The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Rabiu Aliyu Salisu for allegedly defrauding a US citizen, Deborah Woods, of $597,000 via identity theft and cyber fraud.

During a press event on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi stated that Salisu had illegally adopted the identity of an American citizen, Matthew Ramsey, in order to carry out the scheme.

Adejobi further revealed that two additional suspects, Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar, were arrested for allegedly opening false accounts to conduct fraud totaling ₦400 million.

The duo reportedly created Moniepoint profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses.

They then distributed these accounts to accomplices across different states for fraudulent Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, enabling them to obtain bank verification numbers, BVNs and personal details from unsuspecting victims.

“Upon completion of the KYC process, the suspects would change the passwords to secure the accounts for their unknown foreign contractor,” Adejobi explained.

Federal Government has made a U-turn on the proposed scrapping of the Junior and senior secondary school system replacing it with 12 years compulsory education.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, on Friday, that policy is at the proposal level and final decision has not been taken on the matter.

It was reported on Friday that the National Council of Education (NCE) has approved the scrapping of senior secondary system of education.

More details later..

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have, again, attacked Okpomaju community in Otukpo Local Government Area, (LGA), of Benue State, killing five hunters and injuring several others.

Recall that herdsmen militia invaded the community few days ago and killed two residents who were on a hunting expedition.

A source from the area, who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday, said despite resolution reached by leaders of both groups to end the hostilities between them, the herders went ahead and struck Wednesday evening.

Recall that the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye and the leaders of the armed herders had on Tuesday, after one herdsman and two hunters were killed, resolved among others to ensure peaceful co-existence and expose criminals found amongst the two parties.

The local said the renewed hostility was accompanied by massive destruction of houses at Okpomaju thereby relegating the resolution to the background.

The source said, “the attack was unprovoked as the hunters were at home at Okpomaju when the armed herders, numbering 12, stormed the village with sophisticated guns shooting sporadically.

“In the process, they killed Peter, popularly known as JPG and Moses, while others ran to different directions into the nearby bushes with gun shots.

“So far, we have recovered three dead bodies from those who ran to the bush making a total of five. The fifth was recovered near Odudaje stream.

“As I speak with you, we are at the graveside, burying one of the victims and are awaiting the other bodies from the mortuary. We are with over 200 Otukpo hunters.”

The local lamented that the latest development has triggered further displacement of residents, not just from Okpomaju but from the neighbouring villages of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others.

He said some of those who ran for safety said the sound of gunshots from the herders were too deafening and frightening for them to stay put in their homes.

The Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and said security agents including soldiers and the police are already in Okpomaju to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Command, CSP Catherine Anene could not be reached as she did not answer calls made to her phone.