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Police Smash Robbery, Cybercrime Syndicate in Gombe, Arrest Eight Suspects

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The Gombe State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in armed robbery and cyber-enabled financial fraud across several communities in the state.

The suspects were apprehended following investigations into a robbery incident reported on June 7, 2026, in Wuro Birji, Akko Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly invaded the homes of two residents, Hassan Muhammad and Jibril Hassan, wielding cutlasses and making away with their mobile phones.

ALSO READ: Police Arrest 10 Over Brutal Killing of Benue MACBAN Chairman

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, the stolen devices were later used to gain unauthorized access to the victims’ bank accounts.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects fraudulently withdrew ₦296,790 from one victim’s GTBank account and also obtained a Quick Loan worth ₦205,205, bringing the total amount stolen to more than ₦500,000.

The command said a major breakthrough came after operatives conducted technical analysis of the fraudulent transactions and traced one of the transfers to a Moniepoint account.

The investigation led to the arrest of Mustapha Kabiru, popularly known as “Musty Bobo,” a 19-year-old ND II Computer Science student of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo.

According to the police, Kabiru confessed during interrogation that he used information obtained from stolen mobile phones to access victims’ bank accounts and carry out fraudulent transactions.

His confession subsequently led to the arrest of seven additional suspects believed to be members of the same criminal network.

Further investigations revealed that the syndicate is allegedly linked to more than 13 similar robbery and cyber fraud incidents in Wuro Birji, Riyal, Bomala and Jauro Jatau communities.

The police said investigations are still ongoing, adding that efforts have been intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate who remain at large.

Commending the officers for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Umar Ahmed Chuso, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and cybercrime.

)He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, protect their personal information and digital devices, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Crime

Kogi Polytechnic Suspends Seven Lecturers Amid Sex-for-Marks, Cultism Probe

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Four Kogi Poly Students Abducted In Ondo

The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended seven lecturers over allegations ranging from the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks to sexual harassment, as the institution investigates claims of sex-for-marks, cultism and other forms of misconduct.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Polytechnic’s spokesperson, John Onimisi.

ALSO READ: Workers Suspend Strike at NUPRC

According to the statement, six lecturers were suspended on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, over the alleged unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks, while another lecturer was suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.

The suspensions come amid growing concerns over reports of sexual harassment, cult-related activities and other disciplinary issues within the institution.

Sources within the Polytechnic alleged that some lecturers demanded sexual favours or money from female students in exchange for passing grades, while cult activities had allegedly resurfaced on campus.

One source claimed that disciplinary measures introduced by the institution’s previous administration had weakened, emboldening erring staff and students.

The source further alleged that female students who reported incidents of sexual harassment received little institutional support and were instead subjected to intimidation.

There were also claims that cult groups had resumed nocturnal meetings on campus despite previous efforts to stamp out such activities.

Other allegations included the reintroduction of compulsory handout sales, a relaxation of the institution’s dress code and reduced enforcement of student identity cards, developments the source claimed had contributed to a decline in discipline across the campus.

Reacting to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s spokesperson, John Onimisi, said the institution’s management was aware of the claims and had already referred the matter to the disciplinary committee for investigation.

“The school management is aware of the allegations, and the disciplinary committee of the Polytechnic is already investigating them. The outcome will be made available to journalists in due course,” Onimisi said.

He assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken based on the committee’s findings.

 

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Crime

Alleged $789,950 Fraud: Court Slams ₦500m Bail on Former Warri Refinery MD

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

A former Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC), Jimoh Yisawu, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million by the Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading not guilty to an eight-count charge of alleged money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yisawu was arraigned on Monday before Justice Inyang Ekwo in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/361/2026, over allegations that he violated the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

SEE MORE: EFCC Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-MDs of Warri, PH Refineries

According to the EFCC, the former refinery boss allegedly indirectly converted more than $789,950, said to be proceeds of unlawful activity, in contravention of Section 18(2)(b) of the Act and punishable under Section 18(3).

The anti-graft agency further alleged that Yisawu made cash payments exceeding $789,950 to one Samaila Bala without using any financial institution, contrary to Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

The commission also accused him of making additional cash payments totalling $122,600 through one Rasheed Olaitan Yusuf, also without routing the transactions through a financial institution.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all eight counts when they were read to him in court.

Following his plea, defence counsel Wale Balogun (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail, noting that the EFCC had earlier released him on administrative bail after seizing his international passport.

Balogun appealed to the court to maintain the same bail conditions, arguing that his client needed to prepare adequately for his defence while out on bail.

However, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) opposed the application, urging the court to consider the EFCC’s counter-affidavit challenging the defendant’s request for bail.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the offences contained in the charge were bailable and ruled that Yisawu was entitled to bail.

Relying on Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the judge granted the former WRPC boss bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian with landed property in Abuja and must provide proof of ownership of the property.

Justice Ekwo also directed Yisawu to surrender his international passport and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval from the court.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the former refinery chief remain in the custody of the EFCC.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 25, 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

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Crime

Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Docked Over Alleged Certificate Forgery, Secures N20m Bail

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FG Invites ICPC Over Diversion Of N-power Funds Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been granted bail in the sum of N20 million after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Nnaji was arraigned on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the ICPC accused him of forging academic credentials, including a degree certificate allegedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The anti-corruption agency also alleged that the former minister presented a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.

SEE ALSO: DSS Arraigns Five for Allegedly Hiding Wanted Ex-Gov Timipre Sylva

The defendant, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Science and Technology from August 16, 2023, until his resignation on October 6, 2025, denied all the allegations after the charges were read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Following a bail application by his lead counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), the court admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15. The court further directed the surety to depose to an affidavit of means.

As part of the bail conditions, the former minister was ordered to surrender his international passport and barred from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Nnaji’s arraignment followed his arrest by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, shortly after returning to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ICPC had earlier confirmed that the arrest was carried out to facilitate investigations into the allegations against him.

The case is expected to proceed with the presentation of evidence when trial begins later this month.

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