The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Five cultists, bandit killed in Makurdi

    Five cultists, bandit killed in Makurdi

     Three persons were killed yesterday during a suspected cult clash in Wurukum, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The deceased are Mr Hundred, Martins Dagba (aka Wonder) and Aondoaseer Yisa (aka Poka).

    In a separate operation earlier the same day, operatives of the Jato-Aka Division responded to a clash between two rival cult groups, identified as Red and Black, which left two persons dead and several others injured.

    Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Joseph Keffi, condemned the killings.

    Addressing the communities where the clash took place, the Special Adviser to the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government on Security and Political Matters,Terhide Beetseh Mark, extended its condolences to the bereaved families and communities mourning their loved ones.

    He assured them of the chairman’s firm commitment to ensuring peace within the region. He stated that the local government is working with security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening security across the local government.

    He further emphasised the  chairman’s commitment to rebuilding communities, enhancing security, and promoting sustainable development across the local government.

    Benue Police Command has confirmed the incident and said investigation has started.

    Also, the Police Command has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit during a gun battle with operatives in Ukum Local Government Area, following an attempted kidnapping.

    In a statement yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Udeme Edet, said the incident occurred about 11:43 a.m.,on Wednesday, after a report that some bandits had been sighted around Channel Two, Zaki-Biam, with plans to abduct a hotelier.

    Operatives attached to the Ukum Division were deployed to the location, the statement said, adding that the bandits opened fire on the patrol team upon, prompting a gun duel.

    “The police responded with superior firepower, during which one of the bandits sustained gunshot injuries,” the statement said.

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    Items recovered from the suspect included a local Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag of charms.

    The injured suspect was rushed to the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam, where he was confirmed dead.

    The deceased was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, described as a notorious bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    The police said additional patrol and tactical teams had been deployed to the surrounding areas to track down other bandits who escaped during the encounter, some of whom may have sustained gunshot wounds.

    Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the violence, while items recovered include a local pistol, an expended cartridge, two axes, and two machetes. The injured victims were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

  • Fed Govt secures release of Nigerian cleric jailed in Benin Republic

    Fed Govt secures release of Nigerian cleric jailed in Benin Republic

    The Federal Government has announced the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who was jailed in the Republic of Benin.

    Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, was accused of sundry offences and detained in a hospital in Cotonou, under what was described as dehumanising conditions for over two years while his health deteriorated. He was later sent to prison.

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced his release in a statement.

    According to the statement signed by the media aide to the minister, Mr. Magnus Eze, the release was as a result of diplomatic pressure.

    The statement reads: “Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has secured the release of a Nigerian, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, incarcerated in the Republic of Benin.

    “The minister disclosed that Egbaji was released on Thursday, January 8, following a Presidential Pardon by His Excellency, Patrice Talon.

    “She noted that the gazetted presidential amnesty dated December 17, 2025, was on the heels of consistent diplomatic pressure from her office, including a visit to the detained citizen in a Cotonou hospital in August, last year.

    “A viral photograph of the sick looking Nigerian chained to a hospital bed in the Republic of Benin had attracted umbrage from many Nigerians. This prompted immediate diplomatic moves to secure his release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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    “Highly elated Odumegwu-Ojukwu attributed the diplomatic feat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to citizen diplomacy as one of the thrusts of his administration’s Foreign Policy. The Diaspora component of the Four-Ds (Democracy, Demography, Diaspora and Development) foreign policy approach of the Renewed Hope Agenda centres on citizen diplomacy.

    The minister, who spoke with the pastor on telephone shortly after he regained freedom, said he was in high spirit and deserved good medical care.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called on the Beninois authorities to release the Nigerian so that he could have better medical care and also serve out his sentence in Nigeria. 

    The ministry had requested the transfer of the Nigerian to receive the deserved medical care and serve out his custodial term in Nigeria after Odumegwu-Ojukwu visited Egbaji in the Cotonou hospital alongside the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.

    She had explained that Nigeria was worried over the pace of the Beninnoise authorities in addressing the situation and acceding to its request, not minding the longstanding cordial relations between the two countries, founded on shared cultural heritage, bonds of trust, mutual respect, and a spirit of brotherhood.

    In a recent letter to the Foreign Affairs Minister of Republic of Benin, Odumegwu-Ojukwu had said: “It is against this backdrop of solidarity and mutual goodwill that I seek Your Excellency’s kind consideration regarding the plight of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been serving a custodial sentence in Cotonou since October 2023 for a jail term of 10 years. As Your Excellency may be aware, Pastor Egbaji has been in Benin Republic for over three decades, contributing meaningfully as an entrepreneur, pastor, and community leader.

    “Regrettably, his health has deteriorated severely while in detention. Two independent medical experts appointed by the court recently recommended that he be transferred abroad for urgent medical care, as local interventions have proved ineffective.

     “In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and in recognition of the humanitarian imperative, not being unmindful of the grievous nature of the offence he is charged with, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve out the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian Correctional Centre.”

    The minister said this gesture would demonstrate in practical terms the enduring spirit of fraternity and cooperation that bind Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

    Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Republic of Benin chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, commended the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for her diplomacy leading to Egbaji’s release.

    Munir said Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has displayed commitment to the well-being of Nigerians in diaspora.

    He praised President Tinubu for the effort in protecting Nigerians outside the shores of the country and urged that more diplomatic approaches be deployed especially in rescuing innocent Nigerians being incarcerated in foreign prisons.     

  • Man arrested for abducting toddler in Edo

    Man arrested for abducting toddler in Edo

    Men of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have arrested a 21-year old man, Thank God Destiny, for allegedly kidnapping a toddler at Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    It was the alarm raised by a commercial bus driver and a female passenger that led to the arrest of the suspect.

    Deputy Corps Commander, Operations, of the ESSC, Richard Balogun, who spoke after the arrest of the suspect, said the victim and his mother went to the market when he was snatched.

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    Balogun said the victim was hurriedly taken into a commercial bus heading to Kings Square in Benin city.

    According to him, “The driver of the bus noticed a great difference in resemblance between the little boy and the man. He questioned where the suspect was heading with the little boy.

    “He lied that the boy was ill and he was taking him to the hospital. But later on, a female passenger asked him about his destination with the boy. He replied that he was going to buy the boy shoe.

    “The various replies made the driver and the woman raise the alarm. The alarm attracted men of the Edo State Security Corps who were on patrol. The suspect was arrested and the kidnapped little boy rescued unhurt.”

    He said the victim had been reunited with his family.

  • Kidnap victim rescued in Ondo

    Kidnap victim rescued in Ondo

    Ondo State Police Command has rescued a man, identified as Jimoh Isah, abducted by suspected bandits on Ifira-Isua Akoko Road in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area of the state.

    Isah, 25, was attacked and abducted about 4:10 p.m.on Wednesday, where four armed men had reportedly ambushed commuters.

    The victim, who was riding a Bajaj motorcycle, was abducted with his wife, Esther Isah, and their young son.

    However, Mr Isah’s wife, his child, and a physically challenged man, were later abandoned by the bandits.

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    The spokesman of the Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jimoh Abayomi, in a statement said Mr Isah was rescued following a report at the Isua Divisional Police Headquarters.

    Abayomi explained that after the information filtered in, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Isua mobilised operatives, working in with non-state actors, for a tactical response.

    He said the team stormed the area and launched an intensive combing of the forests; blocking suspected escape routes.

    According to Abayomi, the sustained pressure from intelligence-driven operations of the security agencies forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim.

  • Association names interim DG

    Association names interim DG

    The Association of Nigerian Veterinary and Allied Industry (ANVAI) has appointed Dr Adebayo Kolade as the Interim Director General of the Association.

     This decision was taken at a special general meeting of the association held last month .

    At the meeting, Kolade was saddled with the task of driving the strategic change process initiated by the leadership of the association. ANVAI, as the umbrella association of animal health industry practitioners, flagged of an organizational renewal process in the last quarter of 2025.

    This process is expected to culminate in the rapid expansion of her membership base across the nation, the achievement of quick wins in her engagement with industry regulators like NAFDAC and SON, the take-off of trade facilitation initiatives/activities for members, the articulation of a peer regulation framework for members and the defense of industry standards, while advancing the interests of members of the association.

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    Towards this end, the Interim DG was also mandated to work with the leadership and all stakeholders to rebrand (and if necessary, rename) the association to better reflect its charter as the umbrella association of animal health industry practitioners in Nigeria.

    Dr Adebayo Kolade is a graduate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ibadan with over twenty seven years of practice experience covering many aspects of the Nigerian agricultural value chains. He worked as Head of Training and Head of Corporate Communications at Animal Care Services Konsult, Ogere Remo. He also worked as COO and later Executive Director (Operations) at Zygosis Nigeria Limited, Lagos. He anchors a weekly live radio program titled Agric Desk. He is an active member of various industry associations like the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Poultry Association of Nigeria, etc. He has traveled widely across the country, conducting trainings for farmers and participating in diverse agricultural industry activities.

  • Church executes projects in Lagos

    Church executes projects in Lagos

    Tent Maker Pastoral Ministry (TMPM) of Region 1, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Lekki, Lagos has provided various projects to the Itedo Community and its environs.

    The humanitarian services, which are part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the church, included the construction of an access road spanning from Freedom Way to Salvation Road in Itedo, grading of internal roads in Itedo and provision of a borehole.

    The church has also trained over 50 people free in various skills, as well as given them starter packs.

    The skills include fashion designing, bakery, pastries, and barbing to make beneficiaries self-reliant.

    Part of the CSR of the church includes free feeding of the people every Sunday, especially the less-privileged, and homeless as well as ‘area boys’ .

    Also, TMPM Region 1 gives scholarships to indigent but brilliant students.

    It engages in free medical outreaches as well as pay medical bills, including surgeries bills for members of the host communities, especially the downtrodden that are not members of the church.

    Regional Overseer and Pastor, MFM TMPM 1, Lekki, Pastor Sola Oladipo, said the services are to fulfil God’s instructions to give to take care of the less-privileged.

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    Oladipo said apart from the Biblical teachings and deliverance programmes, the church embarked on social interventions, and welfare programmes to give hope to hopeless.

    The Regional Overseer added that the initiative was part of the church’s broader Explosive Evangelism Initiative (EEI) aimed at winning more souls for Christ through acts of kindness.

    He stressed that welfare and community development are central to the mission of MFM.

    He commended the General Overseer of MFM, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, and his wife, whom he described as philanthropists and have mandated the branches globally to invest in CSR alongside their spiritual activities.

    Beneficiaries, residents and community leaders of Itedo thanked God and MFM for the gesture.

  • Police advise on drowning in Oyo

    Police advise on drowning in Oyo

    Oyo State Police Command has alerted the public to increased incidents of drowning across the state.

    It urged the residents to exercise caution around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water-related facilities.

    Particularly, it advised churches and religious organisations, particularly those whose worship centres are close to rivers, streams, or other natural water, to take proactive safety measures during religious activities and ensure adequate supervision to prevent accidental drowning.

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    Also, it enjoined hotel owners, resort operators, and managers of recreational facilities to employ instructors, lifeguards, and swimming tutors to guide users and prevent drowning, according to a statement by the state Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, yesterday.

  • ‘How Abuja-based lawyer was killed by kidnappers’

    ‘How Abuja-based lawyer was killed by kidnappers’

    Contrary to the belief that the Abuja-based lawyer, Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo was killed by ‘one chance’ operators, a family member Dr Maureen Chigbo said the deceased was killed by kidnappers.

    Maureen, who is the Publisher of Realnews Magazine/former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCO),  said Princess  Chigbo, was killed by still-to-be-identified kidnappers.

    She said Nwamaka was on the phone with her sister Anthonia, who briefly interrupted the call to attend to a client. When she reverted, the lawyer’s phone was still on, and Anthonia could hear her sister’s distress cry before the phone went dead.

    In  a statement, she narrated: “Anthonia alerted her elder sister (Maureen), and other family members, who called the lawyer’s number repeatedly to reach her or her abductors to no avail.

    “When a call finally went through, a male voice rained curses in English and Hausa languages, saying: ‘Thunder fire you there, send N3 million or else we will kill her’.” The captors gave no further details and abruptly terminated subsequent calls.

    “Nwamaka’s family later tried to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (FCT Police Command) and left a text message on her phone. They were referred to two police complaint numbers.

    “The family equally sent a distress text and WhatsApp message to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and also contacted the FCT Police Commissioner, who linked them up to the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, in charge of kidnapping in Abuja.

    “The Commander later called to inform the family that the police were tracking the kidnappers, who were said to be “in motion and would likely drop the lawyer off once they might have collected the ransom.

    “The kidnappers never initiated any calls, and when Nwamaka’s family members reached them through her phone for clarification on how the ransom would be paid, they only heard the lawyer screaming in pain, “I am dying ..save me, please send the money, I am dying,” before the phone finally went dead again.

    “The family-maintained contact with the Police Commander throughout Monday night to follow up on the rescue. At 4am on Tuesday, 6th January, when Maureen called the Commander, he expressed surprise that the lawyer had not called or returned home. He then promised to escalate the rescue.”

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    “The Commander later called to inform the family that “a lady had been found in a critical condition” and taken to an Abuja specialist hospital. He requested that Nwamaka’s picture be sent for identification. Maureen took a flight from Lagos to Abuja and on reaching the hospital, saw her sister’s lifeless body in the mortuary with bruises, swollen eyes and a cracked skull, all signs of a tortured death”.

    Maureen said the Chigbo family had met with the Police authorities, who assured them that the case was under investigation and that the culprits would be apprehended.

    She said Nwamaka was an active member and former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja, member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL),

    FIDA and Global Association of Female Lawyers (GAFA).

    “She was a former President of Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja.

    “An ardent Catholic, Nwamaka authored a book on Infant Jesus, and until death was the vice president of the Infant Jesus Association, and member of the Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Group among other religious groups.

    “The family expresses its gratitude to the Police for their efforts and cooperation so far, and urges the force to ensure that justice is served in Nwamaka’s case.

    “The family also wishes to thank Nwamaka’s friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their support and prayers. Her funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as possible,” she added.

  • Foundation distributes food items to households in Lagos Community

    Foundation distributes food items to households in Lagos Community

    A non-governmental organsation (NGO), Fatade Idowu Foundation recently distributed essential food items to residents of Adamo Community in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The foundation stands as a people-driven initiative committed to uplifting communities through compassion, service, and purposeful intervention.

    Rooted in a deep understanding of grassroots needs, the foundation continues to bridge the gap between hope and tangible support for individuals and families who need it most.

    This outreach, according to the organisers, provided timely relief to households, re-affirming the foundation’s commitment to addressing immediate social and economic challenges faced by community members.

    Community leaders openly commended the foundation, describing its efforts as thoughtful, well-coordinated, and genuinely beneficial. Their commendation reflects the trust the foundation has earned through its respectful engagement with the community and its focus on meaningful impact rather than publicity.

    Fatade Idowu Foundation operates with a clear philosophy: sustainable development begins with empathy and collective responsibility. By working closely with local leaders and residents, the foundation ensures that its interventions align with real needs and create lasting value.

    As it continues to expand its reach, the foundation remains dedicated to promoting social welfare, strengthening community bonds, and inspiring a culture of giving. Its work in Adamo Community is not just an isolated effort, but a reflection of a broader mission to support communities with dignity, accountability, and genuine care.

  • JamaJama Empowerment Day creates lifelines for children, artisans

    JamaJama Empowerment Day creates lifelines for children, artisans

    JamaJama’s Empowerment Day, recently held in parts of the country, delivered more than entertainment as it provided tangible opportunities for children and artisans while restoring hope to families, according to the organisers.

    Speaking on behalf of the organising team, Abiola Sadik said the event featured games and children-focused activities, alongside the distribution of books, food, and beverages. Young talents also received basic tools to support their skills and promote self-reliance.

    She highlighted a defining moment at the event, recounting how a father arrived with his eight-year-old son after hearing about the empowerment initiative. The child, a street barber, was hired immediately through the JamaJama platform as an artisan.

    Witnesses noted the young barber’s confidence as he worked, while his father looked on with pride as the boy received recognition and a legitimate opportunity to advance his craft.

    Beyond the immediate payment he earned, the child was also given new barbering equipment, reinforcing JamaJama’s commitment to skill development and the dignity of labour.

    Organisers described the encounter as symbolic of JamaJama’s broader mission of identifying talent, expanding access to work, and building confidence in the next generation.

    Sadik added that the Empowerment Day signaled an early step in JamaJama’s ongoing efforts to nurture creativity, support artisans, and contribute to a stronger future for Nigeria and Africa.