• Nabs, prosecutes fake news purveyors

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, has arrested four suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure valued at about N150 million.

The suspects, identified as Abuchi Odikemere, 29; Anyanwu Emmanuel, 28; Kayode Segun, 28; and Emmanuel Chineku, 17, were arrested at a shop on Pastor Alabi Close, in the Kosofe area of Lagos.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), FCID Annex, Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the department’s investigative breakthroughs and operational achievements between June 25 and September 18, 2026.

Akpanudom said the suspects were arrested following a petition received on August 11 from PLUTOLORD Solicitors, on behalf of ATC Telecommunications Nationwide, alleging that armed hoodlums had attacked and vandalised telecommunications facilities in parts of the Southeast and Lagos between March and May 2026.

According to him, the criminals allegedly carted away telecommunications equipment, including modules, solar batteries, solar panels and generators, valued at about N150 million.

He said operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the FCID Annex were deployed to investigate the case, leading to the arrest of the four suspects.

Items recovered from the suspects included two surveillance cameras, 52 solar batteries, one hammer, one chisel, three small solar panels and two solar meters.

Akpanudom said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who were still at large, adding that those already in custody would be prosecuted on relevant charges.

The AIG also disclosed that the department had investigated a separate case involving conspiracy, shop breaking, malicious damage, stealing and receiving stolen property, leading to the arrest of four suspects.

He said the case followed a petition by Ashaye Olalekan, who alleged that his shop at Ogudu Roundabout, Ojota, Lagos, was burgled by armed hoodlums at about 3:58 a.m. on May 19.

The thieves allegedly carted away a vault containing 90 new mobile phones, 42 smart watches, two Oraimo speakers, 105 power banks and other phone accessories valued at about N20 million.

The suspects also allegedly damaged seven closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, shop glass fittings, the entrance door and other property.

Akpanudom said detectives arrested four suspects, comprising three males and a female allegedly involved in receiving the stolen property.

Some of the recovered items included three mobile phones, one power bank, three generators and other electronic devices.

He said the suspects confessed that most of the stolen phones and accessories had been sold to a transborder receiver, adding that they had been charged to court.

The FCID boss also disclosed the arrest and arraignment of two women over a social media publication allegedly claiming falsely that Access Bank Plc would shut down its operations.

According to him, the department received a petition dated July 30 from Country Hill Attorney & Solicitors, on behalf of Access Bank, over a Facebook post published on July 28 by Idorenyin Umoh.

The post allegedly claimed that Access Bank would shut down its operations effective September 23, 2026, and advised customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

Akpanudom said the publication spread to other social media platforms within hours, prompting the bank to petition the police over concerns that it could cause panic, financial losses and damage to the institution.

He said detectives traced the publication to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where Umoh and her associate, Fineness Monday Esu, were arrested.

According to him, the suspects admitted belonging to a WhatsApp group known as “Queendom,” where Esu allegedly posted the message on July 28 at about 9:04 a.m.

Umoh allegedly copied the message and published it on her Facebook account, “Aidee Umoh,” which had more than 12,000 followers.

The AIG said the two suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on charges relating to conspiracy, false publication, fabrication and digital dissemination of malicious falsehood, economic sabotage and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

Giving an overview of the department’s activities during the period, Akpanudom said the FCID Annex received 1,816 letters of complaint.

He said nine complaints were referred to various state Commissioners of Police and police formations for action, while four were rejected as civil matters.

A total of 1,803 complaints were referred for investigation and report, while 24 cases were concluded and processed for prosecution in various courts.
He added that other cases remained at different stages of investigation, legal vetting and advice.

The AIG further disclosed that INTERPOL had rescued 36 victims of human trafficking during the period under review, while efforts were ongoing to arrest suspects connected with the cases. One person was also repatriated.

Akpanudom said the FCID Annex had continued to strengthen its investigative capacity through personnel training, infrastructure upgrades and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He said 17 personnel underwent specialised training, in addition to weekly leadership meetings and lectures on investigation, human rights and ethical conduct.

He added that he visited the SWAT unit at Adeniji Adele and the Police Special Fraud Unit on September 7 to interact with officers and personnel.

The AIG said customised information bulletins had also been placed at strategic locations within the offices to improve personnel awareness of citizens’ legal rights.

On infrastructure, he said several projects had been completed and were awaiting commissioning. They include a sentry slab, photo stand, solar systems in the charge room and general areas, visitors’ tags, cabinets for storing visitors’ phones, office signage, renovation of one set of holding cells and general staff toilets.

He said the renovation of the second set of holding cells, tiling and painting of general office areas were still ongoing.

Akpanudom also said personnel welfare remained a priority, noting that officers were granted leave and permission to attend to pressing family needs.

He said the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi Eze, visited the FCID Annex clinic on August 24 to assess and identify areas for improving medical services.

The AIG further listed engagements with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement/Federal Task Force as part of efforts to deepen inter-agency collaboration.

He also disclosed meetings with the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, as well as representatives of youth and community organisations and the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office.

Akpanudom said the FCID Annex would continue to investigate criminal complaints, protect critical national infrastructure, combat economic sabotage and ensure that suspects found culpable were prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He urged the public to continue providing the police with timely, credible and actionable information to support crime prevention and investigation.

He thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, his supervising Deputy Inspector-General, Margaret A. Ochalla, the Force Management Team and members of the public for their support.

The AIG reaffirmed the commitment of the FCID Annex to professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law in the administration of criminal justice.