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Five Nigerian fraudsters jailed 129 years in US for stealing $17m

Five Nigerian fraudsters jailed 129 years in US for stealing $17m
Five Nigerian fraudsters operating at an international level have been sentenced to 1,549 months in prison for a multimillion-dollar heist that involved at least 100 victims in the United States.
A U.S. federal court in Texas handed the notorious gang of Nigerian scammers a combined 129 years for executing a transnational romance and wire fraud scheme that netted them over $17 million.
U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant sentenced the quintet of Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke on Monday after they pleaded guilty to multiple wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft charges.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Texas, the convicted fraudsters were part of a transnational syndicate that deployed several fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams, business email compromise scams, and investor fraud, as well as unemployment insurance fraud, to steal from unsuspecting entities and individuals, who are mostly elderly.
U.S. officials said the “well-coordinated” scheme specifically targeted elderly persons and used various schemes such as online dating sites to lure their victims
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“Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable,” acting U.S. attorney Jay Combs for the Eastern District of Texas said. “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations.”
Investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies discovered that the gang, which began operations around January 2017, defrauded at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities from across the world, prosecutors said in court filings.
The Nigerian crooks were successful in stealing over $17 million, which they laundered through a network of various bank accounts and sent money to bank accounts, co-conspirators and businesses located in Africa and Asia.
“The defendants were part of a transnational organised crime syndicate that defrauded victims collectively out of millions of dollars. For some individuals, this was their life savings, and they were unable to financially recover,” FBI Dallas special agent in charge Joseph Rothrock said.
He added, “We hope these sentences give them a sense of comfort and send a clear message that the FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims.”
Following their arrest, the five defendants pleaded guilty to all charges against them. In his judgment, the judge sentenced the trio of Chidindu, Chiagoziem, and Iribhogbe to 40 years in prison each.
Meanwhile, Ms Iribhogbe received a prison term of more than 30 years, while Mr Kumapayi was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.
Five Nigerian fraudsters jailed 129 years in US for stealing $17m
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Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command has detained two suspects, Yunusa Abdullahi and Peace Keno Danlami, in connection with the murder of Chen Wang, a Chinese national who was allegedly stabbed to death in his office early this year.
Wang, an employee at WH Great Resource Ltd. in Ogere, was assassinated on January 12, 2025.
According to a statement made on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and forwarded by the Ogun State Command spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, the victim died from stab wounds to the chest.
The police stated, “The incident, which occurred on January 12, 2025, drew immediate attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call regarding the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises. Preliminary findings revealed that the deceased had suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest.”
The police added, “The event, which occurred on January 12, 2025, gained rapid attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call about the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises.
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According to preliminary findings, the deceased died as a result of deadly stab wounds to the chest.
“In line with the strategic policing mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit was promptly mobilised to provide high-level operational and technological support,” the statement read.
Investigators determined that two manufacturing workers, believed to be in a romantic relationship, took advantage of reduced staffing on the day of the incident.
Odutola added, “While on overtime duty, they allegedly disabled the company’s security system, unlawfully accessed Mr Wang’s office and committed the fatal attack. They subsequently stole the keys to his residence, which they later burgled before fleeing the state with stolen cash.”
Following several weeks of surveillance and tactical cooperation, operatives from the Force Headquarters and Ogun SCID located and apprehended Abdullahi, 25, of Borno State, and Danlami, 20, of Taraba State, on July 14 in Jos, Plateau State, where they were hiding under fictitious names.
“The swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis, and human intelligence by the Nigeria Police played a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement noted.
According to the statement, the Inspector General praised the Ogun State Police Command and the Force Technical Intelligence Unit for their professionalism and dedication.
The IG also reassured the public about the police’s continuous efforts to protect both citizens and foreign nationals through proactive and precision-led investigations.
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations,” the statement added.
Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun
metro
Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom
The Chief Imam of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has regained his freedom after spending five harrowing days in the hands of his abductors.
Sheikh Muhammad was released on Saturday, July 13, bringing relief to the Uromi Muslim community and his family, who had been anxiously awaiting his safe return.
The respected Islamic cleric was abducted on Monday, July 8, at the Angle 90 area of Uromi. According to reports, he had stepped out of his residence to buy food for his family when he was forcefully taken by unidentified gunmen.
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The kidnappers however called the family members and demanded ransom of N30 million but Daily Trust couldn’t confirm the payment of the ransom.
The Edo State police command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, said intense and sustained pressure from the police and the local vigilante led to the release of the kidnapped chief Imam.
He said investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping of the victim with a view to track and arrest the perpetrators.
Yamu, who said the Chief Imam is in stable condition, added that he has since been reunited with his family.
While charging the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information, he said no stone will be left unturned in identifying and apprehending those behind the kidnapping.
Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom
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Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina
Former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has addressed the controversy surrounding the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital, offering a candid defense of the late leader’s decision to seek medical care abroad.
Speaking during a live broadcast on Channels Television as part of the special funeral coverage, Adesina responded to criticisms over Buhari’s long-standing reliance on foreign healthcare.
According to Adesina, those questioning why Buhari passed away in a UK hospital are missing the bigger picture. He stated firmly that Buhari had been receiving treatment in the United Kingdom long before he became president in 2015, and added that relying solely on Nigeria’s health system could have cost him his life much earlier.
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“President Buhari had been using London hospitals for years, even before he assumed office. His doctors over there were familiar with his history,” Adesina said.
He added that expecting the former president to abandon the doctors who understood his condition would have been unreasonable.
According to Adesina, many Nigerian hospitals do not have the medical expertise or advanced equipment necessary to handle the health challenges Buhari faced.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves: if he had depended on our local hospitals for that particular health issue, he may not have survived it. And perhaps, we would have lost him a long time ago,” he stated.
Discovererngr.com reports that Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, is being buried Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with full state honours.
Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina
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