New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • CDS orders all-out offensive to crush banditry in North West

    CDS orders all-out offensive to crush banditry in North West

    GUSAU, Nigeria (Agency Report) —The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of Operation Fansan Yamma to intensify operations against bandits and criminal elements in the North West, declaring that Nigeria must be made safe “at all costs.”

    Oluyede gave the directive during an operational visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, in Gusau.

    The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba.

    According to Uba, the visit was aimed at assessing operational readiness, addressing challenges confronting troops, and boosting morale in ongoing efforts to restore peace and security across the region.

    Addressing the troops, the CDS commended their resilience, courage, and sacrifices in defence of the nation, urging them to remain disciplined, professional, and relentless in the fight against banditry and terrorism.

    “The safety of our citizens rests on our shoulders. You must remain resolute and go after these criminals until they are eliminated. We must make Nigeria safe at all costs,” he said.

    Oluyede assured personnel of continued support in welfare, training, and provision of critical operational equipment to enhance battlefield effectiveness.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining pressure on criminal groups until lasting peace is restored across the North West and the country at large.

    The CDS also highlighted the role of air power in ongoing operations, noting that efforts were underway to strengthen capabilities through the acquisition of additional platforms and improved inter-theatre coordination.

    As part of the visit, Oluyede paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, expressing appreciation for the state government’s support to the Armed Forces.

    He also commended residents of Zamfara State for their cooperation and urged continued collaboration, particularly in providing timely and credible intelligence.

    In his remarks, Lawal lauded the military for their sacrifices and sustained efforts toward restoring peace in the state and the wider North West region.

    The visit featured an operational briefing, interaction with troops, inspection of deployments, and a media engagement.

  • Amnesty International accuses NBC of attempting to gag journalists with Formal Notice

    Amnesty International accuses NBC of attempting to gag journalists with Formal Notice

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International has strongly condemned what it described as the latest “outrageous and desperate attempt” by Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to gag journalists and the media, following the issuance of a controversial formal notice to broadcasters dated 17 April 2026.

    The rights organisation said the commission has no authority to dictate how journalists should carry out their work.

    “The notice, which targets political broadcasts and anchors of current affairs programmes, imposes unduly restrictive and invasive controls on the media. The bizarre directive is an attempt to pressure journalists and media organisations into self-censorship,” Amnesty stated.

    It emphasised that Nigeria’s vibrant broadcast media, with its independent editorial content, enables citizens to freely seek, debate, and share information, as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

    Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to stop using the NBC in what it described as an “unrelenting quest” to silence journalists and media organisations vital to maintaining an independent and diverse media space.

    “The latest threat issued by NBC is authoritarian and unconstitutional. Broadcasters must continue doing their job fiercely and independently, without fear,” the statement concluded.

  • South African cities, Lagos rank among top crime hotspots in global index

    South African cities, Lagos rank among top crime hotspots in global index

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Several African cities have ranked among the world’s highest in crime levels, according to the latest Current Crime Index released by Numbeo (a crowd-sourced online database that provides information on cost of living, crime, healthcare, pollution, and quality of life across cities worldwide), highlighting growing safety concerns across parts of the continent.

    In the rankings, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria emerged as the two most crime-affected cities globally, with crime index scores of 81.9 and 81.7 respectively, alongside extremely low safety ratings.

    Other South African cities also featured prominently, including Johannesburg (80.8), Durban (80.4), Port Elizabeth (78.3), and Cape Town (73.5), reinforcing concerns about persistent urban crime in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

    In West Africa, Lagos ranked 28th globally with a crime index of 69.0 and a safety index of 31.0, placing it among the highest in the region.

    Southern Africa also recorded high figures, with Windhoek posting a crime index of 67.4, while Harare recorded 61.8. In East Africa, Nairobi ranked 78th globally with a crime index of 59.1.

    North African cities appeared relatively lower on the index, with Casablanca at 55.4, Cairo at 49.8, and Algiers at 50.8, suggesting comparatively moderate crime perception levels.

    Globally, cities outside Africa also featured among the highest, including Caracas and Port Moresby, underscoring the widespread nature of urban crime challenges.

    The index, which is based on user-contributed data measuring perceptions of crime levels, safety concerns, and experiences with property and violent crimes, indicates that many African urban centres continue to grapple with insecurity, economic pressures, and rapid urbanisation.

    Analysts say the trend highlights the urgent need for strengthened policing, improved economic opportunities, and urban planning reforms to address crime and enhance public safety across the continent.

    The report adds to ongoing debates about security and governance in Africa’s fast-growing cities, where population expansion continues to outpace infrastructure and social services.

    At the lower end of the ranking, cities with the least perceived crime levels globally include Abu Dhabi (11.1), Ajman (12.6), and Ras Al Khaimah (14.6), reflecting significantly higher safety ratings compared to most urban centres worldwide.

  • Ogun Police arrest four suspected cultists, recover weapons and stolen phone

    Ogun Police arrest four suspected cultists, recover weapons and stolen phone

    ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists for assault, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, recovering a locally made pistol, axe, charms, and a stolen iPhone in the Ilaro axis of the state.

    Operatives of the Ilaro Division apprehended Samson John (25), Olufowora Michael (28), Odeh Samuel Ejeh (25), and Olajide Jeremiah (28) following a report lodged at the station.

    According to a statement signed by DSP Oluseyi B. Babasayi, Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on April 20, 2026, the complainant reported that earlier on April 16 at about 1:00 p.m., Samson John, accompanied by six others, stormed his residence, assaulted him, threatened him with an axe, and robbed him of his iPhone 14 Pro Max.

    Police operatives swiftly responded and, during investigation, recovered a locally made pistol, an axe, suspected charms, and the stolen phone. The suspects are in custody, while efforts continue to apprehend fleeing members of the gang. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

    Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism. He reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism and violent crimes, assuring residents that criminal elements will be decisively dealt with.

    The Command urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through its emergency lines.

  • U.S. forces disable Iranian vessel violating blockade

    U.S. forces disable Iranian vessel violating blockade

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that U.S. forces disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to enter an Iranian port in violation of the ongoing naval blockade.

    CENTCOM said the operation was carried out on April 19 by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), which intercepted the vessel, identified as M/V Touska, in the northern Arabian Sea while en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

    According to the command, U.S. forces issued multiple warnings to the vessel, informing its crew that it was in breach of the blockade. However, the crew reportedly failed to comply with the directives.

    CENTCOM said that after repeated warnings over a six-hour period, the destroyer ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before disabling the vessel’s propulsion system by firing rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the engine compartment.

    The command added that U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the vessel, which is now in U.S. custody.

    It stated that the operation was conducted in a deliberate, professional and proportional manner to ensure compliance with the blockade measures.

    CENTCOM noted that since the commencement of the blockade, U.S. forces have directed at least 25 commercial vessels to turn back or return to Iranian ports.

    The development comes amid rising tensions in the region, following Iran’s reimposition of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. restrictions, a move Washington has described as a violation of a ceasefire agreement reached after recent talks in Islamabad.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of severe consequences if Iran continues to restrict access to the strategic waterway.

  • SERAP urges Tinubu to withdraw NBC directive to broadcaster, warns of threat to press freedom

    SERAP urges Tinubu to withdraw NBC directive to broadcaster, warns of threat to press freedom

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate withdrawal of a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), warning that it poses a threat to press freedom and democratic discourse.

    SERAP, a nonpartisan advocacy organisation, said the NBC’s “Formal Notice” to broadcasters, issued on April 17, 2026, imposes vague and unjustified restrictions on journalists and media houses, including sanctions over the expression of personal opinions, alleged intimidation of guests and failure to maintain neutrality.

    In a letter dated April 18 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on the president to direct the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the NBC to withdraw the notice and refrain from imposing what it described as prior censorship on the media.

    The group also urged the government to review and amend sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code cited in the directive to ensure compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

    SERAP argued that the NBC’s directive represents an attempt to suppress legitimate journalistic expression, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that it could undermine Nigerians’ right to access diverse information and engage in open debate.

    According to the organisation, the provisions relied upon by the NBC are vague, overly broad and open to arbitrary interpretation, failing to meet the legal standards of necessity, proportionality and legitimacy required in a democratic society.

    It noted that the Nigerian Constitution, alongside international instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, guarantees the right to receive and impart information without interference, including the expression of opinions.

    SERAP maintained that journalistic opinion, commentary and analysis are essential elements of media practice and democratic engagement, stressing that a blanket restriction on presenters expressing personal views amounts to prior restraint.

    The organisation also raised concerns over provisions relating to “bullying” or “intimidation,” arguing that the lack of clear definitions could criminalise legitimate and critical questioning, a core feature of investigative journalism.

    It warned that the threat of sanctions for broadly defined infractions could create a chilling effect on journalists, encourage self-censorship and weaken the media’s role as a public watchdog.

    SERAP gave the Federal Government 48 hours to act on its recommendations or risk legal action, reiterating that any regulatory framework must balance accountability with the protection of fundamental rights and freedom of expression.

  • ADC faults planned reintegration of ‘repentant terrorists’

    ADC faults planned reintegration of ‘repentant terrorists’

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria’s major opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the reported plan by the Federal Government to reintegrate repentant terrorists into society, warning that terrorism should not be treated as a “family affair” or a moral metaphor. The party said the move by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suggests a troubling lack of understanding of the nature and scale of the security threat facing the country.

    In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said terrorism remains a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its citizens.

    “It has taken lives, destroyed communities, displaced millions and undermined the foundation of security and economic stability in our country. To respond to such a threat with language that softens its meaning, and policies that prioritise rehabilitation ahead of accountability, is not compassion. It is weakness,” the party said.

    The ADC argued that the government’s approach reflects inconsistency, noting that while it claims to be prosecuting a war against terror, it is also seeking to reintroduce former insurgents into society without clear processes for justice or safeguards for affected communities.

    According to the party, there is no transparency on how individuals are assessed for reintegration, monitored after release, or how host communities are protected. It warned that reintegration without accountability sends the wrong signal to victims and could embolden others to take up violence.

    “Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice. It sends the wrong signal to victims who are still waiting for closure and may encourage others to believe that the consequences of terror can be negotiated,” the statement added.

    The ADC maintained that terrorism must be treated as an existential threat, insisting that those responsible for violent crimes must face the full weight of the law, stressing that the safety of communities and the rights of victims must remain central to any national response.

    The party called for a clear, accountable and firm approach to national security, warning that Nigeria cannot afford mixed signals in the fight against terrorism.

  • Finance Ministry denies revenue diversion, faults misreading of world bank report

    Finance Ministry denies revenue diversion, faults misreading of world bank report

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Finance has denied claims of hidden spending and diversion of federation revenue, describing recent reports based on a World Bank publication as a misrepresentation of facts.

    In a statement signed by the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, on April 19, 2026, the ministry said media reports and commentaries alleging “huge leakages” in Nigeria’s revenue misunderstood the findings of the latest Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank.

    The ministry said claims suggesting that a significant portion of federation earnings is being diverted or classified as “hidden spending” reflect a poor understanding of the country’s fiscal system.

    It clarified that deductions by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which were cited in the report, do not constitute waste or missing funds.

    According to the ministry, such deductions include statutory transfers, savings and investments, security-related expenditures, cost-of-collection charges, refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as transfers and interventions benefiting subnational governments.

    It stressed that refunds and transfers to states and other tiers of government are legitimate fiscal transactions, including repayments of obligations and allocations backed by law.

    The ministry also faulted what it described as the selective use of outdated data in some commentaries, noting that recent reforms highlighted in the World Bank report were largely ignored.

    It said the World Bank acknowledged that reforms introduced in early 2026, including an executive order to safeguard the remittance of petroleum revenues, are already addressing concerns around deductions.

    The reforms, it added, are expected to improve transparency and increase revenues available to all tiers of government by about 0.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product annually.

    Highlighting the broader findings of the report, the ministry said Nigeria’s economic outlook remains positive, with growth becoming more broad-based across sectors.

    It noted that inflation, though still high, is on a downward trend due to policy measures, while the country’s external position has strengthened with improved reserves and a current account surplus.

    The ministry added that debt indicators have also improved, including a decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio for the first time in over a decade.

    According to the statement, the World Bank did not conclude that Nigeria’s fiscal system is collapsing but rather emphasised that ongoing reforms are yielding results and should be sustained.

    The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening fiscal transparency, improving revenue mobilisation and ensuring efficient public spending.

    It also urged stakeholders, media organisations and the public to engage responsibly with fiscal information to avoid misinterpretations that could undermine confidence in the country’s economic reforms. 

  • Zelenskyy condemns Kyiv shooting, confirms multiple casualties

    Zelenskyy condemns Kyiv shooting, confirms multiple casualties

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a deadly shooting incident in Kyiv, yesterday, where a lone gunman went on a rampage, killing and injuring several people.

    Zelenskyy said at least two people were initially confirmed dead and 10 others injured, noting that the number of casualties later rose as more details emerged from the scene.

    According to him, the attacker took hostages during the incident, killing one of them, while four others were shot dead on the street. One additional victim later died in hospital from injuries sustained in the attack.

    “My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he said.

    The president added that four hostages were successfully rescued, while at least 14 people have been reported injured, including a 12-year-old boy. He warned that the casualty figure could increase as more victims seek medical attention.

    Zelenskyy said the attacker was neutralised by security operatives.

    He disclosed that investigators from the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack on civilians in Kyiv.

    Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect had earlier set fire to an apartment before carrying out the shooting. He was also said to have had a prior criminal record and had lived in the Donetsk region, with reports indicating he was born in Russia.

    The president said all available information regarding the suspect and his motives is being thoroughly investigated.

    “Every detail must be verified,” he added.

  • Ogun Police arrest four, recover firearms in multiple operations

    Ogun Police arrest four, recover firearms in multiple operations

    ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered firearms and ammunition in a series of operations across Mowe, Sagamu and Odeda areas of the state.

    The command said the arrests were made through intelligence-led and proactive operations aimed at curbing criminal activities.

    In Mowe, operatives of the division arrested a 36-year-old suspect, Opeyemi Anuoluwapo, on April 14 following credible intelligence about a suspicious individual around Mowe Bus Stop. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel pistol, one expended cartridge and charms. The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity.

    In a separate operation on April 17, operatives of the Quick Response Squad (QRS) on stop-and-search duty at Lafarge along Sagamu/Ogijo Road intercepted a motorcycle rider, Asaye Ajibola, 30. A locally made single-barrel gun loaded with nine cartridges was recovered from him, and he was arrested after failing to give a satisfactory account of the firearm.

    Similarly, on April 18, another QRS team intercepted a motorcycle rider, Adedeji Olufemi, 49, at the same axis. He was found in possession of a locally made double-barrel gun with eight cartridges and was arrested.

    Also on April 18, a suspected accidental shooting occurred at the Sawmill area of Osiele in Odeda Local Government Area. Police said a local vigilante member, Mutiu Sadiku, allegedly discharged a firearm while returning from the farm, injuring three persons.

    The suspect was arrested, and the firearm was recovered in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps. The injured victims were taken to medical facilities and are reported to be in stable condition.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved and reiterated the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against unlawful possession of firearms, cultism and other violent crimes.

    He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.