Crime & Court
INTERPOL Nabs Over 300 Suspects Tied to Notorious West African Crime Network, Black Axe
The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has arrested more than 300 individuals with connections to Black Axe, one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal networks, along with other affiliated groups.
The Black Axe, a secretive and feared organization, is involved in trafficking, prostitution, and violent operations globally, with cybercrime being its most significant revenue stream.
According to an official release by INTERPOL, the operation, which spanned from 10 April to 3 July, resulted in hundreds of arrests, the seizure of assets worth $3 million, and the dismantling of multiple criminal networks worldwide.
The crackdown, dubbed Operation Jackal III, targeted online financial fraud and the West African syndicates driving it, and it took place across 21 countries on five continents.
In addition to the arrests, INTERPOL identified over 400 additional suspects and blocked more than 720 bank accounts linked to the criminal activities.
President Bola Tinubu had pledged increased support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bolster its efforts against digital offences in February 2024. The commitment was underscored by the significant international law enforcement collaboration seen in Operation Jackal III.
Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), highlighted the growing threat of financial fraud originating from West Africa, noting, “The volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing. This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks. By identifying suspects, recovering illicit funds, and putting some of West Africa’s most dangerous organized crime leaders behind bars, we are able to weaken their influence and reduce their capacity to harm communities around the world.”
Major Arrests and Seizures in Argentina
In Argentina, Operation Jackal III led to the dismantling of a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network after a five-year investigation.
Authorities seized USD 1.2 million in high-quality counterfeit banknotes known as ‘supernotes,’ arrested 72 suspects, and froze approximately 100 bank accounts.
The network was also found using money mules to open bank accounts globally and is now under investigation in over 40 countries for related money laundering activities. Among the suspects are citizens from Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. More than 160 victims suffered significant financial losses, with some forced to sell their homes or take out large loans.
Diego Verdun, Head of Argentina’s National Central Bureau, emphasized the importance of Operation Jackal III, stating, “Operation Jackal is a crucial step forward in combating West African online financial fraud and clearly demonstrates that cybercriminals cannot escape the watchful eye of INTERPOL’s 196 member countries – especially in Argentina. By following illegal money trails worldwide, INTERPOL and the global police community ensure that no matter where these criminals try to hide, they will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.”
Additional Arrests in Switzerland and Portugal
In Switzerland, INTERPOL cracked down on West African organized crime syndicates, seizing cocaine, approximately EUR 45,000 in cash, and arresting multiple suspects.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, police dismantled a Nigerian network involved in recruiting money mules and laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe. During the operation, over 25 syndicate members were identified, with seized data revealing extensive cryptocurrency transactions and sophisticated money laundering activities.
INTERPOL headquarters played a critical role in coordinating the exchange of intelligence and assisting in the identification and apprehension of suspects. The operation involved law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, asset recovery offices, and private sector partners from countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In November 2023, the Nigerian Senate expressed concerns over an annual loss of $500 million to various forms of cybercrime across the country, highlighting the ongoing challenge of digital fraud in the region.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment.
The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification.
Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises.
The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.
A Police Inspector, Mohammed Bulama, attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 41 in Yobe State, has been arrested for allegedly killing a 39-year-old civilian, Abdulmalik Dauda, during a confrontation in Damaturu, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, was sparked by a heated argument between Bulama and Dauda over “uncleared transactions” in the Zango area of Damaturu. The argument escalated, leading Bulama to fatally stab Dauda in the chest.
In a statement, the Yobe State Police spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed Bulama’s arrest and announced that an investigation into the homicide case had been launched.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident involving Inspector Mohammed Bulama,” Abdulkarim said.
He further disclosed that the officer has been placed in custody, pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.
CP Ahmed condemned the actions of the officer, extending his condolences to the family of the victim.
He also assured the public that justice would be served swiftly in accordance with the law.
The Lagos State Police Command has summoned three officers accused of extorting N1 million from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Surulere area of Lagos.
Footage of the incident, which went viral on social media late Friday, shows the officers confronting the corps members, reportedly over the absence of a physical copy of a driver’s license. The video was shared by social media user Oluyemi Fasipe, who claimed that the officers threatened the corps members with firearms and forcibly took them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, the Area C Command of the Lagos State Police, where they allegedly extorted the sum of N1 million.
“Dear @BenHundeyin, Your officers today in Surulere extorted 1 million naira from three corps members,” Fasipe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “They were threatened with firearms, kidnapped, and taken to the KAFARU OLUWOLE TINUBU HOUSE AREA C POLICE COMMAND of the @LagosPoliceNG where they were robbed.”
Fasipe added that the entire incident stemmed from the corps members’ inability to present a physical copy of a driver’s license, a situation he described as “evil.”
In one of the videos, the officers are seen inspecting the vehicle’s documents, with the situation escalating as additional officers arrived. One officer can be seen entering the car and demanding that the corps members stop recording the incident, while also prohibiting them from contacting their families.
In response, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officers involved have been summoned, and an investigation is underway.
“The men have been summoned, and their trial has commenced,” Hundeyin wrote on X. “We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.”
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