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Six Nigerians Extradited to US Over $6m Romance Scam

Published

4 weeks ago

September 12, 2026

Six Nigerians Extradited to US Over $6m Romance Scam

Six Nigerians Extradited to US Over $6m Romance Scam

Six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a sophisticated online romance scam that defrauded more than 100 American women of approximately $6 million (over N8 billion) have been extradited from South Africa to the United States to face trial. The suspects, arrested in Cape Town in 2021, are believed to be members of Black Axe, a notorious Nigerian organised crime syndicate linked to internet fraud, human trafficking and murder. They were handed over to officials from the FBI and the United States Secret Service at Cape Town International Airport on Friday. The extradition coincides with a significant diplomatic escalation between Nigeria and South Africa, as Nigeria’s National Assembly announced the suspension of all official visits to South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit confirmed that the six suspects were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport, where they were formally transferred to US custody. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the men were wanted by US authorities on charges including wire fraud and money laundering. Upon arrival in the United States, they are expected to face federal indictments. The suspects allegedly targeted pensioners and businesspeople through “sophisticated online relationships used to defraud them of their money,” according to the Hawks. The total losses exceeded 100 million rand, equivalent to approximately $6 million or £5 million.

According to the US Justice Department, members of the group used social media websites, online dating platforms, and internet-based phone calls to identify and communicate with victims in the United States while operating under numerous aliases. A common narrative involved a purported online love interest travelling to Cape Town to work on a construction project. The victim would then be told that this person had been mugged and needed a phone and other electronic devices sent to South Africa. Victims were also persuaded to provide loans for purported crane repairs, legal fees from an accident at the site, or foreign taxes to release a larger sum of money owed to them. The group allegedly also used victims’ bank accounts and US-based financial accounts to transfer money to South Africa. In some cases, victims were convinced to open financial accounts in the US that the alleged conspirators were then permitted to use themselves.

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Black Axe began as a Nigerian student fraternity in the late 1970s called the Neo Black Movement of Africa. It has since evolved into a structured, violent criminal organisation frequently engaged in financial cybercrime. A BBC Eye investigation in 2021 described the syndicate as one of the most far-reaching and dangerous organised crime groups in the world. Nigeria remains its main recruitment ground, and many members are university-educated and inducted during their schooling. The FBI launched operations against Black Axe in November 2019 and September 2021, leading to charges against more than 35 individuals over alleged multimillion-dollar internet fraud. In 2021, the US Justice Department announced federal charges against eight men allegedly linked to the group, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. Interpol has coordinated multiple operations targeting the network. In its most recent operation, conducted between November 2025 and June 2026, seven locations in South Africa linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams were raided. The operation led to 39 arrests, the seizure of money, and the blocking of more than 250 bank accounts.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or organised legislative activities until further notice. The decision, announced in a statement signed by Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The National Assembly expressed “grave concern over the continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in the Republic of South Africa.” The leadership noted that despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to South African authorities, reports of such incidents had persisted.

The suspension covers all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, as well as participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings and legislative exchanges organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities. It also includes both physical and virtual participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes. The National Assembly emphasised that the decision was not intended to undermine longstanding diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, but rather constituted “a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.” It called on the South African government to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents thoroughly, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure those found culpable are prosecuted.

Nigerian officials have said at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob attacks and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022. This year alone, 1,695 Nigerians have been voluntarily evacuated amid xenophobia-related tensions, according to Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria. South African authorities have reported that more than 86,000 African migrants have been repatriated in recent months due to xenophobic violence, though figures released by migrants’ home countries put the total at approximately 178,000. Nigeria has evacuated 1,490 nationals through government-supported flights. The tensions are a recurring feature of Nigeria-South Africa relations, with major outbreaks occurring in 2008, 2015 and 2019. The worst episode in recent memory occurred in 2008, when more than 60 people lost their lives. In July, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola led a delegation to Abuja for talks aimed at easing tensions, saying the South African government condemned “all forms of xenophobia.”

Six Nigerians Extradited to US Over $6m Romance Scam

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Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

Published

40 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.

The arrests were made between September 18 and October 7, 2026, as part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

In the latest operation, operatives of the Inyi Police Division responded to a distress call over an alleged armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw community in Oji River Local Government Area at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.

The operation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, while other suspects reportedly fled the scene.

Police said operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.

In another operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, attached to the Nsukka sector, arrested two suspected cult members at Umudioka community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus.

According to the police, three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the two suspects.

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The command said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, an allegation they would have the opportunity to challenge in court.

A separate operation on September 25 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna at an alleged criminal hideout in Amagu Mpu community, Aninri Local Government Area.

Police operatives, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, reportedly raided the location following intelligence on suspected criminal activities.

A locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, operatives of the 9th Mile Police Division arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area, at about 11 p.m. on September 18.

The police said Chukwuemeka was arrested following information allegedly linking him to armed robbery activities in the area.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were reportedly recovered from him.

The four operations produced a total of five arrests, three firearms and six rounds of ammunition, with investigations continuing into the alleged offences and the suspects’ individual roles.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved and residents whose information assisted the operations.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police to help prevent armed robbery, cult-related violence and other security threats across the state.

The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

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Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N50 million bail to Arinze Nwogba, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, admitted Nwogba to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge held that the alleged offence was bailable and not a capital offence, while noting that Nwogba had indicated through his bail application that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.

The court, however, attached stringent conditions to the bail.

One of the sureties must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.

Each surety is required to swear an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.

The court also ordered Nwogba and the sureties to submit photocopies of their National Identification slips.

The court registrar was directed to verify the bail documents and issue a report, with the prosecution also required to participate in the verification process.

Importantly, the ruling does not mean Nwogba walks out of custody immediately. He is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.

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The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Nwogba is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

The police allege that he impersonated Professor Aina by using the JAMB registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller, allegedly with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.

According to the prosecution, a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over a suspected criminal operation involving the unauthorised use of the registrar’s name, photograph and telephone number to deceive members of the public.

The police alleged that the suspects also used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach prospective victims with purported government contracts.

In one alleged scheme, the impersonators reportedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution alleged that prospective beneficiaries were subsequently asked to make payments, including N900,000 described as an initial “handshake” and another N3 million purportedly for officials of the ministry.

The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during investigations into the alleged impersonation.

The prosecution further alleged that Nwogba used the operational name Dr Stephen Igwe and admitted forwarding bank account details to a relative allegedly connected with the fraudulent operation.

Another alleged member of the operation, identified by the police as Nnabuife Nwekpa, is said to be at large.

Nwogba pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.

The bail ruling therefore allows him an opportunity to secure his release pending trial, but only after satisfying the conditions imposed by the court.

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

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NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to honour the Baale of Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, after he intervened to save a large sea turtle from being killed by fishermen.

The development followed the rescue of the marine animal after it became entangled in a fishing net along the coastline of the community.

The fishermen reportedly initially believed they had caught a large fish. However, the situation changed after the Baale intervened and stopped attempts to kill or sell the animal.

Chief Jejelaiye urged the fishermen and other residents to release the turtle, while explaining the importance of protecting endangered and threatened marine species.

The fishermen, with the assistance of other community members, carefully freed the animal from the net and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.

The rescue attracted widespread attention after footage of the incident circulated online, with many Nigerians commending the community for choosing to protect the animal rather than kill it.

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NESREA has subsequently commended the Baale and the local fishing community for their intervention, describing the rescue as an example of grassroots environmental conservation.

The agency is expected to issue a Letter of Commendation to Chief Jejelaiye in recognition of his role in preventing harm to the marine animal and promoting wildlife protection within the community.

The incident has also renewed attention to the challenges facing sea turtles in Nigeria, particularly along the Lagos coastline.

Sea turtles are exposed to several threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, destruction of nesting habitats, pollution, illegal hunting and human consumption.

Conservation efforts in the Ibeju-Lekki area have previously focused on educating fishing communities about the importance of protecting sea turtles and finding ways to reduce conflicts between conservation and fishing activities.

The latest rescue also highlights the role that traditional rulers and coastal communities can play in protecting endangered wildlife.

NESREA, which is responsible for enforcing Nigeria’s environmental laws and regulations, has continued to advocate stronger community participation in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

The rescued turtle was identified in reports as a leatherback sea turtle, one of the largest living turtle species. Leatherback turtles face serious threats globally from fishing gear, habitat loss, pollution and other human activities.

The successful release of the turtle back into the ocean has been described as a positive example of what can happen when local communities respond quickly to protect threatened wildlife.

The development is also expected to strengthen calls for greater awareness among fishermen and residents of Nigeria’s coastal communities on how to safely handle marine animals accidentally caught in fishing nets.

For Okun Igando, the intervention by the Baale has turned what could have been the death of a rare marine animal into a notable wildlife conservation success story.