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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of 431 Phones from Chinese Convicts

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, secured the final forfeiture of 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government.
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The mobile phones were linked to Chinese cyber-fraud operators who had previously been convicted by the court.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued the forfeiture order following a motion on notice filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Hannatu Kofarnaisa.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 8, 2026, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to give interested persons or entities an opportunity to show cause why the phones should not be permanently forfeited.

While moving the application for final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa informed the court that the EFCC had complied with the directive by publishing the notice in The Guardian newspaper on August 11, 2026.

She added that no individual or entity came forward to contest the forfeiture within the period stipulated by the court.

The application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Christopher Augustine, who detailed the findings of the Commission’s investigation.

According to the affidavit, the 431 mobile phones were linked to a cyber-fraud operation allegedly involving Chinese and Nigerian youths at a facility known as “HK” in Victoria Island, Lagos which was used to train and deploy Nigerian youths and foreign nationals to carry out romance, investment and cryptocurrency fraud.

While noting that victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe were major targets, he revealed that a sting operation conducted on December 10, 2024, led to the arrest of more than 700 individuals, including about 500 Nigerians, 148 Chinese , 40 Filipinos and other foreign nationals.

The affidavit also stated that Genting International Company Limited (GICL), allegedly controlled by Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken, a Chinese and other foreign nationals, were involved in the operation.

According to the EFCC, Huang and GICL were subsequently charged with seven counts bordering on cyber terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, failure to declare activities to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), illegal foreign exchange transactions and money laundering.

The Commission stated that Huang and GICL pleaded guilty to the charges and were subsequently convicted and sentenced by the court.

He stated that the 431 devices were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were therefore subject to forfeiture pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Fraud

After hearing the submissions of the EFCC and reviewing the affidavit evidence before the court, Justice Dipeolu held that the application had merit.

The judge consequently ordered the final forfeiture of the 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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