Crime
Crypto Trader Convicted Of Murdering Mother For $1m Insurance Payout
A Perth man has been convicted of murdering his mother to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts, funding his lavish lifestyle and covering substantial debts.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, 28, a crypto trader, was found guilty of killing his 58-year-old mother, Colleen Rebelo, in May 2020.
Her body was discovered in her bathroom by her youngest son, with initial investigations failing to suspect foul play.
An autopsy could not determine the cause of death, and the case was initially treated as natural.
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However, a subsequent investigation uncovered that just a week before her death, Rebelo had taken out three separate life insurance policies totaling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000), naming himself as the sole beneficiary.
At the time, Rebelo and his then-partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo, were showcasing a luxurious lifestyle on social media, boasting about holidays, expensive cars, and lavish experiences.
Behind the scenes, however, they were facing financial ruin, burdened with over $120,000 AUD in debts.
After Colleen’s death, Rebelo moved quickly to claim the insurance payouts, submitting falsified documents, including forged medical records and a fake coroner’s report.
He even used AI technology to impersonate his mother’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.
Suspicious of the claims, an insurance company employee flagged the case, leading to a police investigation.
In 2022, Rebelo was arrested and charged with his mother’s murder.
Crime
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
Crime
Police Rescue 86-Year-Old Man, Son From Suspected Cultists in C’Rivers
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
Crime
Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
SEE MORE: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.






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