Crime
Forex scandal: Dangote officials summoned to Abuja as EFCC extends probe
Operatives of the EFCC had on Thursday stormed the headquarters of Dangote Industries Limited in Ikoyi, Lagos, in furtherance of the ongoing investigation into the alleged abuse of the foreign exchange allocations by the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The anti-graft commission is probing the alleged preferential allocations of forex to the Dangote Group owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote and 51 other companies under the Emefiele-led CBN.
It was gathered on Friday that the operatives carted away some documents from the group’s head office on Thursday, but they did not cover all the transactions, hence the decision to summon the officials to bring the documents to Abuja on Tuesday.
It was learnt that Dangote was not in Nigeria when the operatives of the commission stormed the headquarters of his conglomerate as he was said to be in the United States of America. However, sources said he would return to Nigeria next week to personally sort out the problem.
It was also gathered that he was aware of the demands of the anti-corruption agency, but it could not be confirmed if he was informed before the EFCC sent its operatives to his company.
But a highly placed EFCC official said senior executives of the company had been mandated to supply the commission with what he called “detailed and unambiguous documents on the demands by the commission.”
It was gathered that the officials would be expected at the agency’s office on Tuesday.
“Yes, they (Dangote officials) asked for time to enable them to get all the necessary documents, which was granted. The idea is not to be seen to be witch-hunting anyone. What the commission wants is to get evidence and details of how government funds were allocated and that is all,” the EFCC official, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the development, said.
An official of the Dangote Group also confirmed that some key personnel of the conglomerate were currently gathering the documents requested by the EFCC to clear the company of any wrongdoing.
The source noted that the firm had sent some documents and key members of staff to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja in respect to the ongoing investigation, adding that it was shocked that the anti-graft agency still stormed its Lagos office on Thursday.
The official stated, “Yes, we were aware of the ongoing investigation by the EFCC and our people were at the headquarters in Abuja with some of the requested documents as of the time its operatives invaded our Lagos office in what I will describe as a show-off.
“We are a law-abiding group, but it is difficult to get all the documents covering the tenure of Emefiele at once, but our people are working at night to get all the relevant documents, which will be sent to the anti-graft agency next week.”
The source added, “As of the time of the raid, our people were in Abuja. We have been sleeping in the office to make sure that we get all the documents the EFCC requires for the investigation.
“We are talking about documents from 2014 to June 2023. It is a lot of documents and it will take time to get all of them readily available. We have, however, sent the ones we have at our immediate disposal and they are with the commission.
“The raid was just a way of embarrassing us and an act of show-off. We are law-abiding people running a legitimate business and we are cooperating with the investigation.”
Before the raid, Dangote Industries had in November 2023 refuted allegations that it was involved in forex malpractices and money laundering involving $3.4bn allegedly facilitated by Emefiele.
The company denied the claims that the money was channelled to its non-Nigerian subsidiaries, prompting illicit financial flows and round-tripping.
Dangote noted that its investment undertakings were sourced from the interbank market, with all transactions supported by Letters of Credit in line with international standards.
The search of the Dangote headquarters on Thursday, it was gathered, commenced around 3pm and lasted several hours.
During the raid, the operatives ransacked offices and carted away several financial documents related to forex allocations to the group from 2014 to June 2023, when Emefiele was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu.
It was further gathered that the commission had asked the 51 firms under probe to submit Form A and Form M detailing the forex allocations to them between 2014 and June 2023.
But while some companies complied with the directive, several others were said to have asked for time to get the documents.
The Special Investigator on the CBN and Related Entities, Jim Obazee, had reported to the President how Emefiele allegedly lodged public funds in foreign currencies in no fewer than 593 bank accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, and China without the approval of the apex bank’s board of directors and the CBN Investment Committee.
Obazee found that the ex-CBN governor allegedly lodged £543, 482,213 in fixed deposits in UK banks without authorisation, adding that he allegedly manipulated the naira exchange rate and committed fraud in the e-Naira project.
The investigator in a report submitted to the President on December 20, 2023, recommended that Emefiele, who is being prosecuted for alleged N1.2bn procurement fraud, should face fresh charges over the handling of the naira redesign policy and alleged illegal issuance of currency under Section 19 of the CBN Act.
He also recommended that the ex-CBN governor should be prosecuted alongside Tunde Sabiu, a former aide and nephew to former President Muhammadu Buhari, and 12 top directors of the CBN.
Emefiele denied the indictments, describing the content of Obazee’s investigation report as “false, misleading, and calculated to disparage my person, injure my character, and serve the selfish interest of the private investigator.”
A top EFCC official revealed that the EFCC was probing the preferential foreign exchange allocations allegedly made by Emefiele in defiance of extant financial rules and regulations and the CBN Act.
The official claimed, “The EFCC is investigating the Dangote Group over the preferential foreign exchange allocations made by the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, in defiance of extant financial rules and regulations and in disregard to the CBN Act.
“There are about 51 other big companies under probe over the development too, and the commission discovered that the allocations were not approved by the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so it was more of a means for the former CBN governor and his cronies to launder money through forex and Bureau De Change operators.”
PUNCH
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.
Crime
Troops dismantle criminal syndicate operating in S/East, S/South, recover cache of stolen weapons
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDOKA through ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, have arrested key members of a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for ambush of troops on May 4, 2026.
This is contained in a statement issued by the acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ayeni said that unfortunately, the ambush claimed the life of one soldier and left another wounded.
He said that following the attack, troops launched a series of intelligence-led raids aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering weapons stolen during the incident.
According to him, these sustained operations resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
He noted that acting on actionable intelligence, in the early hours of July 31, 2026 troops in collaboration with 181 Battalion operating under 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a coordinated raid at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta.
The army spokesman said that the raid led to the arrest of the suspects popularly known as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had fled to Oleh in Delta State after the dastardly ambush on troops.
He said that the suspects guided troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen weapons and other arms used in committing their nefarious acts were concealed.
“During the operation, troops recovered the stolen service weapons comprising one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines.
“Additionally, troops recovered three more AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with their magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
“Military clothing and protective gear, including camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, and a fragment protection jacket, were also recovered.
“Other items included one empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be linked to the syndicate’s criminal activities,” he said.
Ayeni said that the suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
He said that the Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, had commended the professionalism, resilience, and inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by the troops throughout the operation.
“This success underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to safeguarding lives and dismantling criminal networks in order to sustain the peace-building processes ongoing across the region,” he added.
The Enugu State Police Command has rescued one of three persons abducted by armed men at Inoyi, Affa Community, in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, within the precinct of a church in the community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement that joint security operatives comprising police personnel, forest guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group had intensified operations to apprehend the suspects and rescue the remaining two victims.
According to him, the operatives, while closing in on the fleeing assailants, forced them to abandon one of the victims, who was rescued unhurt.
He said the attackers, however, escaped with the other two victims.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Area Commander, Oji-River, and the Head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to intensify the operation and deploy all available resources to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
The CP also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department to generate actionable intelligence to support the rescue operation.
He further ordered the activation of the surveillance and technical capabilities of the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre to bolster efforts to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Police Commissioner urged residents of Affa Community to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist the security agencies in rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the suspects to justice.
Residents can report information through 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668 or 09134448093, or via email at pproenugu@npf.gov.ng.
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