Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, over an alleged ₦70 billion fraud.

Jaja was apprehended in Abuja on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, alongside Aliyu Abubakar, an operator of Jasfad Resources Enterprise—an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC)—and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.

Their arrests form part of an ongoing EFCC investigation into allegations of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and misappropriation involving the staggering sum.

The Commission is also probing the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, in connection with the matter.

According to the EFCC, preliminary findings indicate that a total of ₦59 billion was withdrawn in cash through various bank accounts managed by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government. The funds were allegedly transferred to Abubakar and Sambo, who then made cash payments to political party agents and associates of the governor.

Notably, Abubakar, the BDC operator, had previously absconded while on bail but has now been rearrested.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests, stating that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of the financial misconduct.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a shipment of cocaine ingeniously concealed within prayer beads and locally made shoes, foiling an attempt to traffic the illicit substance.

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, revealing that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt.

Babafemi, who shared images of the seized contraband on X (formerly Twitter), condemned the act, especially in the holy month when religious devotion takes precedence.

“In this holy month, when people are consecrating themselves and making supplications to their God, some persons were preoccupied with concealing cocaine in prayer beads and locally made shoes to desecrate the precincts of the holy land in the holy month,” he stated.

He further noted that vigilant NDLEA operatives intercepted the illicit shipment, preventing the traffickers from executing their plan.

The anti-narcotics agency has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, especially methods that exploit religious items and sacred periods to evade detection.

As investigations continue, the NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to curbing drug-related crimes and ensuring that traffickers face the full weight of the law.

Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old church member in connection with the kidnapping of two Catholic priests.

The Command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Suleiman Yahaya-Nguroje, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday. He revealed that the victims—Reverend Fathers Abraham Samman of the Catholic Diocese of Yola and Mathew David Dusam of the Jalingo Diocese—were rescued unharmed after police operatives stormed a criminal hideout.

According to Yahaya-Nguroje, the suspect was apprehended in Gweda Mallam village, a border community between Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas of Adamawa State. He was found with a locally fabricated gun, a mobile phone, and a SIM card. The kidnapped priests were discovered tied up at the location.

He noted that the operation was carried out following a tip-off, prompting officers to embark on a rescue mission across criminal hideouts in the state. The spokesman emphasized that no ransom was paid to secure the priests’ release.

“The success of this operation is a result of the renewed action plan introduced by the Commissioner of Police, CP Morris Dankwbo, which has strengthened efforts in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state,” Yahaya-Nguroje stated.

Following their rescue, the two priests were taken to a medical facility for treatment, while the suspect remains in police custody for further investigations and prosecution.

Expressing gratitude for the support received from the state government, security agencies, and members of the public, CP Dankwbo urged residents to remain vigilant and continue assisting law enforcement agencies in combating crime.

The Adamawa State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, calling for sustained collaboration in the fight against criminal elements.