Crime

EFCC arrests 14 Chinese, Nigerian over Ogun lithium plants

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The anti-graft agency stated on Monday via its X handle that the operation was carried out when its operatives busted the illegal lithium plants.

It said the 15 suspects were arrested last Friday, October 23, 2026, adding that lithium rocks, laptops, and others were recovered during the operation.

The tweet read, “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The suspects were arrested on Friday, October 23, 2026, following credible intelligence and surveillance.

“Upon their arrest, bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four computer laptops, two decoders, a television remote control, and a trailer truck were recovered from the suspects.

“The suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.”

PUNCH Metro reported last Thursday that the commission arraigned two lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of N35.92 million belonging to one Mrs Esther Ogbeifun in Benin, Edo State.

According to the commission, the defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge “bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.”

The EFCC alleged that Elia, who grew up in the victim’s house, had access to her phones and banking information, which she allegedly used to transfer the money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

A similar incident was reported in Ogun State in May, when a Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate operating from a hidden forest laboratory was uncovered.

Three Mexican chemists and several Nigerian suspects were arrested during coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Gunmen kill Islamic cleric, friend in Katsina

Published

28 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Gunmen have killed an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued late Monday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq.

According to the police, the attack occurred at about 7.30pm on Monday, October 26, 2026, in front of the cleric’s residence, when two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on the victims.

“The victims were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for medical attention, where they were unfortunately pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor,” the statement said.

The police said the Divisional Police Officer in Dutsin-Ma led a team of operatives to the scene after receiving a report of the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, has ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area, while an investigation has commenced to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The command said the commissioner extended his condolences to the families, friends and followers of the deceased, as well as residents of Dutsin-Ma.

It added that the police would continue efforts to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice, assuring the public that further developments would be communicated.

This came barely a week after some gunmen killed a serving officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and abducted a businessman in Pushit community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 pm on Monday, despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew recently imposed in parts of the area following repeated attacks.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Nigerian man who fled US in 2019 arrested at US airport

Published

33 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A 34-year-old Nigerian man accused of involvement in a fraud and money-laundering scheme targeting elderly Americans has been arrested at an airport in the United States after fleeing the country for Nigeria in 2019.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island said Adetunji Abudu, from Lagos, was arrested at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, while attempting to enter the country from Istanbul, Turkey.

In a statement published on Monday, the office said Abudu was one of six defendants charged in a superseding indictment alleging that millions of dollars obtained through fraud schemes operated from Nigeria were laundered through bank accounts and businesses in the US.

According to the indictment, the schemes allegedly targeted elderly Americans through online romance scams, fraudulent sweepstakes, fake rental listings and sham online shipping transactions.

The statement said money obtained from victims was allegedly channelled through accounts and businesses in Rhode Island, Idaho and other locations, with significant proceeds ultimately sent to Nigeria.

It added that members of the alleged conspiracy also bought vehicles with proceeds from the schemes and shipped them overseas.

“Abudu fled the United States to Nigeria in 2019 after the FBI executed a court-authorised search of his residence in North Providence. Five of Abudu’s co-defendants, Dotun Olawale Alonge, Oluwaseyi Akintol, Samson Ikotun, Olabode Shaba, and Oladipup Shodipu subsequently plead guilty to money laundering conspiracy and received sentences ranging from time served to 42 months’ imprisonment,” the statement read.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John P. McAdams and was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the US Postal Inspection Service and police departments in Tallmadge, Ohio, and Moscow, Idaho.

The US Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Katsina gov mourns slain Islamic cleric, calls for probe

Published

38 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has condemned the killing of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, describing him as a proponent of peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.

Radda also called for a thorough investigation into the killing, urging security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.

Masussuka was reportedly shot dead alongside his associate by unidentified gunmen riding on a motorcycle outside his residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Monday night, October 26, 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor said he was shocked by the incident, extending his condolences to the cleric’s family, the Islamic community and others affected by the loss.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Those behind this heinous act must be brought to justice. I urge the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” Radda said.

The governor appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could aid the investigation.

He also warned against actions capable of heightening tensions or threatening peace in the state.

Radda described the late cleric as a religious leader whose teachings focused on the Qur’an, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among people of different faiths.

He added that Masussuka was known for speaking against violent extremism and radicalisation.

The governor urged the bereaved family to remain firm in their faith despite the loss.

“I urge the bereaved family to take solace in the will of Almighty Allah and remain steadfast in faith during this difficult period. May Allah grant them the strength and patience to bear this painful loss,” he said.

Radda prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, associates and the wider Muslim community.

Source: punchng.com

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