EFCC Recovers N1.23tn, $684m as Convictions Hit 10,872 in Three Years — Olukoyede

EFCC Chairman presents stewardship report, reveals 75.1% conviction rate, N836bn recovered for MDAs, and N50bn allocations to NELFUND

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered N1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million between October 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026, while securing 10,872 convictions from 14,476 cases filed in court, the agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed. Olukoyede made the announcement on Monday during a media briefing at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja to mark his three-year stewardship of the anti-graft agency. He described asset recovery as one of the major pillars of the commission’s efforts to combat economic and financial crimes and safeguard public resources, emphasizing that the figures reflected the commission’s strengthened investigations, prosecutions and asset recovery operations under his leadership.

Of the N1.23 trillion recovered in naira, approximately N397.26 billion (33 per cent) constituted direct recoveries for the Federal Government, while N836.34 billion (67 per cent) represented indirect recoveries made on behalf of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), state revenue services, companies, individuals and foreign victims. Olukoyede clarified that “two out of every three naira recovered were on behalf of beneficiaries other than the Federal Government.” The EFCC chairman also disclosed that the commission had released N661.32 billion and $492.37 million to beneficiaries during the period, stressing that recovery was meaningful only when recovered assets were returned to the public interest and rightful beneficiaries. The naira releases included N325.35 billion paid directly to individuals and corporate bodies, while N335.97 billion was released to various MDAs, the Nigerian Revenue Service, state internal revenue services, and other public institutions, companies, and individuals.

Olukoyede said the commission received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026, representing a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 per cent. In the first half of 2026 alone, the agency recorded 1,370 convictions from 1,889 filings. According to the EFCC chairman, data from 2024 to 2026 showed 46,288 offences across nine major financial crime typologies, with advance fee fraud and cybercrime accounting for nearly two-thirds of recorded offences. Recorded offences increased by 24.1 per cent between 2024 and 2025, with notable rises in procurement fraud, bank fraud, cybercrime, and economic governance offences.

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Olukoyede said the commission had continued to prosecute high-profile cases without regard to the status of suspects, noting that its portfolio covered former governors, ministers, public office holders, heads of agencies, financial-sector operators, and corporate officials. He listed recent convictions involving former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, former NEXIM Bank managing director, Robert Orya, and Chukwunyere Nwabuoku. The EFCC’s specialised enforcement portfolio covering money laundering, unlicensed bureaux de change, illegal mining, virtual assets, and terrorist financing recorded 920 cases, with 212 convictions. Regarding Bureau de Change operators, 2,374 cases had been filed, resulting in 71 convictions, with 234 cases still under investigation.

On asset forfeiture, the EFCC chairman said 10,053 tangible assets were forfeited under interim and final court orders between October 2023 and July 2026, while 102 tonnes of solid minerals were recovered. The commission also secured the forfeiture of an aircraft allegedly linked to a $30 million bribe case, which has since been added to the presidential air fleet. Additionally, a property containing about 753 housing units was forfeited from a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Olukoyede said the anti-graft war had also produced social and economic benefits, citing the allocation of N50 billion each from recovered proceeds to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation in 2024, with further N50 billion allocations to each institution approved in 2026. He also noted that a recovered property, NOK University, had been converted into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State, where 1,909 students matriculated in December 2025.

Olukoyede further disclosed that more than 40 EFCC personnel had been dismissed for misconduct in the past three years, while the commission was ensuring that its arrest operations complied with the law. He warned that officers found violating the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act would face appropriate disciplinary action. The latest figures represent a significant increase from the recoveries reported by the commission during the first two years of Olukoyede’s tenure. In October 2025, the EFCC said it had recovered N566.3bn and $411m within Olukoyede’s first two years in office, with the commission also reporting the recovery of 1,502 properties during the period.

Olukoyede has consistently maintained that the EFCC’s mandate extends beyond recovering cash, with the agency pursuing properties, vehicles and other assets suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime. The commission has used both criminal prosecutions and forfeiture proceedings to recover assets linked to alleged corruption, fraud, money laundering and other financial offences. In some cases, the EFCC has pursued non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings where it alleges that assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. Olukoyede has also stressed the importance of international cooperation in tracing funds and assets allegedly moved outside Nigeria as part of efforts to prevent suspects from concealing proceeds of crime abroad.

EFCC Recovers N1.23tn, $684m as Convictions Hit 10,872 in Three Years — Olukoyede

Tension in Awka as suspected cultists kill popular mobile advertiser, one other

Anambra State Police launch manhunt for gunmen who shot two victims at separate locations in the state capital

A wave of fear has swept through residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, after suspected cultists shot dead a well-known mobile advertiser and media personality, Isaac Nwosu — popularly called Aiza — along with another unidentified person in a brutal attack on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The two separate shootings, which occurred within hours of each other, have left the community in shock and reignited concerns over cult-related violence in the state capital. As of Monday morning, the Anambra State Police Command had launched a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators, while the motive for the killings remains unclear.

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police reports, Nwosu was trailed from his residence by assailants travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla with heavily tinted windows. The attackers reportedly double-crossed his vehicle along S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, before opening fire on him at close range. Nwosu, who was behind the wheel of his Toyota Hilux van — a vehicle he famously used for mobile advertising, public announcements, and playing music across Awka — was found slumped in the driver’s seat with multiple bullet wounds. His body was later recovered by police operatives, and the vehicle’s sound system was still blaring music when responders arrived at the scene. In a separate incident along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, gunmen believed to be part of the same gang shot another unidentified victim in the head. The body of the second victim was discovered on the roadside, and his identity has yet to be established.

Isaac Nwosu, known by his stage name Aiza, was a household name in Awka. He built a reputation as a versatile entertainer, working as a disc jockey (DJ) and master of ceremonies (MC) at high-profile events, weddings, and parties. He also occasionally presented programmes on local radio stations, earning a loyal following. His signature mobile advertising truck — fitted with powerful loudspeakers — was a familiar sight on the streets of Awka, where he would drive around making announcements, playing music, and promoting businesses. His flamboyant and theatrical style made him one of the most recognisable figures in the city’s entertainment and advertising scene. Colleagues and friends have since flooded social media with tributes, describing him as “unforgettable,” “larger than life,” and “a man who brought energy to every room.”

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Sources close to the deceased revealed that Sunday’s attack was not the first time Nwosu had come under threat. He reportedly survived previous assassination attempts, though the details of those incidents remain unclear. In one past incident, Nwosu was involved in a controversial accident while carrying out a public address function with his vehicle — an accident that nearly left him crippled. Friends say he had been cautious in recent months, but the latest attack proved fatal.

The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the killings in the strongest terms and assured residents that efforts are being intensified to track down the attackers. In an official statement issued on Monday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and provided updates on the investigation. He stated that the Police condemns in the strongest terms the gunshot attacks carried out by unidentified gunmen in Awka on Sunday, 30th August 2026, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, and that the Command has consequently intensified the ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators while calling for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist in bringing the suspects to justice. According to Ikenga, three unidentified persons travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla — whose registration number is yet to be ascertained — allegedly carried out the two shootings at different locations. Upon receiving distress calls, police operatives were immediately deployed to the scenes. The bodies of the victims were recovered and taken to a hospital, where medical personnel confirmed them dead. Items recovered from the crime scenes include ₦7,550 in cash, one Moniepoint ATM card, and one pair of slippers.

The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has strongly condemned the killings, describing them as “unacceptable” and “a direct affront to the peace and security of the state.” He has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) , Awka, for a discreet and comprehensive investigation. CP Ama also directed that security patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering be intensified across Awka and its adjoining areas to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.

The police command has appealed to community leaders, residents, motorists, business owners, and anyone with credible information about the suspects, their movements, or the vehicle used in the attacks to come forward. SP Ikenga assured the public that all information would be treated with the utmost confidentiality, emphasising that community partnership remains critical to effective policing. He urged residents to provide timely information that could assist in apprehending the perpetrators and preventing further attacks.

The killings have sent shockwaves through Awka, a city with a long and troubled history of cult clashes and gang violence. Residents and members of the entertainment industry are demanding answers and calling on the government to take decisive action to curb the rising tide of insecurity. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and outrage, with some questioning the effectiveness of security measures in the state capital. Others have called for a state-wide crackdown on cult groups and improved intelligence gathering to prevent future tragedies. As of Monday evening, no arrests have been made, and the motive for the killings remains under investigation.

If you have any information that could help the police in their investigation, please contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command via their official channels. Your identity will be protected, and your information could be crucial in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Tension in Awka as suspected cultists kill popular mobile advertiser, one other

Sokoto bandit attack: Eight farmers killed, five injured in alleged reprisal

At least eight farmers have been killed and five others injured after suspected bandits attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with residents alleging that the assault was carried out in retaliation for recent security operations against armed groups in the area.

The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon, August 30, when the assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 3pm and opened fire on farmers, triggering panic among residents.

The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that eight farmers were killed and five others sustained gunshot injuries.

Rufai said the command was aware of the incident and was gathering additional information to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

“Yes, we are aware of the attack. Eight farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it,” the police spokesman said.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the attackers arrived in the community around 3pm and began shooting at people.

The resident said no fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.

The source alleged that the assault was a reprisal attack, claiming that some members of the armed group had recently been killed during security operations in the area.

“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” the resident said.

The alleged motive has not been independently confirmed by the police, which said investigations and information gathering were still ongoing.

The latest violence has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who depend on access to their fields for their livelihoods.

The attack also came amid heightened military activity in the area.

The Nigerian Army said troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled an attempted advance by armed terrorists towards Ghandi town on Sunday.

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According to the Army, troops of Sector 2 received intelligence about the movement of an armed group towards the area and deployed to strategic positions around Ghandi Bridge.

The troops subsequently engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat after coming under military fire.

The Army said several members of the armed group sustained gunshot wounds, while some reportedly attempted to escape by jumping into a nearby river.

The military did not establish a direct link between the operation and the attack on farmers in its initial account.

It also did not state whether the armed group confronted by troops was responsible for the earlier attack on the farming community.

The sequence of events has nevertheless raised concerns about a possible escalation of violence in Rabah LGA, particularly if the attack was indeed connected to recent security operations.

There have also been differing accounts of the number of people killed in the wider violence.

While the Sokoto police confirmed eight farmers killed and five injured in the Ghandi attack, another account citing a security source put the number of deaths at five across Ghandi and nearby Gidan Kare communities.

That account alleged that three people were killed in Ghandi and two in Gidan Kare, while some houses were reportedly set ablaze.

The conflicting casualty figures have not been independently reconciled, but the police confirmation remains the clearest official account available on the Ghandi attack.

The incident adds to the growing security challenges confronting farming communities across Sokoto State and Nigeria’s North-West.

Bandit groups operating in the region have been accused of carrying out killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, attacks on villages and assaults on farmers.

The persistent insecurity has also affected agricultural activities, with some farmers reluctant to travel to remote farms because of the risk of being attacked or abducted.

For communities such as Ghandi, the security situation creates both an immediate humanitarian concern and a longer-term economic threat.

Farmers who are unable to safely access their fields may lose crops and income, while repeated attacks can worsen food insecurity and deepen economic hardship.

The alleged reprisal nature of the attack is also significant because retaliatory violence can create a cycle in which security operations against armed groups are followed by attacks on civilians perceived to be vulnerable.

Security agencies have continued to intensify operations against armed groups in the North-West, including Sokoto, as part of efforts to protect communities, disrupt criminal networks and restore access to rural areas.

However, the latest Sokoto bandit attack demonstrates the continuing difficulty of protecting dispersed farming communities from armed groups operating across large rural areas.

Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigations continue and security agencies assess the situation in Ghandi and surrounding communities.

For now, the Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that eight farmers were killed and five others injured, while the claim that the attack was carried out as a reprisal remains an allegation pending further confirmation.

The latest incident has renewed calls for sustained security operations and stronger protection for farmers and rural residents in Rabah Local Government Area, particularly as agricultural communities continue to face threats from armed groups.

Sokoto bandit attack: Eight farmers killed, five injured in alleged reprisal