Crime

Students Set Fire to Kebbi College’s Provost’s Residence over Alleged Extortion

Published

7 months ago

October 18, 2024

Irate students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have set the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire and vandalised his vehicle.

The protest erupted over allegations that the college management extorted N23m from the students regarding index registration for 250 graduating students.

A source within the college who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said the controversy originated from a newly introduced Public Health programme, which was initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.

According to the source, the college amalgamated the programme with the Department of Environmental Health to acquire certification, resulting in a demand for an extra N65,000 from each student for index registration, on top of the N30,000 already paid.

Students accused management of extortion and responded violently by stoning vehicles and setting fire to the provost’s mansion.

Some of the college workers fled the scene in fright before security arrived.

Meanwhile, the school’s provost, Sawwa, responded by calling the charges that he conspired with a particular entity in Oyo State to extort N23 million from students at his college “fictitious, baseless, and mischievous.”

He refuted reports that a specific course was created, resulting in extra student payments, describing the notion as the imagination of those disseminating it.

He said, “The said publications carried an unknown source who gave his own version of the story. I challenge the person to come clean in his allegations of student extortion and his claim of course duplications.

“Let me state here in categorical terms that I and the school management have no hand in the said allegations of course duplications and extortion.

“Our school operates the Single Treasury Account where all monies belonging to the school are paid to and no one has access to the account including me.”

He claimed that the demonstration was sparked by an anonymous source from those publications who did not balance their reports but rushed to press to appease their paymasters, who he claimed had been working around the clock to bring the college down with outlandish claims and false allegations.

He also advised the students and management to exhibit restraint until the exact cause of the students’ agitation was determined.

“Our stand remains we know nothing about the claim and allegations of the unknown source. We are happy no one was hurt and we are working with security personnel to nip in the bud the organisers of the protest which affected my personal car and other things belonging to the college. We distance ourselves from the unknown source of the newspapers.”

Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the college after security personnel intervened and drove the demonstrators away.

In response to the event, the Kebbi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, announced that more information will be supplied once the Divisional Police Officer in Jega was available.

Crime

Ekpa Faces Terror Charges in Finland Over Biafra Campaign

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

Simon Ekpa, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Finland, is facing serious criminal charges in Finland for allegedly inciting terrorism linked to his pro-Biafra agitation.

Finland’s National Prosecution Authority confirmed that a Finnish national has been charged with publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent and allegedly participating in a terrorist organization.

Though unnamed in the official statement, multiple reports from YLE, Finland’s public broadcaster, and Nigerian sources identify the suspect as Ekpa.

The charges cover a period from 2021 to 2024 and focus on activities traced to the city of Lahti.

Authorities allege Ekpa used digital platforms to encourage unrest in Nigeria’s southeast under the banner of Biafra independence.

Ekpa, who styles himself as leader of the so-called Biafra Republic Government in Exile, is linked to a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.

Nigerian authorities accuse him of fueling violence through broadcasts that have incited attacks on civilians and public institutions.

Though Ekpa was detained in November 2024 and remains in custody, he denies all allegations.

Four others earlier suspected of funding terrorism were released due to insufficient evidence.

This case highlights the growing challenge of policing cross-border extremism driven by online influence and diaspora activism.

Crime

Cocaine in Hijab: NDLEA Busts Woman, UK Ex-Convict, Others

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2025

Salihu Mohammed

By Adewunmi Oluwaseun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted a significant drug trafficking attempt involving a woman who concealed cocaine in her hijab and a United Kingdom-based ex-convict, among other suspects, during recent operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and across multiple Nigerian states.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the woman, identified as Adebisi Kafayat, was arrested at the Lagos airport during the outward clearance of passengers on a flight to Medina, Saudi Arabia.

NDLEA operatives discovered parcels of cocaine strategically hidden inside her hijab and wrapped around her waist in a desperate attempt to evade security checks.

In a separate operation, the Agency apprehended a UK-returnee, Babatunde Michael, at his Lagos residence following intelligence linking him to a shipment of illegal drugs.

Michael, who previously served time in a British prison for drug-related offences, was found with multiple packets of cocaine and heroin concealed in his personal effects.

Other coordinated raids across states such as Ogun, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory led to the arrest of additional suspects and the seizure of significant quantities of cannabis sativa, tramadol, and methamphetamine.

The NDLEA emphasized that these operations were part of its ongoing offensive against drug cartels exploiting air, land, and sea routes to distribute illicit substances.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers involved for their vigilance and reiterated the Agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.

He urged members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities, adding that traffickers will continue to face the full wrath of the law, regardless of how ingenious their smuggling methods may be.

Crime

United for the Forest: Security Agencies Back NFSS

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2025

Salihu Mohammed

By Oso Abidemi

In a strategic move to strengthen national security and tackle rising criminal activities in forest regions, top security agencies in Nigeria have pledged robust collaboration with the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS).

The Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), gave their nod during the graduation ceremony of NFSS operatives trained in intelligence, surveillance, and provost duties in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Ajao Adewale, described the forest security initiative as a bold step in complementing existing security structures.

He emphasized that effective policing, especially in forested and mountainous terrains like those surrounding Abuja, must be intelligence-driven and collectively executed.

“We commend your initiative. Security is not a solo effort. Collaboration is key,” Adewale said, calling for data-driven and ethical policing in support of safer communities.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), represented by Deputy Director of Operations, Kayode Raji, lauded NFSS for prioritizing intelligence and conflict management.

He assured continued cooperation, stressing the need for synergy between NFSS and NDLEA in combating drug-related crimes.

NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosun, echoed similar sentiments, praising NFSS for its dedication to safeguarding lives and properties in remote areas.

NFSS Commander-General, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, said the training was part of a larger strategy to build a disciplined, efficient, and collaborative task force capable of policing Nigeria’s vast forests.

He revealed that key security outfits including the DSS and military also contributed to the training.

“We are graduating stronger and more strategic,” Osatimehin declared, urging NFSS officers to keep working hand-in-hand with sister agencies to defeat crime nationwide.

The renewed alliance signals a significant step toward unified, intelligence-led security operations across Nigeria’s vulnerable hinterlands.