Crime
PHOTOS: EFCC arrests 5 herbalists with fake $3.4m, €280k notes in Osun and Lagos
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have uncovered a massive haul of counterfeit foreign currency from a five-member syndicate allegedly swindling unsuspecting victims under the guise of spiritual services.
The suspects – herbalists Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan, and Familola Sunday Olaitan – were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025, at their shrines in Osun and Lagos States, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
EFCC investigations revealed that the group allegedly defrauded one victim, Halima Sanni, of ₦26,550,000 (Twenty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
They reportedly lured victims by promising spiritual cleansing and solutions to ailments while claiming they could conjure large sums of currency through supernatural means.
According to the commission, the suspects hypnotised their victims to hand over money for “sacrifices” required to activate these spiritual powers. During the operation, EFCC recovered $3,430,000 (Three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand US Dollars) and €280,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Euros) in counterfeit notes, along with two exotic cars and several mobile phones.
The EFCC has stated that the suspects will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
In May 2025, the EFCC arrested Abdullahi Yahaya and Ibrahim Haruna in Kaduna for allegedly dealing in counterfeit currency.
The EFCC recovered $81,700 in fake $100 notes from the duo.
During interrogation, Haruna claimed he was holding the counterfeit dollars for someone named Babangida, who is still at large. Yahaya said he was linked to Haruna by another individual, Kabiru, who also wanted to collect the fake dollars for delivery to a buyer.
The EFCC also seized a small amount of a colourless substance, believed to be mercury, which is reportedly used in producing counterfeit dollars.
How much do you think Nigerians are being tricked by fake spiritual cleansing, and how can this problem be stopped ?
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Crime
PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins
A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.
According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.
The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.
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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.
According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.
They expressed relief following his apprehension.
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