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France-based Nigerian travels to Lagos, leads cyberattacks on 10 banks

Published

4 years ago

June 9, 2022

The Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos State on Wednesday said it arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting cyberattacks on 10 banks in the state.

The spokesperson for the unit, SP Eyitayo Johnson, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Nneka Anyasinti, while acting on intelligence received from a leading new generation bank, on March 30, 2022, arrested the suspects.

Johnson said the suspects were in the final stages of recruiting a worker from the information and technology department of one of the banks in order to perfect the hacking of the banks’ network/posting application with the intent to pull out huge sums of money.

He noted that the suspects were arrested with incriminating exhibits during a meeting held with the bank worker they attempted to recruit, adding that the fourth suspect, Chibuzor Holland, who flew into the country from France specifically for the operation, escaped.

He said, “The arrested members of the syndicate include Kehinde Oladimeji, 52, the mastermind; Olanrewaju Adeshina, 47; and Kolapo Abiodun, 42. Kolapo Abiodun is an ex-staff of the bank attached to the infotech department. He contacted and attempted to recruit a current worker of the bank’s infotech department with an offer of N200m and a visa out of Nigeria.

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“The worker was asked to leave critical gateways open on the bank’s server for the syndicate to gain unauthorised access into the network and move money out using Python application and Zoom. After the arrests, forensic analysis of phones and electronic devices found in their possession disclosed a list of 10 other banks already earmarked to be hacked using a similar method once the first attack is successful.

“Operatives also discovered personal and corporate bank account details in the possession of the syndicate which they ought not to have. The case, charge no. FHC/L/238C/2022, is currently being prosecuted before Honourable Justice P.O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, while effort is in top gear to apprehend Chibuzor Holland.”

In a related development, the police unit confirmed the arrest of the Managing Director of Beedel Strategic Investment Co. Nigeria Limited, Moses Odeleye, over a fraud of N816m.

The PSFU spokesperson, Johnson, said discrete investigation by the unit’s operatives led to Odeleye’s arrest on May 24, 2022.

He noted that Odeleye was arrested in connection with the forgery of 11 local purchase orders of five multinational companies operating in Nigeria and one agency of the Federal Government.

Johnson stated that the suspect (Odeleye) paraded himself on social media as a successful contractor with interest in civil engineering, construction, real estate and supply, and importation of heavy engineering equipment.

He said, “Beedel (Odeleye), as the suspect is popularly known, operates in connivance with former and current procurement staff of the companies whose LPOs were used to perpetrate the fraud.

“He forged the LPOs of these companies/government agencies and approached numerous banks and investment companies with proposals to finance the LPOs, which he cleverly tenured to be paid between 30 and 60 days so as to make the LPO financing appear juicy.

“The suspect, using this modus operandi, was able to fraudulently obtain the sum of N816m from two finance companies and diverted same to fund extravagant lifestyles, which includes building a mansion, office complex and purchase of exotic automobiles.

“Investigation revealed that for over eight years, Beedel mastered the art of using cloned LPOs to consecutively secure huge sums via LPO financing from different banks/finance companies, while using monies from one bank/finance company to settle his commitments to another bank/finance company, to maintain the fraudulent cycle of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“Beedel circumvented due diligence done by some of the banks/finance companies with the inputs of procurement staff of the companies whose LPOs were forged. These procurement staff conspired with the suspect to confirm invalid LPOs to third parties. The suspect will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”

Meanwhile, Johnson said on April 15, 2022, the police unit was alerted to the risk and possible hack of the server of a non-interest financial institution located in Lagos State.

He said investigation by operatives attached to the Banking and Informal Financial Fraud Section of the PSFU revealed that between 3.45am and 4.55am on March 9, 2022, there was unauthorised modification of the profile of certain key staffers of the bank, which was done remotely.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify the persons responsible for the hack, while some of the staff initially alleged, have been exonerated,” he added.

Related Topics:Banks cyberattacks France-based Lagos Nigerian

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Paramilitary Recruitment: CDCFIB Disqualifies 360,923 Applicants, 432,935 Fail to Complete Applications

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Paramilitary Recruitment: CDCFIB Disqualifies 360,923 Applicants, 432,935 Fail to Complete Applications

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has disqualified 360,923 applicants from its ongoing paramilitary recruitment exercise, while 432,935 candidates failed to complete their applications, according to official data released on the board’s recruitment portal following the conclusion of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) phase.

The figures show that out of an estimated 1.9 million applicants, only 1,120,491 applications (58.5%) were successfully completed, while 22.6% remained incomplete, and 18.9% were disqualified during various stages of screening and verification.

The recruitment exercise covers key paramilitary agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The CDCFIB confirmed that the CBT examination phase has been closed, marking a significant step in the digital screening process designed to ensure transparency, efficiency, and merit-based selection of candidates across the country.

Officials explained that disqualifications were largely due to incomplete applications, failure to meet eligibility requirements, duplication of records, and inconsistencies identified during automated verification checks.

The board added that the use of a centralized digital system helped improve the integrity of the federal paramilitary recruitment process, reducing manual errors and limiting opportunities for fraudulent entries.

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The data also revealed a notable gender imbalance in participation. Male applicants accounted for 737,270 completed applications (69.5%), while female applicants recorded 323,052 (30.5%), highlighting continued disparities in female representation in uniformed service recruitment in Nigeria.

State participation breakdown

At the state level, Kogi State recorded the highest number of completed applications with 75,494, followed closely by Nasarawa (69,041) and Oyo (69,071).

Other strong-performing states include Jigawa with 54,414 applications, Yobe with 52,487, and Ogun with 50,940 completed entries.

However, Lagos State, despite being Nigeria’s most populous and economically active state, recorded one of the lowest participation levels with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 completed applications, a sharp contrast to its population size.

Recruitment transparency and next phase

The CDCFIB reiterated its commitment to a transparent and merit-driven selection process, stressing that all stages of the recruitment exercise are fully digitized and monitored to ensure fairness.

The board urged applicants to rely only on official communication channels for updates, warning against fraudulent agents and misinformation circulating online.

Successful candidates are expected to proceed to the next phase of the exercise, which will include physical screening, document verification, and final selection stages.

The ongoing recruitment exercise is part of efforts to strengthen manpower across Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies and improve national security operations through a more efficient and technology-driven process.

Paramilitary Recruitment: CDCFIB Disqualifies 360,923 Applicants, 432,935 Fail to Complete Applications

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Gunmen Kill Six, Injure Eight in Fresh Plateau Community Attacks

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina

Gunmen Kill Six, Injure Eight in Fresh Plateau Community Attacks

Six persons have been killed and eight others injured following two separate night attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State, in what residents described as a coordinated wave of violence that has reignited insecurity concerns in the state.

The attacks occurred on Sunday night in Hurum Gashish community in Barkin Ladi and Shonong Bachi community in Riyom, leaving several families in mourning and many residents displaced.

In the first incident, gunmen reportedly invaded Hurum Gashish community around 10 p.m., opening fire on residents. Four people were killed instantly, while five others sustained injuries during the attack.

Barely an hour later, another group of armed attackers stormed Shonong Bachi community in Riyom Local Government Area at about 11 p.m., shooting sporadically and killing two residents while injuring three others.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved through the communities while firing indiscriminately, causing widespread panic as residents fled into nearby bushes and surrounding areas for safety.

The incidents have further heightened concerns over rural insecurity in Plateau State, where communities have continued to suffer repeated attacks linked to armed violence and communal tensions.

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The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tenglong, confirmed the attacks and said the communities had been thrown into mourning following the deadly incidents.

He condemned the renewed violence, describing it as disturbing and unacceptable, and called for urgent action to stop the recurring attacks in rural parts of the state.

Tenglong also confirmed that the injured victims have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, where they are currently receiving medical care.

Security sources say patrols have been intensified in the affected areas, with operatives deployed to prevent further attacks and maintain order.

However, attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The latest killings add to a growing pattern of violent attacks in Plateau State, where residents have repeatedly raised concerns over safety, displacement, and lack of adequate security presence in rural communities.

Community leaders are again calling on security agencies and government authorities to strengthen protection mechanisms and address the root causes of the recurring violence.

While calm has reportedly returned to the affected areas, tension remains high as residents await official government response and improved security deployment.

Gunmen Kill Six, Injure Eight in Fresh Plateau Community Attacks

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INEC Exposes Fake X Account Impersonating Chairman Joash Amupitan

Published

4 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan

INEC Exposes Fake X Account Impersonating Chairman Joash Amupitan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has uncovered a fabricated account on X (formerly Twitter) impersonating its Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, following a detailed forensic investigation that exposed a coordinated disinformation campaign targeting the commission.

The development was disclosed through the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, who said INEC commissioned independent cybersecurity experts to carry out a multi-layered forensic investigation into the alleged account and related online activities.

According to the commission, the investigation relied on X platform data analysis, digital identity forensics, OSINT tools, internet archive records, and cross-platform tracking, all of which confirmed that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.

INEC stated that all posts, replies, and screenshots attributed to the handle in question were fraudulent, technically inconsistent, and digitally unverifiable, describing the entire activity as part of a coordinated attempt to mislead the public.

Forensic findings expose manipulation and impersonation

The electoral body outlined key findings from the investigation, beginning with the absence of any digital linkage between the alleged account and the Chairman’s verified contact details, including email addresses and phone numbers.

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The commission also dismissed claims suggesting ownership through financial identity data, noting that such information does not prove control of any social media account.

One of the most critical discoveries was timestamp manipulation, where an alleged reply (“Victory is sure”) was posted before the original tweet it was said to have responded to — a technical impossibility that strongly indicated fabrication.

INEC further confirmed that there was no historical record of the account on internet archive platforms and no trace of the alleged posts on X itself, reinforcing the conclusion that the content was manufactured.

Investigators also observed that the account was later renamed, switched to private mode, and labelled as a “parody account” shortly after the screenshots went viral, suggesting an attempt to conceal the impersonation.

The commission also identified at least seven additional fake accounts across Facebook and Instagram using the Chairman’s identity, describing the trend as a sustained coordinated disinformation campaign.

INEC warns against misinformation and viral fake content

INEC cautioned Nigerians against sharing unverified social media content, stressing that online virality does not confirm authenticity.

The commission urged journalists, political actors, and the public to verify all information through official INEC communication channels before dissemination, especially during politically sensitive periods.

It also called on social media platforms, particularly X, to strengthen monitoring systems and take swift action against impersonation accounts used to spread misinformation.

Case referred to security agencies

INEC confirmed that the full forensic report has been submitted to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

The commission further urged media organisations to adopt stricter verification standards when reporting social media content, particularly where public officials are involved, warning that accuracy must take priority over speed in news reporting.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting electoral integrity, strengthening digital communication systems, and preventing future social media impersonation and misinformation campaigns against public institutions.