IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

....... Gives ICPC 30 days to complete probe, submit report

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing.

According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, the President ordered the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.

The directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval or other lawful act of government.

The statement said one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew had falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

The ICPC is expected to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

President Tinubu also directed the commission to investigate the activities of the principal suspect and other collaborators, as well as the circumstances that enabled the fictitious body and the false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of official legitimacy.

The investigation will examine the origin and use of the alleged forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the source and movement of funds, and the role of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.

The President further instructed the commission to identify weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent a recurrence.

He also directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant information, records and assistance required for the timely completion of the investigation.

According to the statement, President Tinubu stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of loopholes in the public service.

He directed that anyone found culpable should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Fake Agency: No Petition Before Us — Senate

The Senate, on Tuesday, through its spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), said there was no petition before the Red Chamber to dabble in the controversy surrounding the alleged fake agency reportedly headed by a fake Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew.

Recall that in the past few weeks, controversy has engulfed the polity over the allegedly non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), involving the alleged fake DG and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

While the Chief of Staff disowned the agency and its purported DG by raising the alarm, the DG countered by alleging that the PFIPC is well known to the Presidency through Gbajabiamila, who, according to him, collected N400 million from him for the appointment and demanded 48 per cent of the N1.3 billion appropriated for the agency in the 2026 budget.

Responding to journalists’ questions on the Senate’s position on the raging controversy after plenary on Tuesday, Adaramodu said the Senate, for now, has no petition before it from any of the feuding parties or concerned Nigerians to warrant any form of intervention or comment.

He admitted that, as reported in the media, the alleged fake agency has a budget line in the 2026 Appropriation Act, which should be sorted out by the executive, where the controversy originated and resides.

He added that, being a matter already before the court, the Senate, in line with its rules, would not dabble in it.

“The allegations and counter-allegations over the alleged fake agency and fake Director-General are all within the executive, which should sort them out, specifically between the Office of the Chief of Staff and the alleged fake DG.

“The budget line being referred to was not created or inserted by the National Assembly, and it is not the duty of the Senate or the House of Representatives to carry out security checks on those supposedly appointed to head the various MDAs.

“If the alleged fake DG were one of the presidential appointees screened and confirmed by the Senate, the controversy might have been perceived to be somewhat linked to us.

“However, if a petition is sent to the Senate by any of the feuding parties or any concerned Nigerian on the existence or non-existence of the agency or its DG, it will be looked into legislatively,” he said.

POINTS AT ISSUE

1. The PFIPC controversy began in October 2025 when the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) alerted the Presidency that another body was performing similar functions. The organisation, calling itself the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), claimed to be a federal agency, prompting an inquiry by the Office of the Chief of Staff.

2. The Presidency later declared the PFIPC a fictitious agency, saying it was never created by law, executive order or presidential approval. It alleged that Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the council’s Director-General using forged appointment letters, official seals, signatures and other government documents.

3. Following petitions by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, the DSS and Police launched investigations. Authorities said they recovered forged documents and uncovered 34 bank accounts allegedly linked to Adeyemi, including some opened in the names of fictitious government agencies. He and two others are facing an eight-count charge.

4. Adeyemi alleged that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila accepted N400 million through proxies to secure his appointment as PFIPC director-general, an allegation Gbajabiamila strongly denies.

5. President Bola Tinubu has directed the ICPC to complete a fresh investigation within 30 days. The probe will examine the alleged forgery, movement of funds, bank accounts, collaborators, possible involvement of public officials and loopholes that enabled the alleged scheme.

Source

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, have recorded another major success in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, rescuing 86 kidnap victims and arresting 29 others over the supply of logistics to the criminals. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed this in a statement.

Uba said troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, under Sector 2 OPHK, on 9 November 2025, encountered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura after discovering that terrorists were abducting civilians and vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road. “The troops thwarted the attack, pursued the terrorists towards Mangari, and overpowered them in a follow-up encounter near a camp, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray. A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 makeshift terrorist structures and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims, comprising men, women, and children,” he said in a statement.

Some of the items recovered from the criminals include one AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles. The terrorists’ camp was destroyed in situ after clearance operations. Meanwhile, troops deployed at Mangada arrested 29 terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria with several items. The troops recovered items such as two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, approximately 1,000 litres of petrol in jerricans, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, a substantial cache of medical supplies, and large quantities of foodstuffs and provisions from them.

“All operations were conducted successfully with no casualties on the part of our troops. The Military High Command commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops while charging Operation HADIN KAI to sustain operations to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre,” the statement read. 

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has ordered the arrest of security operatives involved in the shooting near Emeka Offor Plaza, Onitsha Main Market. At least one person died after task force operatives opened fire in a market in Anambra state on Tuesday.

Shortly after the incident, Soludo directed that the suspects be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution, and that the medical needs of those who sustained injuries be taken care of. This was disclosed in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor.

Mefor said the Anambra State Government was aware of the disturbance that occurred at the market. “We appreciate the swift intervention of the Police, who have restored calm and order to the area. An investigation into the incident has commenced, and the government will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” he stated. “Regrettably, one of the victims, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. The other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.

“Meanwhile, Mr Governor has directed that the suspects be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution, and for the medical needs of those who sustained injuries to be taken care of.

“Normalcy has since been restored in the area by the Police, while patrols and monitoring continue by law enforcement agents to ensure sustained peace.”

The Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra Brigade, otherwise known as “OCHA Brigade”, is a special enforcement unit created to enforce environmental and sanitation regulations in the state.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned two senior commanders of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation. The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Malam Mamuda.

The DSS filed a 32-count charge against them at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects allegedly attacked the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, in 2022, causing mass casualties.

They also allegedly received training in weapons handling, war tactics, and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication from terrorist camps. The suspects are also accused of receiving training in war tactics from a terrorist organisation in Mali.

Security officials allege that Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors. Justice Emeka Nwite is presiding over the arraignment of the suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. 

Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested a self-acclaimed doctor, Sunday Okon Akpan, after a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, died during an abortion at his clinic in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

Police said Akpan, a community health worker with no medical licence, attempted to dump the corpse in the victim’s room to cover up the crime before fleeing. He was later arrested, and the clinic has been shut down.

The body has been deposited for autopsy as investigations continue. 

Suspected IPOB members attacked three communities in Arondizuogu, Imo State, on Friday, killing over seven people and injuring several others. Police have deployed tactical units and say the situation is now under control. 

In what officials are calling one of the largest pharmaceutical interceptions in recent years, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 16 containers loaded with contraband and falsely declared goods, including illicit pharmaceuticals valued at a staggering ₦20.5 billion.

The seizure was announced Friday at the Onne Port in Rivers State by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who led journalists through the inspection of the intercepted items during a press briefing at the Customs Area 2 Command Headquarters.

According to Adeniyi, the containers — 11 of which were stuffed with dangerous and unregistered drugs — were concealed under layers of legitimate consumer goods such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, plumbing materials, and even car parts in an attempt to evade detection. The illegal contents included over 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 12.6 million tablets of Tapentadol/Tramadol, and several other unregulated prescription drugs with high abuse potential.

“This represents a calculated attempt to exploit Nigeria’s trade channels and flood the market with potentially dangerous substances,” Adeniyi said, warning that the public health consequences could have been catastrophic. 

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has warned Nigerians against abusing the naira, stating that spraying and stamping on the currency are criminal acts, not cultural traditions. 

Speaking in Lagos, he revealed the EFCC is cracking down on naira abuse and unlicensed forex dealers, stressing that all violations of the law are taken seriously. Over ₦100bn in recovered funds have been used to support government programmes, he added. 

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has scheduled July 16 for the arraignment of Abuja lawyer Abu Arome and three Ghanaians over alleged forgery and attempted takeover of Nigerian firms using falsified documents. 

The 26-count charge, filed by the Inspector General of Police, accuses the defendants of fraud, impersonation, and forging board resolutions to seize control of Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd and Jonahcapital Nigeria Ltd. 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦500 million suit by FCT scavengers and beggars against Minister Nyesom Wike, ruling it lacked credible evidence. Justice James Omotosho said there’s no constitutional right to beg and upheld the removal of street dwellers under public safety laws. 

The Senate has launched a probe into the collapse of Crypto Bridge Exchange, which defrauded Nigerians of over N1.3tn, calling it a national emergency. 

Lawmakers blamed weak regulation for the rise in Ponzi schemes, citing rising suicides and public mistrust. A multi-committee investigation will examine regulatory failures and recommend reforms. 

Suspected armed herdsmen ambushed a joint patrol team in Benue’s Guma LGA, injuring two operatives and leaving a police inspector and two NSCDC officers missing. Security forces have launched a search operation. 

Abia CP Danladi Isa has ordered prompt treatment for sick suspects and warned against detaining bailable offenders beyond 24 hours.

He banned PoS operations in police stations, urged professionalism, and said senior officers will be held accountable for subordinates’ misconduct.

Isa also commended officers’ dedication and praised PRO DSP Maureen Chinaka for receiving an IGP award and completing a media course in China. 

…As Drug Peddling, Gun Running Syndicates Apprehended

— Hausa Community Lauds Governor For Riding Their Community Of Criminal Elements 

By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, July 02, 2025.

In a bold and uncompromising move to sanitize the state and reclaim public spaces from the grip of criminality, the Imo State Government has demolished a notorious criminal hideout in Ama Hausa, Owerri. The hideout, which served as a hub for drug peddling, gun running and all manner of illicit activities, was brought down during a high-impact operation led by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Monitoring and Compliance, Hon. Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.

This decisive operation, captured in a now-circulating video, underscores the Uzodimma-led administration’s zero-tolerance policy on crime and its unwavering commitment to restoring law and order across the state.

According to Hon. Nwaneri, the targeted structure had long been under surveillance after being identified as a den for hardened criminals who specialize in trafficking hard drugs, illegal arms, and aiding other violent crimes that have threatened the peace and security of residents, following a tip off by a patriotic citizen who brought it to the attention of the state government. 

“Our message is clear: Imo State will not be a safe haven for criminals. We are going after every syndicate, every drug peddler, and every gun runner. No one is above the law, and no criminal enterprise will be tolerated,” Hon. Nwaneri declared during the operation.

Multiple suspects were apprehended at the scene and have been handed over to relevant security agencies for interrogation and prosecution.

In a significant show of solidarity, leaders and members of the Hausa community in Imo State have lauded the government’s decisive action. They described the demolition as a welcomed relief, noting that it will help cleanse their community of the few bad elements tarnishing their image and threatening peaceful coexistence.

They commended the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his courage and fairness, reaffirming their continued support for all genuine efforts to rid the state of crime, regardless of who is involved. 

The Government calls on landlords, market unions, and community leaders to be vigilant and report suspicious activities within their domains. Anyone aiding or harboring criminals will be treated as an accomplice and dealt with accordingly.

Imo State is on a renewed path of safety and progress, and under the current administration, criminals have no place to hide. 

At least 1,686 people were killed in 909 cult-related incidents across Nigeria between January 2020 and March 2025, with the South-South and South-West most affected, a new SBM Intelligence report reveals. 

Rivers, Lagos, and Edo led in fatalities, while cult groups like Aiye, Eiye, Vikings, and Icelanders dominated the violence. Edo, Ogun, and Delta accounted for over half of the total deaths. The North recorded minimal gang activity due to the presence of terror groups. 

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have neutralised a suspected bandit and recovered A.K 47 rifle in Kwesati community of Ussa local government area in Taraba State.

The incident is part of an ongoing clearance operation aimed at flushing out bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements from Taraba state.

A press statement by the Brigade’s Public Relations Officer, Captain Olubodunde Oni, said the success recorded is a sequel to credible intelligence on the bandits’ movement. ” Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of suspected bandits, troops stationed at Kwesati swiftly deployed and tactically established a position along a suspected crossing route”

“During the operation, the troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them with superior firepower. The intensity of the engagement forced the bandits to flee in disarray, with several suspected to have escaped into the surrounding forest with gunshot wounds. One bandit was neutralised during the encounter.”

The statement said, following the operation, troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine containing three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and two mobile phones. Speaking on the successful operation, Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism and reiterated the Brigade’s resolve to sustain aggressive operations until all threats are neutralised within the state.

He encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts in ridding the state of criminal elements. The successful operation is a testament to the resilience of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS in ensuring the safety and security of communities across Taraba State, the statement added. 

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to release his passport for an overseas medical trip. Bello, facing an ₦80.2bn money laundering case by the EFCC, cited urgent health needs.

While his lawyer argued it aligns with bail terms, the EFCC opposed the request, calling it an abuse of court process. The court set July 21 to rule on the travel application and adjourned the trial to July 3 and 4. 

The Colombian military has rescued 57 soldiers held hostage by locals in Cauca, a region influenced by the rebel-linked EMC faction. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the operation was executed without gunfire, resulting in 20 arrests.

The soldiers were detained while attempting to extract a suspected rebel, in what authorities described as an EMC-orchestrated kidnapping. The military launched the rescue after negotiations failed, highlighting the region’s instability and heavy reliance on coca cultivation. 

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has launched the Safe Schools Initiative in Osun State, urging collaboration among stakeholders to protect educational institutions from attacks. 

Represented by AIG Fred Emuobo, he also inaugurated the Schools Protection Squad and directed police commissioners to engage communities in ensuring school safety. Governor Ademola Adeleke pledged full support for the initiative, reaffirming Osun’s commitment to safeguarding students. 

The Federal Government has suspended two Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) officers for attempting to procure an international passport for an inmate.

According to NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, the misconduct was uncovered through automated systems and interagency collaboration within the Ministry of Interior. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, was deemed a serious violation of established procedures.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), chaired by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, approved the suspensions.

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, reaffirmed the Service’s zero tolerance for misconduct and its commitment to discipline, transparency, and inmate reform.