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PHOTOS: Five Nigerians and six Ghanaians arrested for allegedly using deepfake AI-generated video to impersonate President Mahama

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Eleven individuals including five Nigerians have been arrested in Ghana for allegedly using deepfake AI-generated video content to impersonate President John Dramani Mahama.

The suspects were arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGPs) Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET) of the Ghana Police Service.

In a statement on Thursday, May 7, 2026, CVET disclosed that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in the creation and dissemination of fraudulent digital contents designed to impersonate high-profile personalities for financial gains.

The team retrieved several exhibits, including laptop computers, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards, and a Nigerian-registered ML 350 Mercedes-Benz with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.

“Between 1st and 3rd May 2026, CVET conducted coordinated cyber operations at Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi and Aflao in the Volta Region which led to the arrest of suspects: Raphael Ablordeppey, 32 years; Anipah Jonathan, 23 years; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35 years; Thomas Ayoyo, 17 years and Louis Segbawu, 18 years, following intelligence on a group of individuals allegedly involved in the creation and online circulation of AI-generated video contents impersonating President John Dramani Mahama,” the statement read.

“On 4th May 2026, further cyber field tracking operation also led to the arrest of additional five suspects who are Nigerians and one Ghanaian engaged in the similar online fraudulent activities in Aflao.

“The five suspects are Bishop Esiri, aged 46; Wisdom James, aged 25; Ali Lucky, aged 23; Edwin Edos, aged 22; and John Kofi Darlington aged 20, with suspect Danu Peter, aged 19, being the only Ghanaian among the second group.

See also  Suspected kidnappers kill soldier, injure another in Ogun

“The team retrieved several exhibits including laptop computers, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards and a Nigeria registered ML 350 Mercedes Benz with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects used the fraudulent AI-generated contents to fraudulently solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public through online platforms.

“It was further established that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in the creation and dissemination of fraudulent digital contents designed to impersonate high-profile personalities for financial gains.

“In court yesterday (6th May, 2026), nine out of the 11 suspects were remanded into police custody to reappear on 25th May, 2026, while two, Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu were granted bail with two sureties to be justified.”

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Crime

EFCC busts Chinese-linked illegal refinery in Ogun

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission said the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence and surveillance on the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, he said operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said during the raid, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing the sludge oil were also discovered.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

See also  Suspected kidnappers kill soldier, injure another in Ogun

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Oyo boxer, KBlaq stabbed to death during street fight

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An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.

According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.

Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.

An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.

“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”

Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”

Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”

Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”

See also  Police intensify rescue of Oyo abducted victims as panic spreads

Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Terrorists abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

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Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.

The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.

The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.

He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.

He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

See also  Cover up! Nasarawa cops freed after murder of seven Lagos traders

Source: punchng.com

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