New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • NNPC warns public against fraudulent claims on refinery scrap sales, reaffirms commitment to transparency

    NNPC warns public against fraudulent claims on refinery scrap sales, reaffirms commitment to transparency

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has alerted the public to the circulation of false information suggesting that the Company is selling scrap materials, equipment, or components from its refineries to individuals and private firms.

    In a statement issued by Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC categorically denied the claims, stressing that it has not issued any request for bids, tenders, expressions of interest, or approvals for the sale of refinery assets.

    The Company disclosed that it has received reports of individuals falsely presenting themselves as NNPC representatives or agents, claiming to facilitate the sale of “scrap metals” or refinery equipment. NNPC emphasized that such persons are unauthorized and are attempting to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

    NNPC therefore advised the public, corporate organizations, and industry stakeholders to disregard any such solicitations and exercise caution in dealing with individuals making these representations. For clarity, the Company stated that it is not conducting, nor has it authorized, any sale of scrap metals, refinery equipment, or components from any of its facilities.

    According to Odeh, any legitimate disposal of assets by NNPC will only be carried out through established and transparent processes, publicly communicated via official channels and in line with applicable regulations.

    Members of the public who encounter individuals or entities making such claims are encouraged to report the matter to law enforcement authorities.

    NNPC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of Nigeria’s energy assets.

  • Police arrest two interstate motorcycle thieves, recover stolen bikes in Ibadan

    Police arrest two interstate motorcycle thieves, recover stolen bikes in Ibadan

    IBADAN, Nigeria (NPA) —The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspected motorcycle thieves believed to be operating across state lines and recovered three stolen motorcycles in a coordinated operation.

    The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Ibrahim Adebisi and 23-year-old Hussein Haruna, were apprehended following credible intelligence on a motorcycle theft network targeting parked bikes.

    According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered a swift operation that led to Adebisi’s arrest at his residence without incident.

    During interrogation, Adebisi reportedly confessed to stealing motorcycles from Ilesa in neighbouring Osun State and transporting them to the Ojoo area of Ibadan for sale. Acting on the information, police operatives moved to the Ojoo axis, where Haruna was arrested. He allegedly admitted to receiving and facilitating the sale of stolen motorcycles.

    Further investigation led to the recovery of two unregistered Boxer motorcycles and one unregistered TVS Neo NX ladies’ motorcycle.

    Police said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate who are currently at large and to recover additional stolen motorcycles already distributed by the suspects.

    The Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Rilwan Disu, for his continued support and strategic leadership in enhancing operational effectiveness across commands.

    The Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.

  • Nigerian troops record major gains in northeast, rescue 15 abducted victims

    Nigerian troops record major gains in northeast, rescue 15 abducted victims

    MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have achieved significant operational successes across Borno State, repelling coordinated terrorist attacks, conducting follow-up air strikes, and rescuing 15 abducted women and children.

    Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that ISWAP commander Abu Umar Bundi Munzir, who led a failed assault on Kukareta, was among those neutralised. Military sources confirmed that attacks on Kanama, Ngoshe, and Banki communities were repelled without casualties, as insurgents were decisively overpowered.

    In sustained offensives, air interdiction missions at Sowolwolo in the Sambisa Forest neutralised three terrorist groups, further weakening their capacity. Another strike at Kaniram in the Mallam Fatori axis eliminated scores of fighters observed conducting burials after earlier precision attacks.

    Troops of 26 Brigade also carried out search-and-rescue operations along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis, freeing 15 women and children previously kidnapped. The military said the victims are receiving care and will be reunited with their families after preliminary procedures.

    In a separate incident, following their recent heavy losses in battles, suspected JAS fighters fired projectiles toward Gwoza in retaliation, though no casualties or damage were recorded in the attacks.

    Military sources described the coordinated operations as a major boost to counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, stressing that troops continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

  • Court affirms FCCPC’s authority over banks, fines UBA ₦2m

    Court affirms FCCPC’s authority over banks, fines UBA ₦2m

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Consumer rights advocacy in Nigeria’s banking sector received a major boost as the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

    In its ruling, presiding Justice James Omotosho affirmed the Commission’s statutory authority to investigate consumer complaints involving banks and other financial institutions. The court held that the FCCPC is the proper agency to handle such matters, citing Sections 1, 2, 17(e), and 104 of the FCCPC Act, 2018.

    UBA had sought to rely on Section 251(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 65(1)(a) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 to argue that the FCCPC lacked jurisdiction. Justice Omotosho rejected this argument, stressing that neither BOFIA nor the Central Bank of Nigeria Act confers consumer complaint powers on the CBN.

    Consequently, the court fined UBA ₦2 million for filing what it described as a “frivolous and unmeritorious case.”

    Reacting to the judgment, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr Tunji Bello, hailed the decision as a significant milestone for bank customers. “This ruling reinforces confidence that consumers in every sector of the economy, including financial services, are entitled to accessible channels for complaint resolution and lawful redress,” he said.

  • Three years of war in Sudan, EU calls for immediate ceasefire

    Three years of war in Sudan, EU calls for immediate ceasefire

    AFRICA/INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The European Union has renewed its call for peace in Sudan as the country enters its third year of war, warning that the conflict continues to devastate lives and undermine the aspirations of the 2018/19 revolution.

    In a statement on 21 April 2026, the EU High Representative reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, rejecting unilateral attempts to establish parallel governance that could risk partition. Preventing escalation into a full‑scale regional war, the EU stressed, remains paramount.

    The statement highlighted the Sudan Conference in Berlin held on 15 April, which demonstrated international resolve to pressure the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and affiliated militias to end hostilities.

    Recalling the October 2025 Council Conclusions, the EU urged all actors to engage in negotiations towards an immediate and lasting ceasefire. It expressed readiness to support credible peace initiatives, including international monitoring mechanisms, and called on external actors to stop fuelling the war.

    Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worsening, with civilians targeted, famine conditions persisting, and mass displacement destabilising communities and the wider region. The EU condemned attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities, aid workers, and humanitarian convoys, stressing that obstruction of relief efforts may constitute war crimes.

    At the Berlin Conference, donors pledged €1.5 billion in aid, including €812 million from the EU and its Member States, to support humanitarian response and protect critical infrastructure.

    The EU also denounced grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including systematic sexual and gender‑based violence, with rape used as a weapon of war. It pledged support for accountability mechanisms such as the UN Fact‑Finding Mission and the ICC, noting that sanctions targeting the war economy remain under consideration.

    Reaffirming support for Sudanese aspirations for democratic governance, the EU welcomed the Joint Call to End the War and Advance a Sudanese‑Owned Political Process, agreed by civilian actors at the Berlin Conference under the AU‑led Quintet. The statement concluded: “It is long overdue to bring this devastating conflict to an end.”

  • Police arrest female suspect, recover hijacked vehicle in Cape Town

    Police arrest female suspect, recover hijacked vehicle in Cape Town

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa (NPA) — The South African Police Service’s Makhaza Anti‑Hijacking Team on Tuesday afternoon arrested a 22‑year‑old female suspect linked to a hijacking gang and recovered a delivery vehicle stolen in Khayelitsha, Western Cape.

    According to police, the team was alerted at approximately 12:45 to the hijacking of a delivery vehicle in the Makhaza area. Officers swiftly mobilised and traced the vehicle to Nxaruni Street, J‑Section, Khayelitsha, where the driver and passenger were found. The victims reported that suspects had transferred all parcels into another vehicle before fleeing.

    Following up on intelligence, officers raided a premises in Mcewule Street, J‑Section, Khayelitsha, where stolen property valued at an estimated R250,000 was recovered. The female suspect was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property in connection with a Lingelethu West case. She is expected to appear before the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.

    Vehicle hijackings remain a major security challenge in South Africa, with between 50 and 60 vehicles reportedly hijacked daily across provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. These crimes are often carried out by organised syndicates targeting popular vehicle models for resale, dismantling, or cross‑border smuggling. Tactics range from impersonating police officers to ambushes on highways and residential driveways, underscoring the sophistication of criminal networks.

    Authorities note that underlying drivers include high unemployment, inequality, and a thriving illicit market for stolen vehicles. In response, the government has intensified law enforcement efforts, deploying specialised anti‑hijacking units, increasing patrols, and conducting rapid‑response operations that have led to arrests and recoveries. Police are also working with private security firms and using technology such as vehicle tracking systems to disrupt syndicates.

    Targeted crackdowns on organised crime groups and improved intelligence‑sharing are being implemented to address root causes. While these measures have yielded successes, experts stress that sustained investment in policing, border control, and socio‑economic reforms is essential to significantly reduce vehicle hijackings in South Africa.

  • Immigration Service, Police chiefs meet to strengthen security collaboration

    Immigration Service, Police chiefs meet to strengthen security collaboration

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Comptroller‑General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), CGI Kemi Nandap, today hosted the Inspector‑General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, in a courtesy visit aimed at deepening inter‑agency cooperation.

    According to a statement signed by DCI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, on 21 April 2026, the high‑level engagement focused on strengthening collaboration in national security, border management, intelligence sharing, capacity building, and coordinated responses to transnational crimes.

    Both agencies underscored the importance of synergy in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and enhancing internal security architecture. They reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in tackling emerging threats.

    In her remarks, the Comptroller‑General expressed appreciation for the visit and emphasised the Service’s readiness to deepen strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. She noted that effective law enforcement, improved migration governance, and national stability depend on sustained collaboration.

    The meeting comes as IGP Disu continues his nationwide tour of police formations, part of his effort to recalibrate policing and strengthen security since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Disu was named Acting Inspector‑General of Police on 24 February 2026 and confirmed as substantive IGP on 2 March 2026 following approval by the Nigeria Police Council.

    The engagement between the two institutions is seen as a significant step towards consolidating Nigeria’s internal security framework, ensuring that both border management and policing strategies are harmonised to meet current and future challenges.

  • FRSC impounds dangerously overloaded vehicle in Bauchi, cautioned road users

    FRSC impounds dangerously overloaded vehicle in Bauchi, cautioned road users

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has impounded a dangerously overloaded vehicle with passengers sitting atop cargo, in clear violation of road safety regulations and endangering lives.

    In a statement, the FRSC RS12.12 Darazo Unit Command confirmed the interception of the vehicle along the Bauchi–Kari route. Images released by the corps show passengers precariously seated on piled goods, highlighting what it described as a “gross violation of safety standards.”

    The FRSC reiterated that overloading is not merely a traffic offence but a life-threatening act. It compromises vehicle stability, increases stopping distance, and places both passengers and other road users at grave risk.

    “No journey is worth the life of commuters wanting to deliver goods beyond a vehicle’s capacity,” the corps cautioned, urging drivers and vehicle owners to strictly adhere to prescribed loading limits.

    “Drivers and vehicle owners are strongly advised to ensure that human lives are never treated as cargo,” the statement added.

  • Police rescue all abducted Benue Links passengers and Jamb students, arrest suspects

    Police rescue all abducted Benue Links passengers and Jamb students, arrest suspects

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Police Force has announced the successful rescue of all passengers kidnapped in the Otukpo axis of Benue State, including students travelling on a Benue Links bus to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.

    The incident occurred on 15 April 2026, when 18 passengers were abducted. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Benue State Police Command launched coordinated clearance operations across the Amla Forest corridor and adjoining areas. These efforts led to the safe recovery of the remaining 13 victims, including eight students en route to Otukpo for their UTME examinations. All 18 passengers have now been accounted for, medically evaluated, and are in stable condition. They will be reunited with their families after debriefing.

    According to a statement issued on 20 April 2026 by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, seven suspects were arrested during the operation, three of whom have been positively identified as members of the kidnapping syndicate. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional accomplices and dismantle the wider criminal network.

    Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu commended the professionalism and gallantry of the Benue State Command, directing intensified clearance operations within the Otukpo axis to ensure communities remain safe.

    The IGP reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property nationwide, pledging sustained operations to restore public confidence. He urged citizens to support the Police with timely and credible information to enhance collective safety.

  • Amnesty International raises alarm as 1,100 abducted in Northern Nigeria, urges Tinubu to act fast

    Amnesty International raises alarm as 1,100 abducted in Northern Nigeria, urges Tinubu to act fast

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Rights group Amnesty International has called on President Bola Tinubu and his government to urgently tackle what it described as a horrifying surge of abductions targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Nigeria.

    In its latest infographic on abductions, Amnesty reported that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026.

    The breakdown includes:

    • 3 January — 57 abducted in Kasuwan Daji, Niger State (North-Central).
    • 3 February — 176 abducted in Woro village, Kaiama LGA, Kwara State; 200 killed in the same attack.
    • 19 February — 92 abducted in Tsafe axis, Zamfara State (North-West).
    • 18 January — 166 abducted in Kajuru, Kaduna State; followed by 30 abducted on 22 March in Kachia, Kaduna.
    • 30 March — 18 abducted in Mayanci, Zamfara State.
    • 2 April — 150 abducted in Bukkuyum, Zamfara State.
    • 3 March — Over 400 abducted in Ngoshe town, Gwoza LGA, Borno State (North-East), after Boko Haram fighters laid siege.
    • 19 March — 100 abducted in Kumbo Forest, Borno State (reportedly released).
    • First week of April — 150 abducted in Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji villages, Bukkuyum LGA, Zamfara State.

    Amnesty described the situation as “deeply alarming,” warning that the scale of abductions reflects a worsening security crisis that threatens vulnerable communities.

    The organisation urged the Nigerian government to act decisively, stressing that failure to protect citizens undermines both national stability and fundamental human rights.