Crime
Government’s Backdoor Dealings With Bandits
Government’s Backdoor Dealings With Bandits....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a surprising development, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has accused certain federal government agencies of engaging in clandestine discussions with bandits, thus intensifying the battle against insecurity in the country. Governor Lawal has called upon the Federal Government to provide clarification on this matter, expressing concern that reports suggest that representatives from these federal agencies have been holding secret talks with bandit groups in Zamfara without his knowledge. Unfortunately, efforts to obtain a response from the federal government on this matter were fruitless, as the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, was deemed the appropriate person to address the issue but had not responded at the time of reporting.
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Governor Lawal has called for an urgent and thorough investigation by the federal government into these covert negotiations with bandits in Zamfara State. According to a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal is deeply troubled by the actions of federal government agencies negotiating with bandits without involving the state government and other security authorities. The statement emphasized that the governor is urging the federal government to clarify the actions of these federal agencies, which contradict the state government’s adoption of a kinetic strategy in the fight against banditry.
The statement by Governor Lawal further conveyed his determination not to negotiate with these criminals, as the priority of the Zamfara State government is to combat banditry without making any compromises. He implored the federal government to swiftly terminate the ongoing negotiations with bandits in Zamfara, as it threatens to undermine the progress made so far.
In a separate development, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security forces to rescue the remaining students of Federal University, Gusau, in Zamfara State, seven abducted female students and three construction workers were rescued by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji. The individuals who were rescued have been identified, and efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives are ongoing. It is noted that the bandits’ plan to move some of the kidnapped students to a forest in Niger State and others to the Magami axis was thwarted by the deployment of troops along their intended route.
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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