Crime
Ondo Family Accuses Police of Cover-Up in Daughter’s Trafficking Case
Ondo State has accused the Nigerian police of attempting to cover up the trafficking of their teenage daughter, raising fresh concerns about the handling of human trafficking cases in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The family, whose identity is being withheld to protect the victim, said their daughter was lured from their home earlier this year under false promises of employment. She was later discovered in another state, allegedly held against her will and forced into sex work.
According to the parents, when they reported the case to police in Akure, officers were slow to act and later gave conflicting accounts about the investigation. They said the traffickers have not been brought to justice, and some of the suspects were released without clear explanation.
“We feel abandoned and betrayed,” the girl’s mother said in an interview. “Instead of helping us get justice, the police are trying to bury the case.”
Alleged Police Inaction
The father of the victim said he first alerted police after his daughter disappeared in June. He provided details of the people who last saw her, but claimed officers failed to follow up.
Weeks later, the teenager was found in a brothel in Lagos during a raid by a non-governmental organization working against trafficking. The NGO contacted the family, who then urged local police to take over the case.
However, the family said the investigation stalled. “The suspects were known, yet the police acted as if nothing could be done,” the father said. “We began to suspect that something was being covered up.”
Police Response
The Ondo State Police Command denied any cover-up. In a statement, a spokesperson said officers are still investigating the case and urged the public to remain patient.
“Human trafficking is a serious offense, and we treat all reports with urgency,” the statement read. “The command is committed to ensuring justice for victims and will not shield any suspect from prosecution.”
The spokesperson did not confirm whether suspects had been released or whether officers linked to the case were under review.
Growing Concerns
Nigeria has long struggled with human trafficking, both within the country and across borders. Victims are often young women and girls promised jobs or education, only to be forced into sex work or labor.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported that more than 2,000 trafficking victims were rescued nationwide last year. But activists say many more cases go unreported or unresolved because of corruption, stigma, or fear of retaliation.
“This family’s story is not unusual,” said Esther Ige, a women’s rights advocate in Akure. “Too often, families who seek help from the authorities end up feeling silenced or ignored. That creates a dangerous cycle of impunity.”
Calls for Accountability
Civil society groups in Ondo State have demanded that police leadership review the handling of the case. They called for an independent panel to investigate the alleged release of suspects and to ensure that the victim receives protection.
“The community is watching closely,” said one activist. “If people lose trust in law enforcement, traffickers will only grow bolder.”
For the victim’s family, the focus remains on securing justice and preventing others from suffering the same fate. They said their daughter, now back at home, is receiving counseling but still struggles with trauma.
“She cries at night and asks why this happened to her,” the mother said. “We want her to heal, but we also want the people who did this to face the law.”
Advocates say the case highlights the need for stronger oversight of police investigations into trafficking. They also urge the government to provide more resources for victims and to improve coordination between police, NAPTIP, and civil society groups.
For now, the family continues to press for answers. “We will not be silent,” the father said. “Our daughter deserves justice, and we will fight for it until the truth comes out.”
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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