The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Death sentence for three over murder, possession of human parts in Osun

    Death sentence for three over murder, possession of human parts in Osun

    A 47-year-OLD commercial motorcyclist, Muyideen Tunji, and his two friends, Yusuf Muslim(48), and Rabiu Fatai(55), have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo, for killing a 53-year-old widow for money ritual.

    The trio were arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2022, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts, contrary to Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

    The convicts pleaded not guilty.

    During the trial, the prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, informed the court that Tunji invited the deceased, Asiata Yekeen(a widow), to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the pretext of paying her the money he owed her.

    Akintayo stated that, upon Asiata’s arrival, she met Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai in the house, they strangled her shortly after, dismembered her, and buried the remains in a shallow grave behind Tunji’s house after severing vital body parts.

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    He continued: “The case was reported to the police and the Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo by Mr. Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman when efforts to reach the deceased failed. Witnesses who saw the deceased enter Tunji’s house, who is an Okada rider, also alerted security operatives.

    “Subsequently, Tunji fled upon learning that security operatives were searching for him and hid at the residence of Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai, allegedly taking some human body parts of the deceased along with him.”

    The defence counsel to the three convicts, J. D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade argued that the prosecution’s evidence was hearsay and urged the court to dismiss the charges.

    But, Akintayo called six witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits, including the convicts’ confessional statements.

    Justice Sodamade held that the prosecution proved its case beyond doubt and found the defendants guilty on the counts.

    The convicts were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, death by hanging for murder, and five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of human parts.

  • All 183 rescued Kurmin Wali worshippers back from captivity

    All 183 rescued Kurmin Wali worshippers back from captivity

    •We refused to politicise their pain, focused on bringing everyone back, says governor
    •Victims: we trekked for six days, tortured, fed with corn

    All the 183 worshippers have been rescued from captivity, the Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said yesterday.

    They were abducted during a church service at Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on January 18.

    At the emotional reception, held in Kaduna Government House, which brought together top security chiefs, government officials and community leaders, the freed victims were reunited with state authorities.

    Visibly relieved, the governor described the moment as “a day of joy for Kaduna State,” declaring that the safe return of the abducted worshippers vindicated the quiet but relentless efforts of the government and security agencies.

    He said the incident came as a shock, especially after what he described as over two years of sustained collaboration between the state government and security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

    According to him, once the abduction occurred, the state mobilised all relevant security formations and stakeholders with an objective – to ensure that every single victim returned safely.

    Sani said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu followed developments from day one, calling repeatedly to express concern and provide leadership support.

    He commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for working with the state to coordinate the rescue.

    The governor praised the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Nigerian Army, Police, and other security formations for what he called exceptional collaboration throughout the operation.

    “For us in Kaduna, even one person abducted is unacceptable. That is why we refused to join issues or politicise the situation. Our focus was to bring everyone back alive,” he said.

    Providing a breakdown, he said 183 persons were initially abducted, 11 were released earlier and hospitalised, 83 regained freedom days ago, while the remaining 89 were rescued on Wednesday.

     “Today, we would not be sitting here if even one person was still missing. I can say without contradiction that all those abducted have returned,” he declared.

    He said he had requested the establishment of a military base around the Kajuru–Kachia axis, particularly around the Rijana general area on the Kaduna-Abuja corridor.

    He said the President had given assurances that the request would be granted to strengthen security presence in the flashpoint.

    Read Also: Electoral Act: Senate failed Nigerians, Opposition parties allege

    Sani added that the government had started the construction of a road linking Kurmin Wali to the main road, alongside plans to build a hospital and a skills acquisition centre for the community.

    He stressed that the victims would undergo medical examinations and psychosocial care in Kaduna before reunification with their families.

    The governor urged citizens to support security agencies, noting that the personnel risk their lives daily to protect communities across the state.

    He assured that the state government would continue to work with grassroots leaders, religious leaders and security agencies to prevent a recurrence.

    Chairman, the state Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Caleb Maaji, said: “We are grateful because not some of them returned, but all of them returned. We thank God and appreciate the government and security agencies.’’

    Some of the rescued worshippers narrated their ordeal to reporters, saying that they were forced to trek for six days into the forest to the kidnappers’ camp, tortured and survived mainly on corn and pap.

    The reception ended with prayers, relief and emotional scenes as the freed worshippers prepared to begin medical and psychological recovery under government care.

  • Alia vows to safeguard Benue communities

    Alia vows to safeguard Benue communities

    •Katsina govt visits victims in Faskari council

    The Benue State government has ordered an increase in security measures in communities across the state following a series of bloody attacks.

    Speaking to The Nation in a telephone interview,  the Chief Press Secretary, Sir Kula Tersoo, said Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed the deployment of additional security personnel to affected  and all rural communities as part of measures to secure the life and prosperity of the people.

     Tersoo stated that the governor’s directives have led to the reinforcement of Mobile Police, soldiers, and troops from Operations Whirl Stroke and Special Forces Battalion.

    Tersoo emphasised that the governor had mobilised resources to ensure community safety, stating: “The life of every Benue citizen matters, and I will ensure that this administration puts an end to these brutal killings.”

    Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has dispatched the Deputy Commissioner to lead a tactical team to the troubled Abande community, which was attacked by suspected herdsmen, resulting in 17 deaths and burnt houses, though the police have confirmed four fatalities, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

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    Also, the Katsina State government has visited victims of Faskari banditry attacks to assess the area where about 25 persons were said to have been killed by suspected bandits on Tuesday.

    The government’s delegation was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Garba Faskari, accompanied by dozens of heavily armed military personnel.

    The SSG, who is also from the council area, met with community leaders to convey government sympathy over the attack, assess the extent of damage, with the view of providing possible government assistance.

    Prayers were offered during the visit for the repose of the souls of the deceased persons, while N500, 000 was given to each of the families of the victims.

    The state government assured affected communities that security would be boosted in the area to forestall future attacks.

    The bandits in their numbers Tuesday afternoon, attacked Doma community, Tafoki Ward in Faskari council area where they killed more than 25 people, injured scores of others, and set many vehicles and houses ablaze.

  • Lions District 404B4 kicks off convention in Ogun

    Lions District 404B4 kicks off convention in Ogun

    District 404B4 of Lions Clubs International, yesterday kicked off its convention in Ota, Ogun State.

    Tagged: ‘Kitigbe 2026’, the convention with the theme: “Creating Endless Possibilities Together, was chaired by the District Governor, Adebowale Afolayan.

     Afolayan said at a press conference that the convention was an opportunity for them to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of Lionism in the District, Nigeria and abroad.

    He said: “The District was born three years ago with 65 clubs; now we have about 73 clubs. This first district convention was held in Abeokuta, next was Ogbomoso and now we are in Ota, the ancient city of Aworiland. This record has significantly indicated membership growth with 1,581 members from the former 1,786, placing the district among the top-performing districts in Africa, currently ranking second continent-wide in membership growth.’’

    Afolayan listed some of their programmes over the past seven months in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states ‘communities to include  diabetes screening/care, vision services, pediatric cancer support, with health institutions, including the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Adeoyo Specialist Hospital, and Federal Medical Centres in Abeokuta and Ilaro where it supported the less-privileged.

    “Through our vision care programmes, many individuals who were at risk of avoidable blindness can now see clearly and live productive lives.

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    “In education, the district has donated books to schools in Ibadan, renovated libraries, and implemented Reading Action Programmes in Ota aimed at improving literacy and leadership development among children,’’ he added

    Afolayan acknowledged the support of corporate and institutional partners to the convention and district projects, adding that the district has engaged government and traditional institutions through visits to local governments, and the Ogun State Deputy Governor, reinforcing collaboration between Lions Club International and public leadership.

    He highlighted that the convention would feature leadership development sessions, strategic meetings, fellowship activities, workshops and service engagements, designed to equip members for greater community impact.

     ‘’The convention’s theme reflects Lions’ commitment to collective action and compassion. Every hungry child, every sick patient unable to pay medical bills, and every struggling family is a call to service. As Lions, we will not rest until we create meaningful and lasting change,”Afolayan added.

    The First District Vice Governor, Patience Okosi Ngene, praised the district leadership, members and media for their partnership and commitment in making life meaningful for the less-privileged, saying the media are critical in amplifying Lions International’s humanitarian mission.

    ‘’As we advance our district theme, we value the media as strategic partners in projecting our humanitarian initiatives, leadership efforts, and service outcomes across our communities,” she added.

  • Police advisory

    Police advisory

    The Lagos Police Command has advised the public, especially those who lost their vehicles or abandoned around the city, to report at  Isashi Division for identification and claim.

    Read Also: Downstream deregulation, forex reforms save Nigeria N6trn fuel import losses – NMDPRA 

    One Open Space Wagon car with registered plate number FKJ 818 EG and one Volkswagen with number ENU 444XY Lagos colour.

  • Edo diaspora group to rebuild community hospital

    Edo diaspora group to rebuild community hospital

    The Ora-Ekpen Association, a socio-cultural organisation of Owan indigenes in the diaspora, is set to renovate the General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, neglected over the years.

    The association has announced an initial N10 million donation on the rehabilitation of the hospital, which has remained non-functional, forcing residents to seek medical care in distant towns.

    In a statement, its National President, Desmond Alufohai, and National Secretary, Evelyn Aremu, said the cash would address infrastructural and service gaps at the facility.

    The funds would be used to procure solar power panels, high-powered fans for patient wards, television sets for each ward, furnishings for doctors’ and nurses’ quarters, washing machines, and essential medical supplies, the two officials added.

    The association lamented the state of the hospital, saying it mirrored prolonged neglect, citing dilapidated buildings, obsolete and inadequate equipment, unstable electricity and water supply, poor sanitation, and severe shortages of medicines and diagnostic tools.

    “These conditions have severely limited the hospital’s ability to deliver safe, effective and dignified healthcare,” the statement said.

    “They compromise patient safety, weaken public confidence and place enormous physical and emotional strain on healthcare workers,” the officials said.

    It described the situation as a public health and social equity concern, stressing the need for comprehensive rehabilitation and sustained investment to restore the hospital to acceptable standards.

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    “It is in this context that the Ora-Ekpen Association has resolved to contribute meaningfully to the restoration of the General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora, with the goal of improving access to quality healthcare and rebuilding community trust in the facility,” the group said.

    The association commended the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, for donating a 30KVA generator to the hospital, noting that the support would enhance service delivery.

    It called on governments, community leaders, public officials and well-meaning individuals—particularly sons and daughters of Ora—to support the revival effort, emphasising that safeguarding public health requires collective responsibility.

    “Only through sustained commitment and shared action can the General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora once again serve as a centre for healing, prevention and community well-being,” the statement said.

    The hospital was shut after the Adams Oshiomhole administration failed to complete its rehabilitation, leaving residents of Ora and neighbouring communities to travel to Auchi and Irrua for medical attention.

    The Ora-Ekpen Association USA, Inc. is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organisation made up of descendants of Ora people living in the United States and Canada, committed to philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of the Ora community.

  • Lagos vaccinates 89 per cent of targeted children

    Lagos vaccinates 89 per cent of targeted children

    •Set for mop-up for missed children

    The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has recorded 89 per cent in its ongoing immunisation campaign, marking another milestone in the state government’s drive to safeguard the health and future of its children.

    Following this achievement, the Board has announced plans to kick off an intensive mop-up aimed at identifying and vaccinating children who were missed during the initial phase of the campaign.

     The Permanent Secretary (PS), LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, described the feat as the outcome of the collaboration among government, health workers, community leaders, development partners, and parents.

    In a statement, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, LSPHCB, Adetayo Akitoye Asagba, quoted the PS as saying: “The vaccination of 89 per cent of our targeted children is a clear indication that Lagosians understand the importance of immunisation in protecting the lives of our children. This success is commendable, but it is not the end of the journey. Every child matters, and we are determined to ensure that no eligible child is left unprotected.

    He explained that the mop-up would involve house-to-house visits, community outreaches, and intensified engagement at health facilities to ensure that all missed children receive life-saving vaccines.

    “The mop-up is a critical final step. Some children were missed because their parents were unavailable, some families were out of town, while others may have had concerns or lacked adequate information. Our health teams will be returning to communities to close these gaps and provide accurate information where needed,” he added.

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    Mustafa emphasised that routine immunisation is safe, effective, and free, noting that vaccines they applied met national and international safety standards and are approved by regulatory authorities.

    “Vaccines protect children against dangerous diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and tuberculosis. These diseases can cause severe complications, disability, or even death, yet they are completely preventable through timely vaccination. Immunisation is not just a personal choice; it is a collective responsibility to protect our communities,” he stated.

    The PS reassured parents and caregivers that trained health professionals will continue to administer vaccines with the highest standards of care, while maintaining proper storage, handling, and documentation procedures.

    He appealed to parents, guardians, religious and traditional leaders, market associations, and community influencers to support the mop-up exercise by encouraging families to present their children for vaccination and by dispelling myths and misinformation about vaccines.

    “We urge parents and caregivers to take advantage of this opportunity. Bring your children to the nearest primary health care centre or welcome our health workers when they visit your homes. Vaccination is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child, a healthy start to life and a stronger future,” Mustafa appealed.

    He reiterated its commitment to achieving optimal immunisation coverage in line with the state government’s health agenda under the THEME+ and global best practices, assuring residents that continuous monitoring and community engagement will remain a priority.

  • Police arrest seven over crypto currency fraud

    Police arrest seven over crypto currency fraud

    The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) has arrested seven suspects in connection with a scam centre, which specialised in cryptocurrency fraud.

    The suspects are Collins Ogwuorie, Christian Ogwuorie, Gbenoba Emmanuel, Samuel Olufemi, Collins Victor, Onyeka Emenem, and Kefas Ogunbor. Preliminary investigation showed that the syndicate operated a sophisticated online fraud network led by Collins Ogwuorie, a Nigerian with a history of online criminal deception.

    The arrests were aided by the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) and insights shared by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

    Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that investigation indicated the activities of an online investment scam centre operating in Agbor, Delta State, where the suspects utilised fake social media accounts to impersonate reputable cryptocurrency traders, targeting unsuspecting individuals who interact with supposedly legitimate investment platforms.

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    According to him, “The leaders of this network expanded operations by recruiting and training young individuals in retirement investment fraud techniques and distribution of phishing attacks targeting victims from the United States of America based in the United Kingdom along with U.K. residents.”

    The Force PRO said further investigations showed that Ogwuorie procured 500 social media accounts from online vendors and distributed them among his recruits for coordinated spamming, impersonation, and victim engagement.

    The two Ogwuories were assigned various operational roles, including account management, online engagement, and mass spamming.

    The syndicate also operated a fraudulent Facebook group titled “Retirement Strategies: Real Estate And Market Insights,” where fabricated testimonials were posted to lure victims into making financial investments.

    The police added that during the operation, detectives from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre recovered 26 mobile phones, 42 SIM cards, and one laptop, all suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime.

    However, the Police spokesman added that investigations were still ongoing as the public were advised to exercise caution when engaging in online investment opportunities and to verify the authenticity of platforms before committing funds.

  • Fed Govt targets 25m beneficiaries in women programme

    Fed Govt targets 25m beneficiaries in women programme

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday formally launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU).

    He described it as a strategic national investment, underscoring the Federal Government’s ambition to expand its reach to more than 25 million women nationwide.

    The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the scale-up marks a decisive shift in Nigeria’s development strategy, with women’s economic empowerment, family stability and social development placed firmly at the centre of national growth.

    He stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable prosperity while half of its population remains structurally constrained.

    “Women are not peripheral to national development. They are central drivers of productivity, custodians of family stability, and indispensable partners in our ambition to build a resilient, competitive and prosperous nation,” the President said.

    READ ALSO; Only six new products added to Nigeria’s export list – Adedeji

    He noted that empowering women is essential to job creation, food security, financial inclusion and economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    President Tinubu described the programme as more than a social intervention, calling it “a strategic investment in Nigeria’s economic infrastructure.” 

    He said the success of Phase I, which reached over one million beneficiaries in six states, provided strong evidence that structured, data-driven empowerment models deliver measurable and lasting impact.

    Building on that evidence, he announced a bold national ambition to scale the programme beyond its current targets to reach 25 million women nationwide, creating a sustainable platform for women’s economic inclusion embedded in federal, state and local systems.

    He called on development partners, particularly the World Bank, to support the expansion through financing, technical assistance and innovation.

    The President also praised the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, for what he described as disciplined leadership and purposeful reform, commending the ministry for reorganising social development into a coherent, accountable and technology-driven system.

    According to him, the integration of digital platforms such as the Happy Woman App, identity verification and transparent targeting reflects the administration’s insistence on measurable and verifiable public policy.

    Earlier, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the Bank was honoured to co-finance the programme with the Federal and State Governments, noting that Nigerian women remain disproportionately affected by poverty, with 64.3 per cent living below the lower-middle-income poverty line.

    He said the Women Affinity Group (WAG) model has proven effective in lifting women out of poverty through collective savings, access to credit, financial discipline and enterprise growth.

    World Bank Practice Manager for Social Protection and Jobs, Robert S. Chase, described the programme as one of the most ambitious gender-focused social and economic interventions currently being implemented in Africa.

    The NFWP-SU Phase II, a $540 million programme co-financed by the World Bank and the Federal and State Governments, will expand implementation to all 36 states and the FCT, directly reaching five million women, generating about 4.5 million jobs, and indirectly benefiting nearly 19.5 million Nigerians, while laying the groundwork for the broader expansion to 25 million women.

    The National Coordinator of the programme, Dr Hadiza Maina, continues to drive its implementation, advancing the interests of Nigerian women.

    Other speakers at the event included representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

    Senator Ireti Kingibe represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio. 

    Several ministers, including those of Finance and Agriculture, as well as all state commissioners for women affairs, were also in attendance.

  • NRS chairman Adedeji urges shift from raw materials to innovation for economic growth

    NRS chairman Adedeji urges shift from raw materials to innovation for economic growth

    The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Adedeji, has called for an urgent move away from Nigeria’s reliance on raw material exports, advocating for a focus on ideas, innovation, and the production of complex goods as a pathway to sustainable economic growth and national prosperity.

    Delivering the maiden Distinguished Personality Lecture of the Faculty of Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the theme “From Potential to Prosperity: Export-led Economy,” Adedeji stressed the need to rethink growth through the lens of complexity, rather than merely increasing the production of existing goods.

    He noted that while Nigeria possesses a high-tech oil sector, its informal sector remains low in productivity, and the country lacks a vibrant, labor-absorbing industrial base that could serve as a bridge to higher economic complexity.

    Adedeji also highlighted that Nigeria experienced stagnation in exports for three decades, from 1998 to 2023, adding only six new products to its export basket between 2008 and 2023.

    “Because of our current position, the Harvard Atlas concluded that we are positioned to take advantage of very few opportunities to diversify using what we already know.”

    Adedeji urged Nigeria to learn from the world by comparative study of success and failure like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa and Brazil. 

    He said, “When we put these stories together, the divergence is clear. Vietnam used global trade to build a resilient, complex economy, while the others

    remained dependent on natural resources or a single low-tech niche.

    “There are three big lessons here for us in Nigeria as we think about our roadmap. First, avoiding the resource curse is necessary, but it’s not enough. You need a proactive strategy to build productive capabilities.

    “Vietnam’s success came from integrating itself into Global Value Chains (GVCs). They positioned themselves as the assembly hub for the world’s electronics, importing high-tech parts and exporting finished products. This allowed them to “borrow” technology and management skills from abroad to build their own know-how. 

    “Nigeria, on the other hand, remains a supplier of raw materials to these chains, not an active participant within them. We must realise that productive capabilities are not permanent. The examples of South Africa and Brazil show us that you can actually lose your industrial edge if you aren’t careful. Over-reliance on the easy path of resource extraction creates economic and political incentives that crowd out the difficult, long-term work of building an industrial base.”

    He added that for Nigeria, which is at an even earlier stage of development and even less diversified than these nations, the warning is stark. 

    “Relying solely on our natural endowments isn’t just a path to stagnation; it’s a path to regression. The global economy increasingly rewards knowledge and complexity, not just what you can dig out of the ground. If we want to move from potential to prosperity, we must stop being just a source of raw materials and start being a source of ideas, innovation, and complex products.”

    Adedeji said, “President Tinubu has already begun the difficult work of rebuilding our economy. The goal now must be to transform Nigeria into a nation that possesses the collective knowledge to produce, innovate and compete.”