The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Fani-Kayode decries false narratives on Sokoto bombings

    Fani-Kayode decries false narratives on Sokoto bombings

    Former Minister of Aviation and ambassador-designate, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the claims in some quarters that the recent precision air strikes carried out by the United States on insurgents in parts of Sokoto State was carried out by the U.S. without the knowledge of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the Federal Government.

    Fani-Kayode said the narrative was put out by the New York Times to belittle, demean, embarrass and debase the Nigerian and the U.S. governments and their intelligence-gathering capabilities, describing it as puerile and childish.

    According to the paper, the airstrikes were based on intelligence provided by a civilian source rather than official Nigerian channels.

    But Fani-Kayode argued that it was implausible for the U.S. government to rely on information from a private individual using online mapping tools to conduct a military operation.

    He said such an action could only have been taken on the basis of intelligence supplied through formal collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian security agencies.

    He described the newspaper’s account as misleading and damaging, accusing it of attempting to undermine the credibility of both the Nigerian and U.S. governments and their intelligence-gathering capabilities.

    Fani-Kayode said Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had clarified that the operation was carried out in coordination with Nigeria’s Armed Forces and intelligence services.

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    He added that he personally spoke with the minister shortly after the strike, during which Tuggar confirmed that the intelligence used for the operation was provided by the Nigerian government and outlined the events leading up to it.

    Fani-Kayode rejected the report as inaccurate and unprofessional, reiterating that no nation would permit such a military action without intelligence cooperation.

    He said: “Anyone that honestly believes that the U.S. government based its intelligence to bomb parts of Sokoto State on the intel supplied by an Onitsha-based screwdriver-seller who used Google map to source his information and not on the intel supplied by the Nigerian intelligence services must have a low self-esteem and a low intelligence quotient.

    “I respectfully urge such a person to get sense.

    “No country will allow its country to be bombed in the name of fighting ISIS or anyone else on the words of an Onitsha utensils trader and neither would the Americans take such a precipitous and consequential course of action on the words of such an individual.

    “The Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has made it clear that the Americans took the action in collaboration with our Armed Forces and Intelligence agencies, and that the intel they used to do so was given to them by our government.

    “I spoke with him 10 minutes after the bombing took place and he not only assured me of this but also provided me with details of the build-up to the event.

    “The New York Times story can best be described as not only fake news but also nothing but a hefty load of disingenuous and infantile hogwash and the paper is better washed down the toilet.”

  • Reports of abduction of over 100 Kaduna villagers false, say CP, council chair

    Reports of abduction of over 100 Kaduna villagers false, say CP, council chair

    Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, has described the reported Kidnap of over 100 worshippers at Kajuru, as falsehood being peddled by conflict merchants who want to cause chaos.

    Addressing reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House yesterday, the Police Commissioner challenged anyone to list the victims.

    Rabiu warned rumour mongers to desist from trying to derail the peace in Kaduna, threatening that full wrath of the law will be visited on such merchants of falsehood.

    Also, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, said when he heard rumour of the attack, he mobilised the police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.

    ’We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said there was no such attack.

    ‘’I also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona who was interviewed by the press men that accompanied me, and he said that no such thing happened.’’

    ‘’So, I challenge anyone to name the people that were kidnapped and I have been waiting for this list and no one has come forward with a name.

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    ‘’I believe that the rumour of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration,’’ he added.

    He advised the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, adding that they should report any suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agents.

    The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home, Sule Shauibu(SAN) said the CAN chairman and other religious leaders have interacted with the people of the area where the so-called kidnap occurred.

    ’They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,’’ he said, assuring that ‘’Kaduna State Government has zero tolerance for criminality.’’

    Earlier, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab had confirmed abduction of 163 worshippers by terrorists in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Hayab yesterday said he received a call from the CAN chairman in the affected area, informing him that worshippers were abducted from Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2 during Sunday services.

    According to Hayab, the attackers stormed the churches while worship was ongoing, shut the gates and forcefully marched the congregants into the surrounding bush.

    He said eight of the abducted persons later escaped, but as of Monday, 163 worshippers remain in the custody of the terrorists.

    “Security officers are already on top of the matter. We commend their efforts and urge them to do everything possible to rescue our brothers and sisters safely and unhurt in good time,” Hayab added.

  • Police inspector kills colleague, injures another in Rivers

    Police inspector kills colleague, injures another in Rivers

    An Inspector of Police, Victor Okus, attached to the 17PMF, has shot and killed his colleague, Inspector Ibrahim Sani, in Rivers State.

    in a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chief Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development, describing it as tragic and distressing

    Iringe-Koko said the incident occurred last Sunday, adding that the suspect also injured another colleague identified as Inspector Daniel Dauda.

    Describing the.dead as a dedicated officer, the statement said the suspect, Okus, who was on special duty at Intels, Onne, had been arrested and was in police custody.

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    According to the Unit Commander (U/C) 14 PMF, Deputy Superintendent of Police Turaki Hassan, the incident occurred about 1320hrs at Next Cash and Carry Supermart, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, where both Inspectors attached to 14 PMF, Yola, were on duty with military personnel.

    The statement said: “Okus allegedly shot his colleagues, on the head and neck regions. The injured officers were promptly rushed to Nopsam Hospital for treatment, where Inspector Sani succumbed to his injuries, while Inspector Dauda is still receiving medical treatment. The body has been deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary, Port Harcourt for preservation and autopsy.”

    The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has ordered an investigation into the incident.

    The police boss said the suspect would face an Orderly Room Trial and subsequently charged to court for prosecution.

    The CP advised officers that handling of firearms on duty was a serious responsibility and not a routine task, adding that it was crucial to prioritise their safety and that of others to prevent potential tragedies.

    He extended his condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, and their friends and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability in the force.

  • Protest rocks Ondo health college over alleged extortion, poor facilities

    Protest rocks Ondo health college over alleged extortion, poor facilities

    Academic activities were yesterday paralysed at the Ondo State-owned College of Health Technology, Akure, following a protest by students over alleged extortion and poor infrastructure within the institution.

    The students barricaded the main entrance of the college as early as 8 a.m. to protest what they described as deplorable facilities, lack of basic amenities and incessant levies imposed by the management.

    However, the management of the college led by Dr Emoruwa Oluwanbe denied the allegations of the students.

    Displaying placards with inscriptions such as “We Are Tired of This Wickedness,” “Health Tech With Poor Environment,” “Stop Extortion Now,” and “No Solution, No Exams,” the protesters also set bonfires and chanted solidarity songs.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, Adeola Ibiroke said they had endured years of hardship due to the absence of potable water, poor internal road network, epileptic power supply, and other essential facilities

    Ibiroke alleged that despite the prevailing economic hardship in the country, the management continued to impose what she described as unnecessary levies on students.

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    “There are no basic amenities in this college. There is no water or steady electricity. The classrooms are dilapidated, there are no functional laboratories and no hostels, yet the management keeps demanding money from us without considering our struggling parents.

    “The management has turned this school into a money-making machine. They even encourage some lecturers who demand money for textbooks and assignments,” she said.

    She added that repeated attempts by the students to engage the management through dialogue had failed, forcing them to resort to protest.

    An academic staff member of the college, who spoke anonymously, expressed sympathy with the students, describing their demands as reasonable.

    “The management ought to have listened to the students. Their welfare should be a priority. The Ondo State Government also has a major role to play because it controls about 80 per cent of the policies here. I am confident that the students will eventually be invited for dialogue,” he said.

    The Rector of the college, Emoruwa Oluwanbe, denied the allegations, stressing that the state government had intervened and called for a meeting.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, have visited the institution to address the situation.

     Ajaka, who met with the school management and the Students’ Union leadership to restore peace and assess the students’ complaints, assured the students of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to improving the health sector in the state.

    He also stressed that students’ welfare and a conducive learning environment would remain a priority.

    The commissioner, however, urged the students to embrace dialogue rather than protest, assuring them that their concerns would be looked into and addressed.

  • Police file charges against blogger

    Police file charges against blogger

    The Ogun State Police has filed a six-count charge against the blogger, Adetoun Onajobi, also known as @justadetoun, who is on the run, following a complaint lodged against her by the state government.

    In a statement, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, said the internet personality, has for years been accused of bullying, harassment, and using offensive language against individuals online.

    The controversy escalated after boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in an accident in Ogun. Adetoun allegedly posted videos claiming that there was no ambulance service in the state and further accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of being in Ghana partying and impregnating women instead of attending to the boxer’s welfare.

    Ogungbade described the claims as false, malicious, and misleading, stressing that the state has multiple state-owned and state-supported ambulances. He added that the allegations posed a public safety risk by misinforming residents about available healthcare resources.

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    As a result, the state reported Adetoun to the police for alleged violations of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

    The police reportedly invited her for questioning on January 5, this year, after issuing a notice on January 2. However, she failed to appear and allegedly went into hiding, despite earlier boasting that she had evidence to substantiate her claims.

    Even while in hiding, she reportedly released another video claiming she was ill and unable to honour the police invitation. Subsequently, her lawyer submitted a letter to the police attaching a medical report from a Lagos-based doctor, stating that she was  indisposed.

    Police investigations later indicted that the medical report was fraudulent. The doctor who authored it allegedly confessed that he never met, examined, treated, or revived Adetoun, contrary to the claims in the report.

    The doctor has since been arrested, charged, and remanded for fraudulent medical documentation and obstruction of justice, while investigations continue to identify other accomplices. Adetoun remains at large.

    Ogungbade questioned why someone who claimed to possess evidence could not present it to law enforcement or publish it publicly, adding that forging medical records raises serious concerns about her credibility.

    The statement further alleged that Adetoun had previously bullied a woman sweeping an estate in Lagos and unlawfully filmed and shared images of the woman’s underage child on social media.

  • 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello said the agency secured the conviction of 93 human traffickers and rescued 120 trafficked children last year.

    She also said the agency intercepted over 2,500 potential victims of human trafficking who were deceived, recruited, and trafficked for exploitation within and outside Nigeria.

    The DG, according to a statement by the agency’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, stated this while reviewing its activities in the previous year.

    She said NAPTIP will review its counter trafficking strategies and policies to enhance effective operations and tightening the noose on human traffickers in the year.

    She stated: “The year 2025 was unpleasant for human traffickers in the country. We outsmarted the traffickers and their antics, and this resulted in the impressive number of convictions we recorded. The agency recorded 93 convictions. This is remarkable, bearing in mind what it takes to prosecute and convict one trafficker.

    “In 2025, NAPTIP went after a number of the so called high profiled trafficker, while scores of them were smoked out of their hiding, arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, others are still under close watch. Among the high-profile traffickers were some popular operators of orphanages and care homes across the country whose alleged nefarious activities were busted, and over 120 suspected trafficked children were rescued.

    “In the same vein, NAPTIP, in collaboration with international partners and stakeholders, rescued over 370 Nigerian victims of human trafficking from Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others.”

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    On measures put in place to continue the fight against trafficking, Bello stated: “As unpleasant as the year 2025 was for the traffickers, I wish to point out that a real hard time awaits them in the year 2026. We have deliberately scaled up our operations to address the evolving challenges and trends. Specifically, we shall increase our collaboration and cooperation with other sister law enforcement agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and other categories of stakeholders.

    “We shall also increase synergy with actors within the three levels of government, as well as other non-state actors, including the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), to enhance grassroots surveillance and detection of human trafficking.

    “We shall also seek improved relationships and support from the legislative arm through the National and state assemblies, the Executive through the governors and their spouses, and the Judiciary.

    “While we sincerely appreciate the support of all in the year 2025, we assure that NAPTIP shall continue to go after the human traffickers and make 2026 unbearable for them to operate in Nigeria through awareness and enlightenment programmes across Nigeria, with special attention on the unreached locations and villages to reduce their vulnerability and build their resistance to the antics of the traffickers and prosecution.

    “Just a few days into 2026, we secured the conviction of three human traffickers, and more will end up in jail unless they desist from their unlawful acts and criminality”.

  • Police advisory

    Police advisory

    The Lagos Railway Police Command, Ebute-Metta has advised the public, especially those with abandoned vehicles around the city, to report at Apapa Railway Police Station for identification and claims within 14 days.

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    The vehicles are: one unregistered green and white Mack Truck head and one Navy blue Villager Space bus with registered number plate:GP 645EKY, pursuant to a magistrate’s court order.

  • How woman, six children were killed in Kano

    How woman, six children were killed in Kano

    In Chiranchi, Dorayi area of Kano, noon became darkness. It was on Saturday, 17 January that the blood chilling incident unfurled.

    The heinous killing of a mother and her six children shattered the Dorayi community known for its close-knit bonds, warm and peaceful routines.

    Kano state is stiff stunned, as hearts are heavy with questions hanging.

    Malam Bala Abubakar, a neighbour had pulled off his clothing to bathe when frantic shouts ripped the air. 

    He heard screams for help, a cry of “Umar, please don’t kill me.” Abubakar said he rushed out, towel still on, and joined other neighbours who had already poured into the narrow lane.

    “Some labourers painting a new building adjacent to the affected home also heard the earsplitting cries and rushed out. They alerted people that “something wrong is going on in that house.” The Ward head Ahmad Ya’u Yahaya (Gidan Kwari) also rushed to the scene.

    “Together, we rallied to render help,” another eyewitness said. But it was too late. The killers had accomplished their mission. What they saw was a scene of horror. The canvass of blood was wide. 

    Thirty-five year-old mother, Fatima Abubakar, her first and second daughters Maimuna, 17, and Aisha, 16, alongside four sons:  Bashir, 13, Abubakar, 10, Faruk, 7, and Abdulsalam -a 1 year-old baby were all massacred in cold blood.

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    The killers invaded at 12:10 pm when the husband Haruna Bashir had gone to the market, witnesses said.

    “The attackers used a sewing machine head to smash and rip open the skulls of the victims. It was an unbelievably gory sight,” Abubakar told The Nation on Monday.

    Next, the neighbours swarmed the slaughter house, held the doors, and called the police.

    The children before the incident 

    Officers, prompted by Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, arrived swiftly, combing the premises in a sting operation. One of the suspects hidden in a toilet was seized for what would later be a lead to the rest.

    The dead were taken to the hospital, but none was saved.

    Soon, a funeral was held, according to Islamic rites, during which some of the perpetrators mingled with the mourners. They disguised as sympathisers at the funeral, unaware that the watchful eyes of detectives were tracking every of their moves. They were also arrested.

    Police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa gave the names of the three killer-suspects as Umar Auwalu, 23, Isyaku Yakubu, 40, and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, all from Kano.

    One of them, Umar Auwalu, is a nephew to the slain mother who had begged him to spare her before he sniffed life out of her.

    The arrest of the killers, now in police custody, is a slight measure of relief to Kano people who spoke to The Nation on Monday, many calling on Governor Abba Yusuf to sign their death warrant if sentenced by the court.

  • FG, Osun govt train 100 youths, corps members on digital skills 

    FG, Osun govt train 100 youths, corps members on digital skills 

    The Federal Government, in partnership with the Osun State Government, has trained 100 youths and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in key digital skills aimed at boosting employability, innovation and youth participation in the digital economy.

    At the flag-off of the training at the SDGs centre Dagbolu, Osogbo on Monday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sustainable Development Goals, Bamikole Omisore, explained that the 6-month training was aimed at empowering the youths of the state freely by the Federal government. 

    Omisore, who was represented by the Director of Administration SDGs office, Mr Adeyeye Adebanke said, the initiative was targeted at empowering youths with the in-demand technology training to make themselves self-sufficient economically.

    According to him, “The training is targeting the undergraduates, unemployed and others who are interested in system networking installation. We have a total of 100 youths participating in the training, they were selected randomly based on the educational background and interest in technology growth.

    “This is within the mandate of the SDGs goal 4; quality education, goal 8; decent work and economy growth. It is expected that at least at the end of the programme the participants would have enough knowledge of networking and they will be able to stand on their own and be part of the State’s development process”.

    Similarly,  the resources tech representaive from Fluid click solutions, Professor Segun Aina said the firm was hired by the Federal Ministry of Education, TVET project to develop special manpower for the growing digital sector in the country.

    He added that the 100 beneficiaries from Osun were drawn in conjunction with the Sustainable Development Goals office for training in system networking installation.

    “We are to train our students on digital skills and the sector we are basically focusing on is the network system installation majorly networking. The training is going to go for six months, four months training and two months internship.”

  • JUST IN: Ogun police arrest suspect over Destiny Boy’s death

    JUST IN: Ogun police arrest suspect over Destiny Boy’s death

    The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with the death of popular Afrofuji singer Destiny Boy, whose real name is Adesina Afeez.

    The 22-year-old artist was known for blending Fuji sounds with modern music.

    News of his death broke on Sunday after distressing videos showing his body being conveyed to a mortuary circulated widely on social media, sparking grief and speculation over the cause of his death.

    In a statement via X, the police said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Homicide Section, for further investigation.

    “The Ogun State Police Command has since commenced investigations into the death of Adesina Afeez, aged 22 years, popularly known as Destiny Boy.

    “The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Homicide Section, for detailed investigation. One suspect is currently in custody while investigations are ongoing”, the statement reads.

    Destiny Boy rose to fame in 2019 with his Fuji-style cover of Davido’s hit song “If” and went on to release several popular tracks, including “Lamba,” “One Transaction,” and “Gbese.”

    He welcomed his first child with partner Iremide in November 2024.