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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested two individuals in separate cases involving fraud and currency mutilation.

The Benin Zonal Directorate arrested Osagie Etinosa for allegedly defrauding a football hopeful of N11 million. In a statement signed by the EFCC, the Commission said the suspect “had been parading himself on Instagram account @officialking_etto as a football agent who specialises in linking footballers with foreign clubs for trials and recruitment.”

The statement added that Etinosa “collected the sum of N11,000,000 from one Samuel Beke Ohazuruike with the promise of securing trials for him in Romanian and Bulgarian clubs, which never materialised. Efforts by the victim to recover his money proved abortive.”

The Commission confirmed that the suspect “will soon be arraigned in court.”

In a separate arrest, the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate apprehended Fatima Muhammed for an alleged Naira mutilation. The EFCC explained that the arrest followed a viral TikTok video in which the suspect “was seen cleaning mucus from her nose using an N500 Naira note.”

According to the statement, operatives “traced and arrested her in the Maiduguri metropolis area.” The Commission noted that Muhammed “is currently under investigation at the Maiduguri detention facility while investigation is ongoing” and that she “will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”

The EFCC confirmed both arrests in separate statements, highlighting the Commission’s continued monitoring of financial crimes and enforcement of relevant laws.

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The management of Yobe State University has said that the photo of some of its students sleeping outdoors which went viral, especially on social media alleging lack of accommodation, is a temporary eclipse, insisting that most of the hostels are currently undergoing renovation and upgrade.

This was disclosed by the Focal Person Digital and Strategic Communications to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Hon. Yusuf Ali in a post he shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

His post: “The management of Yobe State University wishes to address the viral photograph circulating on social media showing some students sleeping outside within the university premises.

“While the image is authentic, it is important to clarify that it does not reflect a widespread accommodation crisis, but rather a temporary situation arising from ongoing hostel renovation and facility upgrade projects across the campus.

“As part of efforts to improve students’ living conditions, several hostels are currently undergoing comprehensive refurbishment.

“This has led to a temporary reduction in available bed spaces. In addition, the current heat season has contributed to some students opting to stay outdoors at night for comfort.

“The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Sani Isa, has confirmed that hostel allocations are ongoing, with deliberate steps being taken to ensure that affected students are accommodated as quickly as possible. Measures are also being implemented to decongest hostels, particularly high-demand facilities such as the Abuja Hostel.

“The university management reassures students, parents, and the general public that the situation is under control and is being actively addressed. No student has been abandoned, and every effort is being made to ensure safe and adequate accommodation for all.

“We urge the public to disregard misleading interpretations of the image and to rely on official communication channels for accurate information.

“The Yobe State University under the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni remains committed to the welfare, safety, and academic success of its students, and appreciates the continued patience and understanding of the university community”. Ali explained.

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Bandits have killed an Abuja-based businessman, Muhammad Shuaibu, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima Muhammad, despite the payment of N12 million ransom demanded.

Fatima, until her death, was a student of the University of Abuja. The deceased businessman was a trader at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

Our correspondent gathered that Shuaibu was abducted alongside his two daughters from their residence in Zhidu community under Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State on October 3, 2025, after armed men invaded their home.

A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers initially took the businessman and his daughters into the bush after rounding up members of the household.

The source disclosed that the abductors later demanded ransom in installments, which the family paid in three tranches N6 million, N4 million, and a final N2 million bringing the total to N12 million.

According to him, the kidnappers had earlier killed Fatima about three months ago, accusing her of being “stubborn,” even as negotiations for ransom were ongoing.

The family member explained that after the last payment of N2 million, the kidnappers instructed the bearer of the ransom to return, claiming that the businessman had died in captivity after falling seriously ill.

He also disclosed that the family had to sell the deceased’s shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, his private car, and a sachet water production machine to raise funds for the ransom.

“The bandits even asked us to sell his house, but there was no buyer,” he added.

Efforts to get a response from the Niger State Police command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.