Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Plateau State Police Command has arrested two men suspected to be members of the notorious Sara-Suka cult group that has been terrorising parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Alfred Alabo, who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Wednesday, said operatives of the Command also recovered dangerous weapons and substances suspected to be hard drugs in separate operations aimed at dislodging criminal elements from the state.

Alabo said the raids on criminal hideouts were made following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, aimed at tackling cultism and the abuse of illegal substances across the state.

According to Alabo, one of the arrested suspects, Adam Abdullahi, 18, a resident of Yen Siminti, Rikkos-Jos, was nabbed at Gengere area of Jos North while in possession of a double-edged knife, cult-related attire, and substances suspected to be Crystal Methamphetamine, popularly known as “ice”.

“In a separate operation, operatives from Angwan Rogo Division arrested one Khalifa Yusuf, 20, of Angwan Rimi, Jos, at the 011 Prayer Ground opposite the University of Jos permanent site,” Alabo said.

He added that a knife and some dry leaves suspected to be cannabis were recovered from the suspect.

“The two suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

“The Plateau State Police Command reiterates its commitment to rid the state of cultism and drug-related crimes, and urges residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to security agencies,” the police spokesman said.

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.