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Fake EFCC operatives arrested in Delta

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2022

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe

OPERATIVES of the Delta State Police Command, have arrested five fake officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC in Asaba, following series of complaints from members of the public.

The Command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe, said: “Following series of complaints received from members of the public, especially from the youths, alleging that EFCC operatives usually break into their houses at night, forcefully arrest them, take them away and extort huge sum of money from them, which partly gave rise to the “END EFCC” protest in Ughelli that led to the burning of over thirteen trucks and destruction of properties, the Command did not relent, as intelligence gathered revealed that they may not be EFCC operatives as it is being alleged.

“On 16/11/2022, the Command received another complaint from a victim (name withheld) whose house was stormed at night by the syndicate, they gained entrance into the compound by scaling the fence, broke into his apartment, forcefully abducted and took him away in a white Toyota Hiace bus.

“The victim further stated that on getting to head bridge (i.e the boundary between Delta and Anambra State), they forcefully collected his phones from him, other valuables worth three million, seven hundred thousand naira (#3,700,000), made cash transfer of two million, five hundred thousand naira (#2,500,000) and told him that they will come for him again.

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“Five other victims also reported to the Command and made statements of how they were robbed of about fifteen million naira (#15,000,000). It became clear that it is the activities of hoodlums pretending to be EFCC Operatives.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police CP Ari Muhammed Ali FCIA, PSC+, directed the Command Decoy Squad to investigate, ensure that they are arrested and brought to book.

“In compliance with this directive, on 23/11/2022, the Commander CP-Decoy ASP Julius Robinson, acting on credible information led operatives on a sting operation, trailed them to their hideout in a Hotel (name withheld) located in Asaba where they hibernate to plan their next operation and arrested five suspects namely; (1) Prince Allison ‘m’ age 29yrs, resident in port Harcourt and the leader of the syndicate claiming to be EFCC contract staff in Portharcourt, (2) George Chisom Onyeweagu ‘m’ 29yrs resident in Owerri and he operates the POS that they use to forcefully withdraw money from their victim’s account, (3) Duke Okoro ‘m’ age 40years resident in Asaba Delta State, (4)Joseph Osinachi ‘m’ age 23yrs, resident in Lagos State, (5) Onyocha Stanley ‘m’ age 32yrs, resident in Owerri.

“The suspects have admitted to have robbed different victims from various parts of the State, they also stated that, they sometimes lodged their victims in a Hotel for days until they succeed in extorting huge sum of money from them or force them to transfer money into their mobile POS.

“Their white operational Hummer bus, two locally manufactured EFCC jackets, a POS machine and eight mobile phones were recovered from them. Six of their victims have identified them as the syndicate who broke into their houses under the guise of being EFCC Operatives. Investigation is ongoing.

“The CP therefore advised the public especially the youths to have a rethink before taking laws into their hands as some situations may have more to it than it meets the eyes. He assures residents in the State that justice will be served, and will ensure that the culprits are duly prosecuted”. Vanguard

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Explosion in Yobe, three people hospitalised

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Yobe State Police spokesperson, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim

Explosion in Yobe, three people hospitalised

At least 3 persons have been hospitalised after an undetonated Improvised Explosive Device exploded in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The explosion took place on Saturday at Ngomari Community in Buni Yadi, headquarters of Gujba Local Government Area.

A reliable source in the area told Daily Trust that the incident happened when a 22-year-old discovered live ammunition and four AK47 rounds while fetching firewood in the bush.

“The young man attempted to open the ammunition out of curiosity.

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“He proceeded to strike the ammunition with a hammer, which triggered an explosion. 3 persons including the young man sustained various degrees of injury,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the Local Metal Fabricators Association, Gujba LG, Malam Isyaku Dahiru, said the victims were moved to Yobe State Specialist Hospital Buni Yadi for urgent treatment.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Police Command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, were not successful as he did not pick his calls and was yet to reply to the calls as at the time of filing this report.

Boko Haram terrorists have been using IEDs to launch attacks on communities in the area.

Explosion in Yobe, three people hospitalised

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Rivers: Presidency reveals security intelligence leading to emergency rule

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Rivers: Presidency reveals security intelligence leading to emergency rule

The Presidency has revealed that security intelligence reports led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and elected members of the State House of Assembly.

According to the government, militants were already targeting oil pipelines, posing a serious threat to national security and the economy.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in an article titled “Imagine Rivers State Without a State of Emergency”, published on Sunday.

He maintained that intelligence reports showed an escalating crisis in the oil-rich state.

President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, explained that his efforts to mediate the political conflict in Rivers had been ignored. He stated that worsening security threats necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency.

“The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants, without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course, given stern orders to the security agencies to ensure the safety of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines,” Tinubu said while announcing the emergency rule.

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The decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many questioning its necessity. However, the Presidency has defended the move, insisting it was based on credible security intelligence.

Onanuga explained that Section 305 of the Constitution empowers the President to act when there is a threat to law, order, or economic security.

“Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks—primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure—could have plunged Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 lows,” he stated.

He further alleged that militants were awaiting instructions from Fubara before launching attacks on pipelines.

“Intelligence confirmed that militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect,” Onanuga added.

According to him, Tinubu’s intervention was crucial, as Rivers State is a key player in Nigeria’s oil sector. He warned that any disruption in the region could have dire economic consequences.

He dismissed claims that the emergency rule undermines democracy, arguing that it is a “temporary, surgical” measure aimed at restoring order rather than replacing democratic institutions.

Rivers: Presidency reveals security intelligence leading to emergency rule

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Shehu Sani faults senators taking voice vote objection to media

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani faults senators taking voice vote objection to media

A former senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District has slammed lawmakers for going to the media to raise objections against the adoption of voice voting for the confirmation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Shehu Sani said that any lawmaker who wished to raise such an objection ought to have done so in the chambers of the National Assembly and not the media.

Recall that members of the National Assembly had voted on the proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.

However, rather than adhere to the provisions of the law by taking a head count to determine that the Assembly had formed a quorum, the leadership of both chambers adopted voice voting.

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Shortly after the voting process which was condemned by many including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party among others, Ireti Kingibe, a serving lawmaker condemned the process.

In his reaction, to this Sani said all objections should be done within the chambers, not outside or in the media.

He wrote on X, “If any lawmaker had issues with voice votes or quorum, he or she is supposed to raise a point of order on the floor and insist on being heard; and not be silent in the chamber then come to the media to raise objections.

“If there is no quorum, it’s because some lawmakers deliberately chose to abstain,” Sani noted.