The Oyo State Government has dismissed reports alleging that it paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the claims as false and misleading. The state government, in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said no payment had been made to the abductors either directly or through any intermediary. Oyelade described the reports as baseless, accusing unnamed bloggers of spreading misinformation capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents. He stated that both the Oyo State and Federal Governments had continued to work with…
Author: Adeboye
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, allegedly stole more than N7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge before the commission recovered the funds within hours. Olukoyede made the revelation on Friday during the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye. According to the EFCC chairman, the judge contacted him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts indicating that money saved over several years for her child’s education had been withdrawn from her account.…
Former Secretary to the Benue State Government, David Salifu, has died from gunshot injuries sustained during an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi highway. Salifu, who served under the administration of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State. It was gathered that the former government official was travelling from Wukari to Makurdi on Thursday when armed men intercepted his vehicle on the outskirts of Wukari. Sources said the attackers ordered him to step out of his vehicle and board a motorcycle. However, he was reportedly shot after questioning their…
A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of N150 million linked to a serving member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government. The ruling was delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, who granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after finding no sufficient reason why the funds should not be forfeited. The court held that the money would remain in the custody of the Federal Government, noting that no credible evidence was presented to challenge the commission’s request for permanent forfeiture. The order followed an earlier interim forfeiture…
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the remand of two Katsina State residents accused of providing support to bandits pending the commencement of their trial. The defendants, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, were arraigned on charges bordering on alleged involvement in activities said to contravene the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act. According to the prosecution, Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was allegedly recruited in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in the area. The prosecution maintained that the alleged offence violated Section 13(a), (b)…
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers over an attack on members of the National Youth Service Corps at the Corpers’ Lodge within the Specialist Hospital, Jimeta, Yola. The suspects were arrested in connection with allegations of criminal conspiracy, possession of dangerous weapons, criminal trespass and armed robbery. The command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday. He identified the suspects as Elkana Ishaya, 17, of Clarck Quarters, Jimeta; Mubarak Abubakar, 22, of Galadima Street, Jimeta; Musa Umar, 30, of Samunaka; and Kabiru Tanko, 20, of Galadima Street, Jimeta. According to the…
A fire outbreak in the early hours of Friday ravaged sections of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, destroying several shops and goods valued at millions of naira. The inferno, which affected the market’s herbal products section, left many traders counting their losses as flames consumed merchandise before firefighters brought the situation under control. As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, while the Oyo State Fire Service had not issued an official statement on the incident. A trader, who identified herself simply…
A Magistrate’s Court in Bauchi State has convicted two men for burglary and theft after they broke into a residence in Bauchi Local Government Area and carted away mobile phones, cash and other valuables. The Bauchi State Police Command disclosed the conviction in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, who said the incident occurred about a month ago. According to the statement, the suspects, identified as 28-year-old Iliyasu Musa and Ibrahim Isah, both residents of Baluwa Village, were arrested following a complaint by a resident whose home was allegedly burgled. The police said the suspects…
The Gombe State Police Command has rescued an eight-year-old boy abducted in Akko Local Government Area of the state and arrested four suspects allegedly linked to the crime. The victim was rescued unharmed during an intelligence-driven operation and has since been reunited with his family, while the suspects are expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of investigations. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday. According to the statement, the child’s father, Muhammadu Nabadara, reported the incident at the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28 after his son left home at about…
A 50-year-old traditional worshipper, Muritala Shodiya, has died after reportedly setting himself ablaze in Adebiopon Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The incident threw residents of the community into shock as the victim allegedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before igniting the fire. Residents were said to have rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames and evacuated him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” was widely recognised in the area for practising Ifa divination. He had reportedly operated in Ijaye…