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Crime

NAPTIP Arrests 115 Human Trafficking Suspects in Akwa Ibom State

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The zonal commander of NAPTIP, Emmanuel Awhen, disclosed this in an interview in Uyo on Tuesday. The zone comprises Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers.

Mr Awhen said, “Between July 2023 and now, we’ve apprehended 115 human traffickers within the zone and rescued about 75 victims. Out of the 75 victims rescued, we have empowered 25 of them with skills in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing and shoe making. Most of the victims rescued are kept in our shelter, and we’ve counselled, empowered and reunited them with their families.”

He added that during the period, NAPTIP charged 15 cases to court and secured three convictions, while 12 cases are still pending.

Mr Awhen appealed to judges to give special attention to human trafficking cases to serve as a deterrent to other traffickers.

Mr Awhen said that coastal communities in the zone are endemic areas of human trafficking. According to him, a lot of human trafficking victims have been rescued in the coastal areas.

“We appeal to members of the public that this fight against human trafficking should not be left in the hands of NAPTIP and the federal government alone,” he stressed. “The agency needs the support and cooperation of all stakeholders so that together we can fight this crime.”

Mr Awhen advised parents and guardians not to let their family members deceive them and take their children and wards on the pretext of helping to train or secure employment.

He said that most often, such children or wards end up being used for child labour or prostitution.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is marked on July 30.

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Crime

Court Freezes $222,729 in Digital Assets Linked to Fraud

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By Abaire Olanlesi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order on digital assets worth $222,729.86, allegedly linked to fraudulent activities involving Chinese and Filipino nationals.

Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the order on Monday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Zeenat Atiku.

The motion was brought under Section 44(2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act No. 14, 2016.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested parties 14 days to contest the forfeiture before the assets are permanently seized by the Federal Government.

According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Owolabi Taiwo, the assets were suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.

Intelligence reports led to a sting operation in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of 792 suspected cybercriminals and the seizure of approximately 1,000 routers, SIM cards, computers, and mobile phones.

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Abuja Reports

Security Operatives Recover Items Worth N1b from Abuja Vandals

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By Patrick Idowu 

A joint task force consisting of the FCT Police Command, the Military, NSCDC, and NDLEA has apprehended 31 individuals suspected of vandalizing public infrastructure across Abuja.

The suspects were found with stolen items, including cables and electrical components, valued at over one billion naira.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the stolen materials had caused significant disruptions, particularly affecting areas like Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu, which have experienced prolonged blackouts. He added that officials from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that the recovered items were taken from multiple electricity stations.

Other items recovered include 115 stolen manhole covers, five motorcycles, transformer parts, industrial scaffoldings, bundles of cables, and solar batteries.

Security forces also targeted scavenger colonies and scrap yards, known as “Pantakers,” where stolen public assets were dismantled for resale.

Recent raids conducted on 24th and 26th January in Zuba and Diko led to the recovery of stolen vehicle documents, industrial batteries, and cables.

A subsequent raid on 28th January in Dape Village resulted in the demolition of illegal structures to reclaim public assets.

Sixteen of the arrested suspects have been charged for criminal conspiracy and mischief.

Disu emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat vandalism and protect critical infrastructure in the FCT and neighboring areas, warning that security forces will continue their crackdown on criminal activities targeting public utilities.

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Crime

Bago Warns Against Rising Explosives, Firearms Use among Miners

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By Alexis Uchendu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has warned of escalating security risks in Niger State due to the rising use of firearms and explosives among artisanal miners.

This follows a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area, that killed three and injured several others.

Bago, visiting the site of the explosion, described it as tragic and preventable.

He highlighted the state’s rich gold and lithium deposits as attracting illegal miners who store explosives and weapons, exacerbating security threats.

The governor urged locals to surrender dangerous materials to a designated security committee for safe storage.

He also announced a N174 million relief package for the victims.

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned the incident as avoidable and called for intensified awareness campaigns.

The explosion affected 69 people, destroying houses and vehicles.

In response, the Mashegu LGA has imposed a temporary mining ban, with calls for neighboring Magama LGA to follow suit.

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