Metro

Two Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested In Ondo For ₦11m Scam

Published

7 months ago

November 2, 2025

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested two suspected fraudsters in separate cases involving cybercrime, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing by conversion, amounting to a total of ₦11 million.

The State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists at the Command Headquarters in Akure.

According to the Police boss, the arrests were part of the Command’s renewed commitment to tracking, arresting, and prosecuting individuals who use technology and deceit to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The CP explained that the first suspect, Ayodeji Oluwapelumi Samuel, a young man in his late twenties, was arrested for offences bordering on cyber fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing by conversion.

He said the arrest of Samuel followed a petition from a retired senior police officer, who reported that her WhatsApp account had been hacked and used by the suspect and his accomplices to defraud her associates.

The unsuspecting contacts, believing they were chatting with the retired officer, transferred different sums of money at various times to the account details provided by the suspect, saying the total amount obtained through this deceit exceeded ₦1million.

He stated that “Upon receiving the complaint, detectives from the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) immediately commenced an investigation.

“They sought and obtained a Bankers’ Order from the court on the PalmPay account used by the suspect to receive the fraudulent payments.”

According to him, the PalmPay compliance unit provided crucial information that revealed the full details of the suspect’s profile, including his registered telephone number and transaction history.

He said, “This intelligence enabled operatives to trace his digital trail and track his movements across states.”

The police boss said a carefully coordinated operation was later executed in Ibillo/Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, where operatives apprehended the suspect.

The suspect was reportedly found in possession of incriminating evidence, including SIM cards, multiple ATM cards, and a mobile device containing records of the fraudulent transactions.

“Further investigations revealed that the suspect did not act alone but conspired with other accomplices who are still at large. The police have since launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate and recover proceeds of the crime.

“The Command is determined to dismantle these networks of cybercriminals and will continue to leverage technology, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration to ensure that fraudsters have no hiding place within or beyond Ondo State,” the CP declared.

In a similar case, the Command also arrested another suspect, Adekugbe Moses, aged 29, for allegedly obtaining ₦10 million under false pretence.

The Commissioner explained that on January 10, 2025, one Engineer Adekunle Adesina lodged a complaint that the suspect defrauded him under the guise of supplying high-end laboratory equipment, including an Agfa Drystar 5302, Shimaozo Mobile X-Ray, and Digitizers.

The Police commissioner said the suspect, posing as a genuine supplier, allegedly presented convincing documents, invoices, and proforma quotations to deceive the victim into believing the transaction was legitimate.

The suspect after receiving the payment of ₦10 million, absconded to Lagos State, cut off all communication, and converted the money to his personal use.

Following the report, the CP said detectives from the State CID launched a painstaking investigation and tracked the suspect’s whereabouts through his bank transactions and telephone records and the suspect was eventually arrested and taken into custody in Lagos.

Adekugbe, however, confessed to the crime during the trial, admitting that he had no intention of procuring or delivering any of the promised equipment and revealed how he spent part of the money on luxury items and personal expenses.

CP Lawal confirmed that the suspect will soon be charged to court, adding that the Command has gathered sufficient evidence to ensure his successful prosecution.

“These arrests send a clear signal that the Ondo State Police Command will not tolerate economic and cyber-related crimes. The law will take its full course on anyone who attempts to exploit innocent citizens through deceit and technology,” Lawal warned.

He also commended the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for its diligence, intelligence-gathering, and use of modern forensic tools in tracking the suspects across state lines.

The CP urged residents to remain vigilant and sceptical of online transactions or unsolicited financial requests, even when such messages appear to come from familiar contacts.

He advised the public to verify through phone calls before sending money or personal information to anyone online and said “We are appealing to the public always to report suspicious activities promptly. Cybercrime thrives on ignorance and trust; citizens must learn to verify before transacting.”

He assured that the Command remains steadfast in its mission to make Ondo State unsafe for criminals and secure for law-abiding citizens through proactive intelligence gathering, community collaboration, and digital surveillance.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

28 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.