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Nigerian fake oil magnate jailed 175 years for duping American $629, 287

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A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a fake oil magnate, Dr. Vincent Ayigor to 175 years imprisonment .

The court presided over by Justice A.T Mohammed found Ayigor guilty for duping an American, Joseph Crews, of the sum of $629, 287 in a crude oil supply scam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said he was jailed on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Ayigor was arraigned alongside his company, Vanyigor Concepts Limited, before Justice M. A. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC, on December 7, 2016 on 25-count charge bordering on conspiracy, uttering, forgery and obtaining money by false pretences.

One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Vincent Anyigor, Vanyigor Concepts Limited and others at large on or about the 15th day of October, 2010 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained a sum of $243,000.00 USD only from one Joseph I. Crews, an American citizen and his company Aumenta Holdings Inc DBA AHI Commercial Finding Group, as part payment of the cost price for the logistics to supply them Six (6) million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil, which you claimed to have the capability to deliver to them, which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

He pleaded “not guilty” to all the 25-count charges brought against him by the EFCC, leading a full trial that lasted five years. EFCC’s counsel, I. Agu called eight (8) witnesses in the course of the trial and tendered documents that eventually nailed the convict.

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In his judgment, Justice Mohammed found Anyigor guilty of all the 25 charges, convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each of the counts, totaling 175 years which are to run concurrently from the date of arrest.

In addition, the court ordered the convict and his company to pay the sum of $629,267.00 as restitution to the victim, Joseph Crews and Aumenta Holdings Inc of the United States of America. He also ordered that Vanyigor Concepts Limited be wound up.

The statement said Anyigor commenced his journey to the Correctional Centre when Joseph. I. Crews, an American, petitioned the EFCC, that the convict collected the sum of $629,287.00 from him for the supply of six million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil, without delivering the product or returning his money to him.

Investigations by the EFCC showed that Anyigor is a leader of a syndicate scamming foreigners by parading itself as an international operator in the oil and gas sector. He was plying his fraudulent trade by forging documents and transacting businesses bearing the name of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

PUNCH.

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Crime

Kidnappers Dump 16-Year-Old Enugu Boy Near Onitsha Checkpoint, Police Rescue Him

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A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.

Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.

According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.

The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.

Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.

The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.

The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.

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Crime

Gunmen Attack Commercial Bus, Kill Nine Passengers

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At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.

Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.

Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.

“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.

The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.

Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.

Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.

“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.

He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.

The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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Crime

Enugu Police Probe Alleged Disruption of Political Gatherings, Warn Against Violence

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The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.

In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.

The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.

The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.

CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.

The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.

He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.

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Crime

Police Confirm One Death After Islamic Cleric Stabbed During Jumu’at Prayers 

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The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man who was allegedly stabbed by a suspected attacker after Friday prayers in Sokoto.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Rufa’i Ahmad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the deceased was among those involved in the incident that followed the stabbing of prominent Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukuwa.

According to Ahmad, the suspect used a knife to stab Lukuwa in the stomach immediately after the Jumu’at congregation.

He said the suspect was subsequently killed by a mob, while Lukuwa was rushed to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), where he is receiving treatment.

The PPRO added that no arrest had been made in connection with the incident, saying the situation was under control and urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.

The incident reportedly followed allegations that Lukuwa made remarks considered blasphemous against Prophet Muhammad, which had generated anger among some Muslim faithful.

A Sokoto-based gangster, Dahiru Maibarewa, had also reportedly threatened to kill Lukuwa over the alleged remarks, while demonstrations had taken place in parts of Sokoto metropolis.

NAN further reported that a coalition of Islamic groups had petitioned the Sokoto State Government and security agencies, calling for action against Lukuwa over remarks they described as capable of provoking violence.

At a September 4 press conference, Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakar Yagawal urged Muslims to oppose what he described as blasphemous content by clerics, while calling for peaceful coexistence.

Yagawal, Leader of the National Sufi Council of Nigeria and a National Commissioner at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said Lukuwa’s alleged utterances were unbecoming and capable of triggering violence among Muslim communities.

He said the coalition had called on the Federal and Sokoto State governments, as well as security agencies, to investigate and take appropriate action over the matter.

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Crime

Police Arrest Kaduna TV GM, Security Guard Over Video on Tinubu Aide

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The Nigeria Police Force has allegedly arrested the General Manager of JKD Television/Hamada Radio Network, Kaduna, Charles Abah, and a security guard following a video produced by the station about Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs.

The station’s management, in a statement issued on Friday, alleged that police operatives invaded its premises while searching for a staff member, Zainab Salihu Yabagi, who presented the video explainer.

According to the management, the officers insisted on seeing Yabagi in connection with the video before arresting Abah and the security guard.

The two men were subsequently taken to the Kaduna State Police Command, the station alleged.

The management described the arrests as unacceptable and called for their immediate release.

Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the incident, describing the alleged raid as an “unlawful and outrageous invasion” of the station’s premises.

The organisation alleged that Abah and the security guard were arbitrarily arrested, adding that police authorities had been seeking Yabagi over the video and had previously declared her wanted.

Amnesty International said the incident reflected a wider pattern of alleged attempts to intimidate newsrooms and create a climate of fear among journalists in Nigeria.

It maintained that public officials, regardless of their positions, should remain open to scrutiny and criticism in the public interest.

JKD TV/Hamada Radio Network is chaired by Yusuf Mamman, a former Nigerian ambassador to Spain and former spokesman for former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

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