dachomo promised she would not be forgotten despite the life-altering attack by religious fanatics. “Though your hand was taken, your dignity remains, your strength remains, your life still has meaning beyond this pain. Your story will speak louder than the cruelty done to you.”

He called on Nigerians to let the girl’s suffering awaken a collective demand for justice and protection. “May her tears not fall in vain. May her pain awaken a nation. May justice rise where evil has tried to stand. And may we never again allow a child to suffer such horror in silence,” Dachomo concluded.

BENIN CITY, Nigeria (NPA) — The Edo State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of nine kidnapped victims, including passengers abducted during the recent GUO bus incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway.

According to a statement signed by ASP Eno Ikoedem, Police Public Relations Officer, on April 24, 2026, all victims from the GUO bus attack were freed alive following massive tactical deployments ordered by Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika. The operation involved intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and coordinated bush-combing efforts that pressured the kidnappers into releasing their captives.

The rescued passengers have since received medical evaluation and reunited with their families.

In a related development, the Command also rescued four other victims who had been abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within Imiegba forest, Agenebode. They too have undergone medical checks and are safe, bringing the total number of rescued victims to nine.

The Command reassured commuters and residents that security along the Benin–Lagos Expressway has been significantly reinforced, with tactical and intelligence assets fully activated across the corridor. These deployments will remain until the route is completely secure.

Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.

“We are confident that all those involved will be brought to justice in the shortest possible time,” the statement said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — The Steering Committee on the Establishment of State Police, set up by Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu, has recommended a four-phase transition architecture for the creation of state-level policing across Nigeria.

The committee, chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, Director General of the National Institute of Police Studies, was inaugurated on March 4 and tasked with developing an operational framework within one month. Its mandate includes overseeing implementation of state police to complement the federal force, while addressing recruitment, training, and resource generation to strengthen internal security.

According to the report, Phase One (months 1–12) will focus on constitutional amendments and the enactment of a State Police Act. Phase Two (months 13–24) will introduce voluntary transfer programmes, allowing officers to move to state services. Phase Three (months 25–42) will see state police assume local policing responsibilities, while the Federal Police Service (FPS) withdraws to national duties. Phase Four (months 43–60) will consolidate the system, with FPS fully reorganised.

The committee stressed that constitutional and legal reforms must precede all other steps, including amendments to sections 213 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution, passage of state-level police laws, and establishment of State Police Service Commissions and Ombudsman offices. Each state will be required to build institutions from scratch, including service commissions, community policing forums, ICT infrastructure, custody suites, and forensic linkages.

The report estimated the cost of establishing state police at between ₦589 billion and ₦813 billion over five years, noting that the expenditure could not be absorbed in a shorter period. It also highlighted the need for a National Police Standard Board, a National Police Intelligence Portal, upgraded fingerprint identification systems, and full ICT integration across all services.

The committee emphasized that officer rights must be protected, with no involuntary dismissals and full preservation of pension and welfare entitlements. It concluded that the 60-month transition period is the minimum credible timeframe to restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture, move over 273,000 officers, build 37 new police services, and embed oversight mechanisms while maintaining uninterrupted public security.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Police Force has announced a major breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious suspects connected to a violent “one chance” armed robbery syndicate operating across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding areas.

The suspects, David Francis (22) and Emmanuel Ibenni, also known as “Markfish” (36), were apprehended on March 8, 2026, at Sambec Hotel in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, following actionable intelligence gathered by the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).

According to a statement issued on April 24, 2026, by Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, preliminary investigations revealed that the duo are members of a criminal gang notorious for posing as commercial transport operators. Victims were lured into vehicles, robbed of cash, mobile devices, and other valuables, and in some cases subjected to severe physical harm. Authorities noted that several victims were found dead after encounters with the syndicate.

Multiple victims have already come forward to identify the suspects, providing crucial information to aid ongoing investigations. Police say efforts are underway to track down other members of the gang and ensure they face justice.

Police data shows “one chance” robberies remain a major threat in Abuja, with several arrests and vehicle recoveries recorded in recent months. Victims have reported abductions, forced bank transfers, and fatalities, underscoring the severity of the crime.

Commuters are advised to use registered transport services such as ride-hailing apps or official taxi ranks, avoid boarding unmarked or suspicious vehicles, especially at night, and travel in groups when possible. Passengers are also urged to stay alert to unusual driver behavior, inform family or friends of their travel plans, and report suspicious activity immediately to the nearest police station or emergency line.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP) has announced a change in the official signatory for the Police Character Certificate issued by the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement, POSSAP disclosed that a new Commissioner of Police has been appointed for the Central Criminal Registry at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, with Shehu Alao, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), assuming the role.

According to the notice, the new Commissioner of Police will serve as the Central Registrar and official signatory to the Police Character Certificate. The change takes effect from April 2026, with an updated sample of the certificate reflecting the new authorization.

POSSAP, a key digital reform initiative of the Nigeria Police, is designed to streamline and automate specialized police services, including the issuance of Police Character Certificates, biometric capture, and background verification processes. The platform aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for Nigerians requiring official police documentation for travel, employment, and other formal purposes.

The automation project has also played a central role in reducing processing times and curbing fraudulent practices associated with manual applications, while providing a standardized and secure system for verifying applicants’ records across police databases.

POSSAP urged members of the public to take note of the new signatory and ensure that all Police Character Certificates obtained from April 2026 onward reflect the updated designation.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel accused of mutiny and plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The inauguration, held on April 24, 2026, follows a DHQ statement issued earlier on January 26, 2026, which first disclosed the alleged breach of national security.

According to a statement signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the move underscores the Armed Forces’ commitment to discipline, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.

The DHQ emphasized that proceedings will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality, and strict adherence to due process. It assured that justice will be served “without fear or favour,” with all cases addressed within the legal frameworks of the military justice system.

The Army further noted that the rights of all personnel will be respected and the principles of fair hearing upheld throughout the trial.

“The inauguration marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, professionalism, and the rule of law within the Armed Forces,” the statement read.