Crime
SFU, Lagos Investigates Mega Fraud in Nigeria’s Oil Industry
Crack police operatives at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos have commenced multiple investigations into massive fraud committed against the Nigerian government in the oil and gas industry running into billions of dollars.
The unit started beaming the searchlight on the monumental fraud following complaints from concerned Nigerians, including intelligence networks which are said to have begun to unearth what might be the biggest scam in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
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It was learned that in one of the cases, the investigation was started through a petition written by an anti-corruption group alleging massive padding of a contract with a sum exceeding $90 million dollars. This, according to sources, caused a lot of discomfort for certain persons who have done everything possible to frustrate the investigation, including writing petitions against the commissioner of police in charge of the unit and his men.
Reliable sources revealed that because of the refusal of the team handling the matter to take bribes from a major participant in the crime, he has resorted to blackmailing the unit before the Police Service Commission (PSC), resulting to the invitation of the commissioner of police in charge of the unit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to explain what the unit under him is investigating.
According to sources, the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) (name withheld) is furious about this move and has threatened to petition the National Assembly and the American Senate if there is any attempt at scuttling the investigation as the companies involved in this fraud have their roots in the USA.
Informed sources confirmed that the NGO has threatened a showdown with the PSC, stating that its mandate does not allow it to interfere with the operational duties of the police. The rights group advised the commission to focus on their duties of promotion and disciplinary measures for misbehavior by erring officers.
The NGO, it was gathered, believes that it is high time the police were allowed to perform their duties without unnecessary interference. The rights group reportedly stated: “This cannot happen in America. If they dare interfere, we promise to take it to where the commission or anybody else cannot summon any police officer to answer any question.”
It was reliably gathered that the NGO firmly believes that these interferences are responsible for the unfortunate situation where the police have no respect for criminals. The NGO is said to be watching for any further interference on the matter by the commission, insisting they will ensure the matter is investigated to its logical conclusion.
Another matter said to be under investigation by the SFU is a $617 million dollar fraud involving an indigenous oil company. According to our sources, a certain project aimed at boosting crude oil production was awarded to the oil company in 2018. In the same year, an expansion contract for the same project was awarded to the same company even as the original project execution had not commenced.
The shocking revelation coming out of the investigation, according to our sources, is that even the project vendors are companies owned by the prime promoter of the indigenous oil company who contrived the project expansion contract and the company to take this money as part of Cash Call and was allegedly shared amongst the conniving officials and the company. The same company is said to be producing and under-declaring the amount of crude produced, thus effectively stealing from the government.
In the same vein, it was said that another investigation regarding crude oil theft worth over $3 billion is in the offing at the SFU. Our sources could not immediately provide details of the extent of that investigation.
According to sources, there are a whole lot of issues that have been brought to the fraud unit since the assumption of office by CP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo because of his pedigree.
However, officers that spoke to reporters said the unit remains the star of the police in economic and financial crimes investigations. They declared that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, did not make a mistake in the deployment of a star investigator to head the unit and the results are becoming visible.
They challenged reporters to visit the unit and see the efforts the CP has put in place at progressing the unit to another different level; a determined, people friendly, thorough and proactive and intelligence driven unit.
The IGP and the CP could not be reached for comments on the investigations but sources said the unit got official nods from authorities in Abuja to carry out their investigations in the most effective and result-oriented manner based on the stern directives of the IGP, who was said to have cautioned officers not to sweep fraud and criminal cases underground no matter the temptation by those involved.
The Ogun State Police Command has taken a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, into custody in connection with a suspected arson incident that claimed the life of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The incident was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following information that a house had been set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.
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The Ogun State Police Command disclosed the development in a press release issued on Sunday, stating that the husband was in custody in connection with the incident.
The deceased’s body has been deposited at a mortuary for post-mortem examination to establish further details surrounding her death.
The police also disclosed that the case was being processed for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, assured the public that the matter would be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.
According to the statement, the commissioner assured the public that “the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.”
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that allegations of serious crimes would receive appropriate investigative attention.
The command also called on members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that could assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations.
“The Command urges members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that may assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations,” the statement read.
The circumstances surrounding the fire and the alleged involvement of the husband remain subject to investigation.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old woman, Grace Ehimeka, after recovering 179 kilogrammes of skunk from her during anti-drug operations in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ehimeka was among six suspects arrested during raids conducted by NDLEA operatives in the area as part of a series of nationwide operations targeting illicit drugs.
The operations in Edo State also led to the recovery of another 220.8 kilogrammes of skunk, alongside smaller quantities of cannabis and other controlled substances.
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The arrest was one of several recorded during the agency’s nationwide operations, which resulted in major drug seizures across multiple states.
In Lagos, the NDLEA seized 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol hydrochloride powder worth over ₦6.98 billion at Apapa Port. The shipment, which originated from India, had been declared as maize starch.
The agency also intercepted cannabis concealed in palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The consignment was allegedly intended for Saudi Arabia, while two suspects were arrested in connection with the case.
In Ondo State, operatives destroyed an estimated 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on three hectares of farmland and arrested five suspects.
Other seizures were recorded in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, including large quantities of tramadol, Exol-5 tablets and cannabis.
The operations formed part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs across the country.
A 70-year-old man, Alhaji Saleh Kasim, has been killed during a bandit attack on Gamji Village in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, while 27 abducted residents have been rescued by security forces.
The Katsina State Government disclosed this in a press release issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu.
According to the statement, about 40 armed bandits, led by a suspected gang leader identified as Kachalla Alhaji Bawa Kabir, invaded the community in the early hours of October 16, 2026.
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The attackers reportedly arrived on 20 motorcycles, abducted 27 residents, mostly women, children and elderly people, and rustled six cows.
The government said Kasim was shot dead during the attack.
Following credible intelligence, troops of the 17 Brigade, working with local hunters and the Community Watch Corps, moved to block the attackers’ escape routes towards the Madaci forest enclave.
At about 6 p.m. on the same day, the troops engaged the bandits at Tashar Bawa forest and successfully rescued all 27 abducted residents.
The rescued victims were subsequently taken to the Machika Military Forward Operating Base for medical attention.
The statement added that joint security teams had commenced clearance operations to flush out the remaining members of the gang and prevent possible reprisal attacks on the community.
The Katsina State Government, under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents across the state.
Mu’azu commended the troops and community-based security groups for their swift response to the incident.
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