Crime
Insecurity: US to spend $413m for operations in Nigeria, others
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026, obtained on Thursday. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The security budget for the US Africa Command comes against the backdrop of the Christmas Day attacks on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by the Donald Trump administration.
On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security operations across the country.
The NDAA 2026 is a comprehensive bill that outlines defense policy priorities and authorises $901 billion in annual military spending, with a 4 per cent pay raise for troops. AFRICOM requested $413.046m and the same amount was authorised, but the Act did not provide a breakdown of how the funds would be spent.
The Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual authorisation.
The $413m budget for security operations comes as West Africa continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry and violent extremism.
In Nigeria, insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West persist, even as piracy and other maritime crimes remain concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mali is under persistent attacks by jihadist groups, while northern Benin has witnessed a spillover of violence from the Sahel.
Other commands and activities listed under the operation and maintenance category of the NDAA include the United States European Command with a $385.744m budget, United States Southern Command with $224.971m, US Forces Korea with a $77.049m allocation, Cyberspace Activities (Cyberspace Operations), $331.467m and Cyberspace Activities (Cybersecurity), $550.089m.
The subtotal for operating forces under operation and maintenance in the Act stands at $39.999b.
The Act also provides for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the US Department of State.
The office, according to the Act, will oversee matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa and coordinate the implementation of US foreign policy in the region.
In addition, the Appropriation Act establishes a Bureau of African Affairs, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary, to manage US foreign policy implementation and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.
“(5) BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS. (A) ESTABLISHMENT: There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of African Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.”
‘’(B) HEAD: The Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of African Affairs.
‘’(9) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS: (A) ESTABLISHMENT. There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for “(i) matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa; and “(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
“(B) Responsibilities: In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa,” the Act partly read.
The Act further mandates assessments of Russia’s military strategy, objectives and force posture affecting African countries.
This includes a review of Russia’s overseas military basing, logistics capabilities and infrastructure used to project power on the continent, as well as the implications for US contingency plans under AFRICOM, US Central Command and US European Command.
“An assessment of the military strategy objectives and force posture of Russia that affect countries in Africa; A description of Russia’s overseas military basing, military logistics capabilities, and infrastructure to project power.
“An analysis of the impact of such an action on the ability of the Armed Forces to execute contingency plans of the Department of Defence, including those in the area of responsibility of United States European Command or in support of operations and crisis response in the areas of responsibility of United States Central Command and United States Africa Command.’’
“The reduction of the risk of executing contingency plans of the Department of Defence, including contingency plans conducted by United States Central Command and United States Africa Command,” the Act stated.
Commenting on the development, a security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, Kabir Adamu, said the funding and policy moves reflected growing geopolitical rivalry in Africa, driven largely by economic interests.
Adamu said Africa, particularly West Africa and the Sahel, had become a strategic arena due to insecurity, weak state control and the presence of critical resources.
According to him, Russia and China have expanded their influence across Africa through military cooperation and economic engagement, forcing the United States to reassess its posture on the continent.
‘’First, if you look at the Monroe Doctrine, the US area of influence is its immediate neighbourhood, particularly South America and related regions.
“That is why it moved against Venezuela and also issued threats to Cuba. The other aspect relevant to this discussion is the geopolitical rivalry between the US and Russia.
“In almost all locations where the US has economic interests, Russia and China are already ahead of it. The same applies to Africa. What the US is now trying to do is to catch up.’’
“Russia and China have, in practical terms, taken over much of Africa through their economic interests. In China’s case, it uses loans and other forms of financial assistance to keep Africa within its sphere of influence. The challenge for the US is how to come in and catch up, and it is unlikely that Russia and China will remain passive while the US attempts to do so.’’
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.
By Our Correspondent
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available assets, while issuing additional directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the search-and-rescue operation had been intensified, with additional tactical teams and operational assets deployed to identified areas.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence-led tracking of the abductors and coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
Nadada assured members of the public that the police remained committed to securing the safe release of the abducted persons.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.
The police boss urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
He assured the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The police said further updates would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.
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