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DEFENCE

EFCC, DSS Disagree Over Lagos Office Building Siege

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned the Tuesday siege by the Department of State Services (DSS) on its Lagos office, describing it as shocking.

The DSS operatives reportedly prevented officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

This was however denied by the DSS, claiming that the incident never happened.

The two organisations have shared the office which was the headquarters of the defunct National Security Organisation, the precursor to DSS, for about 20 years.

There is said to be ongoing discussion between the two federal agencies over the ownership of the building.

EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, while condemning the action in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said it had wider implications for the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Uwujaren said that the EFCC was shocked by the action of the agents of DSS who barricaded the entrance into its Ikoyi’s office with armoured personnel carriers.

“This development is strange to the commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.

“By denying operatives access to their offices, the commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.

“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended.

“Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates,” he said.

Uwujaren said that the action was in conflict with the efforts being made to tackl economic and financial crimes.

“The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Peter Afunaya, the Spokesman of the DSS, has denied any rift with the EFCC.

Afunaya in a statement on the issue, said there was no rivalry between the service and the EFCC over and about anything.

He enjoined the media not to create any imaginary rivalry, adding that the two  organisations were partners working for the good of the nation.

“It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office. No. It is not true.

“The Service is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.

“By the way, there is no controversy over No 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the report.

“Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership,” he said.

According to him, Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters and the DSS started from there. (NAN)

CRIME

Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

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The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.

The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.

“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.

“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.

The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.

According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.

He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.

“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.

“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.

He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.

“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.

“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.

The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.

He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

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The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the  Special AntiCultism Squad (SPACS)  have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.

Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .

38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.

“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

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The Ministry of Interior has  announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.

This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.

Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.

The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.

The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.

“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.

Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.

“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)

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