Crime
Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom and Victim’s Murder
Nigerian police have arrested three suspected kidnappers accused of collecting a ₦6.9 million ransom and later killing their victim, authorities said Saturday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The suspects were captured after an intelligence-led operation that tracked them to their hideout in northern Nigeria. Police said the men confessed to abducting the victim, collecting ransom money from the family, and then murdering the hostage despite receiving payment.
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement that investigators are working to recover the ransom funds and bring others involved in the crime to justice.
“The suspects thought they could escape the law after committing such a cruel act, but our officers traced their movements and arrested them,” Adejobi said. “This case is a reminder that kidnapping for ransom will not go unpunished in Nigeria.”
According to police, the incident began when the victim, whose name was not released for security reasons, was seized at night by armed men. The kidnappers later contacted the family and demanded millions of naira in exchange for the victim’s safe release.
Relatives of the victim raised ₦6.9 million and delivered it to the suspects as instructed. But instead of freeing the hostage, the kidnappers allegedly killed the victim and fled with the money.
Police said the family reported the murder to local authorities, leading to a coordinated operation involving tactical units, detectives, and community informants. Within days, three men were arrested and taken into custody.
Investigators said the suspects admitted during questioning that they had shared the ransom money before killing the hostage to prevent identification. Police are still searching for other accomplices linked to the case.
Nigeria has faced a surge in kidnappings for ransom in recent years, particularly in the northern regions where criminal gangs often target travelers, students, and rural communities. Victims’ families are usually forced to pay large sums to secure the release of their loved ones.
Security experts say the practice has become one of the country’s most pressing challenges. Human rights groups have warned that families who pay ransom often receive little protection from further attacks, while communities live in fear of repeated kidnappings.
In a country where many people live on less than $2 a day, the ransom payments demanded by armed groups often push families into debt. Authorities have discouraged citizens from paying, but desperation and fear frequently leave families with no choice.
President Bola Tinubu has promised to improve security and strengthen operations against criminal gangs. His administration has deployed more military and police units to rural areas and highways in an effort to reduce abductions.
Despite these steps, kidnappers continue to operate across states such as Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, and Borno. Analysts say poor policing, limited resources, and corruption have made it difficult to fully eliminate the problem.
In this latest case, police said they will prosecute the three suspects to the fullest extent of the law. Authorities also assured the public that ransom payments linked to kidnappings would be traced and recovered where possible.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to the fight against kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes,” Adejobi said. “We urge Nigerians to provide timely information and work with security agencies to protect their communities.”
The arrests have given some relief to the victim’s family, though grief remains over the loss of their loved one. Local leaders in the community called on the government to intensify patrols and intelligence gathering to prevent future tragedies.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a lucrative business for armed groups in Nigeria. Analysts warn that unless long-term solutions are implemented — including job creation, improved policing, and better rural development — the cycle of abductions will likely continue.
For now, police say their focus is on prosecuting the suspects and dismantling the wider network involved in the ₦6.9 million ransom case. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
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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