Category Archives: Crime

Prime suspect in murder of two AAUA students is dead – Police

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The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Oladele Femi, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

Femi, popularly known as “Tallex”, was the landlord of one of the victims, John Abba, who went missing alongside his female friend, Eloho Okah, on June 20, 2025.

Police spokesperson DSP Olushola Ayanlade, speaking to journalists on Saturday, said the suspect died in hospital after battling a strange illness.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of hospital. He passed away yesterday,” Ayanlade confirmed.

Read Also: Police arrest four in Akwa Ibom, recover stolen items

Before his death, Femi had reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting his role in the disappearance and murder of the two students. The decomposing remains of Okah have since been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to locate Abba’s body.

Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects, identified as Kola and Michael, who allegedly withdrew ₦800,000 from the late Abba’s bank account during his captivity.

The police also recovered a Lexus RX 350 SUV, which belonged to Abba, from one of the suspects. The vehicle and bank transactions became critical leads that tied the suspects to the case.

Femi and his accomplices reportedly lured and murdered the victims before burying their bodies in a shallow grave on the property.

While the death of the primary suspect may complicate further prosecution, police authorities say the investigation is still active, and efforts to recover Abba’s remains and bring all accomplices to justice are ongoing.

The tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage among students and residents in Akungba, who are calling for tighter security and justice for the slain undergraduates.

Man steals aeroplane in Canada, 22 Years after mysterious Boeing 727 disappearance in Angola

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In a rare and bold incident that stunned aviation authorities, a man in Canada stole a small aircraft from Victoria International Airport and flew it without authorization—22 years after a similar but far more mysterious aviation theft shocked the world.

According to CNN, the man, whose identity has not been revealed, stole a Cessna 172—a small aircraft typically used for flight training—and flew it about 40 miles north to Vancouver International Airport, one of Canada’s busiest. The incident forced air traffic controllers to temporarily restrict movements in the airspace.

Audio from the control tower captured the urgency of the situation as the stolen plane approached:

“We do have an aircraft that has been stolen and is in the vicinity of the airport,” one controller told pilots. “Just in case anything starts heading towards you, you have the ability to move at your discretion.”

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Though the thief reportedly lacked flying experience and circled the airport for some time, he managed to land the aircraft safely. Police officers were already waiting and arrested him immediately upon landing. He was the only person on board.

A Haunting Parallel: Angola’s Missing Boeing 727
This latest incident echoes a mystifying case from 2003, when two men stole a Boeing 727 from Luanda International Airport in Angola. The aircraft, which had previously been operated by American Airlines, was parked and unused after plans to convert it were abandoned.

On May 25, 2003, an American pilot and a mechanic boarded the plane, fueled it with 14,000 gallons, and took off without clearance. Despite global efforts to trace the plane, it disappeared without a trace. Neither the aircraft nor the men on board have ever been found.

The event remains one of the great aviation mysteries of modern history.

Aviation Security Under Scrutiny
While the recent Canadian theft ended without casualties or damage, it has raised fresh questions about the vulnerability of aircraft at secured airports and the ease with which unauthorized individuals can gain access.

Though the two incidents are decades apart and differ in scale, both highlight ongoing concerns about airport security, flight school aircraft management, and how breaches still occur despite modern surveillance and control systems.

Alleged Drug Trafficking: Court adjourns Ahmadu Abubakar’s trial to July 24

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The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the trial of Ahmadu Abubakar, who is facing charges of drug trafficking, to July 24, 2025.

Presided over by Justice Isaac Dipeolu, the case was earlier scheduled to continue on Thursday, but the proceedings were stalled following a request for adjournment by the defence counsel.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is prosecuting Abubakar for allegedly importing 164.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa into Nigeria. According to court filings, the drugs were smuggled from Canada and hidden inside eight jumbo suitcases.

Read Also: Appeal Court affirms Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso

In its submission, the NDLEA claims Abubakar conspired with Ughenu Nnaife Francis, who was convicted for a similar offence in May 2024, and another alleged accomplice known simply as “Black”, who is reportedly still at large.

The agency further stated that Abubakar procured Francis to assist in the illegal importation of the banned substance.

The charges levelled against the defendant are in violation of Sections 11(c) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case will now continue on July 24, as the court awaits further submissions from both the prosecution and the defence teams.

Police arrest four in Akwa Ibom, recover stolen items

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including cultism and theft, in Uyo and surrounding communities.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, two of the suspects confessed to being members of a notorious cult group known as the Vikings, while the other two were arrested for theft-related offences.

DSP John said the arrests followed credible intelligence received from residents, prompting a discreet operation by officers of the command in Ikot Ambon village, near Uyo, on Sunday, July 14.

“At about 9:20pm, our operatives carried out a strategic raid in Ikot Ambon where two suspected cultists were apprehended,” she stated.

Items reportedly recovered from the scene include a locally made double-barrel gun, two live cartridges, and a wrap of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, among other items. She added that a manhunt has been launched to track other members of the cult group who remain at large.

Read Also: Police arrest three suspects over attack on NANS members

In a separate operation, the command arrested a suspect from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area on Tuesday, July 15, in connection with the theft of a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number UWN 84 XD. The arrest followed a report from the vehicle’s owner, which led to a targeted investigation and the eventual recovery of the stolen truck.

Also on the same day, police officers responded to a distress call at Itiam Bus Stop along Oron Road in Uyo, leading to the arrest of another suspect for allegedly stealing a split-unit air conditioner.

The police spokesperson confirmed that all arrested suspects are in custody and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

DSP John reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of residents, urging the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies.

“We are ever ready to respond to any breach of peace. We encourage residents to report any suspicious persons or movements in their surroundings,” she said.

Stay with News Access NG for more updates on security and crime across Nigeria.

7/7 anniversary: Police vow to halt ‘Cult Day’ violence

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 The Police Command in Lagos State has assured residents of its strong commitment to maintaining maximum security during the Cult Day celebration on Monday.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.

He noted that July 7 is often marked by chaos, mayhem, and killings among rival cult groups, often involving violent reprisals.

The Commissioner of Police said the command is fully prepared, with personnel mobilised to apprehend and prosecute any cultists before violence can erupt.

He added that Anti-Cultism Squads, Special Tactical Squads, Police Mobile Force, Intelligence Department, and other special units have all been mobilised.

According to him, preventive and detective strategies are already implemented to ensure cultists do not disrupt the state’s peace.

He said security operatives have been deployed across the state to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors.

“Based on credible intelligence, some cult groups plan to launch attacks and reprisals on July 7,” Jimoh warned.

He stressed that the police have put robust measures in place to prevent any such violent activity.

“The command is fully prepared to maintain law and order,” Jimoh said, adding no group would be allowed to breach the peace.

Acting on intelligence, he said the police raided cult hideouts in Mushin on Sunday, arresting 52 suspected cultists.

Jimoh said the suspects were apprehended while preparing for violent attacks and are currently in police custody.

He stated that the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.

Read Also: Police arrest three suspects over attack on NANS members

The CP also warned hotel owners and recreational facility managers against harbouring cult activities.

He said such establishments must not allow their premises to be used for cult meetings or violent gatherings.

“Violators will face the full weight of the law,” Jimoh warned.

The CP also urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against cultism and related crimes.

He stated that the consequences of engaging in cult activities are severe and offenders will be prosecuted.

Jimoh held an operational meeting on Sunday with commanders of Anti-Cultism and Tactical Units at the Command Headquarters.

He charged them to ensure no cult group disturbs the peace or causes harm in any part of the state.

“The command’s crime prevention and detective units remain on high alert and committed to protecting all residents,” he said.

Jimoh encouraged residents to continue their lawful activities without fear or intimidation.

He urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via 08063299264 and 08065154338.

(NAN) 

NDLEA detains couple, two daughters for alleged drug running

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

In a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media And Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in Abuja, stated that their family friend was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving the family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13 by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg skunk.

Read Also: NDLEA intercepts businessman with 81 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos on Wednesday, July 2 intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,”he said.

(NAN)

FBI cracks down on fraudster over ₦460m Trump inauguration crypto scam

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The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against a Nigerian national, Ehiremen Aigbokhan, accused of stealing over ₦460 million in cryptocurrency intended for the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January 2025.

According to court documents, Aigbokhan allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme from Lagos, Nigeria. The operation involved creating spoofed email addresses that closely resembled those of officials on the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee.

Investigators said the suspects used a nearly identical email address—substituting a lowercase “L” for an uppercase “I”—to impersonate committee co-chair Steve Witkoff. The deception led a donor to transfer 250,300 USDT.ETH (a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar) on December 26, 2024.

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Authorities reported that the funds, valued at more than ₦400 million at the time, were quickly dispersed to multiple digital wallets. The FBI, working with cryptocurrency company Tether, froze the accounts on December 31 after identifying suspicious transactions.

Further forensic analysis traced the activity to Lagos, with login records linking the fraudulent wallet to a Binance account registered by Aigbokhan in October 2024. Officials noted the account had no prior deposits before receiving the stolen funds.

In total, U.S. authorities seized 20,017 USDT.ETH from Aigbokhan’s wallet and another 20,336 USDT.ETH from a connected wallet, together worth over ₦60 million.

The U.S. Department of Justice is now seeking court approval to permanently forfeit the digital assets. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Blaylock Jr., who is prosecuting the case, confirmed that Aigbokhan also faces charges related to money laundering and wire fraud.

The FBI has not disclosed whether extradition proceedings have begun but described the case as one of the most significant cybercrimes linked to a U.S. presidential event.

The incident has renewed calls for stricter cybersecurity measures in political fundraising and underscored the growing threat posed by international cybercriminal networks.

Officials urged donors and organizations to verify email communications and carefully check payment details before authorizing large transfers.

17 Police officers injured in 2nd night of Ballymena riots

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Seventeen police officers have been injured following a second consecutive night of sustained violence in Ballymena, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the ongoing rioting “risks undermining” the criminal justice process into an alleged sexual assault involving a teenage girl in the County Antrim town over the weekend.

Stormont ministers issued an urgent appeal for calm, insisting that the justice process must be allowed to run its course.

In a joint statement, ministers from across the power-sharing executive said those involved in the disorder “have nothing to offer society but division and destruction.”

Police reported that officers came under sustained attack for several hours, with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks, and fireworks being thrown at them in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night.

Riot police were deployed, with officers using plastic baton rounds, water cannon, and dog units to try to disperse the crowds.

Read Also: Police arrest three suspects over attack on NANS members

Sporadic disorder was also reported in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and north Belfast.

The violence followed a peaceful protest earlier in the week, held in support of the family of a girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area.

Two teenage boys have been charged in connection with the case and spoke to the court via a Romanian interpreter.

During Tuesday night’s unrest in Ballymena, multiple businesses and homes were damaged, and several vehicles were set on fire. Police confirmed that:

Seventeen officers were injured, with some requiring hospital treatment.

Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in custody.

One male was arrested for disorderly behaviour on O’Neill Road in Newtownabbey.

Roads in affected areas were temporarily closed to ensure public safety but have since been reopened.

Fifteen officers were also injured during similar violence in Ballymena on Monday night.
(dpa/NAN)

Police arrest three suspects over attack on NANS members

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The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested three suspects in connection with the attack on members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at Ogbese in Ondo State.

CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, made this known on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Sunday, Feb. 23, NANS members were attacked at Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, while traveling to Abuja for their annual convention.

Odunlami explained that the command received a distress call from one of the NANS members, reporting an unprovoked attack by some youths in the Ogbese Area .

The PPRO said the police swiftly moved to the scene, restored calm, and ensured the safety of the victims.

He said a manhunt was immediately launched to apprehend the masterminds behind the attack.

“Intelligence gathered revealed that this was not the first time NANS members had been targeted in the same community.

“Through intelligence-led policing, the special squad of the command successfully arrested three suspects linked to the incident,” she said.

Read Also: Police foil alleged terror plot, recover explosives, weapons in Kano

Odunlami said that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Wilfred Afolabi, had reassured NANS members of a thorough investigation to uncover the full details behind the attack, and to bring all those involved to justice.

The PPRO said that the commissioner also reaffirmed the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of all residents and travellers passing through the state.

“The three suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

“The Police Command in Ondo State urges the public to remain law-abiding and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency,” she said.

Odunlami said that the NANS team, led by Comrade Owolewa Taiwo, Zonal Coordinator, South-West, expressed appreciation to the police commissioner for the swift intervention and the command’s efforts in maintaining security across the state.

The PPRO said Taiwo further pledged NANS’ support in collaborating with the police to combat crime and criminality in Ondo State.

(NAN)

Court adjourns FIRS $79.5bn suit against Binance until April 7

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the suit filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Ltd, demanding 79.5 billion US dollars over economic losses allegedly caused by its operations in Nigeria, until April 7.

The matter, which was on number 9 on the cause list, could not proceed before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The development occured after some cases had be heard by the judge before he went on recess.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FIRS ha, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1444/2024, dragged Binance, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla to court.

In the originating summons dated and filed Sept. 30, 2024, by Chief Kanu Agabi, the country’s’ tax regulatory body sought four questions for determination.

The FIRS prayed the court to determine “whether pursuant to Section 13(2) of the Companies Income Tax (CIT) Act Cap. C21, LFN, 2024 and Order (1)(a) and (c) of Companies Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence) Order 2020, the defendants are not liable to pay annual corporate income tax to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for having had significant economic presence in Nigeria from 2022 to 2023, among others.

The agency, therefore, sought nine reliefs should the court answered its questions in the affirmative.

It wants the court to declare that pursuant to all relevant laws, the defendants are liable to pay annual corporate income tax to the Federal Government for having significant economic presence in the country.

It wants the court to declare that Binance and its representatives are lliable to file their income tax to the agency for the year 2022 and 2023 respectively from the time they began to exercise significant economic presence in Nigeria.

FIRS also seeks a declaration that it is entitled, under Section 87(1) of the CIT Act Cap. C21, LFN, 2004; Sections 25(1) and 34(1) of the FIRS (Establishment) Act 2007, to recover from the defendants the cumulative sum of $2,001,000,000.00 being the amount due by way of income tax to the plaintiff from the defendants for 2022 and 2023 respectively.

It also seeks a declaration that pursuant to Section 85(1) of the CIT Act Cap. C21, LFN, 2004 and Section 32(1) of the FIRS (Establishment) Act 2007, the defendants are liable to additional payment of 10 per cent per annum on the tax due but not paid for 2022 and 2023 respectively.

The agency, therefore, sought an order mandating the defendants to pay to the plaintiff the sums of $2,001,000,000.00 for year 2022 and for 2023, being the unpaid income tax due to the plaintiff from the defendants for the year 2022 and 2023 respectively.

“An order mandating the defendants to pay to the plaintiff the 10% addition for non-payment of income tax for year 2022 and 2023 respectively.

“An order mandating the defendants to pay 26.75% interest rate being the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lending interest per annum from the 1st January, 2023 and 1st January, 2024 respectively when the tax become due and payable until it is fully paid.”

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In the affidavit deposed to by Jimada Yusuf, a member, Special Investigation Team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), he said he and other officials of FIRS and other regulatory agencies, investigated Binance’s business activities in Nigeria.

Yusuf said the Federal Government discovered that Binance had been operating in Nigeria for over six years without registration.

According to him, this was allegedly confirmed by Gambaryan and Anjarwalla during a meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2024.

He further claimed that in a letter dated February 20, 2024, Binance admitted to having 386,256 active users from Nigeria on its platform, with a trading volume of $21.6 billion and a net revenue of $35.4 million for the calendar year 2023.

He accused Binance and its executives of multiple infractions, including offering financial services without the necessary licenses, operating without required permits, non-compliance with the money laundering Act, providing currency speculation services without proper authorisation, etc.

Yusuf averred that Binance engaged in Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) activities in Nigeria, providing trading and custodial services to Nigerian users without proper registration with the relevant regulatory agencies, among others.

NAN reports that the FIRS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC) are also prosecuting the cryptocurrency company in separate charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court.

(NAN)