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CRIME

No Amount of Blackmail Will Deter Me, Boasts Embattled Magu

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  Ibrahim Magu, has said that no amount of blackmail and mischief will deter him from the fight against corruption in the country.

The EFCC boss who has been accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds by a top government official described the allegations as blackmail, reaffirming his determination and readiness to stop looters who have been stealing from the nation’s patrimony.

Head, Media and Publicity of the Commission, Dele Oyewale stated that Magu made the vow on Thursday, June 25, 2020 while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ),  Federal Capital Territory Council,  who paid him a solidarity visit at the Corporate Headquarters of the EFCC in  Abuja.

According to him, the prospects of Nigeria are great and must not be allowed to be wasted or stolen by corrupt elements without resistance. 

“Nigeria is our common wealth.  This wealth must be protected at all times and all hands must be on deck to stop looters of our wealth”, he said.

  According to Magu, “Those stealing, embezzling, hiding  and carrying our wealth away are not our friends.  We must stop  them.  We must stop looters.  We must stop the industry of corruption by all means and we shall surely stop them.”

On the numerous distraction thrown at the fight against corruption, Magu said,  “Fighting corruption is not a tea party.  More than  ever before, fraudsters are devising new techniques and strategies every  day to beat established rules and systems.  Besides, several  fight-back ploys are also being fashioned to distract and discourage genuine fighters of corrupt practices.  For us, all these strategies are all too- known.  We are familiar with the desperation of fraudsters.  We are  familiar with their blackmail and campaign of calumny  but we will not give up.  We  will continue to expose and bring corrupt elements to book.  We will never  give up!”

He pledged more dedication and commitment  to the anti-corruption fight,  stressing that the EFCC was too focused to be distracted. 

“We are too focused to be distracted,  we have lot of results to show for our efforts. The results will keep getting  better. We are on course.” He also charged Nigerians to rise up and make corrupt practices less attractive. “We must fight to make corruption unattractive”, he said.

Magu commended the media for its unwavering support, describing it as  the most important partner in the fight against corruption.

“The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has always been a formidable voice and development – focused organization in Nigeria. As the fourth estate of the realm, the Press is a pillar in our democracy”, he said.

He tasked the media to rise up more than ever before to the task of fighting corruption, refuse to celebrate ill-gotten wealth and publicly own the anti-corruption fight.

The leader of the delegation and  Council Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, said that the NUJ officials came on a solidarity visit to Magu for his steadfastness and determination in the anti-corruption fight despite distractions and assured  the EFCC of the continued cooperation of the Council members as partners in the war against corruption.

He called on the EFCC to continue its crackdown on fraudsters and tasked it to track the management of funds being deployed to the fight against Coronavirus. 

Other management staff of the EFCC that received the NUJ delegation include the Director of Organizational Support, Dr. Aminu Gusau; Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed Abba; Acting Director of Public Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Larai Musa; Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media & Publicity, Mr. Tony Amokeodo and  Head of Media & Publicity  and Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, amongst others.

CRIME

Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver over Minor’s Kidnapping, Assault

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A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.

The suspect allegedly demanded and collected ₦503,000 in ransom from the student’s father before abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement in Warri on Sunday.

According to Edafe, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.

“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the statement added.

The police said the girl was abandoned along Oton Road after the ransom was paid and later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The school principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as the police intensified efforts to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.

Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.

The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.

The police spokesman added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.

The commissioner assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice”.

He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children”, stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.

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CRIME

Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation

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From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu 

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

 

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.

Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia. 

He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.

During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.

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CRIME

Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja 

Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.

According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.

m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.

“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.

“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.

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