Metro
EFCC Raids Lagos Building, Arrest 792 Internet Fraudsters in One Fell Swoops
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has carried out its largest single-day operation against cryptocurrency and romance scam networks, arresting 792 suspects in Lagos.
The EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed during a press briefing that the operation, conducted at a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, led to the apprehension of 193 foreign nationals, including 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two individuals from Kharzartan, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.
He said the raid followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering on the syndicate’s activities.
Uwujaren described the building as designed to mimic a corporate financial headquarters, was allegedly used to train Nigerian recruits in romance and investment scams.
The official said the investigators found the building equipped with high-end desktop computers, and over 500 SIM cards were recovered from just one floor.
He stated that the syndicate reportedly recruited Nigerian youths with advanced computer skills, training them for two weeks on impersonation techniques to target victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Uwujaren explained that the recruits created fake online profiles to lure victims through platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram. Once trust was established, victims were directed to a fraudulent investment platform, ‘www.yooto.com’, where activation fees started at $35.
He revealed that the Nigerian recruits were unaware of the full scope of the operation.
“They worked under the supervision of foreign syndicate members and were paid either in cash or through personal accounts without formal employment contracts.
He noted that after securing victims, the recruits were cut off from the operation while the foreign kingpins completed the scams.
The director pointed out that the recovered items included desktop computers, mobile phones, laptops, and vehicles.
He revealed that the EFCC has obtained statements from the suspects and screened their devices, noting that all suspects are being detained under a valid remand warrant, with plans to arraign them in court soon.
Uwujaren highlighted the international nature of the crime, stressing the role of foreign nationals in exploiting Nigeria’s reputation and contributing to global fraud.
“This operation shows that the notion that Nigerians are solely behind these frauds is incorrect. Foreigners are leveraging our unfortunate reputation to establish criminal enterprises,” he said.
“The EFCC is collaborating with foreign partners to ensure that the arrested individuals face justice.
“There will be no hiding places for criminals in Nigeria,” he added.
A businessman, Kehinde Balogun, has told a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to put an end to his 14-year-old marriage with his estranged wife Stella, on the grounds of adultery.
Balogun, a father of three, said with regrets that if he had known that Stella would bring him such an embarrassment, he would not have exchanged marital vows with her.
“My lord, I became completely frustrated when I found out that Stella was having extra-marital affairs with my plumber and I made her realise this.
“Then, she decided to move out of my house, packing my belongings with her and abandoning our three children,” Balogun said.
During cross examination, the petitioner said his wife did not catch him on their matrimonial bed with any woman.
He also denied sending her photographs to anybody.
However, Stella denied any wrong doing, stating that one of her friends had told lies against her.
“That friend of mine had told Balogun that I’ve been sleeping around and he consequently began to react to me negatively.
“He turned me into a punching bag and stopped sleeping in the house.
“Later on, Balogun started sending my photographs to his woman-friend.
“My lord, he has remarried with my three children in his care and they are not properly catered for,” Stella told the court.
Delivering judgment, the court’s President, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, pronounced the marriage dissolved on the ground that both Balogun and Stella were no longer willing to continue with the union.
Akintayo granted an order restraining Stella from harassing, disturbing, threatening and interfering with Balogun’s private life henceforth.
Metro
Agent of Peace: Zone 2, AIG Fayoade and the Spectacular Carol, Thanksgiving Service That Melted Hearts
Known for his penchant for creating firsts, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, has hailed the Nigeria Police Force for its steadfastness in the sustained fight against crime and criminality, saying the Police will remain agent of peace in the society.
AIG Fayoade made the remarks while addressing a crowd of attendants at the maiden Christmas Carol/End of the Year Celebration, with the theme, Police: Agent of Peace to the World, in honour of the dutiful men and officers of Zone 2 of the Nigerian Police, which the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) attended.
The event, which had in attendance representatives of the various arms of security apparatuses including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Department of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Customs Service, and Immigration, kickstarted with a heartfelt opening prayer by CSP (Rev Father) Paul Ogbo before the ebullient Police Band led the guests of notable dignitaries through the recitation of the National Anthem, and heartwarming praise and worship session that everyone on their toes, singing, praising and dancing on to the Lord for His goodness all through the year.
Thereafter, AIG Fayoade, who has been praised for his dexterity in policing, intelligence and goal getting abilities, delivered a welcome speech that centered on praises for policemen for jobs well done.
While emphasizing on the need to be proactive, even in peace time, the AIG acknowledged every attendee, with special emphasis to his wife, who is also the Chairperson of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Zone 2 branch, Mrs Adenike Fayoade, and kickstarted an avalanche of Bible readings, praise melodies and medley.
“As police officers, we are not just enforcers of the law; we are also called to be agents of peace in our communities.
“This season reminds us of the essence of peace, goodwill, and gratitude.”
The first Bible reading was taken from the book of Isaiah 9: 1-6 by AIG Fayoade while Brigadier-General Igbokwe, who represented the General Officer Commanding 81 Divsion took the second Bible reading from the book of Luke 2: 15-20.
The third and fourth bible readings were taken by the representative of Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and representative of the AOC from the books of Luke 26: 1-14 and Matthew 1: 18-25 respectively.
Thereafter, the guest minister, Reverend Ben Eragbai exhorted the congregation on the theme ‘favour’ opening the floodgates of Carol songs from invited choirs including Nigerian Airforce Chaplaincy Choir, Zumunta MataPolice Chaplaincy Choir, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy Choir, Zone 2 Chaplaincy Choir, Nigerian Navy Chaplaincy Choir, Our Saviour’s Church Choir, and Lagos State Command Chaplaincy Choir.
It was altogether a moment of soul lifting exercise and exchange of pleasantries, love and camaraderie among the rank and files of the Police for a year of fulfillment, health and most importantly, life.
Speaking to NAOSNP on the sidelines, the elated AIG appreciated his staff for their efforts in putting together the Carol, the first of its kind in the history of the Zone.
“We have created a first in the positive repositioning of appreciative tendencies, and I’m sure a lit of our colleagues and others will follow suit.
“I thank the governors of Lagos and Ogun states for their support in our policing duties as well senior and junior officers of this Zone including CSP Tijani Taofiq; they have all been wonderful,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, DCP Martin Nwogoh, lauded the royal fathers, especially the white cap Chiefs that represented the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiotu, members of the security agencies and the general public, who trooped out enmasse to make the day a success.
“Expect a much more bigger celebration in the coming year,” he concluded.
CSP (Ven) Tope Ojamo said the closing, bring to a close the first ever Carol and end of the year party of the Zone 2 Police Command.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Divisional Police Headquarters and six Rank and File Quarters by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to directly enhance the security of the Mpape environment in the Bwari area council of the Federal Capital City.
The Minister, according a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations Unit, Mr. Bolaji O. Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), performed the groundbreaking ceremony at Mpape, Kamtape under Bwari Area Council in Abuja, in the presence of the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mohammed Sheidu, and the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police CP Olatunji Disu.
The Minister, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yusuf Abubakar Argungu commended the effort of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) in addressing the challenges of security in Bwari Area Council thereby providing a conducive environment for both citizens and their businesses
In his words, “The presence of this divisional headquarters of the police in this location will protect citizens commuting daily for their daily activities from the danger of kidnapping, one chance, and robbery as well as other related crimes affecting people in the city.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force, a leading internal security agency in the country, to continue to promote synergy with citizens in the location and other security agencies in the city to uphold the responsibility of enforcing laws and prosecuting offenders in the federal capital city.
Gaidam reiterated that the Federal Government is poised for the emergence of a world-class police force that is inclusive, intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based and that is alive to its constitutional responsibilities and commitment to implementing the ongoing comprehensive police reform to revolutionize the policing landscape by fostering inclusivity, community engagement, intelligence-driven operations, and technological integration.
The Minister stressed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ to prioritize initiatives aimed at promoting community policing, enhancing transparency and accountability, and fostering a culture of respect and understanding as well as strengthening the bond between the police and the community.
The District Head of Mpape, Alhaji Adamu Diga thanked the Ministry, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, and Nigeria Police Force for accepting their request to upgrade the existing Mpape Police Post to the Divisional Headquarters to enhance the efficiency and service delivery to the people of the district.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mohammed Sheidu appreciated the Honourable Minister and the Inspector General of Police for their commitment, guidance, and collaboration have been instrumental in guiding the police modern infrastructure and the improvement of the welfare of the police officers.
According to him “This is a historic day for the Nigeria Police force and the nation as a whole in the groundbreaking ceremony to take a major step toward construction of modern smart divisional police headquarters and rank and file quarters here in Mpape in Abuja which would be replicated in the six geo-political zones. This facility is more than just bricks and mortar, it represents our collective resolve to provide our police force offices with modern instruction that enhances their operational capacity and improves well-being.”
