Crime
PHOTOS: Customs intercepts N93m worth of petrol in Adamawa
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded seizures worth N93.03 million in Adamawa within six weeks under Operation Whirlwind, Zone ‘D’ Axis.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Yola.
Represented by the Comptroller-General, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, Aliyu said the operation supports efforts to safeguard food security, energy supply and national stability, in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.
“Our gathering today is to showcase successes recorded through ongoing intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations aimed at disrupting syndicates.
“The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items stands at N93,029,800.
“The Items seized include; 64,410 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS popularly called Petrol) concealed in 2,550 Jerry Cans of 25 litres each.
“Also three drums of 220 litres capacity of PMS, intended to be smuggled out of the country with two vehicles used for conveyance,” he said.
He said within six weeks, the operation recorded significant seizures of illegally exported goods across various locations through coordinated intelligence-based enforcement.
Aliyu said the unit recorded 47 seizures across Mubi-Sahuda, Farang-Belel, Gurin-Fufore, Maiha, Mubi and Pariya-Wuro Bokki axis.
He said operatives also intercepted a DAF tanker conveying 50,000 litres of PMS along Mubi-Uba road on April 15 over suspected diversion.
According to him, the tanker will be handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further action.
He said the successes followed intelligence-driven operations targeting smuggling syndicates across the state in accordance with enabling laws.
Aliyu said the seizures contravened provisions of section 150, 248 and 250 of the NCS Act, 2023.
He added that the operatives equally acted in accordance with section 226 of NCS Act, 2023 which gave power to patrol freely and apprehend the goods.
Aliyu attributed persistent smuggling to price disparities of petroleum products between Nigeria and neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Benin Republic.
He said the price differences continued to drive illegal exportation of petroleum products for profit by smugglers.
“Despite deregulation, government remains committed to ensuring market stability, national security and curbing illicit exportation of petroleum products,” he said.
Aliyu said the seized PMS would be auctioned in line with the law, with proceeds remitted to the Federation Account.
He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to dismantling smuggling networks and reducing illegal activities to the barest minimum.
Aliyu commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, NMDPRA, other security agencies and stakeholders for their collaboration.
He urged the public to support the fight against smuggling by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Aliyu also called on the media to sensitise the public on the negative impact of smuggling on the economy and national security.
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News
The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.
The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.
Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.
“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”
Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.
The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.
However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.
The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.
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The 10-year-old Chiziterem Ozuluigbo, whose case sparked nationwide outrage over child abuse has been discharged from the hospital after making a full recovery.
The minor was discharged from hospital on Saturday 18th July and arrived his hometown, Umuofiagu-Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State on Sunday.
Chiziterem’s case attracted national attention in June after a viral video showed him with severe burns and other injuries allegedly inflicted by his guardians in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation across Nigeria and renewed calls for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and improved safeguards for vulnerable children. Demographics
Following the incident, the Anambra State Government facilitated his admission to a medical facility for specialised treatment and pledged to oversee his recovery while supporting his family.
Medical caregivers confirmed that, in addition to treatment for his burns and other physical injuries, Chiziterem underwent psychological therapy to aid his recovery from the trauma associated with the alleged abuse.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command arraigned the child’s former guardians, Mr. Chukwudi Chukwuyere, 40, and Mrs. Chisom Chukwuyere, 30, over the alleged abuse.
The suspects have been remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
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Crime
PHOTOS: Police arrest 5 over fake bank alerts, recover suspected counterfeit foreign currencies in Yobe
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested five suspects over alleged fraud involving fake bank transfer alerts and recovered counterfeit foreign currencies during a raid on their hideout.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this in a statement on July 19, 2026 said the suspects allegedly conspired to obtain 10 bags of fertiliser valued at N488,000 after falsely claiming they had transferred payment to the seller.
According to him, the Potistum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report on Saturday from the victim, who alleged that the suspects deceived him with a fake bank transfer alerts before taking possession of the fertiliser.
“The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained fight against fraud and other organised crimes with the arrest of a criminal syndicate suspected of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through fake bank transfer alerts and the possession of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies,” the statement read.
“On 18 July 2026, at about 1715hrs, the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report from a victim alleging that earlier the same day, at about 1630hrs, Mohammad Ibrahim of Don Etiebet Estate, Damaturu; Abdullahi Aliyu of Kofar Ruwa, Kano State; Muhammad Mukhtar of Commissioner’s Quarters, Damaturu; Mohammad Bashir; and Alhaji Ahmad Mohammad, both of Obasanjo Road, Damaturu, criminally conspired to obtain ten (10) bags of fertiliser valued at ₦488,000.00 after falsely claiming to have effected payment through a bank transfer.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, police operatives swiftly mobilised, deployed intelligence-led policing strategies, and arrested the suspects before they could dispose of the goods.
“During preliminary investigation, a valid search warrant was executed at the suspects’ hotel room in Damaturu, where the following exhibits were recovered: Ten (10) pieces of suspected counterfeit U.S. $100 notes; Fifty-six (56) pieces of 50,000 Somali Shilling notes suspected to be counterfeit; One calabash; One black-and-white cloth; Bottles of perfume; and Various suspected charms and ritual items.
“The recovered foreign currencies are reasonably suspected to be counterfeit. Investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the fake currencies, establish whether the syndicate is involved in the production and circulation of counterfeit notes, and uncover other members of the criminal network.
“The suspects are assisting the Police with useful information.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, psc, mspsp, has strongly condemned the acts of rape, particularly those involving children, describing them as cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable.
“He directed that comprehensive investigations be concluded without delay and assured members of the public that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The Commissioner also advised residents to remain vigilant against fraudsters, verify electronic payment transactions before releasing goods, and exercise caution when dealing with foreign currencies.
“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the State and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.
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