Crime
Deportation of 192 Foreign Cyber-Terrorism Convicts in Lagos Completed (Images)
The deportation of the remaining 51 foreign nationals convicted and sentenced for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos has been completed.
This brings the repatriation of the 192 foreigners involved in the crimes to a successful close.
It was conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The deportation followed a sting raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where 759 suspects were apprehended after the EFCC received actionable intelligence exposing one of the largest foreign-led cybercrime and Ponzi scheme syndicates operating in Nigeria.
After months of investigation and prosecution, the 192 foreign nationals were convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The court also ordered their deportation upon completion of their prison terms.
The deportees, comprising Chinese, Filipino, Tunisian, Malaysian, Timor-Leste, Pakistani, and Kyrgyz nationals, were airlifted in coordinated batches between mid-August and mid-October 2025 through multiple airlines.
The large-scale repatriation exercise began on August 15, 2025, and the successful deportation of the last batch of convicts marks the conclusion of one of Nigeria’s biggest transnational cybercrime crackdowns in recent years.
In an official statement, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the deportation as “a strong statement of Nigeria’s resolve to rid its cyberspace of transnational criminal networks.”
“This milestone underscores our commitment to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystem. The EFCC, under my leadership, will continue to act swiftly on intelligence, prosecute offenders, and recover proceeds of crime in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC Chairman also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service for their seamless cooperation during the exercise, noting that the inter-agency collaboration ensured the safe custody, prosecution, and eventual repatriation of all convicts.
According to the EFCC’s deportation records, the first batch of 42 convicts, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals, departed Nigeria on August 15, 2025, followed by several subsequent flights throughout August and September.
The final batch of 51 convicts, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, was repatriated on October 16, 2025, bringing the total number deported to 192.
The Commission confirmed that the deported convicts were involved in a wide range of cyber fraud activities, including identity theft, online romance scams, Ponzi investment schemes, and digital training for cybercrime operations under the cover of a company, Genting International Co. Limited.
The EFCC noted that the syndicate’s activities posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security and financial integrity, adding that recovered digital devices and servers from the raid provided critical evidence during prosecution.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.
The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.
In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.
He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.
On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.
The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.
Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.
Troops from the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have successfully raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Lantom village, Kadarko District, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers stormed the criminal den on January 6, arresting four suspected gang members. During the operation, some suspects reportedly attempted to disarm a soldier while being escorted, prompting the troops to respond decisively and neutralise them.
Items recovered include one locally fabricated rifle, one axe, and one machete. Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects were responsible for multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in Kadarko District and surrounding communities.
All seized items are now in military custody. Follow-up operations are ongoing to track down fleeing gang members and recover additional weapons.
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing criminal activities and urged the public to provide timely information to support security efforts in the region.
Crime
Suicide bomber confesses: I was paid N100,000 to bomb worshippers in Maiduguri
Ibrahim claimed that he returned to the scene pretending to be a civilian helper, assisting in evacuating casualties.
•Ibrahim Mohammed
A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Ibrahim Mohammed, has revealed chilling details of his recruitment and operations, including how he was paid to target worshippers in Maiduguri.
The confession came after his arrest by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with local hunters in Yobe State.
Ibrahim admitted involvement in the Dec. 24 suicide bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque, which killed five people and injured 32 others.
He stated that the attacks were orchestrated by Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.
“I came to Maiduguri with two IEDs to target Izala Mosque, under instructions from our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar,” he told interrogators.
He said the operatives planted the explosives after Zuhur and Asr prayers, timing the detonation for Maghrib prayers when worshippers had gathered.
Ibrahim claimed that he returned to the scene pretending to be a civilian helper, assisting in evacuating casualties.
He revealed that suicide bombing had become a paid assignment within the terror network, with payments ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission
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