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Fake EFCC officers plotting kidnapping in Akwa Ibom arrested
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspected fake Economic Financial Crimes Commission officers while planning to abduct and collect N150 million ransom from their victim (name withheld).
Parading the suspects alongside other suspects at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, said the principal suspect, Emmanuel Akpayak, masterminded the kidnap of the would-be victim whom he owed over N12 million as he tried to extort money from him and subsequently kill him to evade repayment of his debt.
He listed the suspects to include one Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak ‘m’ aged 27yrs, Echem Ovurizichi Weneka ‘m’ aged 27yrs, Promise Udofia ‘m’ aged 28yrs and Jeremiah Johnson Okon ‘m’ 38yrs.
According to the CP, “Investigation revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak had arranged for the kidnap and killing of the would-be victim by engaging men on arms and procuring EFCC vest/uniform for the Operation.
“Victim was invited and a search was conducted at the principal suspect’s house where four pairs of EFCC vests were recovered. Information at hand indicates that the suspect transacted the business of selling cars with the would-be victim and owed the victim about Twelve Million Naira (N12,000,000.00), inorder to evade the repayment of debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap, extort the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000.00) and also kill the victim thereafter but the Operation was foiled. Suspects will have their day in court.”
In an interview with the principal suspect, Akpayak, he claimed that the intending victim was his business associate to whom he owed some money but hired ” boys” who were issuing threats to him.
He noted that attempts to make his associate come to a round table discussion failed hence he resorted to getting an EFCC vest from an online vendor to give to his syndicate who posed as officials to arrest the man and force him to bring N150 mllion as he alleged that the would-be victim is rich and into internet fraud.
The Commissioner also paraded suspected advance fee fraudsters who have been swindling POS operators in Uyo.
“On 21/06/2024 at about 7:00 pm, one Glory Uko Okon ‘f’ of Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, called in through the emergency hotline and alleged that one Donald Ita Nyong ‘m’, Rex Clement Uso ‘m’ and one Kingsley Mathias Joekim POS syndicates came to her POS stand at Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo, pretended to make a withdrawal of N10,000 and while she made the withdrawal to the suspects, one of the suspects gave her N3,200 to deposit into an Opay account which she tried three times and the transaction was unsuccessful, the suspects mounted pressure on her which made her give out the POS machine to the suspect’s to type in the account number and before she could realise.
“The suspects had withdrawn the sum of N320,000.00 from her machine and quickly jumped into their waiting car and zoomed off. Suspects were arrested, they all made useful statements and have confessed to the crime.”
The police boss also paraded child trafficking syndicates saying that the command acting on intelligence arrested one Michael Emmanuel Edet ‘m’, Ability Henry Tom ‘f’ and one Uwem Udoh Moses ‘f’ from their hideouts within Ibesikpo and Aka Etinan road for stealing a child (name withheld) ‘m’ 12yrs while he was hawking groundnut along Oron road and was taken to Ovum Community in Obingwa L.G.A Abia State
He said the child was sold out for the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) to one Loveth Nkwankwo ‘f’ of Ovum Community, Obingwa L.G.A.
He added that further investigation led to the arrest of the said Loveth Nkwakwo in Abia State saying that the suspects confessed to the crime and promised to help arrest other fleeing members in their syndicate even as he disclosed that the victim was rescued and with others.
Ayilara noted that all suspects would be charged in court at the end of investigations and urged the people of Akwa Ibom to always provide the police with useful information that would help in the eradication of crime and criminal elements in the State.
While thanking Governor Umo Eno for his massive support to police, the Commissioner said he shall leave no stone unturned in ensuring security and peace in the state.
News
Court Gives Falanas, January Date To Prove Case Against VDM
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Lagos High Court has adjourned the defamation suit brought by Femi Falana and his son against social media influencer, Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, until January 23, 2025.
The case was brought by human rights activist Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz.
VeryDarkMan arrived in court dressed in a red native outfit, accompanied by fans who cheered him on, but the Falanas were not present.
The case could not proceed as several applications filed by the parties were still not included in the court file. As a result, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until January 23, 2025.
On October 14, Justice Matthias Dawodu ruled on an ex-parte application filed by the Falanas, granting them legal protection from defamation. The judge ordered that VeryDarkMan remove a defamatory video he posted on September 24, 2025, which targeted the senior lawyer and his son. Additionally, the court prohibited VeryDarkMan from posting or sharing any defamatory content about them on his social media accounts until the matter is resolved.
The Falanas had filed separate lawsuits seeking N500 million each in damages, claiming that VeryDarkMan posted a video accusing them of accepting N10 million from Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, to influence a legal matter.
They argued that VeryDarkMan knew the allegations were false but chose to spread them, causing harm to their reputations. The Falanas further pointed out that the video continues to circulate online, further damaging their reputations.
In response, VeryDarkMan applied to the court for permission to appeal the ruling.
He argued that refusing his request would be an injustice, as the case involves significant legal questions that require further examination. He stated, “A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law, leading to outcomes that may be detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice as a whole. The appellate court’s role in clarifying and, where necessary, correcting trial court decisions is vital in maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.”
News
READ 8 Facts About New Lakurawa Terror Group in North West
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Lakurawa, a new terror group is now wreaking havoc in northwestern part of the country. It was once dismissed as harmless herders.
Initially seen as seasonal migrants, the Lakurawa group has evolved into a powerful militant force linked to jihadist networks in the Sahel.
With roots stretching back six years, Lakurawa has grown under the radar, exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders and limited government oversight.
Here’s what you need to know about this escalating threat and the challenges it poses to the region’s security.
From Herders to Terrorists
Originally seen as seasonal herders from Niger, the Lakurawa group quietly entered Sokoto communities in search of pasture, later gaining a reputation as militants with ties to jihadist networks across the Sahel.
Authorities’ Early Misjudgment
Locals first reported suspicious activities by Lakurawa herders nearly six years ago, but authorities dismissed them as non-violent. However, recent intelligence from Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters reclassifies Lakurawa as a new terror group with connections to extremist networks.
Cross-Border Threats
The Lakurawa exploit Nigeria’s porous borders with countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali, entering remote areas to promote radical ideology, often in Hausa and Fulfulde languages, and impose strict “Islamic” rules on communities.
Unusual Alliances
Invited by local leaders to fend off other bandits, Lakurawa quickly grew from an auxiliary force into a dominant presence, controlling communities through a mix of militant enforcement and religious influence.
Camp ‘Darul Islam’ in Forests
Lakurawa established camps around Gwangwano, Mulawa, Wassaniya, and Tunigara along the Nigeria-Niger border, naming them Darul Islam, or “Abode of Islam.” Their membership has since swelled to over 200 young men.
Escalation and Armed Attacks
Once tolerated by local communities, the group’s violent tendencies surfaced through alleged attacks on military bases and confrontations with Nigerian security forces, marking a shift to full-scale militancy.
Radical Ideology and Social Control
The group enforces stringent rules, often forbidding music and dancing, and collects levies disguised as religious Zakat. They pressure locals to obey these laws, maintaining authority over vulnerable communities.
A Growing Regional Concern
With ties to jihadist groups across the Sahel, Lakurawa’s presence reflects broader security challenges. The breakdown in joint border patrols after Niger’s recent coup has only worsened Nigeria’s exposure to such extremist threats.(PRNigeria)
News
It’s wrong to arrest individuals in place of suspects — Says PSC chairman
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) has condemned the practice by Nigeria Police Force operatives of arresting individuals in place of actual suspects.
He also frowned at the handcuffing of suspects during arrests, adding that the law prohibits these practices.
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said Argungu made this known
during training on international Human Rights-based policing and effective oversight of personnel of the Police Service Commission.
Ani said the PSC chairman stressed that every suspect must be accorded humane treatment and must not be subjected to any form of torture, cruelty, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The statement read, “DIG Hashimu Argungu, x-rayed human treatment of arrested suspects and declared that a suspect shall be accorded human treatment, having regard to his right to the dignity of his person and not be subjected to any form of torture, cru
Argungu noted that a suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract and shall be brought before the court as prescribed by law or otherwise released conditionally or unconditionally.
He explained that “a person shall not for any reason be arrested in place of a suspect adding that the law prohibits the handcuffing or any other unnecessary restrain of an arrested person, except if there is reasonable apprehension of violence or an attempt to escape; the restrain is considered necessary for the safety of the suspect or defendant or by order of court.”
Ani added the PSC chairman also noted that all over the world, police officers generally have broad powers to carry out their functions and duties.
“He noted that the constitution as amended and other procedural laws, however, place limits on how far Police can go in trying to enforce the law.
“According to him, one of the primary purposes of these laws is to protect citizens from abuses by the government, including police misconduct,” the statement added
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