The Lagos state task force says it has dismissed two of its personnel for alleged theft during a raid.

Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, the task force spokesperson, identified the two dismissed officers as Fatai Yusuf (42) and Hammed Garuba (38).

Gbadeyan said the officials stole phones during an operation conducted at a hotel in Gowon Estate.

He said the integrity of the raid was compromised by the actions of the two officials whose misconduct was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV).

“Both individuals, serving as paramilitary officers within the agency, were subjected to a meticulous investigation by the agency’s disciplinary committee,” he said.

“Upon confirmation of their guilt, they were summarily dismissed from service and will face immediate prosecution for theft.”

Gbadeyan said Adetayo Akerele, chairman of the agency, denounced the actions of the dismissed officers and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

“Akerele has issued a stern admonition to all personnel, emphasising that any breach of ethical conduct would attract severe consequences,” he said.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) says its operatives have arrested Chinedu Ngwaka, a self-proclaimed bureau de change (BDC) operator, for alleged fraud to the tune of N320 million.

In a statement posted on her X page, Aminat Mayegun, FCID spokesperson in Lagos, said Ngwaka also used a fraudulent presidency number plate on his Toyota Hilux vehicle.

The FCID spokesperson said the suspect was also apprehended with a fake identity card.

Mayegun said the police received a petition on September 9 addressed to Ayodeji Ogundele, assistant inspector general of Police (AIG), FCID annex in Lagos.

“On September 9, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force received a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Lagos, from Chinedu Laz and Partners (Deo Gratia Chambers) on behalf of Mr Tochukwu Unachukwu, the Managing Director of Casco Electronics Company Limited,” the statement reads.

“The petition filed was against Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka and his wife, Janet Onyekachi Ngwaka, of being involved in a fraudulent scheme amounting to N320m.

“Upon receipt of the petition, detectives from the Special Investigations Team of the anti-fraud Section attached to Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, swiftly swung into the intelligence-led investigation.

“The team reviewed relevant banking records and secured a warrant of arrest, which led to the apprehension of Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka, a self-acclaimed Licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.”

The spokesperson said further investigation revealed that between March and May 2024, Unachukwu made payments totalling N320 million to Ngwaka and his wife.

“Unachukwu made payment of N320 million through Ngwaka company accounts, Edunaco Multiple Resources Limited and Bright Janes World, for the procurement of $200,000 USD to facilitate the supply of goods from China,” Mayegun said.

“However, additional intelligence uncovered fraudulent document, including a telex confirmation from Zenith Bank, which purportedly shows the completion of the transactions in two $100,000 USD tranches.

“The Chinese suppliers confirmed that no such funds were received. During the operation, the SIT recovered a black 2024 Toyota Hilux with a fraudulent Presidency number plate (02B679FG) from Ngwaka, who falsely claimed to operate under the name Phobia BDC Ltd.

“Verification with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that he had no association with the company in any form, and that the company’s license has been revoked earlier in the year.

“Additionally, a fake identity card, purportedly issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, was discovered, fraudulently identifying Ngwaka as a consultant of the ministry.

“Another letter of introduction addressed ‘to whom it may concern’, purportedly issued by the Head of Service of the Federation, seeking allocation of presidency number plate to the suspect was also recovered from him.

“Relevant authorities have confirmed the illegitimacy of the document.

“The investigation further revealed that the Toyota Hilux, imported into Nigeria in June by Humble Autos, who sold same to a local dealership, Don-Neiel Automobiles Nigeria who subsequently sold to Ngwaka, after he had engaged in the fraudulent transaction with Unachukwu.”

Mayegun added that there were “other petitions against Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka, including claims from Mr. Moses Chizoba Enechukwu and Chinedu Nwaforcha, seeking the recovery of ₦1 billion and ₦840,000,000 respectively”.

The FCID spokesperson said Ngwaka, alongside his co-conspirators, will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, known as ‘Bobo Chicago,’ for allegedly being involved in a $2.8 million email scam and money laundering scheme.

According to online media outlet Peoples Gazette, the 25-year-old allegedly terrorised fellow Nigerians living in the Houston metro area before fleeing to Chicago, where he established residency.

He is currently facing a five-count charge, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and unlawful monetary transactions.

Federal agents were said to have identified $2.8 million in funds linked to Bombata, which were obtained by hacking into the accounts of various companies and individuals in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Investigators also discovered that Bombata transferred over $300,000 of these funds to a well-known liquor store, leading to the store owner’s implication in the scheme.

This case adds to a growing list of high-profile Nigerian fraudsters caught by U.S. authorities, including Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi) and Olalekan Jacob Ponle (Mr. Woodberry), both serving sentences for multi-million-dollar scams.