Fraud Alert : Cloned ATM cards, documents in circulation – Police warns Nigerians

The Commissioner of Police, Anti-Fraud Unit, Federal Criminal Investigation Intelligence Department (FCIID) Ikoyi- Lagos, Mr Dan Okoro, on Thursday raised alarm over many cloned certificates and ATM cards in circulation.

Okoro spoke while briefing newsmen in Lagos on the discovery of some cloned certificates by a syndicate, which specialised in printing fake documents of banks, government and corporate organisations.

He said that the syndicate had been using the cloned documents to defraud banks, government, corporate organisations and individuals, stressing that some bank officials were collaborating with the suspects for the crime.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that among documents cloned by the syndicate included that of the CBN, presidential clearance certificates, IMF and court documents.

“I advise members of the public against cloned certificates, ATM cards and other important documents currently in circulation. I want members of the public to keep their pin numbers, passwords and ATM safe.

“We have some documents recovered from one suspect arrested. We are investigating the documents and some bank staffers allegedly collaborating the syndicate.

“It is only the bankers that have details of every deposit in the bank. Our investigation revealed that some bankers give information to the syndicate on how much customers have in every account.

“The syndicate cloned documents and transferred such money to another account, particularly, accounts with ATM cards are their easiest target.

“Many crimes are going on in different banks, unfortunately, the bank management will not allow the public to know about it because they want to keep their customers trust,” he said.

Okoro said the unit was able to detect some of the documents through the assistance of a foreign cyber security firm based in Lagos using forensic analysis equipment to unravel the identities of the syndicate members.

He noted that cyber crime was a global challenge, stressing that the unit was synergising with the foreign firm for capacity building for officers and men in the unit.

The commissioner said the suspect arrested was currently in the hospital after he collapsed during search of his house and many incriminating materials, including hard drugs were discovered.

“The suspect is a web site designer. He designed many of the cloned documents. We are on the trail of other members of the syndicate,” Koro said. - DAILY POST

Federal Govt. to support PENGASSAN’s e-library project

President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government wIll support the N1. 5 billion digital Library and Event centre project of the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The president gave the assurance at the 40th Anniversary of PENGASSAN in Abuja, on Thursday.

The President was represented by the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

He said that the government was happy with the role the union had been playing for the growth of the sector and the country at large.

“We are going to support the N1. 5 billion E-library and Event centre project that you want to build.

“This is the only way we intend to support your youth empowerment programme,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government recognises the role and contribution of Technology sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

According to him, the idea of the digital library is a step in the right direction.

He noted that PENGASSAN as the pioneer labour union in the country had exhibited an exceptional character in facilitating normalcy in the downstream sector.

He added that the association had made various sacrifices and contributed in building up the sector, especially in ensuring NNPC reform, Local Content, and regulation of contracts.

“You have been working together with NNPC, the ministry and have ensured steady supply of products and had helped in abating proposed strikes,” he said

In his address, PENGASSAN president, Mr Francis Johnson, said that the union since inception had contributed majorly to the growth and development of the nation.

He said that the E-library and Event centre project was one of the union’s move to ensure youth empowerment and job creation.

He said that library will be located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, adding that apart from employment, it would help the growth and development of the oil and gas and other sectors of the economy.

Johnson said that PENGASSAN had been in the struggle that brought democracy into the country and had continued to support the government.

He called on Nigerias to ensure they participate in the 2019 general elections and also vote for credible leaders.

Also, in his remarks, Dr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director of NNPC also commended the union for showing interest in sustainability and management of business in the sector.

“This commitment has helped in active production and enhancement of workers’ salaries and growth of the economy.

“The contribution you made in the Petroleum Industry Bill (BIP) cannot be over-emphasised and I want you to continue in the good work,” he said.

Baru noted that N1.5 billion E-library and the Event centre was a good project as it shows good combination and balancing in carrying out your work.

“While the E-library is an intellectual property, the event centre helps one to relax the body.

“This completely aligned with the NNPC life balancing style that helps to enhance productivity,” he added

The union honoured some of its members that had contributed to the struggle and had done well for the sector. - PM NEWS

Houses burnt, people killed as violence breaks out in Kaduna community

Houses got burnt while some lives were lost during a religious conflict in Kasuwan Magani community, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state, on Thursday evening.

A resident of the area told TheCable narrated what led to the violence via telephone.

He explained that a young man, who was caught stealing in the market, was being beaten when some youths belonging to the same religious group with the suspected thief, rose in his defence and started attacking those were beating him.

“What happened was that somebody was caught stealing in the market and he was being beaten, then suddenly some youths (belonging to his faith) started attacking those who were beating the thief,” he said.

“The whole thing turned to a religious fight between Muslims and Christians. They started using dangerous weapons to attack each other and setting houses ablaze.

“A number of people were also killed. Security personnel have been deployed and the situation is under control.”

The Kaduna state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the community.

In a statement, Samuel Aruwan, media aide of Nasir el-Rufai, the governor, said the action was taken to prevent further break down of law and order.

A similar incident had occurred in February when Christian and Muslim youth in the community fought following the alleged abduction and conversion of some Christian girls.

At least 15 people were killed during that incident while property worth millions of naira was destroyed. - THECABLE

PL NEWS : No regrets on transfers - Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham have no regrets over the club's failure to make any signings in the summer. 

Following comments from chairman Daniel Levy at a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust during the week and despite having a raft of injuries this month, Pochettino insists he is pleased with the squad he has got.

Speaking ahead of the game at West Ham on Saturday, the Tottenham manager said: "Look I told you from day I am never going to charge the walls of my boss. He's my boss, he's the owner of the club.

"It was difficult to sign the players that we needed, that was impossible and I am happy with the squad that we have, 25 players, we have no regrets and we are happy.

"When we started the season with three wins and we were top of the table I think people were talking in a different way and saying how clever Tottenham were to keep all their squad from last season.

"I have to remind everyone this is our best start after eight games. The perception changed when we lost to Inter Milan and Barcelona in the Champions League but we have one more point than last season.

"I am not happy with that because we are fifth in the table and the ambition is to be on the top but at the same time we are realistic after all the circumstance we suffered in the summer with the World Cup and everything.

"But we keep fighting and we are very close to the top of the table."

Tottenham will have Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele back for their London derby at West Ham.

Eriksen has missed the last four games with an abdomen injury while Dembele has been struggling with a thigh problem.

Dele Alli (hamstring), Danny Rose (groin) and Jan Vertonghen (hamstring) all continue to miss out.

Pochettino believes the international break came at a good time and revealed Alli and Rose will still be out for another 10 days.

"It was a good time for us because we are going to recover a few players like Christian and Mousa Dembele.

"Still maybe 10 days more for Dele Alli and Danny Rose is the same, one week more.

"Jan Vertonghen is a little bit longer. But the most important thing is that we start to recover players. It will be a tough month of competition for us.

"There are a lot of games ahead and it's so important to have nearly all the squad fit to compete and play and to give options to rotate and share the games because it will be tough, the months we have ahead.

"We have seven games in one month, in four weeks, and it's so important to have all fit to compete and to give the level that we want." - SKY SPORTS

ALERT: Beware of drugs imported from China — they may contain human parts

The South Korean ministry of food and drug safety has cautioned Nigerians against the use of drugs imported from China, as they may contain human remains.

The ministry issued this warning in a memo dated October 12 and directed to the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other agencies including the ministry of health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the national security adviser (NSA) also received the memo.

According to the memo seen by TheCable, South Korean customs service intercepted 2,751 drugs containing human remains imported into the country by some suspected Chinese nationals.

The drugs are alleged to boost stamina and cure diseases including cancer and diabetes.

The memo said the South Korean ministry discovered the drugs to contain millions of viruses which could prove harmful to human health.

It therefore called on the NIA and the other agencies in the country to warn Nigerians to be mindful of drugs imported from China.

The agency also called the attention of mail delivery services in Nigeria to be at alert and monitor cargoes with drugs coming into the country.

“The South Korean Customs Service, on 30’” September, 2018, revealed that it had seized two thousand, seven hundred and fifty-one (2,751) Chinese drugs/capsules, containing human remains from foetuses, infants and flesh imported into the country by some Chinese nationals,” the memo read.

“The manufacturers claimed that the drugs/capsules can boost stamina, cure cancer, diabetes and some other terminal diseases. The capsules were smuggled in suitcases and through international market.

“South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug safety indicated that eighteen billion, seven hundred million (18.7 million) viruses, including hepatitis B virus, were found in the capsules.

“It stressed that the making of the human remain drugs and consuming them are crimes against humanity, which can also lead to serious health challenges.

“The Agency is monitoring the situation for detailed information. However, it is Important for all relevant health regulatory agenc1es In Nigeria, especially the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, NDLEA and SON, to sensitise Nigerians of this development and warn them of the inherent dangers of patronizing drugs imported from China.

“The Customs Service, NIPOST and other mail delivery services, should also step up monitoring of cargoes and packages with drugs imported into Nigeria.”

When TheCable contacted NAFDAC, Abubakar Jimoh, its spokesman, confirmed that the agency is in receipt of the memo.

Jimoh, however, said there was no cause for alarm as all relevant departments were at alert.

He added that NAFDAC was on top of the situation, while urging Nigerians not to panic.

“First and foremost, we are in receipt of the letter from the NIA. The director general, professor Christiana Moji Adeyeye, has given an instruction, a marching order to the director of ports inspection, to the director of pharmacovigilance and post market surveillance, to the director of investigation a and enforcement,” Jimoh said.

“These are the three major directorates in NAFDAC. They are in charge of policing the environment. The ports director is to police all the points of entries to ensure that nothing comes in. The post marketing surveillance, in case by chance, anything comes in, they are the ones combing the market. The investigation is to get ready and arrest anybody who happens to be involved.

“So, this is the modus operandi. It is not just about this alert, every other alert, whether we get it from NIA or from ordinary Nigerians. This is not the first time we are getting such either from the NSA’s office or the NIA or at times, the SGF. So, all government agencies concerned are involved in this.”

TheCable also reached out to John Achema, NDLEA spokesman, who said the agency is only concerned with illicit drugs.

Achema said he could not confirm if NDLEA received the memo.

Efforts to reach Joseph Attah, NCS spokesman, proved abortive as he did not pick calls.

This is not the first time that the east Asian country is raising alarm on such drugs. In 2012, South Korean custom officials said they discovered thousands of pills filled with powdered human flesh imported into the country from China. - THECABLE

Mechanism might help eradicate HIV virus – Scientists

Spanish Scientists have pointed out that certain mechanisms associated with stem cell transplants might help eliminate the HIV virus from patients.

Spanish Scientists, working jointly for the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute in Barcelona and the Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid made this known.

In the latest report published by IrisCaixa this week, the investigators based their conclusion on evidence that the HIV virus (which causes AIDS) was eliminated from the blood and tissue of six patients after they underwent a treatment involving the transplant of stem cells.

The IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute is a non-profit biomedical investigative organisation, which has been working since 1995 in order to find a cure for AIDS.

“Certain mechanisms associated with stem cell transplant that might contribute to HIV reservoir eradication, after 5 patients who received a stem cell transplant have undetectable HIV reservoir and HIV antibodies are no longer found in one of them,’’ confirmed the organisation on its official website,

“The findings could “serve for the design of less-invasive HIV cure strategies”.

The institute believed this could be another step forward in the search to find a cure for AIDS.

The research further explained that the next stage will be “performing a clinical trial that combines new immunotherapies with medically supervised removal of antiretroviral drugs in some of these patients, in order to know if there is viral rebound and confirm whether the virus has been eradicated from their bodies”. - PM NEWS 

Police arrest seven kidnappers in Kebbi

The Police Command in Kebbi State has arrested seven suspected kidnappers in different parts of the state.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru, stated this in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, adding that the suspects were found with cutlasses and a gun.

He said, “The suspects armed themselves with a gun and cutlasses, kidnapped their victims on 2nd October, 2018 but the victims were rescued and reunited with their families.

‘’The two suspected armed robbers were also arrested when they attempted to rob two persons, Umar Muhammad and Usman Umar from Bahagu village of Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.

‘’The victims were attacked and robbed of their motorcycle worth N120, 000 on Oct. 13.

“On the receipt of the reports, the police swung into action and arrested the robbers, all from Bagudu local government area. The case is under investigation,” he said.

Kabiru said the command also succeeded in smashing a syndicate that specialised in stealing mobile phones in the state.

The Commissioner of Police added that the suspects and their collaborators were arrested in different parts of the state after they broke a shop in Argungu Local Government Area and stole 58 different handsets. - DAILY POST

Fake presidency staff arrested

The Police Command in the FCT has arrested Abubakar Abdullahi, 42, for allegedly impersonating as a staff of the State House under the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

DSP Anjuguri Manzah, Spokesman of the command, who made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that the suspect was arrested on Oct. 4 following a compliant by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Manzah said that his accomplice, Salishu Abdulrasheed, 24, who assisted him to produce the forged document was also arrested in Kaduna state.

He said that items recovered from the suspects include seven forged State House documents written to some government agencies and departments and a fake ONSA card which contains the suspect’s photograph.

He said that following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police Monitoring and Mentoring Unit, carried out a discreet investigation that led to the recovery of some forged letters.

Manzah said that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

He advised government and private agencies to always do a thorough background check on documents, especially on those soliciting for any kind of favour. - DAILY POST