metro
Policeman detained for killing a 40-year-old truck driver in River
A yet-to-be-identified policeman has been detained for allegedly killing a 40-year-old truck driver, Cosmos Ozioko, at Elele, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that five policemen on a stop-and-search duty intercepted a motorcycle conveying Cosmos and his younger brother, Kingsley Ozioko, while they were returning to their place of work around 7.40pm on Sunday.
Narrating the incident to our correspondent, Kingsley said the cops beat him and his brother to a pulp, adding that Cosmos later gave up the ghost.
He said, “We took a motorcycle from CPM Roundabout to Elele. When we got to the checkpoint, there were about five policemen there. They started searching us. I was the first person they searched.
“They searched everywhere, including my private parts, but found nothing. They now searched my brother. They searched our private parts as if they gave us something to hold for them. In the process, his phone fell and scattered.
“My brother asked them (policemen) to assemble his phone and give it to him; they didn’t answer him. I picked the mobile telephone and put it the way it was.
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“To avoid trouble, I beckoned on my brother for us to leave. As we were leaving, my brother asked the okada rider who was waiting if that was how the policemen were searching everybody that passed.
“The next thing, two of the policemen rushed at him, and another one pounced on me. They started beating us, marching us with their boots and using the butts of their guns to hit us.
“They ordered us to sit on the ground and asked where we came from. We said Nsukka, Enugu State. They said, ‘Okay, this thing you people are doing in the village you have brought it here.’ One of them used the butt of his gun to hit us, the other two used their boots on us.
“They were beating us until my brother collapsed. I started calling him, ‘Brother, brother.’ People brought pure water sachets which I used on him. He was still breathing then, but weak.”
He said his brother was rushed to a nearby hospital, where a nurse said the facility lacked oxygen.
Kingsley said he was referred to a private medical facility, Madona Hospital, Elele, where his brother was confirmed dead.
“Before I looked back, I only saw one policeman. The others had disappeared. I want justice for my brother. Let the policemen that killed my brother be arrested and charged so that his spirit can rest,” he added while fighting back tears.
He said the case was reported to the police at Elele, adding that it was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
Kingsley said he was still in pain from the beating he got and was taking medication.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the death of the truck driver, but said it was a disagreement between one of the policemen and the victim.
She said, “What happened was that a police inspector had an issue with some passengers on a motorbike. I don’t know if he was beaten, but one of the men slumped and he was rushed to the Madonna University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“He was being treated but later confirmed dead by a doctor. But the inspector has been arrested and detained. The matter has been transferred to the State CIID for discreet investigation.”
metro
Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India
Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India
The India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), along with Delhi Police, busted a drug cartel, arrested five suspects including four foreign students from an “influential Nigerian family” and seized MDMA, high-quality crystal meth and Afghan heroin worth Rs 27 crore.
The raid was conducted in the Chattarpur area of Delhi on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Announcing the seizure in a statement on the social media platform X, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah praised the agencies, saying, “Our relentless hunt against the illicit trade continues.”
According to officials, the NCB and the Delhi Police’s Special Cell traced the source of the drugs to a rented accommodation of an African national, where the MDMA was being synthesised.
Five, including four African nationals belonging to an influential family of Nigeria, have been arrested, a senior MHA official said.
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Acting on inputs about a high-quality methamphetamine transaction in Chhatarpur area, a joint team of NCB and the Special Cell intercepted a vehicle carrying 5.103 kg of crystal methamphetamine, valued at Rs 10.2 crore.
Questioning of the accused and technical tracking led them to an ‘African Kitchen’ in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, identified as the source of the contraband.
From this location, 1.156 kgs of crystal methamphetamine, 4.142 kgs of Afghan heroin, and 5.776 kgs of MDMA (Ecstasy pills) have been recovered, officials said.
Further probe led to a follow-up search at a rented apartment in Greater Noida from where 389 grams of Afghan heroin and 26 grams of cocaine have been recovered.
According to the officials, the accused are students of private universities in NCR and Punjab. Besides drugs, they are also suspected to be involved in cryptocurrency trade.
Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India
metro
Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail
Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail
The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has warned that promoters and operators of any Ponzi Scheme in the country risk a penalty of not less than N20 million or imprisonment to a term of 10 years or both, upon conviction as prescribed by the provisions of the newly signed Investments and Securities Act 2025.
The SEC’s Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who stated this in Abuja, said the goal of the new legislation is to strengthen the legal framework governing Nigeria’s capital market, better protect investors, and introduce reforms that will promote market integrity, transparency, and sustainable growth.
He explained that previously, the SEC lacked the legal power to prosecute Ponzi scheme operators, which made it difficult to bring offenders to justice.
However, under the new law, those convicted of operating Ponzi schemes face a jail term of 10 years or more. “With the new law, they now face a 10-year jail term and beyond,” he said.
He further explained that the Act stipulates a minimum fine of N10 million for anyone operating a Ponzi scheme in Nigeria.
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“So, N10 million is not the entire penalty or the entire money that will be charged or sanctioned to any suspecting or any accused capital market or non-capital market operator. It is just part of the penalties and or the sanctions that will be meted against such persons,” Agama explained.
The SEC Director-General also said that sanctions will include “disgorgement,” meaning that any profits or gains obtained from defrauding Nigerians will be recovered adding “It is not about the quantum of the fraud, it is about sanctions that would deter people from even getting into it”.
Also, Agama said the new ISA has also provided the SEC with the power to be able to obtain and request telephone conversations and all other conversations that are required to Prosecute Ponzi operators.
“We recognize that a lot of Nigerians have fallen prey to these sponsor schemes and the reason why that is the case is because there were no sanctions. You know enough to deter them from doing this so what this Act has done is to introduce measures for Ponzi scheme operators and intending Ponzi scheme operators not to be able to do this again against the wish and will of Nigerians.
“Protecting the investors in Nigeria is a cardinal responsibility of the SEC and this law has provided the SEC with stronger powers to be able to do that. This law has also been able to provide the SEC with the power to be able to search phones and get phone records for people who are interested in dealing with Nigerians or interested in duping Nigerians. We are able to get these records and quickly provide enforcement actions for the people that are involved so for us it is limitless,” he added.
Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail
metro
Kogi LG imposes curfew ahead of Natasha’s homecoming event
Kogi LG imposes curfew ahead of Natasha’s homecoming event
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Amoka Monday, has imposed a curfew across the council.
Monday cited security concerns following the ban on political rallies and unauthorised public gatherings.
In a statement he signed on Monday, he explained that the curfew was necessary to ensure peace and order in line with directives from the Kogi State Government and Commissioner of Police.
He noted that anyone found loitering or assembling in restricted zones without clearance from the relevant authorities will be arrested and prosecuted.
According to him: “The curfew, which takes immediate effect, restricts movement and gatherings in designated areas.
“Anyone found loitering or assembling in restricted zones without clearance from the relevant authorities will be arrested and prosecuted.
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“The safety of our people is paramount. We will not allow any situation that could jeopardise the peace and stability of our communities.”
The chairman emphasized that the curfew was a proactive step to prevent any potential security threats.
He reassured residents that the local government administration was working closely with security agencies to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to maintain law and order.
The curfew and the ban on political rallies are part of the Kogi State Government’s broader efforts to preserve peace, curb misinformation, and ensure that public gatherings adhere to legal guidelines.
Residents have been urged to comply with the directive and cooperate with security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
The administration also appealed for calm, encouraging the public to go about their daily activities within the confines of the law.
Kogi LG imposes curfew ahead of Natasha’s homecoming event
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