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Just In: Tinubu Meets FBI Director, Calls For Stronger Collaboration To Fight Cybercrime, Terrorism
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the fight against cybercrime, terrorism, and other related crimes.
The Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.
The President spoke during a meeting with FBI Director, Christopher Asher Wray, at the State House in Abuja.
Security chiefs who attended the meeting include the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd); Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Major-General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede; and the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-General Adamu Laka.
President Tinubu described the presence of the FBI Director alongside his team in Nigeria as a recognition of the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against financial crimes and terrorism.
”It is an honour for me to receive Director Christopher Wray, the leader of an organization that has demonstrated consistent procedural sophistication and a reputation for excellence over several years. Your visit conveys the importance of Nigeria and Nigerian partnership in the work of America’s law enforcement institutions and vice-versa. For us, it is a recognition of what stage we are at, who we are, and the level of interest both countries share in eliminating crimes locally and globally.
”We cannot achieve this important feat of eliminating crimes without collaboration. Incidentally, as the Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria is also collaborating with other West African countries to fight economic and other related crimes,” the President said.
President Tinubu told the FBI Director that his administration has prioritized education as a tool against poverty, which is generally believed to be a driver of criminal activities.
”We are working hard to eliminate terrorism, cybercrimes, sextortion, and I am glad that we have a good number of agencies that are involved in reducing these crimes to the barest minimum, and they are also well represented at this meeting,” the President said.
Noting that no single country can combat financial crimes in isolation, President Tinubu called on the United States to support developing countries with the requisite technology and knowledge transfer required to combat complex international crimes.
In his remarks, Director Wray said he was in the country to enhance the “outstanding partnership” that exists between the government of Nigeria and the government of the United States.
He lauded President Tinubu for supporting the growing partnerships between various agencies of government and the FBI in order to protect the citizens of both countries.
”We appreciate the President’s vision in countering terrorism in the region, which is a dangerous threat, not only to the countries in the region but also to the United States.
”We appreciate your vision in re-engineering the role of the Office of the NSA to effectively coordinate efforts on counter-terrorism, and this has already started to bear fruits in terms of the success you are recording against ISIS in West Africa and other terrorist groups.
”We appreciate your support and collaboration on cyber-enabled crimes and sextortion, which has unfortunately resulted in a few tragic deaths in the United States.
”I want to assure you of our support whether it is on counter-terrorism, cyber-enabled crimes, kidnapping, joint investigations, and intelligence sharing. Our relationship with Nigeria is a very important one,” the FBI Director concluded.”
The FBI is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States of America, and its principal federal law enforcement agency.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Yarima guilty of participating in acts of terrorism that led to the deadly attacks.
The court also imposed multiple prison terms on the convict for other terrorism-related offences.
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Aside from the death sentence on count seven, the court sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out terrorist activities.
Justice Omotosho also handed him 35 years imprisonment on count one for professing membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group, and 30 years imprisonment on count five.
In addition, the court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment each on counts two, three and four.
The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, who hails from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, belonged to Boko Haram between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.
He was also accused of accepting the teachings (Da’awah) of the sect’s late founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and remaining a member of the terrorist organisation despite its proscription.
The prosecution further told the court that Yarima travelled to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling in preparation for terrorist operations, an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
He was also found guilty of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence that attracted the death penalty under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi said.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N1,175 to N1,125 per litre.
A statement from the company on Thursday has it that this latest adjustment reflects the refinery’s ongoing commitment to ensuring price stability, improving affordability, and supporting Nigeria’s energy security objectives.
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The price review underscores Dangote Refinery’s responsiveness to prevailing market conditions and its efforts to pass on cost efficiencies to downstream partners and consumers.
“Dangote Refinery remains focused on its broader mission of contributing to economic growth, enhancing fuel availability, and fostering a more competitive and sustainable petroleum sector in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has explained why it directed capital market operators to immediately refund funds collected from investors in connection with a purported Initial Public Offering (IPO) by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Commission revealed that it had observed the circulation of advertisements, flyers, digital banners, and electronic messages across social media and investment platforms inviting members of the public to invest in the refinery through an alleged IPO.
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According to the SEC, the purported offer has not received regulatory approval, as the Commission has neither received nor approved any application from Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE for a public offering.
The regulator expressed concern that some registered capital market operators were actively promoting the unapproved offer and soliciting subscriptions from prospective investors.
Explaining the reason for its directive, the SEC stated that the campaign was misleading and amounted to market manipulation capable of creating false expectations among investors and undermining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
The Commission noted that invitations encouraging members of the public to open accounts, pre-fund investments, or reserve guaranteed share allocations for the alleged IPO violate provisions of the Investments and Securities Act as well as existing market regulations.
As a result, the SEC ordered all registered operators, including stockbrokers and promoters of digital investment platforms, to immediately cease all advertising and promotional activities relating to the purported offer.
The Commission further directed operators to remove all related promotional materials from their websites, social media pages, and other communication channels within 24 hours.
In addition, firms were instructed to stop accepting deposits, investment commitments, account registrations, or expressions of interest linked to the alleged public offering.
To protect investors from potential losses, the SEC ordered any operator that had already collected funds in connection with the purported IPO to refund such monies within 24 hours.
The regulator warned that any operator that fails to comply with the directive risks facing sanctions under the Investments and Securities Act 2025 and the SEC Rules and Regulations.
The Commission also advised Nigerians to rely only on information released through approved regulatory channels and to ignore unofficial promotional campaigns or investment solicitations concerning the refinery.
SEC added that if Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE eventually decides to proceed with a public offering and secures regulatory approval, an authorised prospectus will be published in line with the law.
The directive comes amid reports that the Dangote Group is considering listing a 10 per cent stake in its $20 billion refinery through a Pan-African IPO expected in 2026.
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