EFCC arrests 15 suspected internet fraudsters in Abia

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said its operatives have arrested 15 suspected internet fraudsters.

The commission said the suspects were arrested during a sting operation on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at different locations in Aba, Abia State.

The Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The statement read, “Specifically, the suspects were arrested at No. 214b, Aba-Owerri Road and Cherubim Owo Osisioma and Intercontinental by Nwanyi Motors, Umuode Osisioma, Aba, Abia State following intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

“The suspects are: Ezekiel Udo; Anyanwu Odinakachi, Emeka Agu, Lawrence Chinaza Michael, Ifeanyi Okorie, Nestor Akobunu, Frank Ogu, Ezekiel Samuel Uche, Inegbu Onyema Uche, Azukaogi Ogiegbe, Okoro Uchechukwu, Victor Ehiudo, John Chiemela, Lucky Nwoko and Ugochukwu Emmanuel Okafor.

“They were arrested alongside three (3) vehicles: Lexus RX350 Sports Utility Vehicle, GLK Benz SUV and Lexus ES33O SUV.

“Others are: forty three (43) phones of different brands and models; seven (7) walkie talkies; two (2) digital cameras, eight (8) laptops and three (3) iPhone wrist watches.

“The matter will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

Man kidnaps neighbour’s son in Lagos, demands N2.5m ransom.

A resident of Aboru in the Ipaja area of Lagos, Desmond Okoroafor, has been arrested for the alleged kidnap of his neighbour’s eight-year-old son, Daniel Chukwudi.

Okoroafor, 21, was apprehended alongside one Egwuonwu Iyke, whom he reportedly connived with to abduct the boy and hold him captive.

From their hideout in the Ajangbadi area of the state, the duo were said to have contacted the victim’s family and demanded N2.5m ransom for his release.

The police said operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau went after the suspects after the victim’s parents reported the abduction, which occurred on July 11, 2021.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement on Saturday, said Okoroafor exploited his unhindered access to the family to lure the victim from home to Ajangbadi, where he was in captivity for six days before he was rescued.

He said, “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two male suspects, Desmond Ikechukwu Okafor (21) and Egwuonwu Gift Iyke (34), who conspired and kidnapped an eight-year-old child, Daniel Chukwudi, on 11th July, 2021. The kidnap was planned and executed by the victim’s neighbour, Desmond Okechukwu Okorafor.

“Twenty-four hours after the evil act, the suspects reached out to the victim’s parents and demanded N2.5m ransom as a condition for his release from captivity or else he would be killed.

“Following a report by the distraught parents, operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau began a painstaking, diligent investigation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects in their criminal hideout, while the victim was also rescued from his detention where he was kept incommunicado.”

Ajisebutu said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had directed that the suspects be charged.

Okada rider confesses to Delta trader’s killing, parts sold for N100,000

A 25-year-old Okada rider, Onos Simon, has been arrested for allegedly murdering a trader, plucking out her eyes and cutting off private parts, and selling them for N100,000.

The suspect said he conveyed the woman on the pretext of showing her where to buy pepper.

Simon stated, “My friend told me to convey the woman to a place where she could buy pepper. When we got there, I called Akpoghene Shoemaker that we were already there and he said we should come inside.

“We walked into the bush; at a point, the woman said she was not buying the pepper again and that she wanted to go to another place to make the purchase.

“As we were going back, the woman was in the front, Akpoghene in the middle, while I was at the back; it was in the process of going back that Akpoghene dealt a machete blow on the woman and she fell down.

“We raped the woman before she died; we checked her bag and took the N40,000 in it; Akpoghene later plucked out her eyes and cut off her private parts. After that, we cut grasses to cover her corpse.

“We sold the parts for N100,000 to one Lucky Daniel. Akpoghene gave me N50,000 as my share. This is my first time of getting involved in such a crime. I did not know that Akpoghene is a ritualist.”

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ali, said the victim, Mrs Patience Komore, was reported missing after mounting on Simon’s motorcycle at the Umeh Market in the Isoko South Local Government Area.

Ali said on interrogation, Simon confessed to the killing of the woman in connivance with Akpoghene and that her body parts were sold to Daniel for N100,000.

The CP stated, “I directed the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh to unravel the mystery behind her disappearance. The DPO mobilised police operatives, vigilantes and community leaders, who worked together and gathered information regarding the case.

“Acting on a tip-off, on August 3, one Onos Simon, 25, an Okada man, was arrested. He was the same person, who conveyed the woman on that fateful day.

“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing of the missing woman, Mrs Patience Komore, in connivance with one Akpoghene Shoemaker, who is now at large.”

Ali said the decomposing corpse had been recovered and deposited in the mortuary.

While urging members of the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects, Akpoghene and Daniel, the CP reiterated the command’s commitment to rid the state of criminals.

EFCC arrests 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu, Port Harcourt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu and Port Harcourt.

A total of 14 were nabbed at Rumuodor Avenue, Ogbogoro in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

The suspects were identified as Goodness Wilson, Ezekiel James, Miracle Tom Charles, Timothy Anthony, Divinefavour Pius Reginald, Iheanacho Goodluck, Wokie Chimandu Chris.

Others are Emmanuel Uchechi, Peter Remigious, Joseph Chinedu, Amadi Angel, Wisdom Sotonye Azubuike, Becky Charles and Sokiepirim West.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman in a statement said all were arrested based on verified intelligence.

Preliminary investigations linked them with suspected impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and bitcoin scam.

Items recovered include one Ford Escape Sports Utility Vehicle, two Toyota Camry cars, two Lexus ES 350 Sports Utility Vehicles and one Mercedes Benz.

Others are 25 phones, three Laptops, one smart watch, one Samsung hard drive, two power banks, one playstation, one LG Television set, one audio victory sound, one LG bluetooth speaker.

Similarly, six alleged fraudsters were apprehended in Enugu.

Obodoechina Caleb Chinedu, Offiah Darlington, Okwuosa Joseph, Kenneth Obi and Obinna Patrick were arrested in a sting operation at No. 2 Umuaba Street, New Haven Extension in Enugu.

Two others, Chidera Owo and Ozuma Chukwuemeka Henry, were nabbed at No. 6 Nwokolo Emene, besides Annunciation Hospital, Enugu.

Items recovered include mobile phones, laptop computers, one Lexus ES 350 2011 car with reg. number YAB-36-TT (Darlington); a black Toyota Venza 2007 and a Toyota Camry 2007 (Patrick).

Others are one Iphone X, a RX330 Lexus SUV with Chassis number JTJHA31U040014 (Owo), one iPhone 5, one iPhone 11 pro, Infinix phones and an Acura ZDX car with reg. no. ABJ-611-DS (Henry).

All the suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded

Why we’ve not taken Super TV CEO’s suspected killer to court – Police

The Lagos State Police Command has explained why it has not taken Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the killing of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to court.

The University of Lagos Undergraduate and Ataga reportedly lodged in a service apartment in the Lekki area of the state and the corpse of the latter was discovered in the room the following day.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told one of our correspondents on Wednesday that Chidinma would be taken to court after the police had concluded their investigation.

“We will take her to court when we finish the investigation; we are still investigating,” he stated.

However, a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Jiti Ogunye, urged the police to get a remand order to justify the suspect’s continued detention.

Ogunye, who noted that sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution gave the police the right to detain a murder suspect, also stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State mandated them to obtain a remand order to justify a suspect’s continued detention.

“The detention of this lady is not unconstitutional if a remand order has been obtained; if the remand order has not been obtained, the police will be expected to obtain a remand order to justify her detention,” he stated.

Ogunye, however, expressed disappointment at how the police were handling the investigation, adding that granting the media access to interrogate her was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has said the management will follow due process in dealing with Chidinma.

Ogundipe said this on Wednesday during a press conference on the 51st (2019) convocation ceremony of the institution, adding that the university could not deny her.

He stated, “From the records available to us, Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu is a student of the University of Lagos, who was born on December 12, 1999.

“From our records, she is from Abia State and her contact address is No. 57 Akinwumi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

“Her next-of-kin is Mr Onoh Ojukwu. She is a student of this great university irrespective of whether she is a part-time or full-time student. Her matriculation number is 170912015.”    ,,

“We cannot deny the fact that she is a student of the university.

“The university is handling the administrative aspect of the issue.”

Pictorial: Inside the apartment where Super TV CEO was murdered

Fresh facts and photos have emerged from a Short Service Apartment where 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, allegedly stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death.

Recall that a 300-level student of Mass Communication said she had been in a romantic relationship with Ataga for about four months before the ugly incident occurred at No 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos State.

The car of the deceased was also recovered from the crime scene and taken to the police station.

The suspect was later arrested at her residence at No. 57, Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, last Wednesday and paraded on Thursday at the command headquarters in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

When paraded, the UNILAG student confessed to stabbing 50-year-old Ataga to death on June 15, 2021.

Ojukwu had also said that she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice after which she withdrew N380,000 from his account using his ATM card.

The suspect, who fled the scene, was, however, arrested at her father’s residence in the Yaba area of the state.

Items recovered from the suspect include, “Complimentary cards, Access Bank Statement of Account, one Nigerian Passport with No.B50010434 belonging to the suspect, one fake Drivers license bearing Mary Johnson with the suspect’s photograph, one National Identification Card bearing the suspect’s name, one UBA ATM debit card bearing the suspect’s name and one University of Lagos ID card bearing the suspect’s name.”

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has called for a thorough investigation into the murder and asked to be left alone to mourn their beloved son, husband, father and brother.


The kitchen section of the apartment
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu said that “the case will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded”.

Usifo Ataga: Family reveals how Chidinma, other accomplices killed Super TV CEO

The family of the late Michael Usifo Ataga, who was allegedly stabbed to death by Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300 level female student of the University of Lagos, has revealed more findings regarding the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV.

The family claimed that Usifo was stabbed multiple times, adding that his hands were bound tightly and the marks were still all over his wrists.

They also insisted that no one in the entire building heard his screams because he was gagged and tortured.

In a statement titled: ‘Who will speak for Usifo Ataga?’, by Dr. Isi Ataga, the elder brother to the deceased, the family described Usifo’s death as horrific.

“Usifo died a horrific death. He wasn’t stabbed two or even five times; he was stabbed multiple times. His hands were bound tightly and the marks were still all over his wrists, accompanied by evidence of torture and assault even as his corpse lay in the morgue.

“And no one in the entire building heard his screams because he was gagged. Let that sink in, he was bound, gagged and tortured!

“The now-viral video of the room with the deceased lying on the floor shows a room with blood-stained walls and floor, evidence of a ferocious struggle. One person could never have carried these out,” Isi said in the statement.

Meanwhile, the family had on Saturday night urged the police to go beyond the arrest of the suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, to get to the bottom of the case.

Recall that the police in Lagos arrested the suspect Chidinma for killing Ataga last week in the Lekki area of Lagos, after she was tracked to her home.

While confessing to the crime, the suspect had claimed that she stabbed the deceased after he forcefully had sex with her.

She further admitted to withdrawing some amount of money from the deceased’s account with claims she wanted to use it to pay for her tuition

Super TV CEO: Why police released suspect’s father —Lagos CP

The Lagos State Police Command has released the father of 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos, who allegedly stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, said that the suspect’s father and one Nkechi Mogbo, have been released on bail.

Chidinma Ojukwu’s father was arrested for hindering his daughter’s arrest at their residence in the Alagomeji area of the state.

Until Chidinma’s arrest, Mogbo had been in police custody after investigation showed that she operated the service apartment where the University of Lagos undergraduate allegedly killed Ataga.

The suspect, while being paraded at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday, confessed to have committed the crime.

Odumosu said though investigation was ongoing, an order had been given for Mogbo’s release on bail, adding that Chidinma’s father had also been released

He stated that Chidinma’s account of how she perpetrated the crime exonerated her father and Mogbo.

Odumosu said, “Chidinma’s statement exonerated her father as she said that he was not aware of the incident. We released him. Also, the lady in our custody, one Mrs Nkechi Mogbo, who leased the flat from the property owner and used it for a service apartment, has been released on bail.

“After Magbo was arrested, she assisted the police because of the information she gave us. Now that we got the principal suspect, and the fact that the principal suspect confessed that she singularly committed the act, and equally went further to explain that she never met Nkechi Mogbo, but that she only phoned her and that they transacted all the business online, I have ordered her release on bail while we continue our investigation.

“However, if any other thing during the investigation points to her, bail is not the end of the case and we will bring her back.”

Magbo returned to Nigeria after studying abroad. When she returned, she started the business of property letting, among other businesses.

Chidinma’s residence on Friday, her father was nowhere to be found. Efforts to speak with neighbours and residents in the area were also abortive

EFCC arrests crypto fraud suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Kess Theophilus and Sunday Eshiebor Isaiah for alleged conspiracy, impersonation and cryptocurrency-related fraud.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman in a statement said the duo were apprehended after a petition by one Nalim Sharma.

Sharma met the suspects through a LinkedIn account, Sophia Gomez and was lured into a phony bitcoin business.

From January 2021 until June, she allegedly invested a sum of $12,000 in ‘cryptocurrency’.

The suspects, who claimed to be bitcoin experts, used a platform Life Trade Option.

Uwujaren noted that the complainant sensed fraud when the suspects suddenly severed communication.

Jigawa residents beat suspected robber to death – Police

The police in Jigawa on Thursday confirmed that some angry residents beat  a 40-year-old suspected robber, Hassan Sale, to death in the state.

Spokesman of the command, ASP Shiisu Adam, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse.

Adam said that the incident occurred at the Chandan village in Birninkudu Local Government Area (LGA), when the suspect attempted to break into a provision store on Sunday.

He said:”the deceased was caught red-handed by the owner of the shop, who raised an alarm that attracted the residents to the scene.

“On June 13, at about 10.30a.m. information reached us that one Hassan sale, aged 40, who resides in  Kyaurawa village went to Chandan village in Birninkudu LGA and started breaking a provision shop belonging to one Garba Sama’ila.

”The suspect was beaten to a state of coma and was rushed to  the Birninkudu General Hospital for medical attention but died while receiving treatment on June 14,’’ Adam said.

He said that investigation was ongoing to trace and arrest those responsible for the act.  (NAN)