Crime

Fraud: Interpol arrests wanted Nigerian in Argentina

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2025

The International Criminal Police Organisation has confirmed the arrest of a wanted Nigerian, identified as Ikechukwu N., by the Argentine authorities.

INTERPOL, in an update on its X handle on Tuesday, disclosed that Ikechukwu had been on its wanted list for allegedly orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women.

The suspect was also accused of leading an international cybercrime network.

The notice read, “Argentine authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N., marking the country’s first arrest of a Red Notice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice.

“The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women, and leading an international cybercrime network.”

According to the police organisation, Ikechukwu’s arrest was part of a special operation begun in 2025 aimed at helping countries trace and recover criminal assets.

“The arrest was part of Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-coordinated initiative targeting West African organised criminal groups. It was carried out by @PFAOficial and @seguridadpsa, with support from IFCACC, FIS, and INTERPOL Brazil.

“The Silver Notice pilot project, launched in January 2025, aims to help countries trace and recover criminal assets,” the notice added.

This is not the first time INTERPOL has executed similar crackdowns on cyber-enabled criminal networks operating from West Africa. It follows an ongoing international crackdown on cybercrime networks operated by West African syndicates, including recent arrests in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia linked to similar fraud operations.

PUNCH Metro reported in August 2024 that Operation Jackal III led to the seizure of $3m in illicit assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts as authorities sought to dismantle the cybercrime arm of the Black Axe mafia.

Similarly, in August 2025, PUNCH Metro reported that a Nigerian man pleaded guilty to a US romance scam involving more than $405,000, showing the prevalence of such fraud schemes involving Nigerian suspects.

These cases illustrate a pattern of transnational cybercrime targeting vulnerable victims via romance fraud and demonstrate INTERPOL’s sustained focus on curbing such syndicates globally.

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Crime

ICE arrests 67-year-old Nigerian man convicted of cocaine trafficking in U.S

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian man, Aderemi Joe Akefe, who was convicted for cocaine trafficking.Nigerian Event Listings

The U.S. Homeland Security disclosed this in a statement on Friday, December 5, 2025.

According to the statement, Akefe is detained alongside the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens” in the ICE North Lake Processing Facility in Baldwin, Michigan.

“Aderemi Joe Akefe is a 67-year-old criminal illegal alien from Nigeria with criminal convictions for conspiracy to distribute cocaine,” the statement read.

The statement added that legal processes for deportation of Mr Akefe had been finalised.

“Akefe has a final order of removal from an immigration judge.”

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Crime

Many feared dead as gunmen attack Anambra community

Published

16 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

A yet-to-be-disclosed number of persons have been feared killed when some unknown armed men launched an attack near the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday.

Residents described panic and chaos as the attackers reportedly opened fire on unsuspecting members of the community.

Some victims were fatally injured while others fled for safety.

One source said, “The armed hoodlums invaded Afor Market Junction and immediately opened fire, killing a lot of people. Nobody knows the reason behind the attack; the attack has left our community shaken.”

Some other residents who also spoke on the development said they were still in shock, with many calling for increased security presence.

An eyewitness near the scene said, “It was chaos. The attackers came out of nowhere this evening in a commando-like fashion and started shooting indiscriminately.

“The police have launched an investigation into the attacks and are working to apprehend the perpetrators.”

Video footage of the incident currently circulating online showed members of the community running for safety while some lifeless bodies lay in a pool of blood on the ground.

The President General, Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, who confirmed the development in a press statement on Sunday, said relevant security agencies have already been contacted, and investigations have begun to uncover those responsible.

Okoye said, “This evening, I received with deep shock the tragic news of an attack at the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia community.

“The incident resulted in multiple casualties, caused by unknown assailants who carried out this senseless act of violence.

“I strongly condemn this heartbreaking incident and the attempt to disrupt the peace of our beloved community. I have already contacted the relevant security agencies, and investigations are underway to uncover those responsible.

“I appeal to all Ndi Nawfia to remain calm, stay vigilant, and continue to cooperate with security operatives as they work tirelessly to restore normalcy and ensure our safety.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. On behalf of the Nawfia Progressive Union, I extend our deepest sympathies and assure you that we are fully committed to supporting efforts aimed at protecting lives and maintaining peace in Nawfia.”

The Anambra State Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for confirmation.

However, a police source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The police have launched an investigation into the attacks and are working to apprehend the perpetrators.

“We condemn these heinous acts and assure the public that we will do everything possible to bring the culprits to justice.”

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Crime

NDLEA seizes 7.6m tramadol pills, 76,273kg cannabis in nationwide crackdown

Published

17 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized over 7.6 million tramadol pills and more than 76,000 kilograms of cannabis, including Colorado, Loud, and Skunk, in intelligence-led operations across Nigeria.

The agency also disclosed that several suspects linked to the drug trafficking networks behind the consignments have been arrested.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, 3,874,000 tramadol pills (225mg and 100mg) and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup were recovered on December 6 from a warehouse at Oko Market, Asaba, Delta State.

He added that 1.2 million tramadol 225mg tablets were intercepted on December 3 from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Imo State.

Among the total opioids seized, 3,874,000 tramadol pills (225mg and 100mg) and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup were recovered on December 6 from a warehouse at Oko Market, Asaba, Delta State.

Additionally, the statement noted that 1.2 million tramadol 225mg tablets were intercepted on December 3 from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along Onitsha–Owerri Road in Imo State.

The consignment, the statement disclosed, had been loaded in Aba, Abia State, and was headed to Onitsha, Anambra State.

In Adamawa State, Babafemi stated that on December 1, operatives intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus along the Maraba–Mubi route with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and Exol-5 tablets concealed in jumbo bags, which were mixed with sandals and slippers.

He added that two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested, noting that another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was arrested along the Zaria–Kano Road with 197,000 pills of Exol-5.

In Ekiti State, he said operatives destroyed 14,654kg of skunk in forests in Omuo-Ekiti, arresting two suspects, Yusuf Iliyasu, 50, and Okumu Chinedu, 26.

“In another operation, the operatives on Tuesday, December 2, stormed the forests in Asin-Ekiti, Ikole LGA, Ekiti state, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk in two large warehouses that were razed, while 28.3kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered for prosecution.

“Following actionable intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, 2nd December, raided Igoba forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo State, where a total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of the same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilograms, were recovered and five suspects arrested,” the statement added.

Also on December 2, he said operatives raided Igoba Forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo State, recovering 2,483 compressed blocks and 247 bags of skunk weighing 5,442kg.

Babafemi added that five suspects, Jacob Omodowo, 66; Joy Oluatobi Peace, 24; Babatunde Olamide, 40; Echi Fidelis Joseph, 57; and Ankrah Akano, 56, were arrested.

In Edo State, he said 447.5kg of skunk was recovered from two Honda Accord cars in Agho Forest, Akoko Edo LGA, and one suspect, Dada Adedara Babawibi, 56, was arrested, adding that another 315.8kg was seized during a raid on a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde LGA, where a suspect, Stanley Obasuwa, was arrested.

A similar large seizure of tramadol was reported by PUNCH Metro on November 16, when the NDLEA intercepted 396,000 capsules at Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola.

The seizures came after the agency recovered over 171,000 tramadol capsules during separate operations in Niger, Benue, and Taraba states.

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