New Post Africa

Category: Crime Diary

  • NAPTIP Responds to Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse in Nigerian Daycare Centres

    NAPTIP Responds to Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse in Nigerian Daycare Centres

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a public statement reaffirming its statutory responsibility to investigate cases of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

    The announcement follows widespread online debate in Nigeria over allegations of child sexual abuse in daycare facilities, including accusations, counter-accusations, and subsequent recantations.

    In its statement released Tuesday, NAPTIP said: “We are closely monitoring recent public discussions and concerns regarding alleged incidents of child sexual abuse and misconduct in daycare settings across Nigeria. The Agency remains committed to thoroughly investigating credible reports.”

    The agency urged members of the public to provide verifiable information, stating: “We kindly request anyone with factual evidence, direct knowledge, or personal experience related to these matters to contact us confidentially via direct message or email at info@naptip.gov.ng.”

    Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that Nigerian police had arrested a TikTok user, Mirabel, after she raised allegations of rape, which she later recanted and publicly apologised for, admitting the claims were false. READ HERE

  • Nigeria Accused of Paying Billions in Ransom to Boko Haram for Release of Schoolchildren — AFP

    Nigeria Accused of Paying Billions in Ransom to Boko Haram for Release of Schoolchildren — AFP

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): Agence France-Presse (AFP) has reported that the Nigerian government allegedly paid millions of dollars in ransom to Boko Haram to secure the release of more than 230 children and staff abducted from a Catholic boarding school in November. Intelligence sources cited by AFP claim that, as part of the deal, two senior Boko Haram commanders were also freed.

    According to AFP, the ransom money was flown by helicopter to Boko Haram’s stronghold in Gwoza, Borno State, near the Cameroon border, and handed over to militant commander Ali Ngulde. Due to poor communications in the remote area, Ngulde reportedly crossed into Cameroon to confirm receipt of the funds before the first group of 100 children was released.

    The mass abduction at St. Mary’s Boarding School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21 triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria. While dozens of children managed to escape, the remaining captives were freed two weeks later following negotiations led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The Nigerian government has consistently denied paying ransom to terrorist groups, reiterating its stance after the Papiri incident.

    Boko Haram, founded in northeastern Nigeria in 2002, began as a religious movement opposing Western-style education and secular governance. Over time, it transformed into a violent insurgency responsible for mass abductions, attacks on schools, and widespread displacement. The group seeks to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law, rejecting democracy and secular institutions. Though splinter factions such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have emerged, Boko Haram’s core objective remains the destabilization of Nigeria’s secular governance.

    Here’s a rewritten version of your report section, expanded to about two hundred words:

    The Nigerian government has not yet issued an official response to the recent AFP report. However, its stance on matters of national security remains consistent and firm. Authorities continue to emphasize that ransom payments to terrorist groups are strictly against policy, reiterating that such actions only serve to embolden criminal networks and undermine broader counterterrorism efforts. Instead, the government has pledged to intensify its strategies for combating terrorism, focusing on renewed vigour in both military operations and intelligence-driven approaches.

  • Armed Intruder Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate: Motive Still Unclear

    Armed Intruder Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate: Motive Still Unclear

    Palm Beach, Florida (NPA) – U.S. authorities are continuing to investigate the motive of an armed man who was fatally shot after breaching security at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

    The suspect, armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel container, attempted to enter the property through the north gate at approximately 1:30 a.m. He was confronted by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy. The incident ended when the man crossed into a restricted zone and was shot.

    As of the time of filing this report, investigators have not established a definitive motive. Authorities are examining whether the breach was politically motivated, driven by personal grievances, or linked to mental instability. So far, only the circumstances of the intrusion and the weapons carried have been confirmed.

    The breach raises questions given Mar-a-Lago’s extensive security measures. The estate is protected by a layered system overseen by the U.S. Secret Service, including robotic patrol units equipped with cameras and sensors, multiple gated entry points monitored by armed agents and local law enforcement, high-definition surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and strict access controls with background checks for visitors and staff. A 24/7 rapid response protocol is also in place.

    Investigators now face the challenge of piecing together what the suspect intended before entering the restricted zone and being neutralized.

  • Court Convicts Firm for Illegal Bureau de Change Operations in Lagos

    Court Convicts Firm for Illegal Bureau de Change Operations in Lagos

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, February 20, 2026, convicted AP Mcnisi Initiatives Limited for operating a Bureau de Change (BDC) business without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The company was fined ₦500,000, with the court ordering that its assets of equivalent value be forfeited to the federal government if the fine is not paid.

    The conviction followed a one-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, alleging illegal foreign exchange transactions. Prosecutors told the court that the firm received ₦10 million for conversion into U.S. dollars but failed to deliver the agreed sum. Investigations revealed the company lacked a valid CBN licence to operate as a BDC.

    Adekunle Fadibe Mcnisi, identified as the company’s principal, admitted the firm had no regulatory approval. The defendant later refunded the complainant, but Justice Dipeolu ruled that the offence contravened Section 11(1)(a) of the National Economic Intelligence Committee Establishment Act, imposing the fine as penalty.

  • African Union Condemns Mass Killing of Civilians in Zamfara, Nigeria

    African Union Condemns Mass Killing of Civilians in Zamfara, Nigeria

    ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (NPA): The African Union Commission has strongly condemned the killing of more than 50 civilians in Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria, on 21 February 2026.

    In a statement issued on 22 February, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, denounced what he described as “heinous and coordinated terrorist attacks” and the “abduction of women and children.” He stressed that the AU “unequivocally rejects all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children, as grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability.”

    The Chairperson expressed the Union’s solidarity with the Government and people of Nigeria, extending condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. He reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering support for Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity and restore lasting peace.

    Calling for “the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children,” Youssouf urged strengthened, coordinated, and collective action to protect civilians and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities, in line with the AU’s commitment to peace and stability across the continent.

    Reports indicate that the attack was carried out by armed groups on motorcycles, who overran villages and killed residents indiscriminately. Nigerian security forces have pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice and intensify operations against banditry and terrorism in Africa’s most populous country.

  • NDLEA Arrests Woman with Drugs Concealed in Fake Pregnancy; Ivorian Excretes 82 Cocaine Wraps at Kano Airport

    NDLEA Arrests Woman with Drugs Concealed in Fake Pregnancy; Ivorian Excretes 82 Cocaine Wraps at Kano Airport

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA): Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a series of major drug trafficking arrests across the country, including a woman who attempted to smuggle tramadol disguised as a pregnancy and an Ivorian national who excreted 82 wraps of cocaine at Kano airport.

    Fake Pregnancy Arrest at Seme Border

    On Monday, February 16, 2026, NDLEA officers intercepted Rabi Muhammad, a 35-year-old businesswoman from Kano, at the Seme land border. The suspect was found with a protruding stomach, which upon inspection turned out to be a pink-colored calabash strapped to her body. Inside were 3,200 capsules of tramadol, concealed to resemble a baby bump. She was reportedly en route to Cotonou, Benin Republic, to sell the drugs.

    Cocaine Ingestion Case in Kano

    In a separate operation, NDLEA officers arrested Michael Gohouri, a 41-year-old Ivorian also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael, during passenger clearance for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Milan via Addis Ababa. A body scan revealed he had ingested illicit substances. Under observation, he excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. Investigations showed he had ingested the drugs in Kano and was promised €5,000 upon delivery in Milan.

    Arrest of Kolapo Oladapo Raji, Real Estate CEO

    The agency also apprehended Kolapo Oladapo Raji, 57, Chairman/CEO of Trans Fortress Global Resources, a prominent real estate firm. Raji, who had been on NDLEA’s watchlist since 2025, was arrested at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, on February 12, 2026. Officers recovered 89.2 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from four large bags in his apartment.

    Additional Seizures Nationwide

    • Agbara, Ogun State (Feb 19): Ugwuja Kingsley arrested with 56kg of skunk.
    • Oshodi, Lagos (Feb 17): Ekwe Arinze caught with 76kg of skunk.
    • Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Rivers State: Joint operation seized 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
    • Kogi State (Okene/Lokoja Highway): Two suspects, Ezenma Kingsley (26) and Ezeja Anthony (29), arrested with 7,300 tramadol pills.
    • Ondo State (Feb 19): Bright Timothy (28) and Godwin Bernard arrested with 393kg of skunk and seeds in Iju forest.
    • Bauchi State (Feb 17): Yahaya Adamu Gimba (48) arrested with 936kg of skunk in Azare town; additional 85.8kg recovered from accomplices.
    • Delta State (Feb 17): Mgbeme Ejeoma (34) arrested with 37kg of skunk in Ughelli.
    • Edo State (Feb 17): NDLEA raided Etiosa camp in Owan West LGA, destroying 1,266.8kg of skunk across three farms. Two suspects, including a 68-year-old grandmother, were arrested.

    War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaign

    Alongside enforcement, NDLEA continued its WADA sensitization programs nationwide, holding lectures in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent outreach included Government Girls Secondary School in Yobe, Muslim Community High School in Oyo, and Model Government College in Lagos, among others.

  • INEC Disassociates From Fraudulent Online Recruitment, Warns Citizens

    INEC Disassociates From Fraudulent Online Recruitment, Warns Citizens

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA): The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from an online recruitment scheme falsely attributed to the commission.

    A fake website, https://tinyurl.com/INEC-Ad-hoc-Staff-Recruitment, had circulated claims of an ongoing recruitment exercise. In a statement issued on Saturday, INEC clarified that the site is “fake, misleading, and not authorized by the Commission.”

    “The Commission did not approve or originate the link currently circulating as ‘INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment 2026,’” the statement read. INEC urged citizens not to submit personal information through the fraudulent platform, stressing that all official recruitment announcements are made exclusively via its verified website and official communication channels.

    The commission advised the public to disregard the link and remain vigilant against online scams. For further enquiries, INEC provided official contact numbers: 09050858629, 09050858675, and 09050858649.

    Fraudulent recruitment schemes are common in Nigeria, fueled by high unemployment rates. Such scams often exploit the names of government institutions and established brands to deceive unsuspecting individuals into parting with money or exposing personal data.

  • Nigerian Police Confirm Arrest of TikToker Mirabel Over Alleged False Rape Alarm

    Nigerian Police Confirm Arrest of TikToker Mirabel Over Alleged False Rape Alarm

    OGUN STATE, NIGERIA (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Nigerian TikToker Mirabel, known online as @mirab351, for allegedly raising a false alarm of rape and assault.

    On February 15, Mirabel went viral across social media after claiming she had been molested and raped by a man she met online at her residence. Days later, however, she retracted the allegation in a video, admitting that no such attack had occurred and asking for forgiveness.

    Her reversal sparked outrage among social media users, many of whom demanded her arrest and prosecution, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent in an era where clout-chasing has become common on platforms like TikTok. Others questioned whether her denial was part of a broader attempt to shield the alleged attacker from accountability.

    Speaking to SaharaReporters on Friday, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that Mirabel is in custody. “She is with us now and investigation is ongoing,” he said.

    According to Babaseyi, “The facts will tell at the conclusion of our investigation if she will be charged to court. If it is otherwise, the law goes against giving false information, and that can make anyone who gives false information culpable.”

    False rape claims have increasingly surfaced on TikTok and other social media platforms. Analysts note that clout-chasing and attention-seeking are among the primary drivers, as sensational content often attracts followers and visibility. In Mirabel’s case, observers accused her of seeking attention after inconsistencies in her initial video were noticed.

    Experts also point to psychological and emotional factors, including instability and a need for validation, as contributing to such harmful false claims. Police reports in Mirabel’s case highlighted concerns about her mental state.

    The speed and anonymity of social media make it easier to spread unverified claims without immediate consequences. Such false allegations erode public trust, making it harder for genuine survivors to be believed, while also damaging the reputations of accused individuals who face stigma even when proven innocent.

  • Bandits Kill Ondo State Monarch in Palace Attack

    Bandits Kill Ondo State Monarch in Palace Attack

    ONDO STATE, NIGERIA (NPA): Suspected armed bandits attacked the Agomo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, killing the traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Falodun, on Wednesday.

    Eyewitnesses reported that more than ten heavily armed assailants stormed the monarch’s palace and fatally assaulted him during the raid.

    The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued Thursday by its spokesperson, Mr. Abayomi Jimoh. He said the command had launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

    “Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), alongside tactical teams from the command, promptly mobilised officers in collaboration with local security outfits,” Jimoh stated.

    He added that Atuluse Security, local hunters, and Amotekun operatives joined in combing nearby bushes and surrounding areas to apprehend the perpetrators. “Efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects. Monitoring and surveillance activities have been intensified across the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order. The public is assured that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible for the heinous act to justice,” he said.

    Banditry in Nigeria began with sporadic attacks by cattle rustlers and armed gangs around 2011, particularly in Zamfara State. It has since evolved into widespread rural violence, kidnappings, and extortion across the North-West, North-Central, and now increasingly in the South-West.

    The tactics of these groups include mass abductions of schoolchildren and worshippers, burning of villages, and ransom-driven extortion.

    A recent report (January 2026) estimated that 600,000 people were killed in just 11 months, with more than two million kidnappings and ransom payments exceeding ₦2 trillion. In February 2026, one of the deadliest single attacks occurred in Woro village, Kwara State, where 35 people were killed and homes were set ablaze.

    By late 2025, analysts described Nigeria as being “under siege,” with banditry reshaping daily life, destabilizing rural economies, and undermining national security.

  • Nwifuru Relaxes Amasiri Curfew, Insists State’s Demands Must Be Met

    Nwifuru Relaxes Amasiri Curfew, Insists State’s Demands Must Be Met

    ABAKALIKI, EBONYI (Newpost Africa): Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has announced a relaxation of the curfew imposed in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area, following recent communal clashes that claimed several lives.

    The curfew, initially set from 2 p.m. to 10 a.m., has now been adjusted to 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Nwifuru announced on Tuesday at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki. He warned that residents of Amasiri must produce the severed heads of victims of the Okporojo killings within 72 hours or face stringent penalties.

    As of press time, schools remain closed, and economic activities in Amasiri are paralysed as security agencies continue investigations into the unrest.

    The crisis erupted on January 29, 2026, when armed men, allegedly from Amasiri, invaded Okporojo in Afikpo South Local Government Area, setting houses ablaze and killing at least four people.

    In response, Governor Nwifuru dismissed all government appointees from Amasiri, dissolved the community development union leadership and village heads, and withdrew the certificate of the community’s traditional ruler.

    Visibly angered by the killings, Nwifuru described the attack as “most unfortunate,” stressing that he never expected such brutality in the state. He vowed that his administration would act decisively to restore peace and ensure justice for the victims.

    The governor’s tough measures mirror his earlier intervention in Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, where he successfully quelled a protracted bloody communal conflict between the aborigines (Effium) and the Ezza people—a crisis that had devastated the once-thriving agrarian town for years, lasting through the past administration of Engr. Dave Umahi.