The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has denied allegations of bribery and unlawful detention published by SaharaReporters.

Officials say the reports misrepresented two investigations involving alleged fraud and impersonation in Abuja.

The NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command said both suspects referenced in the reports were held under lawful court orders while investigations continued.

At a press briefing in Abuja, the Commandant of the FCT Command said the agency responded publicly to prevent misinformation from damaging confidence in the security institution.

“The allegations contained in the said publication are entirely baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts for sensational purposes,” the Commandant said.

He added that the command operates strictly within the law and does not charge money for bail.

“We are a credible institution with zero tolerance for corruption and no amount of money is charged for bail under any guise.”

Alleged fake NYSC member arrested

According to the command, one of the suspects mentioned in the report, Joseph Nanmwa Philips, 27, from Plateau State, allegedly impersonated a member of the National Youth Service Corps.

Investigators say he forged a NYSC call-up letter to obtain placement at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali.

Officials said complaints were filed against him for alleged forgery, hacking and impersonation involving the leadership of the National Mathematical Centre.

“The self-acclaimed NYSC member was arrested by our Kwali Division following complaints bordering on forgery, hacking and impersonation,” the command said.

Authorities said he was arrested on 6 February and transferred to the FCT Command headquarters three days later for further investigation.

The suspect was granted bail on the same day but could not meet the conditions, according to the command.

Officials said they subsequently obtained a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2.

Alleged scholarship fraud

Investigators say the suspect allegedly ran a scheme promising parents Cambridge University scholarships for their children.

According to the command, he cloned university email addresses to send fake confirmation messages to parents.

Officials say he collected money for scholarship registration, textbooks and extra lesson teachers.

“Our investigation revealed that the sum of ₦1.3 million had been fraudulently collected from different parents,” the command said.

Seven parents have reportedly come forward with complaints.

Items recovered from the suspect allegedly include a NYSC uniform, forged documents and records of financial transactions.

Dispute over detention of 69-year-old man

The command also rejected another report claiming it detained a 69-year-old man for 89 days and demanded ₦10 million for his release.

Officials said the case originated from a complaint by a company, TroBell Minerals Ltd, over an alleged ₦217 million fraud.

The suspect was later charged before the Federal High Court, according to the agency.

“Contrary to the claims in the publication, the suspect was not detained for 89 days as alleged,” the command said.

“His custody was carried out in line with the law and pursuant to a valid remand order issued by a competent court.”

The agency also dismissed claims that suspects paid money to obtain bail.

“The allegation that officers demanded a ‘Commandant’s fee’ is entirely false and unfounded.”

Why this case matters

The controversy highlights wider debates about transparency, media reporting and the treatment of suspects by security agencies in Nigeria.

Human rights advocates frequently raise concerns about prolonged detention without trial when suspects cannot meet bail conditions.

Security agencies, however, say court-approved remand orders allow suspects to remain in custody while investigations continue.

Legal analysts say such disputes underline the need for accurate reporting and open communication between institutions and the media.

NSCDC warns organisations

The civil defence agency also warned institutions to verify the identity of individuals claiming to be NYSC members before offering placements.

Officials said the alleged impersonation case demonstrates how forged documents can be used to gain access to organisations.

“If someone could succeed in getting placement as a corps member with fake documents for almost a year, it means others may still be operating undetected,” the Commandant said.

What happens next

Both cases are expected to proceed through the courts.

The NSCDC says evidence gathered during the investigations will be presented during prosecution.

Officials also said the command may consider legal action against individuals or platforms publishing what it described as misleading information.

Police in south-west Nigeria say they have arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered a gun, several mobile phones and cash during a patrol operation in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The operation, carried out by the Nigeria Police Force through the Oyo State Police Command, followed a stop-and-search patrol in the General Gas area of Akobo.

Authorities say the arrest highlights the role of intelligence-led policing in tackling crime across the state.

How the suspect was arrested

Police say patrol officers intercepted a motorcyclist who attempted to flee when he noticed them.

He was later identified as Abiodun Adeyemi Michael, a suspect reportedly known to security operatives.

According to police, the suspect had been on their radar and allegedly operated along the borders of Lagos State, Ogun State and Oyo State.

A search reportedly led to the recovery of a Magnum pump-action gun with six live cartridges, along with multiple phones and other items believed to have been stolen.

Among the recovered items were several iPhones, Tecno devices, Redmi phones, a Samsung Galaxy S10, a Wi-Fi device, wristwatches and ₦130,000 in cash.

Further arrests

Police say the suspect later told investigators he carried out robberies with three accomplices.

The gang allegedly targeted victims around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas of Ibadan, robbing people at gunpoint.

Acting on the information, officers from the command’s monitoring unit and the Akobo division carried out another operation at Access Hotel in the Sawmill area of Iwo Road.

Two more suspects — Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail — were arrested during the raid.

Police say a third suspect, identified only as Lamidi, is currently on the run.

What police say

In a statement, police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the suspects had also admitted involvement in car theft.

He said the gang allegedly snatched a Honda car in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

The state police commissioner, Femi Haruna, has ordered a full investigation.

Police said the case would be transferred to the command monitoring unit for further investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner also directed officers to track down the fleeing suspect.

Why it matters

Robbery attacks in urban areas remain a major security concern for residents in parts of Nigeria.

Security analysts say proactive patrols and intelligence-driven policing can help reduce street crimes such as phone snatching and armed robbery.

Residents in areas like Egbeda and Akobo often rely on police visibility and rapid response to deter criminal activity.

What happens next

Police say investigations are ongoing and the suspects will face prosecution after the inquiry is completed.

Authorities also urged members of the public who recently lost valuables during robberies in the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas to contact the police.

Recovered items will be released to verified owners.

Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the Oyo State emergency response numbers.

Nigeria’s anti-drug agency says it has arrested a former councillor in Lagos after officers recovered large quantities of cannabis from his home.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki, following intelligence linking him to illicit drug trafficking.

The 45-year-old was arrested on 2 March 2026 at his residence in Ilado, in Ibeju-Lekki.

Officials said a search of the property uncovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside one of the rooms.

According to the agency, Olalekan admitted ownership of both the drugs and the house where they were found.

He also confirmed that he previously served two terms as councillor representing the Orimedu community in the local government council and currently works as a legislative aide.

Drugs hidden in baby diapers intercepted

In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a businessman travelling with drugs concealed in baby diapers.

The suspect, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, 32, was stopped on 3 March while travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.

A search of his luggage revealed 1,000 pills of tapentadol (250mg) hidden inside packs of baby diapers.

Investigators said the suspect admitted ownership and told officers he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.

Cameroonian traveller caught with synthetic cannabis

NDLEA officers also intercepted a 36-year-old Cameroonian national, identified as Mey Ali Muhamat, with synthetic cannabis concealed in a standing fan carton.

The arrest was made along the Kabba-Obajana highway in Kogi State on 3 March.

Officials said the suspect was travelling on a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon.

The seized substance, known as Colorado, weighed about 1.55kg.

IED components intercepted in Niger

In another operation, NDLEA patrol teams intercepted 500 components believed to be for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger State.

Officials said the items were hidden in a sack on a commercial bus travelling from Ibadan.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Osama Abdullahi, 21, who was allegedly waiting to receive the consignment in Pelegi, Mashegu Local Government Area.

Security analysts say such seizures are significant because IED components are frequently linked to insurgent activities and violent crime.

Nationwide drug seizures

Other arrests were recorded across several states as part of NDLEA’s nationwide crackdown.

In Adamawa State, officers discovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the false bottom of a truck transporting local drinks.

In Kano State, a suspect identified as Muhammed Ali, 20, was arrested with 11,283 pills of tramadol.

Meanwhile in Ogun State, a raid in Ogere led to the arrest of Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, with 46kg of skunk.

Police in Delta State also arrested two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — with 18.63kg of cannabis, 10.8 litres of codeine syrup, and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.

Farms destroyed in Edo forest

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,910kg of cannabis cultivated on two farms inside the Egbisi forest.

Two suspects — Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49 — were arrested during the operation.

Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was also arrested in Ikhin town in Owan East Local Government Area with 176.5kg of cannabis.

NDLEA urges continued vigilance

The NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers involved in the operations across the country.

He urged personnel to maintain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement with public education.

The agency also said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued during the week, with sensitisation lectures held in secondary schools across states including Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra.

Why this matters

Nigeria has seen a growing crackdown on drug trafficking networks as authorities attempt to curb the spread of narcotics and the criminal networks linked to them.

Security experts say intercepting drug shipments — and especially explosive components — is crucial for public safety and national security.

They also warn that the concealment methods used by traffickers, including hiding drugs in everyday items such as baby products or electronics packaging, show increasing sophistication in the trade.

What’s next

The NDLEA says investigations into the suspects are ongoing and that those involved will face prosecution under Nigeria’s drug control laws.

Authorities say further operations are expected as intelligence-led enforcement continues across the country.