Crime
Contracts, procurement frauds cost Nigeria N2.9trn in 3 years – New EFCC boss
The Senate yesterday confirmed Ola Olukoyede as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda as secretary of the anti-graft agency was also confirmed.
The confirmation of both men followed their screening by the upper chamber, about a week after they were appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
Responding to questions from senators before the confirmation, Olukoyede said tax payers lost N2.9trillion in just two years (2018 -2020) to contracts and procurement fraud alone.
He said: “Between 2018 and 2020, Nigeria lost N2.9trilion to contract and procurement fraud.”
The amount, he noted, was enough to pay for the construction of at least 1,000 kilometres of roads, build close to 200 standard tertiary institutions, and educate about 6,000 children from primary to tertiary levels at N16million per child.
Giving clarifications as to the investigative powers of the commission, the newly confirmed EFCC boss declared that as EFCC chairman, he was at liberty to investigate even the President of the Senate.
He, however, promised not to abuse power, while vowing to be accountable to the Nigerian people as well as ensure transparency and taking preventive measures to reduce, if not eliminate long-drawn litigations.
While appealing for support from all and sundry, he said: “For Nigeria to earn a reputation for transparency and accountability, there must be a collective decision that, indeed, corruption must be eliminated.
“We must build international reputation in transparency, and as an agency I can investigate even the Senate President, because we must call a spade a spade, we must look at evil and call it evil, no matter who is involved.
“We must look at more of the preventive measures than curative. Corruption has become too rampant in our society and we will do our work diligently and with respect to the provisions of the constitution.”
He also said the EFCC under his watch will work with sister agencies, such as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to avoid duplication and waste of scarce public funds.
According to him, there is no better time than now for all anti-graft agencies to shun rivalries and focus on preventing crime more than enforcement.
Addressing the issue of corruption in public service, the EFCC chairman noted that the kind of mansions being built by some civil servants could not be said to be the product of some prudent savings.
He said: “The problem we have is just like the proverbial monkey that was locked up in a cage with a bunch of ripe banana.
“The owner stood outside with a cane. The monkey would either eat the bananas, get beaten and be alive, or allow the bananas to get rotten and die of hunger.
“Everyone wants to live a luxurious life and the incentives are all over the places. I will do more in the areas of blocking the leakages. We spend more money fighting corruption when we could have spent less to prevent it.
“Without downplaying the importance of enforcement, there is what we call transactional credit system.”
“If we continue to allow Nigerians buy houses, cars and other luxurious properties by cash, because we don’t have an effective credit system, 1,000 anti-corruption agencies will not do us any good and that is the reality.
“We must create an atmosphere to make sure that people have choices. If I don’t steal money, can I afford to train my children in schools with good standard?
“If I don’t steal money, can I buy a car after I have worked for five years? If I don’t steal money, can I put a three room bungalow in place after I had worked for 20 years? An average Nigerian does not own a home, when he has the opportunity, he will steal. Even if he did not have the opportunity he will create one.
“In order to encourage our criminal justice system to work, the substance should be taken above technicalities.
“We must encourage our criminal justice system to adjudicate in such a way that it will not drag for a very long time. Prosecution should not be allowed to last for maximum of five years from the court of first instance to the Supreme Court.
“The Senate can work on that very seriously. If we make the administration of criminal justice system really work, you will see the great work the anti-corruption agencies are doing.
“I did a survey between 2018 and 2020 on fifty entities in Nigeria, both human and corporate entities. I picked just one scheme, one specie of fraud, which is called contract and procurement fraud. I discovered that within the three years, Nigeria lost N2.9trillion.
“When I put my figures together, I discovered that If the country had prevented the money from being stolen, it would have given us 1,000 kilometers of roads, it would have built close to 200 standard tertiary institutions.
‘’It would have also educated about 6,000 children from primary to tertiary levels at N16m per child.
“It would have also delivered more than 20,000 units of three-bedroom houses across the country. It would have given us a world-class teaching hospital in each of the 36 states of the country and the federal capital territory.
“This is where we are coming from, this is where we are. Where we are going, depends on the decision the Senate would take this afternoon.”
Four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders reportedly attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack occurred around midnight on Monday, with the assailants reportedly invading the community and attacking residents in their homes.
A resident, who identified himself only as Atoundo, said the attack was unprovoked.
According to him, the attackers forced open the doors of some houses and killed residents while they were asleep.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.
“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.”
Dr Frank Kyungun, a former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board and an indigene of the community, also described the incident as an unprovoked attack.
He said the assailants launched a heavy assault on the community around midnight, killing four people and injuring several others.
“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations,” Kyungun said.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits,” Aondona said.
He added that investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Crime
Agunechemba Hands Over 2 GPMGs, Rocket Launcher to Nigerian Army as Army Chief Commends Soludo
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra State has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity following the dislodging of a suspected gunmen’s camp in Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.
The operation led to the recovery of a cache of arms, including two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and a locally made rocket launcher, which were subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Army.
The development drew commendation from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who praised Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the operations of the Agunechemba security outfit.
The Army Chief reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies and community-based security organisations such as Agunechemba in the fight against crime and criminality in Anambra State.
The breakthrough followed days of intelligence gathering and undercover operations by Agunechemba personnel at major security flashpoints across Anambra South Senatorial District.
According to the publicity secretary of the outfit, Mr Nweke Nweke, the weapons were formally handed over to the Nigerian Army at the office of the Director of Operations in Awka.
The handover, he said, was led by the Director of Operations, Chief Chinenye Ihenko.
Nweke said the gesture reflected Agunechemba’s commitment to fighting crime and enhancing security across the state.
He quoted Ihenko as describing the transfer of the recovered weapons as a further strengthening of the partnership between the military and Agunechemba.
Ihenko also emphasised the importance of working closely with federal security agencies and pledged to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at improving security in the state.
Representing the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, Ihenko said the operation that led to the recovery of the weapons was a significant achievement for Agunechemba in its campaign against banditry.
He assured residents of the outfit’s continued commitment to its responsibilities under the state’s Homeland Security framework.
Ihenko, popularly known as Okpompi, also praised the operation for its success, noting that no member of the team was killed despite confronting armed attackers.
He said the gunmen retreated when confronted by the security operatives, abandoning their weapons and fleeing with injuries.
“This operation is among our greatest achievements. Our team performed valiantly without any losses. When confronted by the gunmen, they retreated, leaving their weapons behind and fleeing with injuries,” he said.
Ihenko expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for the support provided to Agunechemba, saying the backing had strengthened the outfit’s efforts to reclaim areas previously dominated by criminals, particularly in Orumba North and South, Ihiala and Ogbaru.
He also called on residents to continue supporting and praying for the security outfit, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires collective efforts.
The Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who also heads Agunechemba’s investigation unit, commended the state government for adequately funding the Homeland Security initiative.
He said the successes recorded by Agunechemba had demonstrated the importance of the Homeland Security laws passed by the state in 2025.
Also speaking, the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, represented by Lieutenant P.O. Idowu, conveyed the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation to Governor Soludo for the achievements recorded by Agunechemba.
He said the Nigerian Army was pleased with the successful collaboration among the military, the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, and Agunechemba.
Idowu assured the state’s Homeland Security team of continued support from the Nigerian Army.
“I will relay your commendable efforts to Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, who I trust will inform military leadership across Nigeria. I am confident that Agunechemba will receive the necessary support whenever required,” he said.
The event culminated in the formal handover of the recovered weapons to the Nigerian Army, including two General Purpose Machine Guns and a locally made rocket launcher, followed by an exchange of pleasantries among personnel of the Nigerian Army, Agunechemba leadership and members of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
At least six soldiers and 12 civilians have been killed after suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, overrunning a military outpost, abducting scores of residents and setting a family ablaze.
The attacks occurred late Saturday night in Kasuwar Daji, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and Lajinge village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In Zamfara, residents said the terrorists stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., overpowering a military outpost before attacking the community.
Six soldiers were reportedly killed during the assault, while no fewer than 75 residents were abducted and taken into the forest. The attackers also looted shops and other properties.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and first engaged the military before turning their weapons on civilians.
“Our calls to the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government are to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedevilling the state.
“We are really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed the incident, saying he was informed by relatives while he was outside the state.
“I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers, but I was not told the actual number. Again, I was told that after looting shops of foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, they also abducted an unspecified number of residents whom they took into the bush,” he said.
The Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the attack as of press time. Its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he would verify the report after contacting officers in the area.
Father, two sons burnt alive in Sokoto
In neighbouring Sokoto State, suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing at least 12 people in an assault that residents said lasted for more than four hours without any security intervention.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued shooting until around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said 11 victims were killed by gunfire, while a woman identified as Agada reportedly died from shock during the attack.
He said six people, including a father and his two sons, were burnt alive after the terrorists surrounded the house where they had taken refuge.
“They ordered those inside to come out, but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.
Those reportedly burnt to death were identified as the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person sheltering in the house.
Another resident, Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to flee the compound, bringing the reported death toll in the household to seven.
Other victims, including Yusuf and three internally displaced persons, were also reportedly shot while trying to escape from the village.
A community vigilante member said local volunteers were overwhelmed by the terrorists’ superior firepower.
“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer,” he said.
According to him, the attackers moved freely through the village after overpowering the local vigilantes and rustled cattle and sheep from several homes.
“They stationed one of their rifles in a strategic location that kept firing while the others entered houses to steal livestock,” he said.
He added that the gunmen later attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and taking away all his cattle.
Residents said they could not immediately establish the exact number of people abducted because some of those initially taken away, particularly children, were later released.
They lamented that the terrorists operated unhindered for several hours.
“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community,” one resident said.
The villagers alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu, both about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
They also disclosed that eight people had been killed in the community about three weeks earlier and appealed for urgent government intervention.
“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” another resident appealed.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was on transit and would verify the incident upon arriving at his office.
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDO KA and through ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, have uncovered and exhumed the remains of late Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community in Imo.
Anyadu was allegedly murdered by suspected members of a criminal gang recently apprehended in connection with violent crimes in South-East.
This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army in Enugu on Monday.
Ayeni said that the development followed recent intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of suspects responsible for the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.
According to him, during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to involvement in the murder of Anyadu and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.
“On Aug. 2, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late community leader was successfully exhumed.
“The exhumation was conducted in the presence of the deceased’s family members, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of Aggah and Umudike communities.
“The family provided a coffin and ambulance to ensure a dignified burial in accordance with their customs and traditions,” he said.
The Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj.- Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, extended his condolences to the family of the late
Anyadu and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Fadairo, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, assured the family and the people of Aggah Community that justice would be served, as the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws
“Headquarters Operation UDO KA, as part of ongoing peace-building efforts in the South-East, remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
“The public is encouraged to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, which remains vital to the success of ongoing operations,” he said.
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested four suspects for armed robbery and cultism, recovering firearm and other exhibits in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ndukwe noted that the operational successes led to the arrest of two armed robbery suspects and two suspected cultists in separate operations.
“On July 27 at 6:20a.m., operatives of Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on confessional statement of a suspected member of the Black Axe Confraternity, and recovered one pick-handle axe.
“The suspect had earlier been arrested at a hotel in Independence Layout, Enugu, on July 26 with a knife recovered from him, while another accomplice escaped.
“The duo allegedly robbed a victim of a Samsung A12 mobile phone at the hotel from a male victim, while another victim sustained an injury to a finger on his right hand during the robbery.
“The robbed phone, knife, and pick-handle axe were all recovered,” he said.
Ndukwe also noted that at 12 noon on July 26, following credible information and collaboration with law-abiding residents, operatives attached to the command’s Igbo-Etiti Police Division arrested two male suspected cultists in Ukehe community.
The spokesman said that the suspects were found in possession of one locally-made pistol and one expended cartridge, which were recovered from them.
According to him, they also confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity.
He said that Investigations are currently ongoing to arrest other accomplices still at large and recover additional exhibits.
Ndukwe said that all detained suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The state’s Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the vigilance and cooperation of members of the public, particularly the law-abiding residents of Ukehe Community.
The commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police to enhance the fight against crime and criminality across in the state.
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