Crime
Police Arrest 62-Year-Old Man for Extorting Traders, Families in Anambra
AWKA, Nigeria — Police in Anambra State have arrested a 62-year-old man accused of extorting money from traders and families in local communities, authorities said Thursday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was taken into custody after several complaints from residents who said he demanded money under threats and intimidation. Police said the arrest followed weeks of surveillance and reports from victims across different markets in the state.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the man allegedly targeted small business owners, especially women selling goods in open markets. Families in nearby communities also reported that he harassed them and forced them to pay money, claiming he had the backing of local authorities. Police described his actions as “criminal intimidation and exploitation.”
Spokesperson for the command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement that the arrest took place in the commercial city of Onitsha. Officers responded after receiving multiple petitions from victims who said they had suffered financial hardship because of the suspect’s threats.
“He has been disturbing traders and residents for a long time,” Ikenga said. “Our operatives moved in and caught him in the act. We are committed to protecting the public from such criminal behavior.”
Victims told police that the suspect often approached them in markets and on the streets, demanding money for “protection.” In some cases, he threatened to destroy their goods or harm family members if they refused to pay. Others said he pretended to be working for community leaders, collecting “levies” that were never authorized.
One woman who sells foodstuffs at Ochanja Market said she lost part of her earnings every week to the suspect. “If you don’t give him money, he will threaten you,” she told reporters. “Many women are afraid of him because he looks old but behaves dangerously.”
Police said the suspect has been moved to the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning. Authorities are also calling on more victims to come forward with evidence to support prosecution.
Community leaders in Onitsha praised the arrest, saying the suspect had caused fear and division among traders. “For years, we have been complaining about people who use intimidation to collect illegal levies,” said Chief Ugochukwu Nwafor, a market leader. “This arrest will send a strong message that nobody is above the law.”
Extortion is a growing concern in parts of Anambra, where small traders often face harassment from gangs or individuals claiming to represent authorities. Many victims hesitate to report such crimes because they fear retaliation or believe police will not take action. Rights groups have urged security agencies to improve protection for vulnerable groups, especially women and low-income earners.
Security analysts say the arrest shows progress in police-community cooperation. “It is important for residents to speak up and report cases like this,” said Dr. Chika Okoye, a criminologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. “When victims remain silent, these criminals continue to exploit fear. The public must have confidence that police will act swiftly, as we have seen in this case.”
The Anambra State Police Command said investigations are ongoing and the suspect will be charged in court once evidence is compiled. Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.
Authorities also warned against illegal collections in markets, noting that only recognized government agencies are allowed to collect approved levies. Police said anyone caught extorting traders or residents will face arrest and prosecution, regardless of age or status.
For many families in Onitsha and nearby communities, the arrest brings relief after months of harassment. Traders hope it will also discourage others who may attempt similar crimes.
“We just want peace to do our business,” said another trader at Ochanja Market. “We are happy the police listened to us. Now we can focus on selling without fear.”
The suspect remains in custody as police prepare formal charges.
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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