New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • NDLEA arrests UK-bound 74-year-old grandfather with 11kg of cocaine

    NDLEA arrests UK-bound 74-year-old grandfather with 11kg of cocaine

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 15 — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old grandfather, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, after discovering a large consignment of cocaine concealed in foil papers and balloons inside his luggage.

    According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, the septuagenarian claimed he was travelling to London for vacation and was attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026. “During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” Babafemi said.

    In a separate operation, the agency, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Mrs Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites, Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Monday, March 9. She was caught attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. At the time of her arrest, she was with her three children, including an infant. She confessed that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day, while she was released immediately.

    Ibrahim admitted ownership of the illicit substances in his statement. Further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.

  • Kenya county commissioner issues two-week ultimatum to illegal firearm holders

    Kenya county commissioner issues two-week ultimatum to illegal firearm holders

    NAIROBI— (KNA-Peter Gitonga) March 15 — The Kenyan Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to persons in illegal possession of firearms to surrender them.

    Speaking on Friday during the 5th Edition of the Kenya Public–Private Sector MSMEs Dialogue (MSMEs Connect) in Lodwar, County commissioner Julius Kavita said after the two weeks the security agencies will conduct a forceful disarmament.

    “We are appealing to those in possession of firearms illegally to take them to the chiefs, who will hand them over to the police; failure to do so, and we shall come for them. The culprits will not be spared either,” warned Kavita.

    The warning comes at a time when the government is conducting an operation in Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu, among other banditry-prone areas.

    Kavita said the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for traders, transporters and passengers.

    The County has enjoyed relative calm since the operation commenced, with zero incidents of cattle rustling and highway robbery being reported in the last two weeks.

    Kavita attributed this to the operation, saying the government will not relent in dealing with criminal elements sabotaging peace efforts.

    Insecurity had threatened economic activities in the region, including the proposed mega irrigation project along the Turkana-West Pokot border that seeks to boost food security.

    Additionally, oil exploration and development are facing Insecurity challenges if residents’ concerns during the public participation exercise are anything to go by.

    Some residents warned that Oil production would not take place until insecurity was addressed.

    When he visited the county last month, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would deal firmly with bandits.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Shock in Ikorodu as two female corpses wash ashore within a week

    EXCLUSIVE: Shock in Ikorodu as two female corpses wash ashore within a week

    LAGOS, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 15 — Residents of Owode-Ibeshe community in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State have been left in shock after the body of a young woman was discovered washed out of the lagoon, barely a week after another female corpse was found in the same location.

    The bodies were recovered behind the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (ILT), an NPA-approved facility, adjacent to the popular Ajose Bus Stop after Rabaka, often referred to locally as the “Dangote Container Yard” due to the heavy presence of Dangote trucks and cargo operations in the facility.

    An eyewitness, a staff member of ILT who requested anonymity, told our correspondent that both corpses were washed ashore at the same spot, just a week apart. 

    Residents expressed concern that the victims were not known members of the community and may have been carried downstream by strong currents from other parts of Lagos, as the lagoon stretches across the state. 

    The latest victim was described as a young woman in her twenties, dressed in tight-fitting clothing.

    According to the eyewitness, who expressed his worry, the earlier corpse was evacuated by Lagos State authorities after the terminal contacted officials, who arrived with a boat. 

    Residents are now calling on the state government and security agencies to investigate the unsettling coincidence, which has sparked panic in the area, and to determine what may have happened to the two women whose bodies were washed out of the lagoon, and locate their families.

  • Nigerian Navy destroys illegal oil storage site in Rivers State

    Nigerian Navy destroys illegal oil storage site in Rivers State

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 15 — The Nigerian Navy says its Operation Delta Sentinel has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site in the Niger Delta, as part of intensified efforts to curb oil theft and bunkering.

    In a statement issued Saturday, the Navy confirmed that personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny uncovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath dense vegetation in the Opotumbi area of Rivers State. Using maritime surveillance technology, the operation discovered four pits containing an estimated 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. The products were destroyed in line with operational guidelines.

    The Navy described the action as evidence of renewed momentum in tackling crude oil theft and maritime crimes, highlighting continuous patrols, enhanced surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard national assets and Nigeria’s economic interests.

    Illegal oil bunkering remains pervasive in the Niger Delta, costing Nigeria billions of dollars annually in lost revenue. Beyond the economic damage, the practice has severe environmental consequences, including oil spills, soot pollution, and the destruction of farmlands and waterways. Communities face chronic air and water contamination, declining fish stocks, and rising health risks, while cleanup costs run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite repeated crackdowns, the trade persists, driven by its profitability and limited economic alternatives in the region.

  • South Africa deploys 2 200 soldiers to five provinces

    South Africa deploys 2 200 soldiers to five provinces

    PRETORIA-SA (Agency Report) March 15 — President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces of his decision to deploy 2 200 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

    This is in line with section 201 (3) (a)(b)(c) and (d) of the Constitution.

    According to the Presidency, the deployment serves to prevent and combat crime, and support and preserve law and order under Operation Prosper which is targeting illegal mining and gangsterism. 

    “The deployed members of the SANDF will assist the South African Police Service to prevent and combat illegal mining and gangsterism in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape.

    “The deployment is for the period 01 March 2026 until 31 March 2027,” said the Presidency in a statement on Friday.

    Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, directs that, “Only the President, as head of the national executive, may authorise the employment of the defence force in co-operation with the police service”.

    The Presidency said expenditure for this employment is estimated at R823 153 960.

    During the State of the Nation Address 2026, President Ramaphosa announced the intention to deploy the South Africa National Defence to areas afflicted by illegal mining and gang violence. 

    President Ramaphosa has called on communities to welcome and work more closely with the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force to identify and alienate criminal elements and make neighbourhoods safer in the process. (SAnews.gov.za).

  • IGP Disu starts on a good note as police arrest 32 suspected bandits in Kwara

    IGP Disu starts on a good note as police arrest 32 suspected bandits in Kwara

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — The Kwara State Police Command, under IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has arrested 32 suspected bandits, showcasing discipline, clarity, and strategic purpose. Aliyu Giwa, Force New Media Officer, said the arrest followed credible intelligence, careful planning, and courageous execution by officers working under a leadership that demands professionalism and precision.

    The statement noted: “Policing under IGP Disu will not be defined by reaction alone, but by anticipation—by intelligence that keeps the Force ahead of criminals, strategic deployment of resources, and decisive, lawful action. The Kwara operation reflects that philosophy in practice.”

    Since assuming office, IGP Disu has maintained a firm grip on operations, reinvigorated command structures, sharpened intelligence frameworks, and reminded officers that discipline and purpose are the foundation of effective policing. Criminal elements, once emboldened, now find their space rapidly closing.

    “This is the Nigeria Police Force under new direction: vigilant, coordinated, resolute. To the officers who executed this operation with courage and professionalism—your conduct honours the uniform and reflects the standard IGP Disu has set for every command nationwide.”

    Banditry in Kwara State escalated in 2026, with deadly attacks and kidnappings across Kwara South and Kaiama. The worst incident came in February, when armed bandits stormed Woro village, killing at least 35 people and burning homes and shops. 

    Security analyst commendations have followed IGP Disu’s attention to the crisis, though calls remain for sustained action to fully stem the banditry and terrorism in the state.

  • Nigerian forces crush ISWAP fighters close to Cameroon border

    Nigerian forces crush ISWAP fighters close to Cameroon border

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — Troops of Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Army have thwarted an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists at Bitta, a village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State near the Cameroon border, dealing a decisive blow to the insurgents.

    The victory followed a failed assault by ISWAP fighters who, in a desperate bid to regain the initiative after recent battlefield setbacks, advanced towards the troops’ position. The soldiers launched coordinated spoiling actions that disrupted the attackers’ formation while manoeuvring to block their withdrawal routes. The terrorists were met with overwhelming resistance and superior firepower, forcing them into a chaotic retreat with heavy losses.

    According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, this marks the third major defeat inflicted on the terrorists within 24 hours, following failed attacks at Banki and Azir Bridge. These successive setbacks underscore the sustained operational pressure mounted by the troops, which has severely constrained ISWAP’s freedom of action and denied them opportunities to exploit propaganda narratives.

    The statement added: “Troops remain firmly in control of all locations and continue to dominate the operational environment with high morale, superior tactical coordination, and sustained offensive action. The Military High Command commended the troops for their continuous gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo.”

  • Heroic Nigerian Army storms kidnappers’ den in Benue, rescues five and seizes weapons

    Heroic Nigerian Army storms kidnappers’ den in Benue, rescues five and seizes weapons

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army freed five kidnapped victims in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, and recovered pistols and ammunition in separate raids described as offensive actions to restore peace in the Joint Operations Area.

    According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, the rescued individuals are Babaji Muhammad, 40, abducted along Chede Takun Road and held for ten days; Sunday Yamusa, 45, detained for six weeks; Annumba Obunde, 40, and Babangida Ibbi, 41, both abducted along Tor Donga Road; and Doofan Ahula, 54, held for one month and two days after being taken along Chede Takun Road.

    The statement added that on March 13, troops acting on intelligence about bandits at Mtam Village, Utange Council Ward, Katsina-Ala LGA, conducted a rapid response operation. The criminals fled before arrival, but troops recovered items including camouflage, desert boots, a smoke grenade, 107 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Dane gun, six pistols, magazines, motorcycles, and charms.

    Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops’ professionalism and urged them to sustain momentum against criminal elements. He also thanked the public for credible intelligence and encouraged continued reporting of suspicious activities to support peace efforts in the region.

  • Police, Ondo security agencies arrest 99 suspects in statewide raid

    Police, Ondo security agencies arrest 99 suspects in statewide raid

    ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — The Ondo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 99 suspects during a coordinated statewide raid on February 8, 2026. The operation, which involved the Ondo State Police Command, the 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Directorate of State Services (DSS), and the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), targeted criminal hideouts, black spots, and flashpoints across the state.

    The suspects are allegedly linked to armed robbery, burglary, theft, cultism, and other crimes. Stolen property and incriminating exhibits were reportedly recovered during the raids. Authorities confirmed that the individuals are undergoing screening and profiling, with those found culpable to be charged in court.

    According to a statement by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Saturday, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the professionalism and synergy displayed by all participating agencies. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and joint operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks.

    Lawal warned that Ondo State will not serve as a haven for criminals and urged residents to support security agencies with timely, credible, and actionable information. He emphasised that sustained collaboration between the public and security forces is vital to maintaining peace and order across the state.

    Recent crime statistics in Ondo State show a rise in cult-related violence and petty theft, particularly in urban centres such as Akure and Ondo town. Security agencies say the latest raid is part of a broader crackdown aimed at curbing these trends, restoring public confidence, and ensuring that communities remain safe for residents and businesses.

  • Ogun police clarify: Broda Shaggi not shot in Ogun State

    Ogun police clarify: Broda Shaggi not shot in Ogun State

    ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 13, 2026 — The Ogun State Police Command has clarified reports circulating on social media alleging that popular Nigerian comedian and entertainer Broda Shaggi was shot in Ogun State.

    In a statement issued Friday by DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, Police Public Relations Officer, the Command stressed that the reports were false. It noted that no such incident occurred within Ogun State jurisdiction and that no case of the alleged shooting has been reported at any police formation across the state.

    The statement read: “In line with the Command’s commitment to professionalism and transparency, investigations have been initiated to ascertain the facts and verify the claim. The Command is actively carrying out necessary investigations to determine the true circumstances of the report.”

    The Command further advised citizens to rely solely on official police communication while investigations continue. It reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of all residents and the maintenance of law and order across Ogun State.