Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Crime

Alleged N7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Leads to Arrest of Six Suspects

Reporting by The Punch indicates that Nigerian police uncovered a telecommunications fraud scheme involving the illegal diversion of airtime and data valued at N7.7 billion. Six suspects were arrested after an investigation into alleged compromise of a company’s internal systems to reroute digital assets, which were then liquidated through underground channels.

The scale of the alleged theft has renewed calls for stronger cybersecurity controls in the telecom sector and tighter internal governance to reduce insider and vendor risks. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional collaborators exist within the industry.

Daily Post also covered the arrests and Channels TV framed the incident as one of the largest digital-asset related thefts in recent memory—amplifying calls for stronger data protection and enforcement.

Echotitbits take: As Nigeria digitizes payments and services, insider-enabled cybercrime is becoming a systemic risk. Expect regulators (including the NCC) to push tougher baseline security requirements—especially around privileged access, audit logging, and incident response disclosures.

Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/852943-police-uncover-n7-7-billion-telecom-fraud-arrest-six-suspects.html 2026-01-29

Photo Credit: Premium Times

January 29, 2026
Police Apprehend Prime Suspect in Death of Street-Pop Star Destiny Boy

The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly recorded a breakthrough in the investigation into the death of fast-rising Fuji-pop singer Afeez Adeshina, better known as Destiny Boy. A prime suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the death of the 21-year-old artist, a protégé of Fuji legend Pasuma known for viral covers of Afrobeats hits.

Vanguard News reported that the suspect is being interrogated to determine motive, while Daily Post cited a police statement indicating that evidence is being gathered to ensure justice for the family and fans.

Echotitbits take: Destiny Boy bridged traditional Fuji and modern street-pop, and his death has deeply shaken the Nigerian music community. While the arrest offers a path toward closure, the rumors of strange illness and foul play around his final days suggest a larger story the investigation must now clarify.
Source: BBC – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0ykeze3xvo 2026-01-25
Photo Credit: BBC

January 25, 2026
Newlywed Arrested for Husband’s Fatal Poisoning in Jigawa State

Police in Jigawa State have arrested a newlywed woman for allegedly killing her husband with rat poison. The incident has shocked the local community as investigators reconstruct the events surrounding the fatal meal.

Daily Trust reported that the suspect allegedly confessed during initial questioning. Leadership News also reported that the Jigawa State Police Command is preparing to charge the suspect to court after preliminary investigations are concluded.

Echotitbits take: This tragedy highlights the darker side of social and domestic pressures in rural Nigeria. Beyond the viral headlines, it reinforces the need for stronger community safeguards, mental health awareness, and early intervention mechanisms around domestic conflict.
Source: Daily Trust – https://dailytrust.com/newlywed-wife-arrested-over-alleged-poisoning-of-husband-in-jigawa/ 2026-01-25
Photo Credit: Daily Trust

January 25, 2026
Borno Police Say 2,610 Suspects Arrested in Wide Crime Sweep, Hundreds Convicted

Figures cited by The Guardian show the Borno State Police Command said it arrested 2,610 suspects for various offences over the period under review, including cases linked to gender-based violence and armed robbery.

Police officials also reported recoveries of arms, vehicles and drugs, adding that a large number of cases have already been prosecuted to conclusion with convictions.

The command attributed the outcomes to intelligence-led policing and community support, as the state remains under security pressure from insurgency and cross-border crime.

**Echotitbits take:** High arrest and conviction figures signal more assertive policing, but they also underline the scale of criminality in the region. Watch for stronger joint operations and border security coordination to keep networks from regenerating.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria — https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-arrest-2610-suspects-recover-arms-cash-in-borno/ 2026-01-08

Photo Credit: Guardian Nigeria

January 8, 2026
Ogun Police Charge Driver with Negligence Over Fatal Anthony Joshua Accident

Reporting by Premium Times indicates that the Ogun State Police Command has officially charged a driver with criminal negligence following a tragic road accident involving associates of boxing star Anthony Joshua. The accident, which occurred shortly after the group’s arrival in Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of two of Joshua’s close friends.

Police investigators found that the driver’s ‘reckless disregard for safety protocols’ was the primary cause of the fatal crash. The court proceedings are expected to begin later this month, while the local community in Ogun continues to mourn the loss of the visitors.

Punch Newspaper validated the story, reporting that ‘bystanders stole Anthony Joshua’s phone at the accident scene,’ highlighting the chaotic aftermath of the crash. Vanguard also mentioned the incident in their review of January’s headlines, noting that ‘Ogun police charge driver over fatal accident.’

Echotitbits take: This incident is a PR nightmare for Nigerian tourism and safety. Beyond the legal case against the driver, the reports of theft at the crash site reflect a disturbing lack of empathy that the government needs to address through community engagement.

Source: The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/fatal-crash-anthony-joshua-escaped-death-after-swapping-seats-report/%3famp
The Punch January 3, 2026

Photo Credit: The Punch

January 3, 2026