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JUST IN: N37.1bn fraud: NSIPA co-ordinator arrested, ex-minister faces EFCC today

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and detained the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, over the ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

It was gathered that EFCC operatives stormed NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday at about 9 am, and drove Shehu to the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

As of the time of filling this report on Tuesday night,  she was still being detained and interrogated.

Impeccable senior officers of the anti-graft agency, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Shehu was indicted in connection with the alleged 37.1bn fraud as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry.

“Halima Shehu is currently in our (EFCC) custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1bn fraud that took place under the former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

“Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she’s been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.

“The former Minister, Sadiya is also expected at the office tomorrow (Wednesday) for questioning over the N37.1bn money laundering case.”

Shehu was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the EFCC invited the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Umar-Farouk,  to appear before investigators today (Wednesday) over an ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.

The former minister was asked to appear before investigators at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja today to give an account of the alleged monumental fraud that took place under her watch.

The document partly read: “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during your time as Minister.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned. Scheduled as follows: Wednesday 3rd, January, 2024. 10:00 am. This request is made pursuant to section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 & section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

Source: Punch

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KWARA UPDATE: Massacre Claims Over 170 in Deserted Nigerian Town – Govt Silent (Video)

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A devastating massacre has left a Nigerian town in ruins, with reports of massive civilian casualties and widespread devastation, as the local community reels from the horror.

According to accounts from the scene, the town now lies desolate, abandoned by survivors, with corpses littering the streets in scenes likened by witnesses to a poultry farm ravaged by disease bodies scattered indiscriminately, unrecovered, and contributing to an atmosphere of total abandonment and trauma.

Initial press reports have cited a death toll of at least 75, but local sources and eyewitness claims suggest the true figure is far higher, exceeding 170 killed in the attack. The incident has been described unequivocally as a massacre by military officials, including statements attributed to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the relevant army division, who characterized the event in those terms.

Despite the scale of the tragedy and the GOC’s public acknowledgment, the federal government team has yet to issue any official response or statement addressing the killings, recovery efforts, or security measures to prevent further violence. This silence has amplified local anguish amid the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

The attack underscores Nigeria’s persistent security challenges in vulnerable regions, where communities face repeated threats from armed groups, often leaving towns emptied and survivors displaced.

Authorities have not yet confirmed details on the perpetrators or the precise circumstances leading to the bloodshed, leaving many questions unanswered as the nation grapples with yet another episode of extreme violence.

More update soon. Watch video below:

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Bandits Kill at Least 35 in Deadly Raid on Remote Kwara Village

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Armed bandits launched a brutal overnight attack on the remote village of Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least 35 people and setting homes and shops ablaze, according to local authorities and residents.

The assault occurred late Tuesday evening, around 6-7 p.m., when heavily armed gunmen stormed the community, shooting indiscriminately as panicked residents fled into surrounding bushland.

The attackers also torched buildings, including shops and reportedly the traditional ruler’s palace, leaving the king’s whereabouts unknown at the time of reporting.

Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, the lawmaker representing Kaiama in the Kwara State House of Assembly, confirmed the death toll had reached 35 by Wednesday morning, with many more residents still missing after escaping into the bush during the chaos.

Some sources described the attackers as terrorists possibly linked to groups spilling over from neighboring Niger State, amid rising insecurity in the border region.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the incident as a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” in response to ongoing counterterrorism operations in parts of the state.

Authorities have noted that the attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in Kwara this year, highlighting the persistent threat of banditry targeting isolated farming communities with killings, arson, and displacement.

Security forces are said to be reinforcing presence in the area, though initial reports indicate some discrepancies in early casualty figures, with some local accounts initially lower before bodies were recovered overnight.

The incident underscores the escalating violence in north-central Nigeria, where armed groups continue to exploit rural vulnerabilities despite government efforts to curb banditry and terrorism.

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DSS Arraigns Ex-AGF Malami, Son on Terrorism Financing and Illegal Firearms Charges

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The defendants appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami alone faces Count One, accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing sometime in November 2022 by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as AGF.

In Counts Two to Five, both Malami and his son are jointly accused of engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism through the unlawful possession, without a valid licence, of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5.20 live rounds of cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, sometime in December 2025. The offences allegedly contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them in open court.

Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel for the DSS, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending trial. Defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), made an oral application for bail, informing the court that Malami had been in DSS custody for approximately two weeks and had attended the proceedings directly from the hospital.

Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail application, stating that the Federal High Court, as a court of record, required a formal written application. She ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody and directed the defence to file a proper bail application.

The matter was adjourned to February 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

This development follows Malami’s earlier arrest by DSS operatives on January 19, 2026, shortly after he perfected bail conditions in a separate 16-count money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he, his son, and wife faced related allegations.

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