Crime
Anambra Sacks Five Revenue Officers Over Alleged Extortion
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
In a move aimed at sanitising revenue collection operations and eliminating corrupt practices within its enforcement system, the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has directed the dismissal of five enforcement officers accused of extortion, harassment, and other misconduct against motorists and commercial transport operators across the state.
The action follows a series of complaints from members of the public, particularly commercial drivers, who alleged that the officers engaged in various sharp practices while carrying out revenue enforcement duties.
The affected officers were identified as Imo Okechukwu, Chibuzo Nwana (popularly known as DPO), Anthony Anwuru (Timaya), Afamefuna Olinya, and Ebere Anike (Holy Water).
In a statement issued by Hon. Juventus Chukwunweike Okoli, Head of the Transport Department of AIRS in Awka, the Service said the decision was taken to restore sanity within the transport sector and protect commercial transport operators from unlawful treatment.
“In a decisive move to restore sanity and protect commercial transport operators, the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has directed its Haulage IGR partner to summarily dismiss five enforcement officers indicted for corrupt practices,” the statement read.
According to AIRS, the officers were engaged by Danjude Construction Ltd., headed by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, , which serves as the Service’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) partner for haulage collections and compliance enforcement across the state.
The statement disclosed that the dismissal directive was contained in a letter signed by , Executive Director of the Informal Sector Directorate of AIRS, and copied to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police.
AIRS said investigations and persistent complaints linked the officers to allegations of double taxation, extortion, assault, theft, and harassment of commercial transport operators and other taxpayers.
The Service noted that the disciplinary action aligns with the Anambra State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of taxpayers from exploitation.
The Revenue House further warned that any of the dismissed officers found participating in haulage enforcement operations or revenue collection activities after the effective date of their dismissal would be considered to be acting illegally and would face immediate arrest and prosecution.
AIRS expressed confidence that the intervention would bring relief to commercial transport operators throughout the state, allowing them to carry out their businesses without fear of intimidation, illegal levies, extortion, or harassment.
“With this intervention, commercial transporters in Anambra State can now operate without fear of illegal levies and intimidation,” the statement added.
The Service reiterated its resolve to maintain discipline among revenue enforcement personnel and ensure that all collection activities are conducted in accordance with established laws and regulations.
ENUGU, October 12, 2026 — The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing the torture and degrading treatment of a 60-year-old woman, Chinenye Okonkwo, in Amafu Village, Ugbawka, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) to investigate the incident following the circulation of the disturbing video.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, police operatives from the Nkanu East Division have visited the victim and obtained her statement.
Preliminary findings indicate that Okonkwo was allegedly subjected to severe abuse, including being forced to eat human faeces, following accusations of witchcraft and claims that she was responsible for the death of her husband’s brother’s wife.
The police said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the suspects, who remain at large.
CP Giwa condemned the alleged abuse and degrading treatment, directing a thorough investigation and intensified efforts to apprehend those involved, including their accomplices.
He also warned members of the public against jungle justice and other forms of self-help, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents’ lives and dignity and ensuring that those responsible for the alleged incident are brought to justice.
The statement was signed by SP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, at the State Police Headquarters, GRA, Enugu, on October 12, 2026.
A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the remand of Nigerian-American car dealer Oluwatobi Adegoke at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre over an alleged $680,000 vehicle-import fraud.
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe issued the order on Friday following Adegoke’s arraignment by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of stealing.
According to the EFCC, Adegoke was arrested in July 2026 over an alleged cross-border scheme involving the purported purchase and importation of luxury vehicles from the United States to Nigeria.
Investigators reportedly linked him to a US-based syndicate allegedly targeting Nigerians seeking to purchase vehicles abroad.
The commission alleged that Adegoke, while residing in the United States, circulated photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers, claiming he could procure and ship the vehicle to Nigeria.
The EFCC further alleged that two victims paid more than $320,000, equivalent to approximately ₦434.88 million, in connection with the transaction.
However, the charge before the court cited an alleged theft of $680,000 belonging to Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike.
According to the charge, the money was transferred to the bank account of Adegoke’s company, Omosco Auto Sales LLC, for the purchase of a 2022 G-Wagon from an individual identified as Mr Robinson.
The alleged offence is punishable under Sections 278(1)(b) and 285(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Adegoke pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the plea, EFCC counsel Arazeem Adebayo urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant.
Defence counsel Olalekan Abiodun, whose earlier objection to the arraignment was overruled, subsequently asked the court to keep his client in EFCC custody pending the filing of a bail application.
The judge rejected the request and ordered that Adegoke be remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the case until January 13, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
The allegations against Adegoke remain subject to judicial determination.
The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have reportedly been given the opportunity to choose any of the six South-West states for their national service.
According to Saturday PUNCH, the graduates were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri–Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, while travelling in two commercial buses belonging to Uko Akwa Ibom Motors. They were reportedly heading to Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Families of the victims disclosed that they paid ₦6 million per captive to secure their release, after the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million per person. One victim’s mother said the demand was later reduced to ₦15 million before the kidnappers agreed to accept ₦6 million following appeals from the family.
Relatives and well-wishers reportedly contributed money towards the ransom. Some family members also described the emotional and physical toll of the incident, with one mother revealing that she and her daughter had been hospitalised following the ordeal.
The Imo State Police Command, however, maintained that the graduates were rescued through sustained security operations and denied knowledge of any ransom payment. The police had announced their rescue on Wednesday, after which the victims were taken to a Department of State Services hospital in Owerri for medical evaluation.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, also visited the released graduates alongside senior security officials.
However, the NYSC had yet to officially confirm the reported offer allowing the graduates to choose their preferred South-West states as of the time of publication.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of corps members travelling long distances for national service. Similar kidnappings in other parts of the country have intensified calls for improved security measures and, in some quarters, the scrapping of the 53-year-old scheme.
Although the Federal Executive Council approved NYSC reforms in June 2026, including risk-sensitive deployment and a technology-driven mobilisation process, questions remain about how effectively the measures will protect young graduates from security threats.
ENUGU — The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested five male suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, police operatives attached to Inyi Division responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw Community, Oji-River Local Government Area, at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.
One suspect, identified as 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, was arrested while other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Police said they recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry-bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.
In a separate operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspected cultists, 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus, at Umudioka Community in Nsukka.
Three live rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects. Police said the two men confessed during interrogation to membership of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
Meanwhile, on September 25, operatives of Aninri Division, working with members of the Neighborhood Watch Group, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amagu Mpu Community in Aninri LGA.
The operation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna, from whom police said one locally made pistol was recovered.
Similarly, on September 18 at about 11:00 p.m., operatives of 9th Mile Division, acting on information and in collaboration with Neighborhood Watch members, arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi LGA.
He was arrested over alleged involvement in armed robberies in the area. Police said one cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.
The Command said investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended members of the public for providing information and praised the police operatives for their response to credible intelligence.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while urging residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and supportive of security agencies.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Awka High Court, on Tuesday, denied bail to the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly, Mr Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over alleged offences relating to his activities as a pastor.
Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds, but the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, rejected the application, citing concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
The development came as seven persons, believed to be members of the congregation, are expected to testify in the case.
The court adjourned the matter until October 16 for further proceedings.
Speaking shortly after the hearing, State Counsel, Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the Anambra State Government for its efforts to tackle alleged fraudulent activities by some religious figures.
She said, “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work is possible.”
According to her, the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Anazodo, although the state would still be required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
“Today, there is a prima facie case against the accused, Mr Harrison Anazodo, though it is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
“The court ruled on the bail application and denied him bail because of the witnesses, to ensure that they are not interfered with. The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 16,” she said.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, expressed optimism that the case would be concluded expeditiously, stressing that the ultimate decision rests with the court.
“We have been here since 9am. The court considered the bail application filed by his counsel and, after weighing its merits, the judge ruled that bail should be denied.
“We are looking forward to the quick dispensation of the matter and we assure you that justice will be done and will be seen to have been done,” Mefor said.
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