Crime

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a suspected Mexican drug kingpin and dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State. The suspect, identified as Mexican national Arturo Carrera Loaiza, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while allegedly trying to leave Nigeria. The NDLEA said Loaiza was linked to a transnational drug syndicate behind several clandestine methamphetamine laboratories uncovered in different parts of the country. According to the agency, investigations revealed that Loaiza allegedly recruited another Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa, who was earlier arrested at a meth laboratory in Oyo State. Investigators later traced Loaiza to a property under construction in Isiata Ugoni Okposi, Ebonyi State, after analysing metadata from photographs recovered during the investigation. A raid on the property on August 30 uncovered structures, chemicals and equipment allegedly connected to methamphetamine production. CCTV footage reportedly showed Loaiza and a Nigerian suspect, John Samuel Ivo Okike, moving chemicals and laboratory equipment. The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members, financiers and collaborators allegedly connected to the drug network.

A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued near a security checkpoint in Onitsha, Anambra State. The boy was reportedly abandoned around Ekene Junction along Oguta Road after security operatives intercepted the vehicle carrying him and pursued the suspects. The Anambra State Police Command says the rescue followed a joint security operation on Sunday night. Police say the boy was dropped from a black Toyota Highlander SUV by unidentified persons close to the checkpoint, while the suspects escaped. The operatives quickly rescued the teenager and prevented further harm. The police have intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and arrest those behind the alleged abduction. No suspect has been arrested so far, while the police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Four mobile policemen and seven civilians have been killed in a renewed attack on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday when suspected armed bandits invaded the community in large numbers. The police said officers from the Mobile Police Force, tactical teams and conventional units engaged the attackers in a seven-hour operation, eventually forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest. Four police officers were killed during the operation, while the bodies of seven civilians were also recovered and taken to a mortuary. The police command says additional tactical teams have been deployed to the area to strengthen security and support ongoing operations. Residents have been urged to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies by providing information that could assist the operation. A community resident, however, claimed that about 200 suspected armed herders invaded the area, shooting and burning houses. The community also reported additional civilian casualties.

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, NICASA, has called for justice following the killing of 58-year-old Nigerian Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle in Johannesburg, South Africa. Fakunle was reportedly shot dead at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Friday. NICASA President, Reverend Frank Onyekwelu, said Nigerians in South Africa were shocked and saddened by the incident. According to him, preliminary information indicated that two suspects entered the bishop’s residence before opening fire, reportedly shooting him more than seven times. Fakunle, who hailed from Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was described as a victim whose death has caused deep pain within the Nigerian community in South Africa. NICASA has called on the South African Police Service and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible and bring them to justice. The association said the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg had been informed, while a murder case has been opened at Jeppe Police Station. NICASA also urged Nigerians and community leaders in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that the pursuit of justice must be through legitimate channels.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested and repatriated a suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, from Benin Republic after more than two years on the run. Ibewuike, 52, was arrested in Cotonou on September 2, 2026, following a joint operation involving the NDLEA and INTERPOL offices in Nigeria and Benin Republic. The suspect was reportedly wanted in connection with the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in February 2024. According to the NDLEA, Ibewuike fled Nigeria after the seizure and relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel as a cover for his activities. He was also said to have moved between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic while evading arrest. The agency said the 49.70kg heroin shipment was concealed inside cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the airport’s Import Shed. It described the seizure as the largest single heroin seizure recorded at the airport. The investigation into the drug network led to the arrest of several suspects, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiama Ibewuike, who allegedly received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf. The NDLEA said 107 bank accounts linked to the syndicate were frozen, while properties connected to the cartel were also forfeited. Three suspects, Augustine Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline have been convicted and sentenced, while three others remain on trial. Ibewuike was among those charged in absentia. Following his return to Nigeria, the suspect was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, on September 5, where he reportedly identified heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code as being linked to him. Further investigation also linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. The case, which involved another suspect, Chidi Idiohia, resulted in a conviction in 2023. The NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, described Ibewuike’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to apprehend fleeing drug traffickers. Marwa said the arrest demonstrated that suspects who flee the country cannot remain beyond the reach of Nigerian law enforcement agencies. He commended the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for their cooperation in locating the suspect and facilitating his return to Nigeria. Ibewuike is expected to face charges relating to the 49.70kg heroin seizure linked to his alleged drug network.

A 35-year-old suspected kidnapper, Victor Ini, has claimed that he joined a kidnapping gang after being promised N40,000 for his role in abducting a woman in Rivers State. Ini, a native of Akwa Ibom State, made the claim during interrogation in a video shared by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe, on Wednesday. According to the suspect, the gang planned to abduct the woman from her shop, collect money from her and later release her. He alleged that the woman’s neighbour, identified as Chukwuebuka, recruited the gang after informing them that she had money. Ini said it was his first time working with the gang and that he had not received any payment from the operation. The suspect identified his alleged accomplices as Chukwuebuka, Chinedu, Okwozichi and Evance. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said Ini was arrested during an operation launched after the abduction of a woman identified as Loveth. Agabe said Loveth was abducted by armed men on September 2, 2026, while sitting in front of her shop. The assailants reportedly fired shots into the air before forcing her into a vehicle and driving away. Following intelligence gathered by operatives of the Eleme Police Division, the police tracked the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, during which Ini was arrested. The police recovered a silver-coloured mini Keke bus with registration number RBC 992 XE, Abuja, from the suspects. Other items recovered included two locally made pistols, one live ammunition, a mobile phone, two identity cards, two black gowns and a vehicle number plate bearing registration number KRK 528 HG. The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected gang. The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, assured residents that the command would continue to take measures to protect lives and property and bring suspected criminals to justice. He also warned criminal elements that there would be no safe haven for them in the state. The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could help the police combat crime.

The National Cash Transfer Office has rejected allegations that the Federal Government could not provide sufficient evidence that N33.75 billion in electronic cash transfers reached genuine beneficiaries. The allegation followed findings by the Auditor-General for the Federation, who questioned payments made by the office in 2023. However, the National Cash Transfer Office said the interpretation of the audit findings was incomplete, insisting that the funds were transferred through the government’s established payment system to beneficiaries listed in the National Beneficiary Register. The office also denied obstructing auditors from accessing payment records, saying it had documentary evidence, including emails, showing that beneficiary information and REMITA payment records were provided to the audit team. According to the Auditor-General’s report, N33.751 billion was electronically transferred to about 3.3 million households and beneficiaries across 35 states. The auditors raised concerns because payment vouchers did not contain complete beneficiary details and the REMITA statement needed to reconcile the payments with the National Social Register and National Beneficiary Register was reportedly not presented. In its response, the Cash Transfer Office stressed that an audit query does not automatically amount to a finding of fraud, diversion or loss of public funds. It said beneficiary records were maintained electronically and could be reconciled with corresponding payment records. The office added that the 2023 National Beneficiary Register was sent to auditors by email in April 2025, while records for 2024 and 2025 were also transmitted in April 2026. The office further disputed other audit observations involving N4.62 billion in payments, N350.18 million released for beneficiary enrolment, and N36.74 billion in payments made without prepayment audits. It maintained that supporting documents and electronic records were available for verification and said some funds previously questioned had already been recovered or refunded. The National Cash Transfer Office urged the public and media to distinguish between audit observations that require clarification and established findings of fraud or financial loss. It also reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with oversight authorities and providing the necessary records for reconciliation.

The Anambra State Police Command and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, are at odds over an allegation that N600,000 was paid to secure the release of a woman arrested during an investigation into cult-related killings in Awka. The woman, identified as Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, was arrested on August 31, 2026, in connection with investigations involving her brother, Nwosu Kenechukwu, who is wanted over an alleged murder case. Jennifer reportedly tells RULAAC that she spends four days in detention and is repeatedly asked to produce her brother. She alleges that she pays N600,000 on September 3 before she is released on what she describes as “administrative bail.” She also says her mobile phone is seized without a receipt or seizure form. However, the police deny demanding any money for her release. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, describes the allegation as misleading, saying Jennifer is granted bail after agreeing to cooperate with investigators and assist in efforts to locate her brother. Ikenga says Jennifer is arrested because of her alleged role in helping her brother evade arrest and not simply because she is related to him. He insists that neither N600,000 nor any other payment is demanded as a condition for her release. RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, however, says the police denial does not resolve the allegation and calls for a proper investigation. Nwanguma says RULAAC contacted the police after receiving the complaint and gave the authorities an opportunity to verify the allegations before the matter became public. He questions why Jennifer is reportedly detained for four days without being charged and calls on the police to explain the legal basis for her arrest and detention. RULAAC also wants authorities to establish whether any money changes hands during Jennifer’s detention and whether proper bail and property documentation exists. The organisation says it supports investigations into cult-related killings but insists that such investigations must comply with constitutional safeguards and due process. RULAAC is calling for a transparent and impartial investigation into Jennifer’s arrest, detention and the alleged N600,000 payment. It warns that if the Anambra State Police Command does not satisfactorily address the issues, it may petition the Inspector-General of Police for an independent investigation.

Several Nigerian youths who travelled to Southeast Asia in search of jobs reportedly ended up trapped in cyber-slave camps, where they were allegedly forced to carry out online scams under brutal conditions. Victims in compounds in Myanmar and Cambodia were reportedly forced to operate romance scams, fake online stores and cryptocurrency fraud schemes. Some were allegedly beaten, electrocuted, imprisoned and subjected to strict financial targets. One survivor, Offor, said workers were given monthly targets of about 300-thousand dollars per person and punished when they failed to meet them. He also alleged that detainees were locked in a small cage known as the “Dark Room” and repeatedly electrocuted. Another survivor, Michael, said he was recruited through Instagram and forced to create fake female profiles for romance scams. He and other African detainees later secretly contacted organisations for help using a phone hidden inside a stitched pillow. The Nigerian victims were eventually moved into Thailand, but some were convicted of illegal entry and detained in Bangkok. Survivors described the detention facility as overcrowded and worse than the camps they had escaped from. Meanwhile, another Nigerian victim, Doyin, said he paid five-thousand dollars to secure his release from a Cambodian trafficking compound after spending 11 months there. He later returned to Nigeria heavily indebted and was arrested over money he had borrowed to secure his freedom. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, said it had established a dedicated Cyber Crime Unit to tackle the emerging form of human trafficking. The agency also said it had stopped nearly 600 potential victims from being trafficked through airports and land borders within six months. Experts warned that online recruitment was creating new opportunities for traffickers, with victims increasingly targeted through fake job offers designed around their skills and aspirations.

A 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot dead in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday following a confrontation between suspected hoodlums and the security team of music star, Davido. The incident reportedly occurred shortly after Davido accompanied his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo to present his certificate of return after winning the August 15 governorship election. According to the Osun State Police Command, trouble started when a suspected thug, identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of the singer’s security team. The confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members, who later obstructed movement around the palace. The police said the suspects eventually left the area but allegedly shot Yusuf while fleeing. Yusuf was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, where he was pronounced dead. The police have launched an investigation and intensified efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects.