Crime
Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed Did Not Repay N1bn SUBEB Loan-Witness: Alleged N5.78bn Fraud
Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed Did Not Repay N1bn SUBEB Loan-Witness: Alleged N5.78bn Fraud
Kwara ex-governor Ahmed did not repay N1bn SUBEB loan-witness: Alleged N5.78bn fraud. The Fourth Prosecution Witness, PW4, Lanre Daibu, in the trial of former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu on Thursday, April 10, 2025 told Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin that Banu directed the release of the sum of N1billion from the 2013 Matching Grant fund of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, for the purpose of payment of salaries of teachers and pensioners in the state in January 2015 and did not repay it until the Board was dissolved.
Ahmed and Banu are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended 14-count charge, bordering on stealing and mismanagement of UBEC funds in the state to the tune of N5.78billion.
Daibu, former Chairman, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN said, “My lord, the second defendant, Banu, called me on phone that the state government needed money to pay salaries of its workforce and pensioners. The Board sat on the issue and concluded that such requests must be in writing and not telephone conversation. I, therefore, called the Honourable Commissioner to put it into writing.
“The reason we insisted that such a request should be in writing was to ensure that we get commitment from the state government as to when they are going to pay back the loan. In the letter signed on behalf of the second defendant, they promised to pay back in a month or two. However, they did not repay the loan till the Board was dissolved.”
Testifying further, he said, “I was reluctant to grant the request because I was fully aware that the state government has no right to borrow or spend UBEC Matching Grant, meant to be used for the purposes stated in the Action Plan.”
He further disclosed that a letter, marked “Exhibit 4,” which emanated from Kwara State Ministry of Finance indicated that the then state governor gave approval for the loan to be granted.
The witness informed the court that he could not finish his tenure as Chairman of SUBEB in the state following the dissolution of the Board before the expiration of his tenure.
In his testimony, the Fifth Prosecution Witness, PW5, Benjamin Sehinde Fatigun, a retired permanent secretary in the state’s Ministry of Finance, also confirmed that former governor Ahmed authorized the loan request.
“There was an approval from the then governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed that the State Universal Basic Education Board should lend the Kwara State Government the sum of N1billion to augment the payment for civil servants and retirees.
I got the approval from the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, that is the second defendant and the fund was transferred to the state’s salary account,” he said.

Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed
Both witnesses were cross-examined by Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, counsel to the first and second defendants.
Under cross-examination, Fatigun told the court that the state government through the Ministry of Finance could not pay salaries and had to inform the state governor of the predicament in writing and a decision was reached to borrow from SUBEB.
“My lord, a letter emanated from the Ministry of Finance to the Office of the Executive Governor of the state that we have challenges in paying salaries and SUBEB was suggested as a way out and I explained in the statements I made with the EFCC how the sum of N1billion was released.
The case was adjourned till Friday, April 11, 2025 for further hearing.
Crime
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Crime
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.
According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.
“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.
He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Police
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
Crime
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com
The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.
During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.

Navy
The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com
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