Gunmen Kill Two Soldiers, Police Officer in Plateau Midnight Raid

Suspected gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, on Monday night, killing three security operatives in an attempt to breach the nation’s premier policy institution. The assault began around 11:40 p.m. on June 15, when armed men stormed the facility and opened fire on security personnel stationed at the gate. This triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire as security operatives mounted swift resistance to prevent the attackers from gaining deeper access to the premises.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three security personnel, including two soldiers attached to the institute’s security detail and one police officer serving as an orderly to a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police. According to sources, the slain police officer was assigned to a retired DIG, while the two soldiers died during the exchange of fire that followed the attempted breach. A staff member of the institute, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security operatives engaged the assailants in a fierce confrontation to prevent them from gaining access to the institution. The swift response of security forces prevented the gunmen from penetrating deeper into the facility or reaching the residential quarters where course participants were lodged. One resident recounted, “I was sleeping when I heard gunshots. I didn’t know what to make of it, but when I woke up, I discovered it was real because the gunshots had already caused commotion within the NIPSS. It turned out that the institution was under attack.”

The attack caused widespread panic in Kuru and surrounding communities in Jos South Local Government Area. Bulus Haruna, a resident of Kuru, told reporters that the sustained gunfire shattered the night’s silence and threw residents of Kuru, Vom—home to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI)—and other communities into apprehension, as heavy shooting echoed for several minutes and left many fearing for their safety.

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The NIPSS management confirmed the security incident in a statement issued early Tuesday by the Head of Public Affairs Department, Dr. Osime Samuel. In the statement, the institute informed the public that a security incident had occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of the day, but noted that the situation was promptly brought under control through the swift response of security personnel and relevant security agencies. The institute assured the public that there is no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities, and that normal activities are continuing as scheduled. However, the institute cautioned against speculation, stating it would be “premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event” and that it is “unable to confirm details currently circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms.”

Security agencies have commenced investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the attack and stated that an investigation has been launched. Security presence around the institution has been significantly reinforced, and manhunt operations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. As of press time, the motive behind the attack remained unclear.

NIPSS Kuru is Nigeria’s foremost policy institution responsible for training senior government officials, military officers, technocrats, and policy strategists drawn from across the country. The institute plays a critical role in shaping public policy and governance frameworks in Nigeria, making it a significant national asset. The attack on such a high-profile institution has raised concerns about security around strategic government facilities in Plateau State and the broader North-Central region.

Gunmen Kill Two Soldiers, Police Officer in Plateau Midnight Raid

Why I Have Not Resumed as Ambassador to Mexico — Reno Omokri

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, insisting that the delay in his resumption is purely administrative and linked to Mexico’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former presidential aide described claims of his rejection as politically motivated narratives designed to misrepresent the realities of diplomatic engagements between nations.

According to Omokri, Mexico is currently focused on its responsibilities as one of the co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the United States and Canada, a development he said has slowed several routine government processes, including diplomatic protocols involving newly appointed foreign ambassadors.

“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all. You should understand that Mexico is currently hosting the World Cup alongside the United States of America, and all their focus is on that,” Omokri said during the interview.

The ambassador-designate explained that his situation is not unique, noting that several Nigerian envoys appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are yet to resume their assignments abroad because they are still awaiting the completion of diplomatic formalities required by their host countries.

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“Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he stated.

Omokri maintained that reports alleging his rejection by Mexico were being amplified by political opponents and lacked any official basis.

“The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he added.

The controversy surrounding his appointment gained traction after reports emerged that some diaspora groups had allegedly petitioned Mexican authorities to reject his nomination, citing concerns over his past political positions and public comments. However, there has been no official communication from the Mexican government indicating that Omokri’s appointment has been rejected.

Under international diplomatic practice, an ambassador-designate cannot formally assume office until the receiving country grants agrément, a diplomatic approval that signifies acceptance of the envoy. The process is standard across the world and can take weeks or months depending on the host country’s internal procedures and priorities.

Omokri was among the 65 ambassadors-designate whose postings were approved by President Tinubu as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic representation across the globe. His nomination attracted significant public attention due to his political evolution from being a vocal critic of Tinubu to becoming one of the administration’s prominent supporters.

The former presidential aide has repeatedly defended his decision to serve in the administration, stating that national service should transcend political differences.

During the interview, Omokri also took a swipe at opposition politicians, arguing that political instability within opposition ranks weakens their chances against the ruling government.

“How can you say a man who has been in three political parties in six months is going to defeat a president who has been stable politically since 1989?” he asked.

Until the necessary diplomatic procedures are concluded and his credentials are formally accepted, Omokri remains Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico and is expected to assume office once the host country completes the required approval process.

Why I Have Not Resumed as Ambassador to Mexico — Reno Omokri

FBI-Wanted Ezeego Extradited to US Over $7 Million International Fraud Scheme

A Nigerian businessman and suspected international fraudster, Osondu Victor Igwilo, popularly known as “Ezeego King of the Boys,” has reportedly been extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face prosecution over his alleged role in a multi-million-dollar international fraud and money laundering operation.

According to sources familiar with the development, Igwilo was extradited on Monday from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja and transferred to U.S. authorities after years of being sought by American law enforcement agencies.

The extradition marks a significant development in a case that dates back nearly a decade and highlights increasing cooperation between Nigerian authorities and the United States in combating cybercrime, money laundering, and international fraud.

Sources told SaharaReporters that before his extradition, Igwilo allegedly wielded considerable influence within the Kuje correctional facility. One source claimed he maintained close relationships with some prison officials and exercised substantial control over activities within the prison yard.

The source also alleged that another inmate identified as Shettima collected more than N200 million from Igwilo after promising to stop the extradition process. These claims, however, have not been independently verified by authorities.

Igwilo first came to public attention in March 2022 when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him during a raid in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State.

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At the time, the anti-graft agency disclosed that Igwilo had been on the watchlist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018. He was arrested alongside three other suspects — Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel, and John Anazo Achukwu — over allegations of fraud, identity theft, and money laundering involving transactions estimated at about $100 million.

The EFCC alleged that Igwilo led a network of operatives known as “catchers,” individuals allegedly responsible for receiving, transferring, withdrawing, and laundering proceeds of fraudulent activities on behalf of a larger criminal syndicate.

According to records released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Igwilo was first charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas in December 2016. The complaint was later unsealed in December 2018, when U.S. authorities publicly identified him as the alleged mastermind of an international advance-fee fraud scheme that targeted victims in more than 20 countries.

American prosecutors alleged that the operation generated over $7 million in losses and involved false promises of investment funding to businesses and individuals across different parts of the world. Investigators claimed that victims were told they had secured access to large investment funds but were required to make advance payments before the financing could be released. According to prosecutors, many victims paid substantial sums only to discover that the promised funding did not exist.

Court documents further alleged that Igwilo and members of his network impersonated officials and executives of major U.S. financial institutions, including BB&T Corporation and JPMorgan Chase, to make the fraudulent offers appear legitimate. Authorities said phishing emails were used to contact prospective victims, while some members of the syndicate allegedly posed as bank representatives and met victims in person to sign fraudulent agreements.

The U.S. Department of Justice also alleged that operatives involved in the scheme used forged documents and fake U.S. government seals to enhance the credibility of the scam. Some members of the network reportedly visited American embassies and consulates abroad as part of efforts to convince victims that the transactions were genuine.

According to investigators, money obtained from victims was routed through multiple bank accounts in the United States before being laundered and transferred to Nigeria through a network of associates. Prosecutors further alleged that part of the proceeds was used to purchase luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover models, which were later shipped to Nigeria.

Igwilo faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aggravated identity theft in the United States.

At the time the charges were announced in 2018, U.S. authorities described him as a fugitive. Several other individuals were also charged in connection with the alleged fraud network, which prosecutors say operated across multiple countries and relied on a sophisticated structure of recruiters, intermediaries, and money handlers.

If confirmed by both Nigerian and U.S. authorities, the extradition of Igwilo would represent a major breakthrough in one of the most prominent cross-border fraud investigations involving a Nigerian suspect in recent years.

FBI-Wanted Ezeego Extradited to US Over $7 Million International Fraud Scheme