Crime

Nigerian faces 20 years jail in US for fraud

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2026

A Nigerian man, Kenneth Godwin, is at risk of a 20-year imprisonment following his indictment in a wire and computer-related fraud scheme targeting a casino business in South Dakota, United States of America.

The indictment was announced by the US District Attorney, Ron Parsons, on Thursday.

Parsons disclosed that a federal grand jury indicted Godwin in March 2026 on charges bordering on conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and unauthorised access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.

He noted that between May 2023 and March 2026, Godwin, who is believed to have been residing in Nigeria at the time, conspired with others to embezzle funds from the Prairie Wind Casino & Hotel.

The statement read, “United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that in March 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Kenneth Godwin, a Nigerian man, for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Unauthorised Access to a Protected Computer in Furtherance of Fraud.

“Between May 2023 and March 2026, Godwin, while believed to be living in Nigeria, conspired with others to embezzle funds from the Prairie Wind Casino & Hotel in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, in order to enrich themselves.”

According to him, the offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release, and possible restitution if convicted.

He noted that the charges were merely accusations, and the accused is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Speaking on the indictment, Parsons commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“No agency on earth is better at this than the FBI. They will track down those who steal from and commit fraud against the people of the United States wherever those offenders may be,” Parsons said.

Also reacting, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, Christopher Dotson, described the case as an example of an international business email compromise scheme.

Dotson stated that the alleged fraud caused substantial financial losses to a business owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

“This indictment is an example of how the FBI operates every day to dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises in Indian Country and across the United States that target businesses and citizens in communities,” he was quoted as saying.

PUNCH Metro reported that on May 1, three Nigerians, William Elvis, Moses Hezekiah, and Destiny Oghentega, were charged in a US federal court in Rhode Island over their alleged involvement in an online romance and wire fraud scheme.

A statement obtained on the Department of Justice’s website had indicated that the suspects were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

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Crime

EFCC Declares Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouk Wanted

Published

10 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of abuse of office and the diversion of public funds.

It was reports that the anti-graft agency made the announcement through a notice published on its official platform on Friday.

The commission asked members of the public with information about her location to report to any EFCC office through the contact details provided in the notice.

According to the EFCC, the former minister is 52 years old and comes from Zamfara State. The agency also listed her last known address as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The development followed an earlier ruling by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo on April 16, 2026. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued an arrest warrant against the former minister after she and another defendant failed to appear in court for arraignment.

The court also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry. Both men, alongside Sani Mohammed, are standing trial over a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC.

The charges are connected to alleged breach of trust and abuse of office involving public funds linked to a social intervention programme.

The EFCC claimed that about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million were misappropriated. The commission said part of the money was supposed to be returned to the ministry after payments made under the programme, but was allegedly diverted for personal use.

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Crime

Troops Destroy Suspected IPOB Shrine, Recover Explosives In Enugu

Published

10 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, have destroyed a suspected ritual shrine and recovered improvised explosive devices during an operation in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was reports that the Nigerian Army said the operation targeted alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on May 6 in collaboration with other security agencies following intelligence reports on alleged terrorist collaborators in the community.

The Army said troops on an intelligence-led patrol came under attack from gunmen operating from a building allegedly used as a hideout by IPOB and ESN members.

It said three soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

The statement read, “While troops were advancing on foot to the community, they were attacked from a building, resulting in injuries to three personnel.

“Despite the attack, troops maintained operational dominance, foiled the attack and secured the general area.”

IEDs Detonate During Operation

The Army said improvised explosive devices allegedly stored in the building detonated during the gun battle, causing a fire that destroyed the structure.

It added, “During the exchange of fire, improvised explosive devices stored by the terrorists in the building used as their hideout detonated and triggered a fire outbreak that destroyed the hideout.”

According to the military, troops later recovered additional IEDs, improvised hand grenades, and a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities during a search of the area.

The Army said the shrine was thoroughly searched and destroyed to prevent further criminal use.

One suspected collaborator was also arrested during the operation. The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ezeagu Division, for further investigation.

The military urged residents of the community to remain calm and avoid harbouring criminal elements.

It also warned members and sympathisers of IPOB and ESN to desist from illegal activities or face the consequences.

The statement added, “Security forces remain resolute in their determination to build peace in the region and will continue to dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists any freedom of action.”

Meanwhile, videos circulated online showed several houses engulfed in flames. Some residents claimed that at least seven compounds and about 10 houses were destroyed during the incident.

In one of the videos, residents alleged that an elderly, sick woman was trapped inside one of the burning buildings.

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Crime

Soldiers kill 50 ISWAP terrorists, recover arms in Yobe attack

Published

14 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Troops of the Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised at least 50 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists during a coordinated attack on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the terrorists launched the attack at about 2 am on Thursday from multiple directions targeting the brigade headquarters and the Buni Gari checkpoint.

The army said the attackers first advanced from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later attempted to encircle the troops from the south-western flank.

“The assault, launched under the cover of darkness by a large number of terrorists from multiple axes, was met with devastating firepower, tactical brilliance and resolute determination by troops who held their ground and inflicted catastrophic losses on the attackers.

“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants,” the statement read.

The military said troops deployed indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics to repel the insurgents, forcing them to retreat while evacuating some of their dead and wounded fighters.

It added that no part of the military formation was breached during the attack.

“At no point was any part of the camp breached, as the integrity of the location remained fully intact throughout the engagement.

“Exploitation of the general area confirmed the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity, while human intelligence reports indicate that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes,” he stated.

The army also said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support during the operation, enabling precision air strikes on identified terrorist positions and fleeing insurgents.

“In a synchronised air-land operation, precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, accounting for an additional 20 terrorists neutralised as aircraft pursued retreating insurgents along their escape corridors,” he added.

Recovered items included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.

The military disclosed that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage during the operation, while injured personnel were receiving treatment.

It also confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the encounter.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement added.

The army said troops and volunteer forces had commenced follow-up operations to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping attempts in the area.

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