Connect with us

latest

Interpol Strikes Major Blow Against Black Axe: Over 300 Arrested in Global Crackdown

Published

on

Interpol Strikes Major Blow Against Black Axe: Over 300 Arrested in Global Crackdown....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a sweeping international operation, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has arrested more than 300 individuals linked to the notorious West African criminal network, Black Axe, and its affiliated groups. The arrests were part of “Operation Jackal III,” a series of covert missions carried out across 21 countries between April and July 2024. Interpol revealed that this highly-coordinated cybercrime syndicate is responsible for some of the world’s most significant cyber-enabled financial frauds and other serious crimes, according to a report by the BBC on Wednesday.

Labeling the operation as a “major blow” to the Nigerian crime network, Interpol also warned of Black Axe’s global reach and technological sophistication. The operation resulted in the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of more than 700 bank accounts, signaling a significant disruption to the group’s operations.

Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, highlighted the role of financial technology and cryptocurrency in enabling these syndicates. “They are very organized and very structured. These criminal syndicates are early adopters of new technologies… A lot of fintech developments make it easy to illegally move money around the world,” Kaya said.

Black Axe, known for its involvement in trafficking, prostitution, and killings, primarily generates revenue through cybercrime. Many members of this secretive group are university-educated, having been recruited during their academic years. A 2022 Interpol report stated that Black Axe and similar groups are responsible for the majority of the world’s cyber-enabled financial frauds and many other serious crimes.

Interpol’s Jackal operations have been ongoing since 2022, leading to the arrest of numerous Black Axe members and the seizure of electronic devices crucial to their operations. In one notable example, Canadian authorities in 2017 dismantled a money-laundering scheme linked to Black Axe, valued at over $5 billion.

To combat these sophisticated criminal networks, Interpol has introduced the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system. This mechanism allows authorities in its 196-member countries to freeze bank accounts worldwide with unprecedented speed. The system was successfully used in July 2024 to halt a $40 million scam targeting a Singaporean business.

However, the fight against such criminal groups is not without challenges. Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, West Africa Regional Coordinator at the Institute for Security Studies, criticized the Nigerian government’s laxity in curbing the activities of groups like Black Axe. He argued that some politicians exploit these syndicates for personal gain, providing them with the tools to defraud and commit other atrocities. “The general failure of governance in the country has put pressure on people to be initiated into the Black Axe. It is the politicians who are arming these boys,” Ojewale stated, emphasizing that prevention should be prioritized over reactionary operations.

President Bola Tinubu, in February 2024, pledged increased support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance its capacity to tackle digital crimes. He condemned the “mislabelling and blanket stereotyping” of Nigeria as a haven for cybercrime, stressing the need for a more nuanced understanding of the issue.

In a related development, the Nigerian Senate expressed concerns in November 2023 about the country losing $500 million annually to various forms of cybercrime. They warned that without proper funding for the national cybersecurity program, the benefits of the digital economy would be undermined.

The origins of Interpol’s Jackal operations trace back to Ireland. In 2020, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) identified 1,000 individuals linked to Black Axe, leading to the arrest of several members and the exposure of a much broader network. Michael Cryan, a detective superintendent at GNECB who led the operation, reported a surge in money laundering activities in Ireland due to Black Axe. “They were very under the radar, very low-key. The amount of money being laundered through Ireland was astronomical,” Cryan said, estimating that €200 million had been stolen online in Ireland over the past five years.

latest

BATSOF National Patron, Majidadi Pledges 60 Million Votes For Tinubu

Published

on

 ....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The National Patron of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Front (BATSOF), Ambassador Alhaji Aminu Majidadi, has promised to work assiduously to ensure that the group delivers 60 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Ambassador Majidadi made the pledge at his investiture as National Patron of the group in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, he said BATSOF has what it takes to penetrate the nooks and crannies of the country to mobilise massive votes for the President.

According to him, President Tinubu has performed creditably well and deserves another four years to continue his good work for the nation.

He noted that BATSOF is not a new group, having been in existence since 2002, adding that the group worked assiduously for the President when he was seeking re-election for a second term as Governor of Lagos State.

The National Patron commended President Tinubu for his achievements and reform programmes, stressing that his administration has laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s prosperity.

He assured that he would deploy his wealth of experience and network to mobilise the group across the country to work round the clock to ensure overwhelming victory for President Tinubu in 2027.

CHIEF DAYO LAWAL DIRECTOR, MEDIA & PUBLICITY BATSOF- FCT 20/10/2026

Continue Reading

latest

Setback For Nigeria As Super Falcons Slide Seven Places In FIFA Rankings.

Published

on

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have dropped seven places to 43rd in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings following a disappointing outing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 10-time African champions slipped from 36th position after losing 83.54 points in the latest ranking update.

Nigeria’s decline followed a difficult campaign at the continental tournament, where they suffered defeats to Malawi in their opening group match and Cameroon.

The Falcons’ struggles continued in the play-offs, where they lost 2-1 to South Africa, missing out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Despite their drop in the global rankings, Nigeria remain Africa’s highest-ranked women’s national team, ahead of South Africa, who occupy 52nd place worldwide.

Cameroon are ranked 62nd, while Morocco and Ghana occupy 64th and 65th positions, respectively.

Malawi recorded the biggest improvement in the latest rankings, climbing 49 places following an impressive WAFCON campaign that saw them reach the final.

At the global level, Spain retained the top position, followed by the United States, Germany, England and Japan. The top five teams remained unchanged.

The next edition of the FIFA Women’s World Rankings is scheduled to be released on December 7, 2026.

Meanwhile, Super Falcons interim head coach Austin Eguavoen has appealed for patience as the team prepare for a crucial two-legged Olympic qualifying tie against Morocco.

Nigeria advanced to the third round of the qualifiers after defeating Comoros 5-0 in Ikenne on October 13, securing a comprehensive 7-0 aggregate victory.

The Falcons are scheduled to face Morocco between February 23 and March 6, 2027, with a place in the subsequent qualifying round at stake.

Eguavoen said the coaching crew would consider bringing back players who missed the recent qualifying matches while maintaining stability within the squad.

“Going forward, we expect to meet tougher opposition, no doubt about that,” he said.

“We have the quality, we have the personnel, we have the support.”

The coach stressed that the technical crew would need to strike a balance between making squad adjustments and maintaining consistency as Nigeria pursue one of Africa’s two qualification slots for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

Continue Reading

latest

No One Twisted Your Message, We Know What We Heard – Presidency Tackles Peter Obi.

Published

on

The Presidency has maintained that the statement made by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, regarding financial support from Nigerians living abroad to their relatives at home was not misrepresented.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The response came from Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, on Tuesday, shortly after Obi denied telling Nigerians in the diaspora to stop sending money to their loved ones in Nigeria.

Recall that Obi made the remarks during a town hall meeting with supporters in the United Kingdom, where he urged Nigerians abroad to encourage relatives seeking financial assistance to support candidates committed to good governance.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no! Let’s put somebody who has proven to be productive,” Obi had said.

His remarks subsequently sparked controversy, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians living abroad to stop sending financial assistance to their families back home.

However, Obi issued a statement on Tuesday, insisting that his message had been distorted. He explained that although his media office had already released a clarification, he considered it necessary to personally address what he described as the misrepresentation of his comments by political opponents.

Reacting, Olusegun rejected Obi’s explanation, arguing that the original remarks were clear and had not been twisted. He also accused the opposition politician of adopting divisive tactics in his political campaign.

The presidential aide maintained that such an approach would not succeed in the 2027 general election, just as he claimed it failed to deliver victory for Obi in 2023.

In his response, Olusegun wrote:

“Trying to claim ‘MY MESSAGE HAS BEEN TWISTED’ won’t change what we all heard you say on video.

“No one twisted your message, certainly not. Your message, asking Nigerians abroad to stop sending money to their loved ones at home, is clear as day and a representation of the vileness in your heart and the hatred you harbour for Nigerians, whose only offence was rejecting you at the polls.

“You have chosen to go on another divisive route, which you are known for, for your campaign. You have set Christians against Muslims, Southerners against Northerners, children against parents, Nigerians against President Tinubu, and have now graduated to setting Nigerians abroad against Nigerians at home. Even by your standards, this is ridiculously low!

“You seek to govern the people you hate. You do not care about evil deeds as long as they advance your political ambitions.

“Unfortunately for you, Nigerians are wise and sophisticated people; they can read between the lines. Your divisive rhetoric did not work in 2023, and it certainly will not work in 2027.

“By the way, this has now been added to your long, inexhaustible list of flip-flopping, contradictory statements, lies, and denials of past statements and promises.

“Nigerians are watching and taking stock!” the presidential aide stated.

Continue Reading

Trending