Crime
Soldiers Intercept Cannabis Smugglers, Reject N12m Bribe
In a significant operation, the Nigerian Army has successfully intercepted a drug smuggling attempt at the Balogun border in Ogun State.
The detained individuals, 18-year-old Michael Atanda and 58-year-old Adigun Olatunji, were apprehended after their vehicle was stopped based on credible intelligence.
The suspects were found attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be cannabis, with a total of 296 wraps discovered concealed in their vehicle.
Despite facing a tempting N12 million bribe from the syndicate, the troops displayed unwavering integrity and rejected the bribe offer.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, released a statement on Sunday, highlighting the successful operation and the commitment of the troops in upholding the law.
The statement partly read, “Troops of 192 Battalion, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, acting on credible intelligence intercepted a suspected transnational drug syndicate operating with a Sienna 2001 Model Space Bus, with registration number Lagos APP 129 EF, loaded with illicit substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. The suspects were intercepted on Sunday 14 January 2024, along the Balogun border in Ogun State.
“Vigilant troops conducted a thorough search on the vehicle and detected layers of compartments packed with 296 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the wraps of illicit substance were transported from Benin Republic, through Ilara border communities en route Ifo, Ogun State.
It was further disclosed that transnational drug traffickers spent five months concealing the illicit substance destined for their clients. Two suspects were arrested in connection to the crime.
He said “The suspects, identified as one Mr Adigun Olatunji, age 54 years, and Mr Michael Atanda aged 18 years, both from Ilara Imeko in Afun LGA of Ogun State, reside in Benin Republic. “
The army spokesman added that the suspect had been taken into custody for further necessary actions, “after a failed attempt to bribe troops with the sum of N12,000,000.”
“Other items recovered from the suspects include one Benin Republic National ID Card, one Nigerian National ID card, and two small Itel mobile phones.
“Others include one Benin Republic driver’s licence; a Benin Republic passport, six Benin Republic SIM packs, two Benin Republic SIM cards, one Nigerian driver’s licence, one power bank, and one MP3 player.
“Additionally, a memory card, local charms, as well as the sum of N52,700 only were recovered from the suspects.” it added
Last year, the battalion’s troops achieved a significant operational success by seizing a large cache of ammunition and illicit substances along the Nigerian and Benin Republic border on November 12, 2023.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared prominent businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, wanted over an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
In a public notice released on Friday via the agency’s official X handle, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale called on Nigerians to provide any useful information regarding Achimugu’s whereabouts.
“The public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering,” the statement read.
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Achimugu, 51, hails from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, with her last known address listed as 6C, Rudolf Close, Maitama, Abuja.
The EFCC urged anyone with relevant information to contact its offices across the country or report to the nearest police station or security agency.
The declaration follows Achimugu’s failure to honor an invitation by the anti-graft agency regarding an ongoing investigation into money laundering and a high-profile investment scam.
According to PUNCH Online, the EFCC had summoned her to appear at its Port Harcourt office on March 5, 2025, for questioning.
The summons, dated March 4, was signed by the agency’s acting zonal director in Port Harcourt, Adebayo Adeniyi, and delivered to her Abuja residence.
“This commission is currently investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you becomes imperative. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the Head of Investigation on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, by 10:00 hours prompt,” the letter stated.
However, rather than appearing before the EFCC, Achimugu reportedly left Nigeria on March 6. Her sudden departure prompted the agency to secure a warrant for her arrest before officially declaring her wanted.
The EFCC has urged members of the public with any information about her location to come forward, assuring that all details provided would be treated with confidentiality.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, March 24, 2025 busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
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The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
It was gathered that got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly stabbing his 38-year-old wife to death in Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi, Badagry.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the crime took place on Wednesday.
According to Hundeyin, detectives from the Morogbo Division received a tip-off about the incident and immediately moved to the scene.
“A team of detectives, while on surveillance township monitoring patrol at Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi, got information that the suspect had stabbed his wife to death. The team swiftly raced to the scene and apprehended the suspect,” he said.
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The police recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation.
The victim’s remains have been deposited at the Badagry General Hospital morgue, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba for further investigation.
Authorities assured the public that the suspect would face the full weight of the law.
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Carolyn King
January 16, 2024 at 12:19 am
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