How people fall victim to fake Customs car auction by internet fraudsters - Newstrends
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How people fall victim to fake Customs car auction by internet fraudsters

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A victim of Internet fraud pastor Shed Okwu almost in tears, narrated how he was lured by internet fraudsters to participate in buying of non existing cars #1.5million in a fake customs car auction.

Narrating his ugly experience in the hands of Internet fraudsters pastor Shed said, “ The idiots first called me on phone thus, ‘ Hello my man of God. This is senior controller Osemobor Omoh’ and I responded God  bless you. Please we have cars which customs want to auction but you happen to be one of the important people in Lagos  favoured to get the few we brought out to sell directly to and deliver to their houses. He later  requested my full names, mobile phone numbers, residential and office address , email address, age, state and my  local government which I provided.

Despite telling him I was in a meeting he  continued to worry me saying, ‘ When is he leaving the meeting. I just want to know because we work with time. We will talk privately.’

The same day he called again and said, good evening man of God, please if you don’t want to buy again you should let us know. We will not kill you or start fighting you, no way.

My bishop, I have sent it to you. The Nigeria customs authorized financial secretary account details. Account name Alfa Abdullahi Jibrin. Account number 2285898826 Zenith bank PLC.

Make the payment now and drop the proof of payment to me here on WhatsApp so that we can proceed on the document registration .

He continued his bla bla bla. ‘For how long will the receipt take you to send, man of God . Send me your photo passport.

Pay to Subair Saheed Kayode 0250660414 WEMA bank the sum of #51,000. ‘

When I told him that I have paid he said, ‘ yes I saw it. They are working on the custom duty . I have not received the recharge card I ask of.

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Quickly make deposit of #305,000 for custom duty of your vehicle to this account. ‘ I told him I have made the payment.

He said , ‘everything has been put in order now. If you know that you are not ready again let me know but I promise you that if I wait few hours tomorrow morning I will carry my family and go home till they announce the car auction by next year November.

My pastor please call the state controller before morning, we are with the two drivers so that if you people can know what to do tomorrow morning the driver will bring the vehicle to you. Everything depends on you now. Give the driver the balance when he comes around. ‘

Unfortunately, the said driver came without the expected car rather he was busy asking me where he would park the car when he drives into my compound stressing, ‘just give me the balance. I will surely drive the car in within 30 minutes. ‘  He left and never came back that fateful day .

The bubble bust when  I  told my friend what I was passing through and he blamed me for making transactions and payments to people I have not seen their office nor their faces  anyhow.

He advised me that the best step is to go to  that their Seme border custom office and see them face to face and know physically the people I was dealing with.

On the date I had with my friend  we boarded a  bus to Seme border and, to our greatest surprise, when I  called him that I was coming  and almost halfway to the border he shouted, ‘ You want to die. If you come here we will kill you. You want to put us in trouble. Don’t try it unless you want to die. If you try it you will be killed and nothing will happen. Coming to Seme border custom office is not in our arrangement. Please don’t come for your interest . You will still get your car. ‘

With this development my friend advised that we should go back seeing that it is clear that it is a scam, a fraud.

When we got back to my house  my friend advised me to write petition to the then commissioner of police Cp. Hakeem Odumosu to effect the investigation of the case.

The case was referred to a unit in Ikeja division who started the investigation.

The  very unit in Ikeja identified as disaster management unit, a strike force of the Cp. but with office at Ikeja police division building  later sought the assistance of a police officer in another unit in the command headquarters Ikeja who did the tracking and said the suspect he tracked is at Ipoba hill Edo state. He gave the picture and farm address of the tracked suspect.

The victim told the NATION that all efforts to locate the tracked suspect or his farm at Ipoba hill was unsuccessful hence he postponed it till the clearer location of the tracked suspect is known.

Despite the efforts the victim is making to get them arrested they are still calling him to collect the money he told them he had on hand but wanted to complete it to the amount they requested before he would send it.

Contacted for comment the Edo police command public relations officer said the case was not reported to them.

Efforts to get the reaction or comment of the Lagos police public relations officer, a superintendent of police SP Benjamin Hundeyin had not been successful as he would pick call but at the end nothing would be discussed and even the text sent in respect of the case had not been replied till date though he is new and  had  just taken over and had to be briefed by the unit handling the case  before reacting  or  making his comment which is forgivable at the time of filing this report.

However, the victim, pastor Shedrack Okwu called on the inspector general of police IGP Usman Alkali Baba to empower police tracking department to checkmate the menace of the internet fraudsters who impersonate custom officers or any uniformed law enforcement agents to defraud innocent and hard working citizens of this great country, Nigeria.

THE NATION

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Just In: FG Announces Public Holiday – Here’s When Nigerians Will Get Break

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Just In: FG Announces Public Holiday – Here's When Nigerians Will Get Break
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Just In: FG Announces Public Holiday – Here’s When Nigerians Will Get Break

In a move that has sparked excitement across the country, the Federal Government has made an official declaration that will see workers nationwide enjoy a well-deserved break from their daily routines. The announcement, which came through the Ministry of Interior on Friday, has sent waves of anticipation through offices and businesses as citizens begin making plans for the upcoming holiday.

The Federal Government has officially declared a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, which marks the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The declaration gives workers across the country a break and provides Muslim faithful an opportunity to observe the occasion with prayers, religious activities, and family gatherings. The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday, August 21, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani. The announcement has been welcomed by Muslim communities across Nigeria, who are now preparing to mark the significant religious occasion with traditional observances and communal festivities.

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In his goodwill message, Tunji-Ojo extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora, while also urging all Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliations, to use the occasion as an opportunity for introspection and moral renewal. He emphasised that the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad offer timeless lessons that transcend religious boundaries and speak to the universal values of humanity. The minister stated that every Eid ul Mawlid gives citizens reason to pause and draw lessons from a life defined by compassion, humility and service to others, adding that these are qualities the nation needs now more than ever. He encouraged every Nigerian, not just Muslim brothers and sisters, to reflect on them, underscoring the importance of embracing these virtues as a foundation for national transformation.

The minister stressed that the celebration period should serve as a time for collective prayer for peace, unity, and national cohesion, emphasising that the task of maintaining peace across the country requires the collective efforts of all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. He called on citizens to observe the celebration with restraint, mutual respect, and consideration for one another, while wishing the Muslim community a joyous and peaceful Eid. Tunji-Ojo further noted that the occasion presents an opportunity for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and foster a spirit of tolerance and understanding, which are essential for the nation’s progress and development.

Reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the minister assured Nigerians that the government remains dedicated to ensuring peace and stability across the nation at all times. He encouraged citizens to support initiatives designed to promote national unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, noting that sustainable development can only thrive in an environment of peace and security.

Eid ul Mawlid, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, is observed by Muslims in many parts of the world to honour the birth of Prophet Muhammad. In Nigeria, the occasion is usually marked with special prayers, religious gatherings, lectures, and charitable activities. The declaration means workers across the country will enjoy a day off from work on the designated day, giving many Nigerians an opportunity to rest, spend quality time with family, and participate in Eid ul Mawlid activities. Businesses, schools, and government offices are expected to remain closed on the holiday.

Just In: FG Announces Public Holiday – Here’s When Nigerians Will Get Break

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Dry Cleaner Pleads Guilty to Stealing Senator Ireti Kingibe’s Jewellery Worth N45.7 Million

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Dry Cleaner Pleads Guilty to Stealing Senator Ireti Kingibe's Jewellery Worth N45.7 Million
Senator Ireti Kingibe

Abuja Dry Cleaner Pleads Guilty to Stealing Senator Ireti Kingibe’s Jewellery Worth N45.7 Million

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Dutse, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a 52-year-old dry cleaner, Abdul Mohammed, who pleaded guilty to stealing expensive jewellery belonging to Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly. The stolen items, which included gold bangles, necklaces, luxury wristwatches, and earrings, were allegedly sold by the suspect to two buyers for a total sum of N45.7 million.

Magistrate Abdullahi Ilelah gave the remand order on Friday following Mohammed’s guilty plea and adjourned the matter until September 21 for sentencing, allowing the court time to deliberate on the appropriate penalty for the offence .

The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the brazen breach of trust by a service provider who had been granted access to the senator’s residence. The prosecution told the court that Senator Kingibe, who resides in the upscale Zangon Daura Estate in Kado, Abuja, first reported the incident at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force on June 27 .

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According to the prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, the dry cleaner gained unlawful entry into the complainant’s private room, where he forcefully broke open her jewellery box and carted away an assortment of high-value items . The offence, which contravenes Section 289 of the Penal Code Law, carries prescribed punishment for theft and related property offences .

During police investigation, Mohammed reportedly confessed to the crime and disclosed that he did not act alone in disposing of the stolen assets . The defendant admitted to selling all the stolen jewellery to two buyers, identified as Suleiman Isah and Isah Yusuf, both residents of the Federal Capital Territory, for a total sum of N45.7 million . This confession formed a crucial part of the evidence linking him to the crime.

The prosecution urged the court to proceed with sentencing without further delay, citing Section 112(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which empowers the court to act swiftly on guilty pleas in appropriate circumstances . The court is now expected to determine the legal consequences for the convicted dry cleaner when it reconvenes for sentencing on September 21 .

Dry Cleaner Pleads Guilty to Stealing Senator Ireti Kingibe’s Jewellery Worth N45.7 Million

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Ooni of Ife, Other South-West Monarchs, Sunday Igboho Unite for Historic Security Summit in Ekiti

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Ooni of Ife, Other South-West Monarchs, Sunday Igboho Unite for Historic Security Summit in Ekiti
Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Chief Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho

Ooni of Ife, Other South-West Monarchs, Sunday Igboho Unite for Historic Security Summit in Ekiti

In a historic show of unity, traditional rulers across the South-West geopolitical zone have finalized plans to hold a high-stakes security meeting with Yoruba nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho. The meeting, scheduled to take place today (Friday) in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, marks a major turning point in regional efforts to combat rising insecurity through collaborative community-based strategies.

The high-level gathering will be hosted by the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, and presided over by the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC). This convergence of royal authority and grassroots security activism underscores the urgent need for inclusive, homegrown solutions to the banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence threatening rural communities across the region.

According to a statement released by the Igboho media office on Friday, the stakeholders’ meeting will bring together monarchs from Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, and parts of Kwara State. The breadth of representation highlights the collective determination of South-West leaders to transcend political and ethnic divisions in pursuit of lasting peace. The meeting is expected to deliberate extensively on measures aimed at ensuring effective security architecture for the South West, with particular emphasis on synergizing local initiatives such as the Iru Ekun Security Network with existing state and federal security frameworks.

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A central focus of the discussions will be the active involvement of traditional rulers in local security management. Given their deep-rooted connections to grassroots communities, monarchs are uniquely positioned to mediate disputes, gather intelligence, and foster trust between security agencies and the populace. The meeting will also address the prevention of inter-ethnic crises and the management of disputes between Yoruba communities and other ethnic nationalities residing in the South-West, reinforcing the region’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence.

In a notable departure from past tensions, the statement from Igboho’s media office commended federal security agencies—including the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other paramilitary bodies—for their “enormous support” of the Iru Ekun Security Network. The activist’s team assured the public of continued cooperation with all stakeholders in the security sector to sustain the prevailing peace and safety in the South West. This gesture of goodwill follows a significant reconciliation earlier in August 2026, when the Ooni of Ife publicly endorsed Igboho’s security initiative with a donation of ₦100 million and a Hilux vehicle, signaling a new era of collaboration between traditional institutions and civil society security advocates.

The statement specifically appreciated the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; and the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for their visible efforts, which have contributed to a drastic reduction in cases of insecurity and other criminalities across Nigeria. This acknowledgment reflects a growing recognition that sustainable security requires a multi-stakeholder approach, where federal agencies, state governments, traditional rulers, and community networks work in tandem.

As the South-West grapples with complex security challenges, today’s meeting in Ijero Ekiti represents more than a routine consultation—it is a bold statement of intent. By bridging the gap between traditional authority and grassroots activism, the region’s leaders are charting a pragmatic path toward safer, more resilient communities. The outcomes of this historic gathering are likely to shape the trajectory of local security governance in Yorubaland for years to come.

Ooni of Ife, Other South-West Monarchs, Sunday Igboho Unite for Historic Security Summit in Ekiti

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