Crime
Suspect Arrested in Kogi for Vandalizing Government Property
Police in Kogi State have arrested a man accused of repeatedly vandalizing government infrastructure, officials said Saturday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The suspect, identified as Umoru Faruk Unusah, was caught stealing cable wires from a solar-powered streetlight in Idah Local Government Area. Authorities said he was arrested on the spot while trying to remove the cables late at night.
Police said Unusah is well known in the community and has been linked to other cases of vandalism in the area. Investigators believe he may be part of a wider problem involving the destruction and theft of public property in Kogi State.
Kogi State police spokesperson said the arrest followed increased patrols aimed at protecting government assets. “Our officers responded quickly and caught the suspect in the act. He is now in custody and will be charged in court,” the spokesperson said.
Residents of Idah have long complained about theft and damage to public infrastructure, including power cables, solar lights, and water facilities. Many community members say such crimes slow down development and leave basic services broken.
One resident, Musa Ibrahim, told reporters that people in the area are frustrated. “Each time the government provides us with light or water, some people destroy it for their own gain. We all suffer when these things are vandalized,” he said.
Authorities say solar-powered streetlights were installed in several parts of Idah to improve security at night and support local businesses. But frequent theft of cables and batteries has left many of the lights nonfunctional.
“This is not just about one man stealing wires. It is about protecting government investment meant to help the community,” said a senior local official. “We cannot continue to spend money replacing stolen items while other communities are waiting for development projects.”
Police have urged residents to report suspicious movements and cooperate with security agencies. They also warned that anyone caught vandalizing or buying stolen government property will face prosecution.
Unusah’s arrest is part of a wider crackdown on theft of public infrastructure across Nigeria. In recent months, authorities have reported cases of railway track vandalism, pipeline destruction, and theft of electrical equipment in several states.
Security experts say such crimes are often driven by poverty and the illegal scrap market, where stolen cables and metals are sold. However, they stress that the long-term damage is much greater than the short-term profit criminals make.
“When infrastructure is vandalized, communities lose services that are critical to daily life,” said security analyst Daniel Ojo. “It also discourages investors and creates more insecurity.”
In Kogi State, the government has promised to work closely with police and local leaders to reduce vandalism. Officials said they plan to introduce stronger community watch groups and tougher penalties for offenders.
For now, residents of Idah hope that the arrest of Unusah will send a clear message to others planning similar crimes.
“We want this to be the last time,” said Ibrahim, the local resident. “Government property belongs to all of us. If one person destroys it, we all lose.”
Police said Unusah remains in custody and an investigation is ongoing. He is expected to appear in court once the case is prepared.
Authorities urged the public to protect and value government projects, stressing that development can only succeed when communities take responsibility for shared resources.
Crime
Phil Foden Declares Legal War Over “Sickening” Fake News About His Children.
Manchester City star Phil Foden has taken legal steps after malicious online rumours about his children went viral, sparking concern among fans and outrage from his family.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the England midfielder became a victim of false social media claims alleging that one of his children had died while another was diagnosed with cancer. The fabricated posts, featuring AI-generated images of Foden and his partner, Rebecca Cooke, appearing distraught, spread rapidly across platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Sources disclosed that Foden’s management team has enlisted a top legal firm to identify the individuals behind the hoax and demand the removal of the defamatory content from all online spaces.
One widely shared post falsely claimed that Foden’s six-year-old son, Ronnie, had passed away, while another alleged that his four-year-old daughter, True, was suffering from cancer. These fabricated stories, shared by fake fan accounts posing as Manchester City supporters, caused Foden’s name to trend online as sympathetic fans unknowingly sent condolence messages.
Reacting to the incident, Cooke, who shares three children with Foden, took to Instagram to denounce the disturbing fabrications, calling them “sickening.”
“We are aware of the pages and accounts spreading these lies. They are completely false and very disturbing,” she wrote. “I don’t understand how people can make up such stories about anyone, especially about children. It’s truly disgusting.”
She also assured followers that the family was in good health and urged the public to report any accounts promoting the falsehoods. “Thank God we are all fine, and thank you for your concern,” she added.
Crime
Police Recover Two Luxury Cars Stolen From Netherlands
Nigeria Police Force has recovered two luxury vehicles stolen from the Netherlands and shipped illegally into the country, officials said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Police said the cars — a 2020 Toyota C-HR and a 2019 Toyota RAV4 — were traced to locations in Lagos and Akwa Ibom states. The vehicles were stolen from Amsterdam and the Midden-Nederland region before being transported through Belgium’s Port of Antwerp and arriving at the Apapa Port in Lagos late last year.
The operation was coordinated by the Nigeria Police Force’s National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL in Abuja, working closely with its Dutch counterpart in The Hague. After weeks of tracking and intelligence exchange, the two cars were located and seized during separate operations in southern Nigeria.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the recovery was the result of a joint investigation with international partners. “The successful recovery and repatriation of the vehicles reflect the Force’s firm commitment to global law enforcement cooperation and to ensuring that criminal networks involved in cross-border vehicle theft and smuggling are denied the proceeds of their crimes,” Hundeyin said in a statement.
Following the recovery, the police filed for civil forfeiture at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court granted a final order in favor of the Dutch government through the vehicles’ insurance company, authorizing the legal return of the property.
On Sunday, representatives of the insurance company and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria officially received the two vehicles at the INTERPOL NCB office in Abuja.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the officers involved for their professionalism and effective collaboration with global partners. “This achievement underscores the importance of intelligence-led policing and the value of international cooperation in fighting transnational crimes,” he said.
Vehicle theft and smuggling remain major challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. Experts say criminal syndicates often use complex routes — involving multiple countries and shipping channels — to conceal the origins of stolen vehicles. Nigeria, with its active maritime trade routes, has been identified as one of several African destinations for such illicit imports.
Authorities said the case demonstrates how close coordination between national and international agencies can lead to successful recovery and restitution. The NPF added that it will continue to strengthen monitoring systems at ports and improve vehicle registration checks to prevent similar incidents.
Legal analysts also noted that the case highlights the growing effectiveness of mutual assistance between Nigeria and European nations in handling cross-border property crimes. By securing a court-ordered forfeiture before repatriation, officials ensured transparency and compliance with international standards.
For the victims in the Netherlands, the return of the vehicles marks the conclusion of a months-long recovery process. It also sends a warning to criminal groups that the long arm of international law enforcement is closing in on global car theft networks.
The Nigeria Police said it remains committed to deepening cooperation with INTERPOL member countries and other law enforcement agencies worldwide to tackle crimes that cross borders. Officials added that similar joint operations are underway to track additional stolen assets potentially smuggled into the country.
The successful recovery of the two vehicles, police say, is not only a victory for the victims but also a demonstration of Nigeria’s growing capacity to engage in complex international policing operations.
Crime
EFCC Warns “Yahoo Boys” Turning to Spiritual Rituals
Lagos, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a strong warning Monday to internet fraudsters, known locally as “Yahoo boys,” saying they are now using spiritual rituals to boost their scams.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a post on its official X account (formerly Twitter), the EFCC said, “G-boys are now going spiritual, involving themselves in rituals and making it the new usual. EFCC will come for any individual. Then, it won’t be business as usual.”
Authorities described this trend, sometimes called “Yahoo Plus,” as involving occult practices — including the use of human body parts — to improve the success of fraudulent schemes. Investigators say some scammers believe these rituals will protect them from law enforcement.
The EFCC said the warning comes as cybercrime in Nigeria evolves. For years, “Yahoo boys” have defrauded victims abroad through romance scams, phishing, fake online identities, and other digital fraud methods. Now, the agency says, scammers are combining these tactics with ritual practices.
Although no new arrests were immediately linked solely to ritual-based fraud, the EFCC pointed to ongoing prosecutions where spiritual elements were reportedly involved. In one case in Jos, Plateau State, a bishop and others are facing trial for running a cooperative-investment scam.
The commission urged banks, telecom companies, and the public to help identify suspicious transactions and warned citizens to avoid individuals promising quick wealth or spiritual assistance.
Experts say the addition of ritual practices signals a dangerous escalation in Nigeria’s cyber-fraud landscape. Combining fraud with occult practices may indicate deeper organized crime networks and complicate investigations. Some observers also warn that victims may be afraid to come forward, making prosecutions harder.
Civil society groups welcomed the EFCC’s alert but stressed the need for follow-through. “Issuing warnings is important,” said an anti-fraud advocate in Lagos. “But what matters is arrests, prosecutions, and asset recovery.”
The EFCC said it will increase surveillance of digital platforms, work with traditional and spiritual authorities, and expand international cooperation to combat fraud. It also plans to release guidelines for banks and telecom operators to identify transactions linked to ritual-based scams.
The agency made it clear that the era of “business as usual” for internet fraudsters is over. Law enforcement officials said those involved in cybercrime, with or without ritual backing, will face prosecution.
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