Crime
NPF Launches School Protection Squad In Edo
NPF Launches School Protection Squad In Edo
NPF launches school protection squad in Edo. According to him, the squad will serve as a rapid response and preventive unit specifically trained to work with school communities.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad for Edo in Benin on Friday.
Mr Egbetokun, who launched the squad during a stakeholders forum, said the initiative was part of efforts to ensure security and conducive learning environment for teachers and students.
Represented by Salman Garba-Dogo, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Benin, the police boss described the school protection squad as a milestone in the force’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding educational institutions in the country.
The theme of this forum is: “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education”.
According to him, the squad will serve as a rapid response and preventive unit specifically trained to work with school communities, assess threats, respond to emergencies, and build trust between students and law enforcement agencies.
“Their role goes beyond protection, they will engage students, provide educational support on safety awareness and foster a culture of vigilance and partnership.
“Our goal is not just physical security but emotional reassurance for students, teachers and parents alike,” he said.
The initiative, the inspector general of police said, was developed in close collaboration with the ministry of education, government and the parents-teacher’s association.
“This is a reflection of our belief that school safety is a shared responsibility that requires unity, vigilance and compassion.
“Every child has the right to learn in an environment that is free from fear. We will not waver in our duty to protect that right,” he said.
The police chief encouraged students/pupils, educators, and families to partner with the police, share concerns, report suspicious activities, and engage school officers.
He added that, “together, we can make our schools safer, stronger and more resilient.”
Also speaking, Gov. Monday Okpebholo said his administration was aligning with the federal government school protection’s vision and coming together to implement effective strategies that will protect our children and educators.
According to him, the initiative will ensure that every child in the state can learn, grow and thrive in a secure and nurturing environment.
The governor noted that education was not just a pillar of development, but the foundation upon which we build our future.
“So, as we seek to strengthen our educational system, we must first confront the escalating challenges threatening the safety of our children and their learning environments which includes schools.
“These challenges are not unique to Edo State, they are national in scope and therefore, demand a coordinated and inclusive response as provided by this forum,” Mr Okpebholo said.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, said to enhance security across its educational institutions, his administration has embarked on construction of perimeter fencing of schools to provide physical protection.
He said his government had also deployed state’s security corps to the grassroots to tackle security threats in our schools, provided mandatory guidance and counselling offices across schools with constant checks on students among others.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, who is the national coordinator of School Protection Squad, described the initiative as a combative community peace strategy designed to protect schools, empower students and build trust between law enforcement, educators and family.
Police
Mr Shogunle disclosed that over 65 police officers from Edo State police command had been trained to respond and go on sensitisation regarding school safety initiatives across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“What the IGP is trying to do is to get everybody involved, because it is safer and cheaper to prevent crime from happening rather than being reactionary, to the security situation around schools,” he said.
The senior police officer said the force had a dedicated call center dedicated to receiving calls from students, parents, teachers and people in the SOS community and ensuring to attend to their calls no matter the time of the day all over the country.
He said the security and safety of schools and other learning environments attracted the federal government’s attention, as the nation had faced security challenges such as kidnappings, homicide related cases, and destruction of school infrastructure, sometimes leading to school closures and negatively affecting the host communities.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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