An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Isa Makwarari, was on Tuesday brought before Magistrate Court No. 53 sitting at Normansland, Kano, over allegations bordering on the unlawful disposal of government and community lands. The Kano State Police Command accused the cleric of participating in the illegal sale of parcels of land said to belong to the government and host communities, an act the police described as a breach of extant land administration regulations. The case was presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad Datti. At the proceedings, counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defence was not ready to proceed,…
Author: Adeboye
Wives of detained operatives of the Osun Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, seeking royal intervention for the release of their husbands. The women, who described their visit as a last resort, carried placards bearing messages appealing to the monarch’s influence as the spiritual and cultural head of the Yoruba race. Some of the inscriptions highlighted the hardship faced by their families since the detention of the operatives. Addressing journalists, one of the protesters, Mrs Omolola Adedokun, urged the Ooni to use his…
Operatives of the Department of State Services have released an Ogun State–based pastor, Kayode Olawoye, and two of his associates following widespread public criticism over their detention. Olawoye, who recently gained attention on social media for repeatedly highlighting the deplorable condition of some roads in the state, was taken into custody on Monday after honouring an invitation from the DSS. A family source confirmed his release to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday night, saying the cleric and the two men who accompanied him regained their freedom after spending more than 24 hours in detention. The pastor’s detention had earlier triggered concerns…
The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of the founder of Rollo Life of Christ Brethren Ministry, Bishop Gideon Osazee, over allegations of sexual abuse involving two biological sisters said to be minors. The sisters, aged 13 and 17, were reportedly victims in the case, while authorities disclosed that four other young females have also lodged similar complaints against the cleric. Osazee was taken into custody by state officials after days of discreet surveillance Edo arrests cleric over alleged abuse of two sisters The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of the founder of Rollo Life of Christ…
At least six students are feared to have lost their lives following a boat accident in the Buruku River, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred on Monday night when a wooden boat conveying passengers back to school reportedly capsized while crossing the river. Findings by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday indicated that the boat was heavily overloaded, a factor eyewitnesses blamed for the mishap. A maritime worker at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the students had delayed their journey after politicians returning from a church thanksgiving in Logo were ferried first. According to…
No fewer than 31 civilians have been killed in a fresh armed attack on a community in western Niger, close to the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, local sources confirmed on Tuesday. The assault occurred on Sunday in Bosiye village, located in the Tillaberi region, a volatile area within the tri-border zone where Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali meet and where armed groups have remained active for years. Residents said the attackers stormed the village and opened fire, leaving dozens dead and several others injured. A community member told AFP that 30 people were killed instantly, while one of…
In fulfillment of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment and self-reliance, the Ondo state government has graduated over 200 women trained in various vocational skills. The training, tagged “O’Datiwa Skill-Up a Woman Initiative,” marked the first batch of the skill acquisition programme and covered six different trades aimed at enhancing women’s economic stability and vocational capacity. Speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony held on Tuesday at The Dome in Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s resolve to prioritize the welfare of women, youths and other vulnerable groups across the state. Represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, the governor…
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has assured the people of Akungba in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state of government’s continued commitment to infrastructure development, security and educational advancement in their community. The Governor, while playing host to the Alale of Akungba, HRM Oba Isiaka Oseni Adu JP, congratulated the people of Akungba and the entire Akoko South-West Local Government for their unity and cooperation with government, acknowledging their appreciation of ongoing projects in the area. He noted that the achievements recorded so far in Akungba, particularly in infrastructure and security, represent only part…
A pregnant woman abducted alongside her daughter by gunmen in Kyaram community, Garga District of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, has reportedly delivered her baby while being held captive, days after her husband was killed during the attack. The National Secretary of the Kanam Development Association, Shehu Kanam, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists. According to him, the woman went into premature labour after receiving information that her husband, Umar Rufa’i, had been shot dead by the attackers who invaded their home in the early hours of Sunday. Kanam said the gunmen stormed the family residence…
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a legal practitioner, Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu, in connection with a shooting that occurred during a masquerade outing in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, resulting in one death and injuries to eight others. The incident, which happened in the early hours of Monday along Sambo Street, reportedly followed a confrontation between youths participating in the masquerade display, the lawyer, and personnel of the Nigeria Forest Guards Security Service. Confirming the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said…