Tragedy Strikes Benue Community: Over 15 Residents Killed in Bandit Attack.

A devastating attack by bandits has left more than 15 residents dead and several others injured in Anyiin community, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The community, hometown of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was invaded on Wednesday at 6:32 pm, with the attackers shooting indiscriminately for three hours.

According to community leader Joseph Anawah, over 20 heavily armed bandits carried out the attack, leaving many dead, injured, and others missing. Among the victims were retired primary school supervisor Orihundu Ati and Zaki Mbatern, son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave.

Anawah, a former aide to Suswam, expressed concern that the sheer number of attackers overwhelmed local security forces. This marks the second attack in October, prompting Anawah to urge the state government to collaborate with the Federal Government to enhance security in the region.

Key Facts:

– Date of Attack: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
– Time of Attack: 6:32 pm
– Duration of Attack: 3 hours
– Number of Attackers: Over 20
– Number of Deaths: Over 15
– Injuries: Several
– Missing Persons: Unaccounted for

Alex Igbaya, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security and External Affairs, confirmed the attack and deployment of security personnel, including military units, to the area. However, Benue State Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene stated that she had not received details on the incident.

University of Port Harcourt Final Year Student Sentenced to 14 Years for Internet Fraud.

Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final year student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison for internet fraud by Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, I found that the sentence was actually two years imprisonment on each of the seven counts, or an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Ekanem was found guilty of obtaining money under false pretense and impersonation, specifically for defrauding Diana Roskov of $22 by pretending to be Coran Capsha, manager of singer Chris Stapleton. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in September 2024 for internet-related offenses.

The judge ordered the forfeiture of all phones recovered from Ekanem, considered proceeds of crime, and required him to sign an affidavit of good behavior before the court. This verdict is part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat internet fraud in Nigeria, with similar cases resulting in prison sentences and fines for convicted fraudsters.

Two Internet Fraudsters Sentenced to Two Years Imprisonment Each in Port Harcourt.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Emmanuel Wisdom and Donald Etege, to two years imprisonment each for impersonation and obtaining money under false pretense. Justice S. Pam handed down the verdict on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them on separate one-count charges.

The Charges:

– Donald Etege was accused of obtaining $1,500 from Lisa Ricks by pretending to be a Bitcoin trader.
– Emmanuel Wisdom, also known as Sam Freidrich, was accused of obtaining $1,200 from Tony Grozdan by pretending to be a cryptocurrency trader.

 The Verdict:

Both defendants pleaded guilty, and Justice Pam sentenced them to two years imprisonment each or an option of fine of N200,000 payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the phones recovered from them, being proceeds of crime, and directed them to depose an affidavit of good behavior before the court.

This verdict is the latest in a series of efforts by the EFCC to combat internet fraud in Nigeria. Similar cases have been reported in the past, with convicted fraudsters receiving prison sentences and fines.

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