Advanced technology was pivotal in the arrest of three Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers accused of involvement in kidnapping and banditry in Oyo State, according to the Department of State Services (DSS).

The revelation came on Monday during a Federal High Court session in Ibadan, where DSS operative Mr. Stephen Okolo testified before Justice N.E. Maha.

Okolo, serving as the first prosecution witness (PW1), detailed how the agency deployed surveillance tools to track the accused officers and their alleged accomplice, an unlicensed arms dealer.

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The suspects—Olamide Okesola, Adedeji Adewale, and Asmau Omar—were charged alongside Emmanuel Olatunji, accused of illegal arms dealing. Okolo described the efforts that led to their arrests, stating, “My lord, following the increase in the cases of kidnapping and banditry in the Okeogun area of Oyo State and parts of Kwara, the DSS fashioned out how to address the issue by deploying our technical expertise, that is equipment.”

He explained that the DSS utilized surveillance technology to monitor criminal networks and disrupt their activities.

“We identified two kingpins, Baguda and Banshile, who were among the most dangerous terrorists operating in the area,” Okolo revealed.

The operation, which began in January 2023, led to the arrest of Lawan Buhari, an NSCDC officer accused of supplying ammunition to criminal groups.

Buhari’s apprehension paved the way for further investigations, which implicated Okesola, Adewale, Omar, and Olatunji.

During the trial, a bag containing 1,000 rounds of live ammunition recovered from Buhari was tendered as evidence.

Okolo emphasized that the arrests disrupted a major arms supply chain, reducing criminal activities in the region.

Buhari, testifying in court, admitted to supplying AK-47 rifles and ammunition to the accused in exchange for cash.

He claimed the trio approached him while he was serving with Operation Burst, a regional security outfit, prior to his arrest at the 81 Battalion Barracks in Mokola.

The DSS prosecution counsel, Mr. T.A. Nurudeen, informed the court that the defendants face a 15-count amended charge, including conspiracy, terrorism, unlawful arms dealing, and aiding terrorism.

However, all four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial continues as the DSS seeks to present additional evidence to support the charges.

An Ilesa Magistrate Court in Osun State has ruled against a woman, Rhoda Adu, ordering her to pay ₦150,000 to her boyfriend, Olapitan Sola, for breach of agreement and emotional distress.

The incident occurred after Rhoda collected ₦3,000 as transport fare from Sola but failed to visit him as promised.

According to reports, she switched off her phone after receiving the money, leaving Sola unable to reach her.

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Feeling cheated and emotionally distressed, Sola reported the matter to the Ayeso Police Station, prompting Rhoda’s arrest and subsequent trial.

During the court hearing, Sola presented evidence including the mobile money transfer receipt and WhatsApp messages exchanged between the pair.

In her judgment, Magistrate Akogun Oludare ordered Rhoda to refund the ₦3,000 and pay an additional ₦100,000 for breach of agreement, alongside ₦50,000 as special damages for emotional distress.

“This court seeks to uphold accountability and fairness in personal agreements. Let this serve as a warning to others,” Magistrate Oludare said in her ruling, stressing the need for such decisions to deter similar acts.

The case has sparked widespread discussions, with many debating the implications of the judgment and its impact on personal relationships.

Human rights activist and vocal government critic, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of plotting to detain him following his criticism of the extension of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure.

Biztellers reports that Sowore arrived at the Force Intelligence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday at 9:58 a.m., responding to an invitation from the police.

The summons was issued after Sowore uploaded a viral video alleging extortion by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

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The activist was questioned over multiple allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.

In a Facebook post, Sowore accused the police of relying on “rehashed information” sourced primarily from the internet.

He revealed that he refused to provide a written statement during the interrogation, citing the lack of a clearly defined crime.

“The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet. When I asked them to identify the location of the alleged ‘crime’ in Lagos, they provided a vague response, stating it was along the airport road,” Sowore said.

The activist further alleged that the police intended to detain him and transfer him to Lagos for what he described as a “kangaroo trial.”

“I chose not to provide a written statement, as we informed the Police team that, in the absence of a defined crime, the process to determine such was unnecessary,” he explained.

“They took a break and later informed me that they were awaiting instructions from their superiors. It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial.”

Sowore maintained that his case stemmed from his criticism of IGP Egbetokun, whose tenure, he argued, was illegally extended.

“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally. I maintain that we are entering a promising era, and our fight for justice will persist. #RevolutionNow,” Sowore added.

The police have yet to issue an official response to Sowore’s allegations or confirm the next steps in the case.