Crime
Police Nab Dismissed Soldier, 7 Others In Multi-State Robbery Operation
The Enugu State Police Command has dismantled a notorious interstate criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and financial fraud.
The operation, described as a major breakthrough, led to the arrest of eight suspects, including a dismissed soldier, and the recovery of weapons, cash, and stolen items.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday.
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He noted that the joint operation, involving the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group, was initiated following a distress call on November 12, 2024.
“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items,” DSP Ndukwe said.
The police operation began in the early hours of November 12, 2024, after officers responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene, Enugu.
During the operation, one suspect, 23-year-old Ismaila Isah, was apprehended with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and stolen items.
Following Isah’s arrest, further investigations led to the capture of additional members of the syndicate.
“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu,” the statement revealed.
In a related development, two other suspects, Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru, were arrested in Owerri, Imo State.
“Operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State.
During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts,” Ndukwe added.
The operation also yielded a large cache of stolen items. Among the recovered items were:.Two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, land documents, jewellery, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, bags, and footwear.
The suspects have confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and using stolen SIM cards to conduct fraudulent bank transactions.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud,” said Ndukwe.
The dismissed soldier, Sadik Ahmed, allegedly used his military training to evade police checkpoints and transport stolen goods across state borders.
“Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state,” the statement read.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. DSP Ndukwe expressed the police command’s commitment to tackling crime in the state, highlighting the importance of community collaboration.
“The operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling crime in the state, and we commend the efforts of our officers and the Neighbourhood Watch Group in ensuring the success of this operation,” Ndukwe concluded.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
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“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
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The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
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Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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