Crime
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others

N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 21, 2022 re-arraigned a former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on an eight count amended charges bordering on money laundering. The re-arraignment is sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice M.G Umar, from the State.
Yero is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Nuhu Somo Wya (a former minister), Ishaq Hamsa (a former Secretary to Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state) for their alleged involvement in the receipt and disbursement of the sum of N700 million paid to them by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
At today’s sitting, the prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, told the Court that the case was for re-arraignment of the defendants and urged the court to ask them to take their pleas.
The charges were read to the defendants and they all pleaded ‘not guilty’.
One of the amended counts reads: “That you, Muktar Ramalan Yero (while being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna ( whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: indirectly taking possession of the sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira) which you ought to have known forms part of unlawful activity to wit; bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Another count reads: “That you Mukhtar Ramalan Yero ( whilst being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Ishaq Hamza (whilst being the secretary to the Kaduna state government), and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did indirectly take possession of the aggregate sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira),which you reasonably ought to have known forms parts of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011( as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Following their pleas, the defence counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman urged the court to extend to the defendants, the terms of the bail earlier granted them by the former judge.
The prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, appearing with M.E Eimonye and P.C Onyeneho, did not object to the application.
Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants on the same terms earlier offered them by the court.
The case was adjourned till 16th, 17th and 18th January, 2023, for trial.
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
Crime
Police repel ambush in Delta, kill six suspected kidnappers, recover arms

Police repel ambush in Delta, kill six suspected kidnappers, recover arms
The Police in Delta have nutrialised six suspected kidnappers and armed robbers following a failed ambush on operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:35 p.m. on July 8 along the Patani–Ughelli Expressway, near the Unenurhe axis, while the team was escorting six suspects arrested in connection with kidnapping and armed robbery.
The sources said that suspects were being transported from an arms recovery mission when the team came under heavy gunfire from unidentified hoodlums, in what appeared to be an attempt to rescue the detainees.
The suspects, earlier arrested in Ebrumede area of Warri on July 6, were identified as Solomon Danisco alias Piccolo, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Whiskey Rufus alias Asawana a notorious criminal from Ewu community on the command’s watchlist Olise Jude, and Precious Urhobowin.
Police had earlier recovered two locally made guns and 12 live cartridges from the first three suspects, and another two firearms with nine cartridges from the remaining trio.
During the exchange of gunfire, all six suspects sustained gunshot wounds inflicted by the assailants’ attack and were rushed to the General Hospital in Ughelli, where they were later confirmed dead by the attending physician.
Preliminary investigations link the suspects to a criminal syndicate responsible for high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies in Ughelli and surrounding communities.
Notably, the group is suspected to have masterminded the abduction of pharmacist Marrha Mudiaga Ese on June 9, who was released on June 24, and the attempted kidnap of one Benson Isigna in April 2025, during which his Toyota Corolla was stolen at Iyede community.
The corpses have been deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Ughelli, while further investigation is ongoing.
Police repel ambush in Delta, kill six suspected kidnappers, recover arms
Crime
Gunmen kill two brothers in suspected terrorist attack in Yobe

Gunmen kill two brothers in suspected terrorist attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Two brothers were shot dead on Wednesday along the Kirbiri–Buni Yadi road in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State by gunmen suspected to be terrorist elements.
Sources from the area said the victims, identified as Goni Bukar, 40, and Modu Dangal, 35, were riding bicycles from their hometown, Kirbiri village, to Buni Yadi when they were ambushed and shot at close range by the armed attackers.
Residents suspect the assailants to be combatant repentant Boko Haram fighters operating in the area.
Following the incident, the bodies were evacuated to the Yobe State Specialist Hospital in Buni Yadi, where medical personnel confirmed them dead on arrival.
The victims were later released to their family and buried according to Islamic rites.
Gunmen kill two brothers in suspected terrorist attack in Yobe
Crime
Suspected terrorist arrested by Niger National Guard in Bangoula

Suspected terrorist arrested by Niger National Guard in Bangoula
By: Zagazola Makama
Elements of the Niger National Guard (GNN) stationed in Bangoula have arrested a suspected member of a terrorist armed group during a routine road check and identity verification operation.
According to sources, the suspect, identified as Soumaila Mahamadou Hamadou, 27, was intercepted on July 7, 2025, while attempting to travel without valid identification.

Hamadou, a native of M’banga and reportedly a dealer by profession, was found in possession of 2,250,000 FCFA and a mobile phone. He claimed he was visiting Niamey for the first time to recover payment from a business transaction involving 40 cans of 20-litre draining oil allegedly sold to an individual named Ousseini, and purchased from a man called Talla in Ballabe.
However, security personnel raised concerns over the credibility of his account, noting that commercial flows of draining oil typically move from Niamey to rural areas, not in reverse. This discrepancy prompted further investigation into the suspect’s activities.
Preliminary interrogation and forensic analysis of his phone revealed troubling information. Hamadou reportedly admitted to being affiliated with terrorist armed groups (GAT) since 2022 and operating under the pseudonym “Zoubeirou” within the sect.
He further confessed to being under the command of a certain AMIR Abdoulaye, who was recently linked to the attack on the Niger National Guard post in Bouloudjouga. Hamadou also claimed participation in a coordinated assault against the Nigerian Armed Forces in August 2024, involving approximately 300 motorcycles with two fighters each.

Security sources confirmed that Hamadou bears multiple gunshot wounds on his left forearm, shoulder, right chest, and left lower jaw, which he sustained during the aforementioned attack.
He is currently being held in custody at the Track Brigade, where investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities and affiliations.
Suspected terrorist arrested by Niger National Guard in Bangoula
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