The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annexe, Alagbon, Lagos, has announced two major operational breakthroughs in its intensified efforts to combat cyber-enabled crimes, intellectual property violations, arms trafficking, and the smuggling of prohibited items into Nigeria.
AIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla, who heads the FCID Annexe, disclosed the developments during a media briefing, reiterating the Department’s commitment to safeguarding national security and strengthening the country’s creative economy.
The FCID successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated piracy and cyber-fraud syndicate responsible for uploading, selling, and distributing pirated Nollywood films online.
The operation began after FilmOne Entertainment Limited petitioned the police, reporting that their film Owambe Thieves had been uploaded illegally on TikTok on 23 August 2025. The suspect demanded ₦1,000 from viewers who wanted access to the full pirated film.
Investigations revealed that the suspect sourced the film from an illegal website, edited clips for TikTok content engagement, and sent the full movie to buyers via WhatsApp for a fee. He admitted selling the pirated film to more than 50 individuals and confessed to being involved in the piracy of several other Nollywood films, including Farmers Bride, Thinline, and Alakada Bad and Bourjee.
A forensic analysis of two seized mobile devices provided substantial evidence, including distribution lists and copies of pirated films shared through WhatsApp and Telegram.
Financial forensics on the suspect’s OPay account showed inflows of ₦7.6 million and outflows of ₦7.61 million between 20 August and 29 October 2025, indicating significant earnings from piracy and other cyber-enabled offences. The suspect has since been charged in court.
In a separate major operation, operatives of the FCID Annexe intercepted a consignment containing 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition concealed inside a Nissan Frontier pickup. The discovery followed credible intelligence received by the AIG.
The truck driver, Nelson Peretei, was arrested and questioned. A search of the container conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and those suspected to be the intended receivers revealed the concealed ammunition along with two Toyota Sienna vans, one Nissan Frontier pickup, a SCION XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, several bales of used clothing (popularly known as Okirika), cartons of vegetable oil, and assorted household items.
Five suspects were arrested. Investigations linked the shipment to Mrs Maria Adeyemi, a Nigerian resident in the United States, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and other contraband items in the bill of lading. Further inquiry uncovered an attempt by a man claiming to be a retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, to take responsibility for the ammunition through a third party, though investigators say he failed to provide any verifiable personal documentation.
According to the FCID, the illegal items were strategically concealed among legitimate goods to evade port security. None of the ammunition or contraband was listed in the shipping documents.
The Department is expanding its investigation to trace the origin and intended destination of the ammunition and to determine possible links to larger arms-trafficking networks. It is also working with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure full prosecution under the Firearms Act and other relevant laws.
AIG Ochalla reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to disrupting cybercrime networks, protecting Nigeria’s creative and economic sectors, combating arms trafficking and contraband smuggling, and strengthening public safety.
She urged Nigerians to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing security operations.
