Category: Crime Watch

Security Operatives Rescue Rev. Fr. Ekeli in Edo After Intense Operation

Emporium Reporters

A joint team of security operatives in Edo State has successfully rescued Reverend Father Philip Ekeli, who was kidnapped alongside a seminarian, Peter Andrew, on March 3, 2025, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Iviukha, Etsako East Local Government Area. The Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, a retired Commissioner of Police, commended the combined efforts of security agencies, stating that the operatives engaged in extensive bush combing, which led to the victim’s rescue on March 13, 2025, in Amughe Community after 10 days in captivity. Ibadin disclosed…

Nigeria Customs intercepts over $1.1 million, SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at Kano Airport

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of $1,154,900 (One Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars) and SR135,900 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Saudi Riyals) in undeclared foreign currency at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).   The seizure occurred during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight SV401 from Saudi Arabia. During the physical examination of her luggage, customs officers discovered the undeclared money concealed inside packs of palm-date fruits, locally…

IGP Egbetokun orders major shake-up in Police leadership, posts 25 Senior Officers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strategic move aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for enhanced service delivery, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has approved the immediate redeployment of 25 senior officers across various commands and departments.   The latest shake-up included the posting of seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to key operational zones and 18 Commissioners of Police (CPs) acting in the capacity of AIGs, pending confirmation by the Police Service Commission (PSC).   The seven officers promoted to AIGs and their new postings are: AIG Margaret Ochalla…

Niger Police arrests suspected Vandal, recovers 100 Cut-to-Size Aluminum Cables

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a suspected vandal, Aliyu Kira, 27, in connection with the theft of electrical cables. The suspect was apprehended by police operatives from the Gulbin-Boka outstation under Bangi Division along the Kwimo-Gulbin Boka road on March 6, 2025, around 2:00 a.m. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP W.A. Abiodun, the suspect, who was riding a motorcycle, refused to stop when flagged down by officers on night patrol. Following a coordinated effort, he was later arrested at another security checkpoint. A search…

Police arrest 11 suspects for Thuggery, Breach of Public Peace in Suleja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with a violent clash involving youths and secondary school students at Chaichainiya, along Kaduna Road in Suleja.   The incident, which occurred on March 6, 2025, at about 11 p.m., reportedly stemmed from a dispute over romantic relationships, allegedly led by one Umar Idris of the same area. During the altercation, gunshots were heard from different directions, resulting in two victims, identified as Nura (10) and Imrana (11), sustaining gunshot injuries to their laps.   Following a covert operation,…

Fuel Smuggling: CGC Adeniyi Vows Tougher Sanctions as Customs Intercepts 28,300 Litres of PMS …Operation Whirlwind Seizes Fuel Worth N35.8m

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has issued a stern warning to fuel smugglers, declared that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will adopt more stringent measures in its fight against the illegal diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The CGC made this declaration on Monday, 3rd March 2025, during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, following the interception of 28,300 litres of PMS valued at N35.8 million along the Lagos-Ogun border by operatives of Operation Whirlwind. According to Adeniyi, the interception represented a strategic move by…

NDLEA arrests notorious Drug Baron in Lagos after 17 years in hiding

Emporium Reporters

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 59-year-old drug baron, Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, who had been on the agency’s wanted list for 17 years. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, March 3, 2025, that Jeff was arrested at his hideout at No. 3 Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos, following an Interpol red notice and intelligence from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. According to Marwa, the suspect had been trafficking illicit drugs globally, recruiting young…

Niger Police foils ritual plot, arrest three for attempting to buy Six-month foetus for N30m

Emporium Reporters

The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects who allegedly conspired to buy a six-month-old foetus for ritual purposes, offering the pregnant woman a staggering N30 million.   The suspects—Martha Andrew, James Luka, and Johnson John—all residents of Minna, were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on February 17, 2025.   According to police reports, the trio attempted to lure the pregnant woman, a resident of Rafin-Yashi, Minna, into terminating her pregnancy in exchange for the huge sum. However, instead of falling for their ploy,…

Niger Police arrests 9 suspects for various crimes

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command, has arrested nine suspects for various crimes, including culpable homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, office breaking, theft, and drug-related offenses in different parts of the state.   According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, the arrests were made by the Crack Squad and divisional patrol teams during intensified operations to curb criminal activities in the state.   Among those apprehended were Ibrahim Umar (33) of Maitumbi, arrested for possessing stolen Air Conditioners, an inverter, and a solar battery worth over…

NAPTIP foils Trafficking of 13 Nigerians to Iraq, shuts down Kwali Hotel over child exploitation … Intercepts victims at Abuja Airport, rescues 11 underage girls from sexual abuse

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted 13 Nigerian girls at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as they attempted to travel to Baghdad, Iraq, for suspected forced labor and sexual exploitation. The victims, aged between 19 and 39, were allegedly recruited by unregistered labor agents suspected to be part of a larger human trafficking network operating between Nigeria and the Middle East. Their interception followed a tip-off from concerned individuals who noticed their unusual behavior at the airport’s departure lounge. In another crackdown,…