Nigeria's Dangote refinery has increased gasoline and urea exports to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. Owner Aliko Dangote says the refinery has shipped around 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African nations.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Dangote refinery hikes exports to ease Africa supply crunch
Nigeria's Dangote refinery has increased gasoline and urea exports to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. Owner Aliko Dangote says the refinery has shipped around 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African nations.
Locals dispute Nigerian army claim of 31 rescued after Easter attack
Residents of a Nigerian community have disputed the army's assertion that it rescued 31 civilians held hostage following a Sunday morning church attack in the north.
The army had said that it freed the civilians seized by gunmen who had raided a church in Ariko, Kaduna state, during Easter celebrations. The authorities said five civilians had been killed, but a local church official put the number of dead at seven.
But the president of the Ariko community association, Joseph Ariko, told the BBC that the captives were still unaccounted for, and asked the army to name the rescued. "As far as we are concerned, all the abducted victims are still with the bandits."
The army has not yet responded.
It had said that soldiers engaged the attackers in a "fierce firefight", forcing them to flee and leave the hostages and the bodies of the dead victims behind.
Attacks and kidnappings for ransom are common occurrences in northern Nigeria, as the country grapples with security threats from jihadist groups and armed gangs, locally known as bandits.
Although the army said it responded swiftly to Sunday's attack, local media report that residents said the gunmen operated for a long time without facing resistance.
On Monday, Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria questioned the rescue claims after speaking with residents.
"Nobody has been rescued… If they are rescued, where did they take them to?" he told the BBC.
As a result of the firefight, officials had said the "fleeing terrorists" had "significant casualties, as evidenced by blood trails along their escape routes".
Troops had also been deployed to hunt the insurgents and reinforce security.
The army urged residents to share information that can support operations against groups fuelling insecurity across the country.
In a separate incident, Nigeria's military killed 65 bandits following an offensive in Zamfara state, the AFP news agency reported on Sunday, days after a large group of bandits abducted residents from villages in the state.
Police had on Saturday confirmed that there had been a mass abduction in villages in the state earlier in the week and a manhunt had been launched.
Late last year, the administration of US President Donald Trump raised concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria - and urged the government to do more to improve security and strengthen protection for Christian communities.
Trump had previously claimed there was a "Christian genocide" under way in Nigeria - an allegation strongly rejected by Nigeria's government, which said Muslims, Christians and people of no faith were victims of attacks.
In February, US troops were deployed to Nigeria to train its forces and help them with intelligence in their fight against Islamist militants and other armed groups.
By Makuochi Okafor and Paul Njie, BBC
The army had said that it freed the civilians seized by gunmen who had raided a church in Ariko, Kaduna state, during Easter celebrations. The authorities said five civilians had been killed, but a local church official put the number of dead at seven.
But the president of the Ariko community association, Joseph Ariko, told the BBC that the captives were still unaccounted for, and asked the army to name the rescued. "As far as we are concerned, all the abducted victims are still with the bandits."
The army has not yet responded.
It had said that soldiers engaged the attackers in a "fierce firefight", forcing them to flee and leave the hostages and the bodies of the dead victims behind.
Attacks and kidnappings for ransom are common occurrences in northern Nigeria, as the country grapples with security threats from jihadist groups and armed gangs, locally known as bandits.
Although the army said it responded swiftly to Sunday's attack, local media report that residents said the gunmen operated for a long time without facing resistance.
On Monday, Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria questioned the rescue claims after speaking with residents.
"Nobody has been rescued… If they are rescued, where did they take them to?" he told the BBC.
As a result of the firefight, officials had said the "fleeing terrorists" had "significant casualties, as evidenced by blood trails along their escape routes".
Troops had also been deployed to hunt the insurgents and reinforce security.
The army urged residents to share information that can support operations against groups fuelling insecurity across the country.
In a separate incident, Nigeria's military killed 65 bandits following an offensive in Zamfara state, the AFP news agency reported on Sunday, days after a large group of bandits abducted residents from villages in the state.
Police had on Saturday confirmed that there had been a mass abduction in villages in the state earlier in the week and a manhunt had been launched.
Late last year, the administration of US President Donald Trump raised concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria - and urged the government to do more to improve security and strengthen protection for Christian communities.
Trump had previously claimed there was a "Christian genocide" under way in Nigeria - an allegation strongly rejected by Nigeria's government, which said Muslims, Christians and people of no faith were victims of attacks.
In February, US troops were deployed to Nigeria to train its forces and help them with intelligence in their fight against Islamist militants and other armed groups.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Nigerian banks raise $3.36 billion in major reform drive
The Central Bank of Nigeria says 33 banks have met new capital requirements under a major recapitalization programme. The exercise raised $3.36 billion, boosting financial stability and strengthening the sector’s ability to support economic growth.
Police arrest Nigerian man over $550,000 scam targeting American woman
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspect over an alleged $550,000 cyber fraud targeting an American woman.
The suspect, identified as Emwanta Smith, was arrested on 26 March in Benin City, Edo State, by operatives working through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, the police said.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon, said the arrest followed a four-day intelligence-led operation conducted between 23 March and 26 March after a formal complaint by the victim.
The police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly posed as high-ranking government officials and other prominent figures to gain the victim’s confidence.
He was said to have subsequently persuaded her to transfer funds via cryptocurrency channels over the period from October 2025 to January 2026.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect used false identities of notable personalities to deceive the victim and induce payments via digital currency platforms,” Mr Okon said.
He said proceeds of the alleged fraud were traced to the acquisition of five vehicles and an uncompleted building in Benin City, which have now been secured as exhibits.
He also disclosed that counterfeit cash valued at $10,000 was recovered from the suspect at the time of arrest.
Mr Okon said investigations are ongoing and reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, particularly schemes that exploit cross-border anonymity and digital financial systems.
By Ekemini Simon, Premium Times
Alleged ‘Fake Prince’ Arrested in Nigeria as Another Apparent Victim of the Romance Scam Comes Forward
The suspect, identified as Emwanta Smith, was arrested on 26 March in Benin City, Edo State, by operatives working through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, the police said.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon, said the arrest followed a four-day intelligence-led operation conducted between 23 March and 26 March after a formal complaint by the victim.
The police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly posed as high-ranking government officials and other prominent figures to gain the victim’s confidence.
He was said to have subsequently persuaded her to transfer funds via cryptocurrency channels over the period from October 2025 to January 2026.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect used false identities of notable personalities to deceive the victim and induce payments via digital currency platforms,” Mr Okon said.
He said proceeds of the alleged fraud were traced to the acquisition of five vehicles and an uncompleted building in Benin City, which have now been secured as exhibits.
He also disclosed that counterfeit cash valued at $10,000 was recovered from the suspect at the time of arrest.
Mr Okon said investigations are ongoing and reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, particularly schemes that exploit cross-border anonymity and digital financial systems.
Pattern of scams targeting Americans
In July 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian police arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Chukwuebuka Obiaku, who allegedly lured an American woman to Nigeria under the guise of marriage and extorted $48,000.
Some cases have had fatal consequences. In October 2023, a US citizen died by suicide after losing his life savings to a romance scam carried out by a network of fraudsters, including Nigerians based in the US and Nigeria.
In February this year, a Nigerian, Afeez Adewale, was extradited to the US to stand trial for offences, including sexual extortion, wire fraud and a death linked to the scheme.
Earlier, in April 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it arrested 22 Nigerian cyber fraud suspects accused of sexually blackmailing and extorting minors in the US.
Edo State has featured prominently in several high-profile cyber fraud cases.
In September 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex in Edo State to American victim Cheryldene Cook, who was scammed by Aisosa Ohue after paying N104 million in a romance scam.
In May 2025, the EFCC traced $30,000 in laundered funds from the activities of an internet fraudster in Auchi, Edo State
In July 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian police arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Chukwuebuka Obiaku, who allegedly lured an American woman to Nigeria under the guise of marriage and extorted $48,000.
Some cases have had fatal consequences. In October 2023, a US citizen died by suicide after losing his life savings to a romance scam carried out by a network of fraudsters, including Nigerians based in the US and Nigeria.
In February this year, a Nigerian, Afeez Adewale, was extradited to the US to stand trial for offences, including sexual extortion, wire fraud and a death linked to the scheme.
Earlier, in April 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it arrested 22 Nigerian cyber fraud suspects accused of sexually blackmailing and extorting minors in the US.
Edo State has featured prominently in several high-profile cyber fraud cases.
In September 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex in Edo State to American victim Cheryldene Cook, who was scammed by Aisosa Ohue after paying N104 million in a romance scam.
In May 2025, the EFCC traced $30,000 in laundered funds from the activities of an internet fraudster in Auchi, Edo State
By Ekemini Simon, Premium Times
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