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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in an ₦18 million romance scam targeting a Malta-based victim.

The suspects, 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were arrested following investigations into alleged computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. According to a statement by the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the case began after intelligence was received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which flagged suspicious financial transactions linked to the suspects.

Investigators said the suspects were part of a romance scam syndicate that used fake online identities and emotional manipulation to defraud foreign victims. One of the victims was identified as a Malta-based resident whose identity was withheld.

Police further alleged that a Lagos-based suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently on the run and described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Imoru, conspired with Rokibat to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in receiving fraudulent proceeds. Funds allegedly obtained from the scam were reportedly routed through money transfer operators and deposited into several Nigerian bank accounts controlled by Rokibat before being transferred into an Ecobank account belonging to her mother, Urowhe Diana. Ecobank was named in connection with where the alleged proceeds were ultimately moved and spent.

Forensic analysis of digital activities reportedly linked both women directly to the online scam operation, according to investigators. The police added that efforts were ongoing to arrest Emmanuel Amanfo.

The Nigeria Police Force stated that the investigation is still ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon its conclusion. Authorities also noted that the arrest reflects a broader effort to combat rising cross-border romance scams targeting foreign victims through fake identities and online relationships, including cryptocurrency-related fraud schemes.

In a related case, the cybercrime centre is also investigating another alleged international romance fraud involving a suspect accused of defrauding a German national of more than €100,000 using multiple digital payment platforms, underscoring what police describe as an expanding pattern of cyber-enabled financial crimes linked to Nigerian syndicates.

The Inspector-General of Police reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify efforts against cybercrime and safeguard Nigeria’s digital space, while the NPF-NCCC urged the public to report suspicious online activities through official channels.

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The medical doctor abducted in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, has remained in captivity for 33 days despite reports that his captors collected N20 million ransom.

Dr Tony Eghagagara, the Head of Medical Services at New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu, was kidnapped by suspected bandits on April 22, 2026, at his private clinic located on the outskirts of Wawa town.

Sources close to the family told Daily Trust that the kidnappers stopped communicating with relatives and colleagues after receiving the ransom payment.

A reliable source also disclosed that the abducted doctor was allegedly being forced to treat injured members of the terrorist group.

The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (MAGGMDP) on Tuesday called on the Niger State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing his release.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting, jointly signed by the association’s chairman, Dr Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu, and General Secretary, Dr Musa Alhaji Shehu, the group expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of their colleague.

“Thirty-three days in captivity, our member has yet to be released. The family of our member in captivity has not been provided adequate support by the government,” the association said.

The association also decried the inadequate security presence in healthcare facilities located in insecure areas despite repeated calls for improved protection of health workers.

MAGGMDP urged the government to strengthen security around hospitals and clinics, especially in rural communities frequently targeted by armed groups.

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An elderly resident of Oyo State has recounted the terrifying moment armed men reportedly stormed schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso and abducted dozens of pupils, students, and teachers.

The man, who spoke during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, alleged that the attackers arrived around 9 a.m. wearing military camouflage, causing residents to initially mistake them for genuine security personnel.

According to him, the gunmen later invaded schools in the area and began shooting sporadically before taking away children and teachers.

Elderly Oyo Resident Recounts Abduction of 46 People in School Attack

“They arrived around 9AM wearing Army uniforms. We thought they were soldiers, so nobody suspected anything. But when they got to the school junction, they entered the schools and started shooting everywhere,” he said.

The elderly man disclosed that his son’s wife, who teaches in one of the affected schools, was among those abducted during the attack.

He also identified the woman seen crying with a baby in a viral video circulating online as his daughter-in-law, lamenting that the victims had yet to regain freedom.

“My son’s wife is teaching in that school, they have taken her away. She is the woman crying in the circulating video carrying a baby. They have not released any of them till now,” he said emotionally.

Narrating the chaos that followed the invasion, the resident said many children attempted to escape through windows but were overwhelmed by fear.

“Some children wanted to flee through the windows, but they didn’t have the strength. They packed the children, including nursery and primary school pupils, and moved them like cattle,” he recounted.

The attack reportedly occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen riding motorcycles stormed several schools within the community.

Schools reportedly affected include Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

Community leaders claimed that about 46 persons, including seven teachers and 39 pupils and students, were abducted during the incident.

However, the Oyo State Police Command had earlier stated that between 25 and 32 persons were still unaccounted for as security agencies continued rescue operations in the area.