Tech
Somalia–Sudan Axis: Alleged Saudi Support Through Mercenaries and Weapons
Recent media and military reporting has drawn attention to what appears to be a shared pattern of militarisation and arms transfers in Somalia and Sudan. The common denominator, according to coverage, is Saudi involvement through financing, weapons deliveries, and the deployment of foreign personnel in both states.
PM News traces this linkage in its latest analysis.
In Somalia, the focus has been on activity in Galmudug State. PM News reports that a Saudi military delegation visited two training camps in the Guri Jabal area of Galguduud region last June, where Riyadh is said to be funding a broader training programme.
Separate local accounts allege that Saudi Arabia recruited mercenaries from Romania, Ukraine, South Africa, and Colombia through unofficial channels. The stated purpose was to train forces aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, at a time when his administration faces mounting domestic opposition.
Officials say 5,107 Somali soldiers are currently in training, including 2,000 recruits drawn from Somalia’s Northeastern State. The programme is set to last nine months. What has raised concern is the suggestion that some of the foreign trainers may later be moved to Sudan to support the Sudanese army and allied groups.
Tensions in Somalia spiked in the first week of June after clashes between federal forces and armed factions opposed to an extension of President Mohamud’s term. His constitutional mandate expired in May. Meanwhile, militant groups including Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS remain active across several regions.
According to PM News, Africa Intelligence reported in February that Sudanese officers led a covert mission to train Somali militias. The report said “a team of Sudanese military personnel trained 1,000 Somali recruits in Galmudug State” under the oversight of intelligence structures linked to the presidency.
In Sudan, the allegations mirror those in Somalia. Gulf Post, citing Intelligence Online, said imagery and intelligence gathered in Kyiv indicated the use of howitzers on Sudanese battlefields after Saudi Arabia delivered the systems between 2023 and 2024.
Intelligence Online also stated that Ukrainian mercenaries trained artillery units of the Sudanese Armed Forces under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and allied Islamist elements on how to operate the equipment.
The same outlet reported that Saudi Arabia shipped three batteries of 155mm M777 artillery systems, plus large stockpiles of ammunition, to the Sudanese army during 2023 and 2024. Evidence from 2023 allegedly shows Ukrainian fighters operating towed M777s in terrain consistent with Sudan, based on architectural and vegetation markers. The documents are described as the first direct evidence tying Saudi-supplied systems to operations in Sudan.
The overlap has drawn regional attention. SudanLeaks quoted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed making remarks that echo international assessments about the Sudanese army and its allied militias using foreign fighters and mercenaries from several African countries.
According to SudanLeaks, Abiy’s comments align with reports that Muslim Brotherhood-linked militias in Sudan, including the Al-Baraa ibn Malik Battalion which is affiliated with the Islamic Movement and under U.S. sanctions, have stepped up recruitment of mercenaries from Ethiopia and other African states. The group is also said to be using Iranian and Ukrainian personnel.
Foreign
US Releases List, Photos of 5 Nigerians Popular Alleged Yahoo Boys Facing Deportation
The United States Government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has updated its public register of online fraudsters (Yahoo boys) slated for deportation.
Among the list of 124 Nigerians flagged on the portal are five notorious, well-known cyber fraudsters whose identities, photographs, and criminal profiles have been officially published.
The database, known as the “Worst of the Worst” (WOW) portal, highlights some Nigerians who have been convicted of major federal crimes and are prioritised for deportation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Legit has collated a detailed report on the five popular Nigerian fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) who are now awaiting deportation, including a former Forbes-celebrated businessman.
1. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi)
Perhaps the most famous name on the deportation list is Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi. In 2016, Okeke was celebrated internationally, even making the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs.
However, his empire crumbled when the FBI arrested him for masterminding an $11 million global cyber-intrusion and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme. His team successfully hacked the email systems of Unatrac Holding Limited, a heavy machinery supplier, to divert massive payments.
Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in a US federal prison in 2021. Following his release from custody, he was transferred to ICE and placed on the priority deportation list.
2. Oriyomi Aloba
Oriyomi Aloba carried out one of the most unusual cyberattacks on the list by targeting the US justice system itself. Aloba successfully hacked into the Los Angeles Superior Court computer system.
He then hijacked the court’s servers to send over 2 million malicious phishing emails to unsuspecting recipients, aiming to steal credit card details and personal identity data.
In 2019, US federal authorities sentenced him to 145 months (over 12 years) in prison. He has now been officially listed on the DHS portal for deportation to Nigeria.

3. Chibundu Anuebunwa
Chibundu Anuebunwa specialised in high-level corporate impersonation to swindle international companies. Anuebunwa was a key player in a transnational cyber fraud ring that ran a $2.5 million BEC scheme.
The crime team specialised in spoofing and hacking corporate emails to impersonate high-ranking executives, tricking companies worldwide into executing fraudulent wire transfers. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison in 2023. His profile and photo are now active on the US deportation registry.
4. Quazeem Adeyinka
Quazeem Adeyinka was part of a team that exploited US government emergency funds during the global pandemic crisis.
Adeyinka participated in a wire fraud conspiracy that used stolen identities to file fraudulent claims for COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme successfully siphoned over $2.2 million from US taxpayer-funded relief programs.
He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and has been marked on the priority list for deportation.
5. Olaolu Alabi
Olaolu Alabi used stolen pandemic relief and corporate fraud proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle before his arrest. Operating out of Owings Mills, Maryland, Alabi was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
He defrauded individuals and businesses of over $1.5 million using stolen identities to claim pandemic relief. Alabi personally pocketed at least $500,000, some of which he spent on a luxury trip to Hawaii for himself and his friends. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison and is now awaiting repatriation to Nigeria on the DHS list.
While the US Government has published their names and photographs, the DHS has not released specific deportation flight dates. Under US law, each individual’s deportation will be processed systematically as they complete their prison sentences or exhaust their remaining legal options.
-Source: Legit
Tech
BREAKING: Tinubu Finally Names Those Behind Oyo Kidnap
On Friday, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Ansaru terrorist group was behind the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This statement followed the confirmation of the safe rescue of the victims by the presidency.
In his statement, President Tinubu expressed gratitude for the successful recovery of the pupils and teachers, highlighting the importance of this achievement for Nigeria.
He commended the security forces for their courage, discipline, and professionalism in securing the safe return of the victims.
Furthermore, President Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to combating terrorism, assuring that Nigeria will not yield to threats.
He emphasized the government’s role in protecting the citizens and maintaining peace throughout the country.
“Tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks.
“The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed. No ransom was paid. No concession was made.
“I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible.
“To those who seek to spread fear through terror, know that the Nigerian state will pursue you relentlessly. We will protect our people, defend our communities, and never relent until peace and security prevail across our country,” President Tinubu wrote in the statement released on 𝕏.
Tech
Presidency Announces Arrest of Eight Oyo Kidnappers, Others Killed
The Presidency has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been arrested, while others were killed during the rescue operation.
According to the Presidency, the arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), with no concessions granted to secure the victims’ freedom.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the disclosure in a follow-up post on his verified X handle on Friday, shortly after announcing the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
He also dismissed claims that the Federal Government agreed to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a suspected kingpin, stating that the individual remains in custody and is facing prosecution over terrorism-related offences.
He wrote, “Updated: in the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon.”
Onanuga said security agencies would provide a detailed account of the operation in due course.
Tribune Online reports that the abduction had sparked fear across the affected communities after armed men invaded the schools and nearby areas, taking away pupils, teachers and other residents.
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