The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Joint security team kills 30 bandits in Katsina

    Joint security team kills 30 bandits in Katsina

    • Two soldiers, three policemen, one civilian died

    A joint security team in Katsina State has successfully neutralised 30 bandits during a series of coordinated counter-operations in Faskari Local Government Area.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Muazu, yesterday in Katsina.

    The security personnel, he said, comprised of Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives, military, and the Nigerian Air Force.

    He said the troops engaged hundreds of heavily bandits who simultaneously attacked communities of Kadisau, Raudama and Sabon Layi at approximately 5:00pm on Tuesday.

    “Upon receiving intelligence, the security forces immediately mobilised to the scene. Additional reinforcements from Dandume and the Nigerian Air Force were swiftly deployed to the affected areas. After intense confrontations, our gallant security forces successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to retreat. About 30 criminals were neutralised through the coordinated air strikes while attempting to escape,” he said.

    The commissioner further said, while the government celebrated the bravery of the security personnel, it also mourned the heroes who paid the ultimate price in defending communities.

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    “We lost three dedicated Police Mobile Force personnel: Insp Suleiman Ibrahim, Insp Bello Bala and Cpl. Mohammed Lawal, along with a civilian, Aliyu Sa’adu, from Kadisau village,” Muazu said.

    In Sabon Layi, he said, two courageous soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while Ya’u Aliyu sustained injuries, and was currently receiving medical treatment.

    “On behalf of the government and the people of Katsina State, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of our fallen heroes and the affected communities.

    “Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and their families will receive full government’s support during this difficult time,” he assured.

    Muazu further restated the administration’s commitment to continuing to join hands with the security personnel operating in the state to protect lives and property of people in the state.

    He, therefore, called on all the residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies.

  • Ogbonna was a robber, murder convict, says Ogun govt

    Ogbonna was a robber, murder convict, says Ogun govt

    Ogun State Government yesterday debunked trending reports pertaining one Ogbonna Ogbojionu, who was recently released on Democracy Day, June 12, after spending 21 years in prison.

    These reports claimed that Ogbonna was wrongfully imprisoned for merely buying a stolen generator and that while the real thief – one Segun Ajibade – was pardoned in 2016, Ogbonna was left to suffer for nine more years.

    However, refuting the misleading reports in a statement by Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, the state government dismissed the report as “entirely false.”

    Ogungbade said Ogbonna was convicted of armed robbery and murder on January 14, 2003 by the Ogun State High Court and sentenced to death, adding that the death sentence was, however, converted to a life sentence in June 2021 by Governor Dapo Abiodun in exercise of prerogative of mercy.

    According to the commissioner, Ogbonna was subsequently a beneficiary of the recent prerogative of mercy extended to some prison inmates by Governor Abiodun to commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day.

    Giving insight into what led Ogbonna to prison, Ogungbade said that around 10pm on October 3, 2000, a gang of armed robbers attacked ELF petrol station along Abeokuta-Lagos road and stole a 10 KVA Lister generator.

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    “The armed robbers, including Ogbonna, overpowered and detained the two guards at the fuel station, hit one guard – Yusuf Akanni – with an iron rod on his head and on his leg, breaking his femur in the process. They also hit the second guard – Moses Bankole – on the head with an iron rod as well, and bound both guards. Bankole died on the spot, while Ogbonna and his accomplices made away with a Lister generator.”

    He warned that the attempt to sanitise Ogbonna’s conduct with falsehoods and recreate him as a victim does fresh injustice to the victims of his crime.

    Ogungbade added:  “Ogbonna’s crime hobbled a business, terrorised Akanni Yusuf, and killed Bankole. These victims or their relations remain today and attempts to sanitise Ogbonna’s conduct with falsehoods do fresh injustice to the victims. Those who, in a misguided quest for justice, are recreating Ogbonna as a victim will do well to remember Bankole – the true and irredeemable victim of Ogbonna’s crime. If Ogbonna is truly reformed, he should silently and gratefully enjoy his freedom and pursue honest pursuits. Presently, his honesty is highly doubtful, and the world is hereby notified.”

  • NAPTIP arrests hotel manager, two others for human trafficking

    NAPTIP arrests hotel manager, two others for human trafficking

    • Warns hotel operators against aiding perpetrators
    • We sleep with 20 men daily, says victim

    Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Katsina State Command, have arrested three suspected members of inter–state human trafficking syndicates who specialise in recruiting, harbouring and trafficking young girls from other parts of the country to the northern region for sexual exploitation.

    The suspects were arrested in a prominent hotel in Katsina town with three suspected victims of human trafficking who were rescued during the raid.

    The manager of the hotel and two other workers were arrested.

    A statement yesterday by the Press Officer of NAPTIP said the victims who are between the ages of 21 to 26 are from Benue and Rivers states.

    The agency stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were believed to be the major suppliers of victims to brothels, notorious centres, and some neighbouring countries.

    The rescued victims were found in a small room located within the hotel complex, while the traffickers were in another well-furnished room within the same compound, relishing the proceeds of the exploitation.

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    The victims claimed that they were deceived, recruited, and trafficked to Katsina with a promise of a legitimate job, only to be forced into prostitution against their will.

    A victim said: “A woman who promised to give us a job when we got here introduced us to prostitution. We sleep with at least 20 men a day, and all the money we get goes to the chairlady of the place, Amarachi. We have no choice but to sleep with 20 men a day. Even when we are on our monthly period, we are being forced to sleep with the same number of men. Even when we are sick or tired, they will force us to sleep with them.

    “They said it is not their business to know how we feel, but to engage in prostitution. They give us a fearless energy drink each to take every evening so that we can have energy to work, be awake to sleep with the men, and get money for them. They take all the money we make and leave us to feed ourselves”.

    The victims said the traffickers, in addition to taking their money so that they would not be able to escape, also paid some men to keep an eye on them.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed worry over the activities of some hotels and centres across the country that harbour victims of human trafficking, saying that the hotel in question shall be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the trafficking law.

    “I wish to commend the Operatives of NAPTIP in Katsina for the raid and rescue of the victims. Their stories are painful and sad. They were deceived, recruited, trafficked, and forced into prostitution. While they are facing horror every day from prostitution, their traffickers were somewhere within the same hotel, feeding fat on the proceeds of the exploitation. It is also important to reiterate our earlier warning about operators of hotels aiding and abetting the exploitation of victims of human trafficking in their facilities. We have commenced a legal process to determine the next execution order for the hotel. The law shall definitely take its course.”

  • LAUTECH working with police to unravel student’s death

    LAUTECH working with police to unravel student’s death

    Authorities at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) yesterday said it is working with the police to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a 300-level student of Agricultural Engineering of the institution, Ridwan Oladipupo which occurred off-campus.

    A statement by the institution’s Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Balogun, the authorities expressed sadness over the mysterious death of the promising young man.

    According to the Registrar, despite the fact that “the University is non-residential, it has a composition of all security agencies that carry out surveillance operations in the student dominated Off Campus areas, every night.”

    She noted that from the information available, the deceased left his off-campus hostel to go to an undisclosed location to study on June 24.

    Mrs Balogun further stated that when the Acting Dean, Student affairs of the Institution was contacted by the police DPO at Owode Divisional Police the following day on the discovery of a corpse, the identity could not be ascertained by the residents of the area or students after which the corpse was moved by the police to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital mortuary.

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    She said: “Efforts made by the Police and the Dean, Student Affairs to ascertain whether the deceased was a LAUTECH student did not yield much as neither students nor residents of the area could identify the body as at that time…It was gathered that the deceased’s father showed up at his Off Campus hostel on June 29, accompanied by a Police Officer and the occupants of the hostel were interrogated. Until now, however, there is still no official representation before the university.

    “While stating that the University is saddened by the death of the student, the Registrar maintained that the matter is before the Owode Division of the Nigerian Police Force and the University will not want to jeopardize Police investigation.”

  • Police arrest man stealing goods from moving truck

    Police arrest man stealing goods from moving truck

    Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a 47-year-old man, Taiwo Hassan, for allegedly stealing goods from a moving truck transporting cargo out of Lagos.

    Hassan was apprehended in the Costain area while allegedly offloading stolen goods from a moving truck into a separate vehicle.

    The arrest followed weeks of intelligence-led surveillance and efforts by the RRS to clamp down on a syndicate believed to be responsible for coordinated thefts targeting transit trucks, especially those coming from the Apapa port axis.

    According to preliminary investigations, Hassan is part of a criminal gang that specializes in looting goods from trucks at night while the vehicles are in motion or briefly stationary in traffic.

    The stolen goods are typically transferred into waiting vehicles without the knowledge of the truck drivers.

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    Items recovered from the suspect at the scene include a Toyota Sienna vehicle loaded with 10 cartons of Top Café 3-in-1 coffee, seven Littmann Classic II stethoscopes, medical textbooks, doctors’ manuals, and two pouches of surgical theater kits.

    Hassan’s accomplice, identified as Sheriff, managed to flee the scene upon sighting the police operatives.

    Confirming the arrest, Commander of the RRS, CSP Shola Jejeloye, stated that the suspect will be arraigned in court. He added that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplice and other members of the gang.

  • Three pupils, one rider die in Ibadan road accident

    Three pupils, one rider die in Ibadan road accident

    At least four persons were confirmed dead while some others suffered varying degrees of injury yesterday when a truck loaded with granite crashed into a commercial motorcycle popularly known as Okada.

    The victims – three pupils of Prospect High School, Idi-Ayunre and one motorcyclists – lost their lives in an accident which occured along Abanla-Idi-Ayunre road, Oluyole Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred when the truck overran the Okada that is carrying the deceased pupils to school.

    The commercial motorcyclists and two students were said to have died immediately while the third student was eventually pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

    The truck driver, it was gathered, reportedly ran away.

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    The situation, it was gathered led to a pandemonium as angry pupils blocked the road and demanded justice.

    Emotions ran high as other commercial motorcyclists and residents joined in solidarity, condemning the recurring danger posed by heavy-duty vehicles on the route.

    Chairman of the council, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, who came to the scene alongside the police and other security agencies, assured the community of immediate and long-term actions.

    While expressing deep sorrow over the loss of young lives, he condemned the recklessness of some trailer drivers operating in the area and commercial motorcyclists in their rush for quick money.

    He explained that if the commercial motorcyclists had adhered to all necessary traffic rule including the number of passengers allowed, the rider would have been able to navigate and maneuver his way to prevent the ghastly accident from occurring.

    He assured the families of the students that justice will be served on the case as the council would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the driver was found and brought to book.

    He also assured that the construction company that owns the truck would be made to compensate the bereaved family.

  • Tabitha-Abimbola foundation feeds over 300 Lagos households to mark 2nd anniversary

    Tabitha-Abimbola foundation feeds over 300 Lagos households to mark 2nd anniversary

    As part of its continued commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, the Tabitha-Abimbola Foundation has distributed essential food items to over 300 households in Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, in celebration of its second anniversary.

    The outreach, tagged “Project Feed,” initially aimed to reach 200 households. However, in response to increasing need, the foundation expanded its support to over 300 families, providing critical food relief to those most affected by economic hardship.

    Speaking at the event, the Foundation’s Founder, Abimbola Agbebiyi, stressed that the organisation prioritises meaningful impact over numbers.

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    “At the Tabitha-Abimbola Foundation, we are not driven by numbers. We are more particular about the impact made on the lives of the people we serve,” she said.

    The intervention is the second in a series of three projects planned to mark the foundation’s anniversary. With a core mission to support vulnerable families—especially women and children across Nigeria and Africa—the foundation continues to tackle issues related to food insecurity, education, and healthcare through its outreach programmes.

    For many beneficiaries, the food support came at a critical moment.

    “I have four children and things have been very hard. This food means we don’t have to go hungry for the next few days,” said Mrs. Grace Oladele, a widow and resident of the Ifako-Ijaiye area.

    Another beneficiary, Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf, a father of three, said. “I lost my job late last year and feeding my family has been a daily struggle. This support came just when I was losing hope.”

    It’s not just about the food, it’s about knowing that someone out there still cares,” added Mrs. Esther Ajayi, a single mother and small-scale trader.

    The foundation’s efforts were met with deep appreciation from local residents, community leaders, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure smooth distribution.

    The Tabitha-Abimbola Foundation is a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable families through strategic humanitarian interventions in areas such as nutrition, education, and health. Since its inception, the foundation has impacted thousands of lives across Nigeria, with a vision to expand across Africa.

  • Monarch hails Sanwo-Oluover road

    Monarch hails Sanwo-Oluover road

    The traditional ruler of Dopemuland in Agege Local Government, Lagos State, Chief Shuaib Afogunlowo and other Baales have lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu for inaugurating the Sanwo Olu Road, formerly known  Dopemu Road.

    They extolled the governor on his achievements in various areas.

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    Meanwhile, the Agege and Dopemu communities hailed the groundbreaking of the MKO Abiola International Market, formerly Abiola Market, Agege, led by its Chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi.

    In another development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate in Agege Local Government, Alhaji Tunde Azeez (a k a Disco) and his running mate, Abdul Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, have visited the monarch to seek his support ahead of the councils poll on Saturday.

  • Customs seizes undeclared currencies worth N653.9 million in Kano

    Customs seizes undeclared currencies worth N653.9 million in Kano

    Besides other penalties, the suspect, Ahmed Salisu, who was intercepted at the Aminu Kano International Airport with foreign currencies valued at N653.9 million will forfeit the proceeds, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said yesterday.

    Comptroller of Customs, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, and the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Command, Ibrahim Shazali, at a joint briefing in Kano, accused the suspect of violating Section 3 of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 as well as Section 55 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

    The law requires travelers with currencies or other negotiable instruments in excess of 10,000 United States Dollars to declare to Customs and where a person fails to make such declaration, they shall be arrested.

    Customs said Salisu -a Kano indigene with Ghanian passport (G5347658), who arrived the country from Saudi Arabia onboard Ethiopian Airline at about 12:15pm on Monday, declined to declare his currencies when reminded by the agency officials.

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    But acting on intelligence, the suspect and his luggage were searched and the currencies recovered included 420,900 USD; 3,946,500 CFA Francs (XOF); 224,000 CFA Francs (XAF) and 5,825 British Pounds Sterling.

    “The total amount of interception in Naira is valued at N653, 987, 268.

    “It is important to mention that the ever-changing dynamics of these criminals presents a challenge to law enforcement. The concealment of these huge amounts of currencies in cartons of clothing represents the height of desperation to distract attention,” the comptroller said.

    Comptroller Abubakar added that: “Terrorists acquire weapons, machinery and other logistics to inflict harm on our citizens without which they cannot operate. Therefore, as our law enforcement agencies take on the fight to the criminals, we must also seek to cut the very oxygen that sustains the crime which is the financing.”

    The suspect and exhibits were handed over to the EFCC Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali, for further investigations.

    Shazali described the crime as “illegal cash smuggling,” noting that “attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour.”

  • OPay partners OOU in N1.2b 10-year scholarship scheme

    OPay partners OOU in N1.2b 10-year scholarship scheme

    One of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, OPay, has announced Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) as the ninth beneficiary of its landmark N1.2 billion 10-year scholarship scheme.

    This shows OPay’s unwavering commitment to education and youth empowerment in Nigeria.

    Over the next 10 years, 20 students of the institution will receive N300,000 every year to cover their tuition and other academic-related expenses through the scholarship scheme. OPay is thus empowering students to focus on their studies, develop their potential, and pursue their dreams without financial constraints.

    Speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing event, the Chief Public Affairs Officer at OPay, Mr. Justin Zhang, highlighted the need to empower Nigerian youths through education.

    He said: “Olabisi Onabanjo University is the ninth university we have partnered with this year to give scholarships to 20 students of the institution every year. Thank you for the warm welcome. We believe this initiative will allow talented students to focus on their education.”

    OOU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, expressed gratitude on behalf of the institution.

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    He said: “We have had several students take gap years to come up with funds to continue their education. With this scholarship initiative, some will be able to continue their education without any hassle.

    “OPay’s investment in this institution is not misplaced as Olabisi Onabanjo University has produced several notable and influential persons across various industries in Nigeria. Thank you, OPay.”

    As OPay continues to expand its scholarship initiative to more universities across Nigeria, students from various regions can look forward to benefiting from this life-changing initiative.

    The scholarship scheme reaffirms OPay’s dedication to unlocking multiple potentials and creating a brighter future for Nigerian youths.