EFCC warns POS operators against aiding fraudsters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned Point of Sale (POS) operators across the country against aiding fraudsters and money launderers in perpetrating financial crimes.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, gave the warning when the leadership of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN), led by its National President, Oti Obioha, paid a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters.

Olukoyede, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Michael Nzekwe, said POS operators were increasingly being linked to transactions involving money laundering, terrorist financing and ransom payments.

He urged AMMBAN to strengthen its regulatory structure and establish a comprehensive framework for monitoring its members.

The EFCC chairman also raised concerns about the level of oversight, training and record-keeping among POS operators, noting that some operators allegedly participate directly in fraudulent activities.

According to him, inadequate transaction records often make it difficult for investigators to trace funds transferred through POS outlets.

Olukoyede therefore urged AMMBAN to ensure that its members maintain proper financial records for every transaction and keep accurate records of operators across the country.

He also assured the association of the EFCC’s readiness to collaborate on training, public awareness and information sharing as part of efforts to curb financial crimes.

Tinubu unveils four-year action plan to end child labour

President Bola Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, stressing that the menace poses serious challenges to education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.

Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan 2026–2030.

The event also featured the launch of the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr George Akume, said his administration would intensify efforts to address the root causes of child labour and protect children from exploitation.

According to a statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu said the Federal Government would strengthen labour administration and inspection systems as part of measures to curb child labour across the country.

He added that the government would also reinforce child protection mechanisms and implement interventions aimed at tackling poverty, unemployment, inadequate access to quality education and social exclusion, which he identified as some of the factors driving child labour.

The President identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, noting that children who have access to quality education are better protected from exploitative work and other vulnerabilities.

He said the administration was implementing reforms targeted at reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving education data, strengthening teacher development and expanding skills acquisition opportunities.

Tinubu further highlighted the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme as another intervention aimed at encouraging school attendance and supporting vulnerable children.

According to him, the programme would help address hunger and nutritional challenges among children from vulnerable households while creating an environment that encourages them to remain in school.

The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan 2026 to 2030 as part of broader efforts to protect children and promote sustainable national development…///

Leadership Dispute Emerges Over Iru Ekun Commandant Position

A leadership disagreement has emerged within the Iru Ekun Security Organisation in Ijebu North, Ogun State, following differing claims over who should occupy the position of Commandant, the head of the organisation.

One of the groups involved said Comrade Ilerioluwa Adekoya initiated the idea of establishing Iru Ekun and was supported by his colleague, Mrs Success Balogun, popularly known as Iron Lady. The group argued that their contributions to the establishment of the organisation should be taken into consideration in choosing its Commandant.

Another group, represented by Comrade Mukaila Asebebe, Comrade Idowu Ayodele, popularly known as Olori Odo, Comrade Akeem Salisu and Comrade Olusegun Dada, also stated its position on the leadership issue. The group said its members had several years of experience in security activities, while Iru Ekun was established more recently.

The group further stated that stakeholders and prominent dignitaries involved in the selection process chose Comrade Idowu Ayodele, also known as Olori Odo, as Commandant. It said his long-standing involvement in security activities in Ijebu-Igbo, good conduct and commitment to security were among the factors considered.

The dispute has therefore focused on competing claims over who has the right to lead the Iru Ekun Security Organisation. While one side points to its role in initiating the organisation, the other relies on its experience in community security work. Stakeholders are expected to resolve the disagreement and determine the leadership of the organisation.

Stakeholders Select Olori Odo as Iru Ekun Commandant in Ijebu North

The selection of a Commandant for the Iru Ekun security organization is currently generating discussions in Ijebu North, Ogun State, as stakeholders seek to determine the head of the organization.

Speaking on the matter, Comrade Mukaila Asebebe, Comrade Idowu Ayodele, popularly known as Olori Odo, Comrade Akeem Salisu, and Comrade Olusegun Dada, popularly known as Atilari, said they have been involved in security activities for several years.

According to the group, although Iru Ekun is a relatively new security organization, its members have longstanding experience in security work within Ijebu-Igbo and have remained committed to maintaining security in the area.

The group explained that important stakeholders and dignitaries came together to select Comrade Idowu Ayodele, also known as Olori Odo, as the Commandant. They said his years of involvement in security activities, good conduct, and absence of reported misconduct were among the factors considered in the selection.

The selection is currently at the centre of discussions in Ijebu North, with stakeholders expected to resolve the matter and establish the leadership structure of the Iru Ekun security organization.

2027 Election: INEC Raises Alarm Over AI-Generated Fake News

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that artificial intelligence-generated disinformation could threaten the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the increasing use of AI to create fake audio, videos and images could make it harder for voters to distinguish genuine political information from fabricated content.

Amupitan spoke on Wednesday in Abuja through a National Commissioner, Sani Adam (SAN), at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria. His remarks were contained in a statement signed by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi.

The INEC chairman said the credibility of elections now depended not only on the integrity of the ballot, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and result sheets, but also on how electoral information was communicated, understood and trusted by voters.

He said INEC was carrying out a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems, including system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery plans, ahead of the 2027 election.

Amupitan also disclosed that the commission was considering a mock presidential election to test its preparedness, including voter accreditation, result transmission and result viewing under conditions similar to election day.

He warned that generative AI had made it cheaper and more difficult to detect manipulated political content, while algorithmic microtargeting could allow different groups of voters to receive conflicting political messages.

According to him, such false content could spread to millions of social media users before fact-checkers or electoral authorities could verify it.

Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had proposed a substantial budget for technology and election operations, including new accreditation devices to replace those lost or damaged during the last electoral cycle.

He said the commission was awaiting the full release of the funds, while its ICT team had begun discussions with manufacturers and preparations for the technology audit and proposed mock election continued.

PFIPC: Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Links 12 Agencies, 58 Bank Accounts to DG

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, has cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of allegations that he authorised, created or took part in the activities of the purported agency.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, said its preliminary investigation found that the organisation was not legally established by the Federal Government. It also said documents allegedly presented to give the body presidential and legislative backing were forged, fabricated or altered.

The committee specifically examined a letter purportedly appointing Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the PFIPC, which allegedly carried Gbajabiamila’s authority and signature. It found that the letter was not issued by the Chief of Staff or the Presidency.

According to the lawmakers, evidence obtained from the State House showed that no such appointment was made or approved by the Presidency, adding that Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed the letter.

The committee also discovered that the letterhead used on the document was not genuine State House letterhead, while the reference number on it did not conform to the Presidency’s official numbering system.

It said the format, language and administrative details contained in the document were significantly different from those used in official State House correspondence.

The lawmakers therefore made a preliminary finding that the alleged appointment letter was fabricated and falsely presented as an official document from the Presidency.

The finding clears Gbajabiamila of the allegation, as the committee said it found no evidence connecting him to the purported appointment or the activities of the organisation.

Instead, the committee said documents before it showed that Gbajabiamila took steps to initiate investigations after concerns about the organisation were brought to his attention.

It said that after receiving an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, over suspected fraud and the alleged misuse of government materials, Gbajabiamila acted within 24 hours by contacting security and investigative agencies.

Those agencies included the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The committee added that the Chief of Staff also directed relevant government institutions to carry out administrative verification of the organisation.

It further said that when fresh concerns emerged, including those linked to a proposed World Investment Summit, additional communications were sent to relevant authorities requesting investigations and appropriate action.

NAPTIP Raises Alarm Over CSOs Being Used as Fronts for Human Trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned that some civil society organisations (CSOs) are allegedly being used as fronts by human traffickers to gain access to vulnerable communities and traffic children.

The agency said traffickers were taking advantage of communities affected by insecurity, including farmer-herder conflicts, by posing as NGO representatives and offering support to families.

NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a joint press briefing involving spokespersons of security agencies.

Adekoye said the agency had uncovered cases where suspected traffickers entered troubled communities under the guise of providing education and humanitarian assistance.

He revealed that NAPTIP recently rescued four children in Onitsha, Anambra State, who were allegedly trafficked from Kajuru in Kaduna State in 2023.

According to him, some of the children were found in a high-rise building, while another was rescued from the custody of a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre in Onitsha.

Adekoye said NAPTIP would begin profiling CSOs, especially community-based and faith-based organisations operating in vulnerable areas, to stop criminals from using their reputation to facilitate trafficking.

He said the agency had so far rescued 118 children allegedly trafficked from Nasarawa, Benue and three other states in the North-Central region.

He urged Nigerians to remain alert and report suspicious organisations or individuals attempting to take children away from their families.

The warning follows recent NAPTIP operations in which more than 180 children were reportedly rescued from trafficking networks allegedly operating under the cover of civil society organisations and promising educational support to vulnerable families.

NAPTIP also raised concerns about the growing use of technology in human trafficking, noting that traffickers are using social media to lure young Nigerians with promises of well-paying jobs and better living conditions in Asian countries.

101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested for Selling Illicit Drugs

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs in Ilisan, Ogun State.

Ogunmabo was reportedly found with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets for sale to residents in the community.

According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the centenarian told investigators that she ventured into the illicit drug trade after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire.

The agency said the arrest was part of its operations against drug trafficking across the country’s land and maritime borders.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and referred for counselling due to her advanced age. Her daughter, however, was also arrested in connection with the case.

Oyo kidnap: Panel Probes Abduction, Seeks Public Input

The Oyo State Government has called for public memoranda to assist the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The commission is probing the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities, as well as the security response before, during and after the incident.

In a statement posted on the state government’s official handle on Tuesday, residents and other members of the public with relevant information were urged to come forward and assist the commission with its investigation.

The government said memoranda submitted to the commission should contain the contributor’s full name and contact details, alongside any supporting documents or evidence relevant to the case.

The deadline for submission of memoranda is Friday, August 14, 2026. The government said information provided could help the commission establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and assess the security response to the incident…///

ICPC uncovers two more fake agencies in PFIPC investigation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two additional fake government agencies allegedly linked to Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), as its investigation into the alleged fraud expands.

ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the commission’s interim investigation report to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Aliyu, investigations confirmed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the PFIPC had no legal status, having neither been established by an Act of the National Assembly nor through an executive order.

The commission found that the appointment letter used by Adeyemi was forged and that the fake council unlawfully occupied offices and used official materials belonging to the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

Aliyu said the group operated from the former PEAC office, allegedly engaging in impersonation, false representation and other fraudulent activities by exploiting weaknesses in government verification and coordination systems.

Further investigations also uncovered two other non-existent agencies — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency.

The ICPC chairman revealed that Adeyemi later changed the organisation’s name from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council in a bid to widen its activities to include revenue generation.

Based on its findings, the commission recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution, disciplinary action against public officials suspected of aiding the operation, and institutional reforms to strengthen internal controls across government agencies.

The interim report also identified officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as alleged collaborators in the scheme.

Aliyu noted that investigations are still ongoing and said President Tinubu has been fully briefed on the findings, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the prosecution of those found culpable.