2026.3.19 So-Safe Corps Foils Cattle Rustling in Ogun
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, So-Safe Corps, has foiled an attempted invasion by cattle rustlers at a ranch in Ijagun, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode.
A statement by the State Commander, Dr Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Adegunwa Adegbuyi, said the Corps received a distress call from a resident of Ifesowapo Community, who reported a suspected cattle rustling incident.
The statement says the Ijebu Zonal Commander, DCC Yemi Odukoya, was immediately directed to mobilise a special squad to the scene, where operatives discovered that the rustlers had assaulted and injured the security guard on duty and fled with twenty cows.
The statement adds that the Corps launched a swift pursuit, forcing the suspects to abandon the cattle and flee, while the recovered herd was returned to the owner and the injured guard taken to hospital.
Dr Ganzallo said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and stressed the importance of collaboration between security agencies and residents in tackling crime, commending the community for providing prompt and useful information.
Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested three suspected illegal gold miners in Borno State.
They were arrested in Mallam Jakwa Town, Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, following actionable intelligence on their illegal activities.
The suspects are: Umar Muhammad, Modu Bamai Umar and Sani Samaila.
Their suspected illegal mining activities are worsening insecurity and environmental degradation in the state.
Items found in their possession upon their arrest include a small gold measuring machine and mined gold.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
x1200
2026.3.18 Court convicts 10 Filipinos of cocaine trafficking, fines them $6m
The federal high court in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel of trafficking 20 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.
The sailors were arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in November 2025 at Apapa seaport.
The vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, with registration number 9760110, arrived in Nigeria from Santos in Brazil.
The anti-drug agency had disclosed that its officers discovered the “Class A drug” buried under the ship’s cargo on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
THE CASE
The NDLEA arraigned the sailors and the vessel on a four-count charge.
The defendants are Eugene Quinos Corpuz; Mark Joseph Jardiniano; Alexis Navidad Evarrola; Francis Gerard Niones Carpio; Franz Jude Mayran; Mahinay Junniel Lagura; Mario Ganiban Malvar; Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan; Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda; and Edwin Baltazar Reyes.
Advertisement
In a statement released on Wednesday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges and entered a plea bargain agreement.
In his judgment, Ayokunle Faji, the trial judge, found the vessel guilty for an offence under section 25 of the NDLEA Act.
The judge ordered the vessel to pay the sum of N100,000 penalty for the offence and a restitution in the sum of N5.3 million to the federal government.
The judge convicted three principal officers of the vessel who are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants. They were asked to pay N100,000 each and a restitution of $100,000 each to the federal government.
After conviction, the judge ordered the 5th to 11th defendants to pay N100,000 each in addition to a restitution of $50,000 each.
According to the NDLEA, the total money to be paid to the federal government by the vessel and the 10 sailors is $6 million and N1.1million as restitution and penalty.
Reacting to the judgment, Mohammed Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, said the conviction of the vessel and its crew members is a “lesson to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer a playground for the illicit narcotics trade”.
“Let this judgment be an unambiguous signal to every shipping line, vessel owner, and sailor worldwide that if you turn your ships into floating warehouses for illicit drugs, you will not only lose your freedom but also your assets,” Marwa said.
“We have moved beyond mere seizures; we are now hitting the syndicates where it hurts most, their pockets and their operational assets.”
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ikoyi, on Monday, March 16, 2026, arraigned an ex-convict, Oluokun Gabriel Adekola, for an alleged 12m theft before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Adekola was arraigned on a one-count amended charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N12,000,000 (Twelve Million Naira).
The lone count charge reads:
“That you, OLUOKUN GABRIEL ADEKOLA, and other persons at large, sometime in 2025 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, collaborated with others to conceal and disguise the genuine origin of N12,000,000 paid into your account by transferring and converting same to cash through Point of Sale (POS) agents, money which forms part of N3,091,441,849 stolen from accounts domiciled with FCMB through unauthorized access and fraudulent activities on their mobile banking applications.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, M. K. Bashir and E. S. Okongwu, asked the court for a date to review the facts of the case and sentence.
The prosecution also prayed that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional centre.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till March 17, 2026 for the review of facts and sentence, and also ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.
Adekola had earlier been convicted on July 23, 2020 by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a Taiwanese of $22,300, following his prosecution by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on a six-count amended charge of obtaining money by false pretence.
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arrested Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, a suspected gunrunner, at Ivara Esu estate in Odukpani LGA of Cross River state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, that the arrest followed “credible intelligence” indicating that Dugo planned to purchase 832 rounds of live ammunition from Azenda Barnabas (alias Jagaban), another suspected gunrunner based in Aliade, Benue state.
“The operatives intercepted Dugo moments after he received the consignment, which was concealed in food items. Recovered [were] 832 rounds of ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines,” Makama said.
“The DSS has intensified its pursuit of such criminals, launching sustained operations across the states of the Federation.
“This successful operation is one of many ongoing nationwide efforts, highlighting the DSS’ firm commitment to dismantling gun-running syndicates and curbing illegal arms proliferation.”
—
2026.3.17 A timeline of attacks in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — At least 23 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in suspected suicide bombings Monday night that targeted Maiduguri city in northeastern Nigeria, police said Tuesday.
It was one of the deadliest attacks in the capital of the conflict-battered state of Borno in recent history.
Here is a timeline of major deadly attacks in Borno in the last five years:
Feb. 23, 2021
Suspected Boko Haram militants fired rocket-propelled grenades into densely populated areas of Maiduguri, including a university and a children’s playground, killing at least 10 people.
June 29, 2024
Female suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral and a hospital in coordinated attacks in the town of Gwoza that killed at least 32 people and injured over 100. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the use of suicide bombers has been attributed to Boko Haram,
Jan. 26, 2025
A suicide bomber drove a vehicle with explosives into a convoy of Nigerian troops that were targeting Islamic State militants in the remote village of Malam-Fatori, killing himself and scores of soldiers.
June 20, 2025
A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people and injured several others in an explosion in a restaurant in the town of Konduga.
Sept. 5, 2025
Boko Haram killed over 60 people during a nighttime attack on Darul Jamal, a village that was home to residents who had recently returned from a camp for internally displaced persons.
Dec. 24, 2025
A bomb exploded during prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, killing five people in what police described as a likely suicide attack.
Jan. 26, 2026
Suspected Boko Haram militants killed seven Nigerian soldiers and captured 13 others during an ambush on troops patrolling the Damasak area of Borno.
March 16, 2026
Multiple suicide bombings rocked Maiduguri, targeting a hospital and two markets, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100.
No fewer than 23 persrons have been confirmed dead, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries following the tripple suicide bomb attacks Monday evening at three locations in Maiddugiri, the Borno State capital .
Confirming the casualties on Tuesday to Journalists in a statement, the police public relations officer ( PPRO ) Nahum Kenneth Daso, said the tripple attacks which were carried out by suicide bombers around 7:24pm on Monday occurred at Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiddugiri Teaching Hospital ( UMTH ) gate and Post- Office flyover area all in Maiduguri.
The PPRO added that victims of the tripple suicide bomb attacks were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
He said,” Following the devastating suspected suicide IED explosions that occurred at about 1924HRS on 16th March, 2026, at Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) gate, and Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri, preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
“Regrettably, a total of twenty three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“Following the incidents, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, the Military, and other Joint Security Operatives were swiftly deployed to the affected areas.
” The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats.”
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid,, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and to evaluate ongoing response efforts.
Daso added that the CP commiserated with victims and their families, while assuring the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
“Victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
“Boro State Police Command wishes to state that normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas. Meanwhile, joint security operatives have heightened security presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences,” the PPRO further said.
He said investigations were ongoing to further ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incidents and to bring perpetrators to justice.
“The Borno State Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or objects to the nearest security agency”, the statement further reads.
He said the Command appreciates the cooperation and resilience of residents and reassures all of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state.
—
2026.3.12 Court jails three for 10 years over arms trafficking in Taraba
The magistrate court grade 1 in Jalingo, Taraba state, has sentenced three persons arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to 10 years’ imprisonment over arms trafficking.
TheCable understands that the convicts — Sakina Garba, Ali Gono, and Ibrahim Abdulrashi — were arrested between January and February 2026 along the Wukari-Jalingo road in Taraba with arms concealed in two sacks of food items.
The DSS operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of 7.6 mm ammunition, 105 rounds of 7.82 mm ammunition, 14 AK-47 rifle magazines, three POS machines and N200,200 cash during the operation.
According to a security source, the convicts were transporting the arms and ammunition from Bantaje village in Wukari LGA of Taraba for delivery to a certain bandit kingpin, who is at large.
Meanwhile, Halima Umaru, a suspected arms courier, has pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against her at the federal high court in Abuja by the DSS.
The secret police arrested Umaru in Plateau state while in possession of 302 live rounds of ammunition which she was to deliver to one Sani.
A DSS witness had told the court that the suspect was arrested in Plateau with ammunition.
The witness tendered the ammunition, the investigation report, the defendant’s statements, and money recovered from her.
Haywa Yilwatda, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter to May 8 for sentencing.
The DSS has recently intensified efforts against criminal elements across the country, leading to the arrest of major suspects.
Shafiu Usman, a suspect linked to an attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro, Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi state, was recently arrested by the DSS.
The secret police have also arrested suspects linked to the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state.
2026.2.5 Man arrested over unlawful possession of 4 human heads in Sagamu
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have apprehended one Gafaru Rasaki for the unlawful possession of four human heads in the Sagamu area of the state.
The arrest was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi on Thursday.
Babaseyi disclosed that officers of the Shakura division nabbed the suspect on the 21st of January, 2026.
According to him, the suspect on interrogation confessed to having exhumed the human remains from a cemetery.
The statement reads, “On the 21st of January, 2026, operatives of the Shakura Division arrested one Gafaru Rasaki in possession of four human heads.
“Upon interrogation and thorough investigation, it was revealed that the suspect unlawfully exhumed the human remains from a cemetery, an act amounting to disregard for corpses and a serious violation of the law.”
The Command Spokesperson disclosed that the recovered exhibits were secured and the suspect was promptly charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
2026.2.4 Kwara Attacks: 78 Corpses Given Mass Burial As 35 Persons Abducted
The grieving people of Woro community in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State have recovered the bodies of 78 victims of the attack launched on the rural community by armed bandits on Tuesday.
They performed the funeral prayer (janazah) on the corpses at about 6.30pm on Wednesday evening shortly before the evening (magrib) prayer.
The member representing Gwanabe/Gwaria constituency of Kaiama local government area in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, who witnessed the funeral prayer, confirmed the development to LEADERSHIP.
He said the 78 corpses comprised of 75 males and three females.
He also disclosed that 35 residents were abducted and whisked away into the bush by the armed bandits.
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
x1200
Bandits have struck Maraban Rido Community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting two daughters of a widow during a late night attack on Monday.
The victims were identified as Deborah Edward, a corps member who completed her National Youth Service Corps programme in December 2025, and her younger sister, Rachael Edward.
The assailants were said to have stormed the family’s residence late at night, forcefully breaking into the house and abducting the two sisters.
The incident occurred barely two weeks after the abduction of over 177 worshippers in Kurmin Wali community from ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim churches, heightening concerns over the resurgence of insecurity in parts of Kaduna State.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the distraught mother of the victims, Mrs. Alice Edward, said she was initially abducted alongside her two daughters and a visitor identified as Priscilla, who had come to sleep over in the house.
Mrs. Edward, a widow, disclosed that the attackers later released her after her daughters pleaded with the bandits to spare her life, explaining that she was their only surviving parent.
Alice said that she and her children had been ill before the attack and that her daughters begged the assailants to let her go so that nothing would happen to her.
According to her, the bandits released her but held on to the two sisters and the visitor who later escaped the attack, taking them away into the night.
Narrating her ordeal, Priscilla currently receiving treatment in the hospital said she was beaten severely by the bandits after Mrs. Edward was released.
She explained that the attackers continued to assault her with their guns until she lost consciousness and fainted, causing them to assume she was dead.
Priscilla said she only regained consciousness in the morning when a good Samaritan came to her rescue.
She further disclosed that during the ordeal, she told the attackers that her parents had no money to pay ransom, but they threatened to kill her in a miserable manner and intensified the beating until she collapsed.
Findings by New Nigerian revealed that the family had earlier fled Maraban Rido community between 2022 and 2023 due to rising insecurity and sought refuge in Narayi community before returning home in 2024 following relative peace attributed to the Kaduna peace model.
2026.1.29 Police file charge against activists for ‘abusive songs’ during anti-demolition protest in Lagos
The police command in Lagos has charged two activists — Taiwo Hassan and Dele Frank — who were arrested during the protest against demolitions in some communities in the state.
The police filed a five-count charge against the activists at the Yaba magistrate court in Lagos.
The force alleged that the activists threatened to harm members of the public who did not join the protest.
They also alleged that the activists sang “abusive songs” against the Lagos state government in a bid to incite the public.
Troops of the 245 Battalion, operating under the Headquarters of the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, have arrested a suspected gun runner in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State during an intelligence-led operation aimed at curbing the illegal circulation of small arms and ammunition.
The operation, which took place on Sunday, January 26, 2026, followed actionable intelligence received by troops deployed in the area. The suspect, identified as Mr. Ojo Friday, is an indigene of Ochon in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State and a resident of Abomege in Ebonyi State.
During a search conducted at the point of arrest, the troops recovered 245 pump-action cartridges believed to have been prepared for illegal distribution. The suspect and the seized ammunition are currently in military custody, while preliminary investigations are ongoing to trace the source and possible network behind the arms supply.
Commenting on the development, the Commander of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, said the operation underscores the Brigade’s commitment to intelligence-driven security operations and the disruption of illicit arms trafficking.
Armed men suspected to be marauding bandits operating from Kainji Lake National Park forest along Kabe District in Borgu local government area of Niger State, have set a village market ablaze, killed 30 villagers and abducted scores.
It was learnt that the bandits invaded the market called Kasuwan Daji located at Demo village via Kabe where they did not only set the market ablaze but looted people’s wares especially food items, shot at the villagers and abducted many of them through the path to the expansive Kainji Lake National Park forest.
Confirming the development to LEADERSHIP, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, said: “A joint security team has visited the scene and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, some were kidnapped, efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnap victims.”
2026.1.2 Driver in Anthony Joshua accident charged for reckless driving, granted N5m bail
The magistrate court in Sagamu, Ogun state, has granted bail to Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the crashed Lexus sports utility vehicle (SUV) involving Anthony Joshua, the former world heavyweight boxing champion
TheCable understands that Kayode was charged on Friday by the police on a four-court charge bordering on dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national driver’s licence.
The driver was granted N5 million bail with two sureties. He was remanded in the correctional facility pending fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Oluseyi Babaseyi, Ogun police spokesperson, said the case was adjourned to January 20, 2026, for trial.
“Update: The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 46, was charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court today, 2nd January, 2026 and the case has been adjourned to 20th January, 2026,” Babaseyi wrote.
Last Monday, the Lexus Jeep conveying Joshua, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, and two of his close associates crashed into a stationary truck around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, Ogun state.
The former boxing champion and three other passengers were reportedly travelling from Lagos to Sagamu when the SUV they were in collided with a stationary truck.
While Joshua survived the incident with minor injuries, his close associates — Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami — died.
Ghami was Joshua’s long-time friend and his strength and conditioning coach, while Latif served as his personal trainer.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said its preliminary findings attributed the motor accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.
However, the Ogun police command said a tyre burst was responsible for the crash.
On Wednesday, the boxer was discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, after treatment for the injuries sustained. Subsequently, the driver was arrested by the police.
发表回复