JUST IN; Police training personnel in weapon handling skills

The Police Command in Jigawa says it has trained 27 Divisional Crime Officers (DCOs) in tactical operation skills to protect lives and property in the state.

The personnel were also exposed to weapon handling, escort duties, stop-and-search and crowd control skills.

This is contained in a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Lawan Shiisu in Dutse.

Shiisu said the eight-day training exercise was being conducted at the 35 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Dutse, to enhance operational capabilities of the command.

“The 35 PMF launched an intensive local training programme on February 25, aimed at enhancing officers’ tactical skills in weapon handling, escort duties, and stop-and-search techniques with practical demonstrations to deepen their understanding.

“It also focus on riot dispersal and crowd control techniques, as officers engaged in modern tactical drills,” he said.

He reitrated commitment of the personnel to mastering the skills needed for effective law enforcement operations. (NAN)

International fraud syndicates establishing cells in Nigeria – EFCC raises alarm

Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting youths into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that Olukoyede said this, while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the team was led by the institute’s Director of Studies, Hyginus Ngele to the commission.

Olukoyede expressed surprise at how bandits and insurgents were able to sustain their activities in the country over the years.

He noted with concern, the rate of flow of small arms and light weapons across the borders and the involvement of non-state actors in the illegal exploitation of minerals in parts of the country.

The EFCC boss said all these activities compounded the threats in the security landscape.

“Another dimension that is not given attention is the discovery, recently, that organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities.

”They are recruiting young Nigerians into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

”By the virtue of EFCC’s recent discovery, we are beginning to see the likelihood, the propensity that a lot of these people are into illegal importation of arms into the country using cryptocurrency as means of payment. ”

According to him, this is an area that must interest all of us.

“In the special operations we carried out in Lagos recently, we arrested 194 foreigners in the heart of Victoria Island.

”They comprised Chinese, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Tunisians and among others in one building at a time. You can imagine what these guys are doing, 194 of them.

”Some of them don’t even have valid visas and most of the financial activities they carried out were through cryptocurrency,” he said.

He said the commission also discovered that some of the foreigners arrested were already ex-convicts in their countries.

”Some of them have been convicted and escaped from their countries and found safe haven in Africa, not only Nigeria.

”We discovered that they are also developing cells in some other African countries by virtue of the investigation we are carrying out,” he said.

The EFCC boss called for spirited efforts at both national and continental levels to combat the menace of internet fraud.

He stressed that the money laundering and national security dimension of the presence of foreign organised crime groups demanded close scrutiny.

“All security, intelligence and law enforcement organisations in Nigeria and indeed Africa, must close ranks in dealing with this challenge,” he said.

Earlier, the NISS commandant, Joseph Odama, who spoke through Ngele praised Olukoyede’s leadership of the EFCC for the commission’s “remarkable achievements in combating corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.”

He noted that the achievements had not only strengthened Nigeria’s integrity but also served as a model for other nations in Africa and beyond.

He said the EFCC, under Olukoyede, had been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, including those involving non-state actors.

“Your commission’s exploratory activities have uncovered the intricate networks through which some NGOs and other entities channel funds to support hostile non-state actors, thereby, fueling instability in various parts of the country and the African Continent.

“We recognise the critical role the EFCC plays in disrupting these networks and ensuring accountability.

”In light of this, we are particularly interested in hearing your insights on how your commission navigates the complexities of investigating and prosecuting cases involving non-state actors.

“ We also seek your contributions on how Nigeria and other African nations can strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to address the challenges posed by these actors, while promoting transparency and accountability in their operations.”(NAN)

Four female University Students kidnapped by gunmen

In a shocking turn of events, four female students from Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University (formerly the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi) in Benue State have been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

The abduction occurred on the university campus at around 8:30 PM, sparking fear and concern among students, particularly as the area is located near communities that have been affected by suspected herdsmen attacks.

CSP Sewuese Anene, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the kidnapping and assured that investigations and rescue operations are underway.

He further stated that the victims, who were identified by their clothing, include Emmanuella Oraka (wearing a wrapper dress), Fola (in a yellow top), Susan (in a floral top), and Ella (in a black top).

A senior staff member of the university also confirmed that the students were on their way to a night study session when they were abducted.

The kidnapping occurred between their hostels and the designated reading area in the North Core section of the campus.

The incident triggered immediate protests from students, who marched across the campus wielding tree branches and demanding urgent action from the university administration.

The protests underscored growing concerns about the safety of students on campus, particularly as the region has been plagued by violence linked to herders’ conflicts.

In response to the abduction, military personnel from Operation Whirl Stroke have been deployed to the area.

Additionally, local government officials, including the chairman of Makurdi Local Government, are reportedly collaborating with security forces to address the rising threats and regain control of the situation.