Cybercrime; NPF recovers $11,450,000 arrests Suspects, seeks support to remove Nigeria from money laundering terrorism financing list
Cybercrime; NPF recovers $11,450,000 arrests Suspects, seeks support to remove Nigeria from money laundering terrorism financing list
The Nigeria Police Force has called for support from Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to remove Nigeria from the list of countries designated as high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had in February, 2023, placed Nigeria on the grey list, designating the country as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorism financing.
“In response to this critical situation, the Nigeria Police Force has been actively tackling these issues through the establishment of specialised units.
“The units established in this regard are the Special Anti-Fraud Unit (SFU), the National Cybercrime Centre and the newly launched Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
“Collectively, these initiatives are to enhance Nigeria’s compliance with international standards and facilitate the country’s removal from the FATF grey list,” he said.
According to him, over the past year, these specialised units have made significant strides in combating financial crimes, resulting in the arrest of 1,088 suspects and securing 152 convictions.
He said a total 11,450,000 dollars and N142.2 billion was recovered over the past year.
“The National Cybercrime Centre, in particular, has been pivotal in addressing digital financial crimes, leading to the arrest of 751 cybercrime suspects and extensive recoveries amounting to billions of money.
“A notable achievement includes Operation Butterfly Net, addressing a cyber-attack on Flutterwave, which led to the arrest of 179 individuals involved in laundering over ₦11 billion,” he said.
Adejobi said the establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Sections has bolstered the framework surrounding financial investigations.
He said the training of over 2,000 officers across various units in money laundering and terrorism financing investigations was reflective of the force’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s global standing in combating financial crimes.
According to him, with the submission of quarterly AML/CFT reports to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Nigeria’s ratings within the FATF regime have also significantly improved, indicating the effectiveness of these initiatives.
He pledged that the force would remain resolute in its efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing to ensure that Nigeria meets international requirements set by the FATF.
“We urge all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to collaborate in this critical effort of lifting Nigeria from the FATF grey list.
“While the fight against financial crime is far from over, the progress made by the police in investigations, arrests and prosecutions demonstrate its determination to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system,” he said. (NAN)
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President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
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APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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