crime

EFCC Arrests 15 Suspects over Radioactive Minerals

Published

8 months ago

March 11, 2026

Q Tinny

EFCC arrests 15 suspects over alleged illegal dealing in radioactive solid minerals after intercepting trucks along Suleja–Maji Road in Niger State

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 15 male suspects for alleged involvement in the illegal dealing of radioactive solid minerals linked to activities in Kaduna State.

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The arrests were disclosed on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, in a statement issued by the commission.

According to Dele Oyewale, operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission intercepted the suspects on Sunday, March 8, 2026, along the Suleja–Maji Road in Niger State during a targeted operation.

The suspects were reportedly transporting the suspected radioactive solid minerals in three trucks at the time of their arrest.

Investigators believe the materials were being conveyed to several locations across Nigeria for purposes that have not yet been disclosed.

The operation forms part of the commission’s broader efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and the illicit trade in strategic minerals, a growing concern for authorities due to the environmental and security risks associated with unregulated extraction and distribution.

Dele Oyewale said the suspects are currently in custody at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission where further investigations are ongoing.

The commission added that the suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

Also read: EFCC Launches Robust Weekly Training in Enugu

The arrest highlights increasing scrutiny of illegal mineral trading networks in Nigeria, particularly those involving materials that may pose potential environmental or safety hazards if improperly handled.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

9 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.