{
  "id": 6106317,
  "title": "Police SFU probes alleged billions of dollars fraud in Nigeria’s oil, gas sector",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/police-sfu-probes-alleged-billions-of-dollars-fraud-in-nigerias-oil",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T05:18:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/07/police-sfu-probes-alleged-billions-of-dollars-fraud-in-nigerias-oil-gas-sector/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) in Lagos, Nigeria, has launched investigations into alleged financial fraud totaling billions of dollars within the country's oil and gas industry. This probe was initiated following complaints from Nigerians and intelligence gathered from various networks regarding potential scams, possibly the largest in the nation's oil and gas sector.\n\nOne case being examined by the SFU stems from a petition submitted by an anti-corruption organization alleging the inflation of a contract by over $90 million. However, sources claim that the investigation has caused some to attempt to obstruct the process, including filing petitions against the Commissioner of Police in charge of the SFU and officers handling the case. Investigators, according to sources, have also refused bribes allegedly offered by a key participant in the suspected fraud, leading to blackmail and a petition against the Police Service Commission (PSC).\n\nAn NGO has threatened to bring the investigation to the attention of the National Assembly and the United States Senate, alleging links between some of the companies under scrutiny and the United States. The NGO argues that the PSC should not interfere with the police's operations and should focus on promoting officers and disciplining errant personnel rather than meddles in ongoing investigations.\n\nAnother significant case handled by the SFU involves a $617 million fraud linked to an indigenous oil company. The company was given a project in 2018 to boost crude oil production, followed by an expansion contract, despite the fact that work on the initial project was yet to commence. Sources claim the investigation uncovered allegations that some vendors connected to the project were owned by the promoter of the indigenous oil firm, who allegedly diverted the funds through a scheme known as a \"cash call.\" The money, according to sources, was then distributed among some officials and the company, resulting in under-reporting of crude oil production and a loss of government revenue.\n\nThe SFU is also set to begin an investigation into alleged crude oil theft worth over $3 billion, though specific details of this case are not yet available. The growing number of cases being handled by the SFU is attributed to the unit's experienced and professional leadership under CP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, who was recently appointed as its head. Officers familiar with the unit's work praise it as one of the police's leading units in investigating economic and financial crimes, and they believe that the Inspector-General of Police made a correct decision in appointing an experienced investigator to head the unit.",
  "summary": "The Police Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Ikoyi, Lagos, has opened investigations into alleged financial fraud running into billions of dollars in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The investigation was reportedly triggered by complaints from concerned Nigerians and intelligence gathered by various networks over alleged fraudulent activities described as potentially one of the biggest scams in […] Police…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}