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Author: Promise Odejide

  • ₦120m Wristwatch, Wedding Ring Allegedly Stolen from Ex-Skye Bank Chairman in Kuje Prison Raid

    Former Skye Bank Plc Chairman, Tunde Ayeni, has allegedly been dispossessed of his wedding ring and a wristwatch worth over ₦120 million during a reported raid at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, with suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, also said to have lost ₦2 million in the same operation.

    Alleged Prison Raid Sparks Controversy

    According to SaharaReporters, insiders within the correctional facility claimed the incident occurred during a search operation carried out by senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The operation was reportedly described by authorities as routine but allegedly resulted in the disappearance of valuables belonging to high-profile inmates.

    Sources said the operation was led by the Deputy Controller-General of Operations alongside officers in charge of the Kuje facility, with operatives reportedly accompanied by DSS dogs and wearing bulletproof vests.

    Ayeni, Kyari Allegedly Targeted During Search

    Multiple sources alleged that Ayeni was searched during the exercise and later found to have lost his wedding ring and expensive wristwatch. Kyari, who is also being held at the facility, was reportedly affected, with about ₦2 million allegedly missing from his belongings.

    One source was quoted as saying officers “stormed the yard with DSS dogs and bulletproof vests” and carried out the operation in a manner that caused panic among inmates.

    Inmates Raise Alarm Over Conduct of Officers

    The alleged operation reportedly triggered tension within the correctional centre, with inmates accusing officers of intimidation and misconduct. Some claims suggested that cash and valuables were taken without proper documentation, although these allegations remain unverified.

    Another insider said Ayeni was considering filing an official petition over the incident, alleging that his valuables were not accounted for after the search operation.

    Authorities Yet to Confirm Allegations

    As of filing this report, the Nigerian Correctional Service had not issued an official statement responding to the allegations, and the claims remain unverified. However, the development has again drawn attention to longstanding concerns about security, accountability, and welfare conditions within the Kuje Correctional Centre.

    The facility has previously faced scrutiny over security breaches and allegations involving high-profile detainees, adding fresh weight to the latest claims.

    Ongoing Legal and Institutional Spotlight

    Ayeni, a former banking executive, is currently standing trial over alleged fraud involving ₦15.7 billion, while Abba Kyari is facing separate charges linked to drug-related offences and other allegations.

    The incident continues to raise questions about prison oversight, transparency in custodial operations, and the treatment of inmates awaiting trial.

     

  • Iyaloja-General Threatens Protest Over APC Lagos Primaries Dispute

    The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has threatened a protest over the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State, alleging irregularities and factional bias in the process.

    The warning was issued on Wednesday during a meeting with market leaders in Alausa, Ikeja, where she accused party stakeholders of manipulating the process in favour of a particular bloc.

    Iyaloja-General Rejects Lagos APC Primary Results

    Tinubu-Ojo specifically faulted the outcome of the APC primaries in Mushin Federal Constituency 2, Agege Constituency 2 and Ojokoro constituencies, insisting that the results did not reflect the true outcome of the contests.

    She alleged that the exercise was influenced by internal party divisions, particularly between the Justice Forum and Mandate Group within the Lagos APC structure.

    The Lagos State APC had earlier released its list of candidates for the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly elections, with 24 House of Reps candidates and 40 Assembly candidates emerging from the primaries.

    Calls for Urgent Party Review

    Tinubu-Ojo urged APC leadership at both state and national levels to investigate the disputed primaries before final ratification of the results.

    She warned that failure to address the grievances could worsen internal tensions and deepen divisions within the ruling party in Lagos State.

    According to her, “We are ready to protest because of Seye Oladejo of Mushin Federal Constituency 02, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo of Agege 2 constituency, Olotu Ojo of Ojokoro constituency, because we know they won this election. Their mandate should not be given to somebody else.”

    She added that rising factional influence within the party was undermining unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Factional Politics in APC Lagos

    Tinubu-Ojo also criticised what she described as increasing alignment of party members with the Justice Forum due to perceived political advantage, warning that such developments could weaken internal democracy.

    She said, “We have to cry out now. Let APC cancel Justice and Mandate Forums. We are one family. We are for APC.”

    She further stressed that leadership must ensure fairness across all factions, noting that political office holders must carry all stakeholders along once elected.

    Market Women Reaffirm Support

    The Iyaloja-General reaffirmed the support of market women across Lagos for APC candidates while insisting that traders deserve greater recognition and inclusion in governance and political appointments.

    The dispute adds to ongoing tensions within the Lagos APC over primaries and factional loyalty ahead of the 2027 elections.

  • ECOWAS Projects Nigeria as Potential 5th Largest Economy Globally Within 50 Years

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has projected that Nigeria could emerge as the world’s fifth-largest economy within the next 50 years if ongoing regional integration and economic reforms are sustained.

    The forecast was presented during the bloc’s 2026 parliamentary session in Abuja, where officials highlighted long-term growth prospects across West Africa’s major economies.

    West Africa’s Long-Term Economic Outlook

    Dr Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, said the region is entering what he described as a major economic realignment driven by increased trade and cooperation.

    He noted that Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are positioned to benefit significantly if regional integration continues to deepen over the coming decades.

    According to him, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire could also rank among the world’s top 15 economies within 25 years, with Côte d’Ivoire potentially overtaking France in the long term.

    Nigeria’s Growth Tied to Regional Trade

    Sylla said Nigeria’s future economic expansion will depend more on strengthening West African markets than reliance on traditional Western trading partners.

    “It is not the American or English markets that will let the Nigerian market grow, but the sub-regional markets,” he told lawmakers during the session.

    He added that stronger intra-regional trade would play a key role in driving industrial growth and long-term economic stability across the bloc.

    Intra-Regional Trade on the Rise

    ECOWAS officials also pointed to increasing trade within West Africa as evidence of gradual economic integration despite ongoing challenges in the region.

    According to Sylla, intra-regional trade has doubled to about 40 percent in the last four years, even with political instability, border tensions, and currency pressures affecting member states.

    He noted that institutions within the bloc must now match the pace of private-sector and cross-border business activity already shaping the region’s economic landscape.

    Outlook for West Africa’s Economic Future

    The projections underscore growing optimism about West Africa’s long-term economic trajectory, with Nigeria identified as a central driver of regional growth.

    However, officials emphasized that sustained reforms, stronger institutions, and deeper regional cooperation will be critical to achieving the forecasted economic outcomes over the next few decades.

     

  • Abuja Motorist Confronts Herdsman Over Cows Blocking Express Road Amid Insecurity Claims

    A heated exchange broke out in Abuja after a commuter confronted a herdsman whose cattle were blocking movement on a busy express road, a situation captured in a viral video now circulating online.

    The incident, which occurred along a major route in the Federal Capital Territory, shows the motorist recording the obstruction before being approached by the herdsman in a tense confrontation.

    Cows Disrupt Movement on Busy Abuja Road

    The commuter was driving when he came across a herd of cows occupying part of the expressway, causing traffic disruption and slowing down movement along the road.

    He began recording the scene as vehicles lined up behind the cattle, drawing attention to the obstruction on the busy route.

    The situation escalated when the herdsman approached the vehicle and challenged him over the recording.

    “You Can Film Me, Not My Cows” — Herdsman Insists

    In the video, the herdsman ordered the motorist to stop filming the cattle, insisting that while he could be recorded, the animals should not be.

    “You can film me but you cannot film my cows,” he said during the confrontation.

    He also questioned why the driver was focusing on the animals instead of allowing him to move them off the road.

    Insecurity Blamed for Roadside Grazing

    When asked why the cattle were not taken into the bush, the herdsman attributed the situation to insecurity, claiming that forests had become unsafe due to armed bandits.

    He said herders were now forced to move cattle along public roads because grazing areas were no longer safe.

    He maintained that the situation was beyond his control, citing the absence of security in rural grazing environments.

    Public Reaction to Viral Video

    The video has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users criticising the disruption of traffic on a major expressway, while others pointed to insecurity as a driving factor behind the movement of cattle on public roads.

    The incident adds to ongoing national conversations around road safety, livestock movement, and insecurity-linked displacement of rural activities.

    Authorities have yet to issue an official response as the video continues to spread online, raising renewed questions about regulation and enforcement on public highways.

  • Deji Adeyanju Defends VDM, Faults Presidency Over Viral AI Audio Allegation

    Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has reacted to calls by the Presidency for legal action against social critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over a viral audio clip allegedly linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The reaction follows a statement on X by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused VDM of being the “conveyor and disseminator” of a fake audio recording and called for legal action.

    Onanuga Calls for Legal Action

    Onanuga described the circulation of the clip as an “egregious abuse of the social media platform,” insisting that VDM should be held accountable for spreading false content.

    The controversial footage reportedly shows an AI-generated audio layered over a video involving VDM, creating the impression of a presidential statement on the 2027 election and opposition figures, including Peter Obi.

    Adeyanju Speaks on VDM’s Behalf

    Reacting to the development, Adeyanju insisted that VDM neither created nor shared the alleged audio.

    He said verification of VDM’s official platforms would have shown he had no link to the content, adding that the accusations were made without proper fact-checking.

    Adeyanju faulted the Presidency’s reaction, describing it as premature and capable of misleading the public.

    Calls for Investigation

    The lawyer urged security agencies to investigate the origin of the manipulated audio and ensure those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

    He maintained that the incident highlights the growing threat of AI-generated misinformation in Nigeria’s digital space.

    As of press time, no formal charges have been filed against VDM.

  • Atiku Defeats Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen to Clinch ADC Presidential Ticket for 2027

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Atiku was declared winner late Wednesday night in Abuja after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary collation process.

    Atiku Defeats Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen

    The results were announced by the chairman of the ADC Presidential Primary Electoral Committee, Tunde Ogbeha.

    According to the official figures released, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes.

    Economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 177,120 votes.

    Ogbeha declared Atiku winner after the two-day collation exercise concluded in Abuja.

    Rivals Reject Outcome

    Despite the announcement, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the outcome of the primary election and the collation process.

    The details surrounding their objections were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report.

    The primary comes after weeks of consultations, negotiations and political realignments within opposition circles ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    Atiku Makes History Again

    The victory marks the fourth time Atiku will emerge as a presidential candidate in Nigeria’s political history.

    The former vice president previously contested presidential elections under different political platforms, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His emergence is expected to shape fresh conversations within the opposition coalition as political activities ahead of 2027 continue to gather momentum.

  • Cubana Chief Priest Claims Burna Boy Is Jealous of His Friendship With Davido

    Celebrity barman and socialite Cubana Chief Priest has claimed that Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy is jealous of his close friendship with fellow music star Davido.

    The socialite made the statement during a recent interview while speaking about his long-running online feud with Burna Boy.

    Cubana Chief Priest Speaks on Rivalry

    According to him, Burna Boy’s recent involvement in Lagos nightlife and club investments was influenced by their rivalry and his relationship with Davido.

    “Burna Boy is jealous of my relationship with Davido so he’s now investing in the nightlife business and owning clubs in Lagos,” he said.

    The statement has since generated reactions online, with fans of both celebrities debating the claim across social media platforms.

    “I Can Do Whatever I Want”

    Cubana Chief Priest also explained why he decided to venture into music despite already being successful in the nightlife business.

    According to him, the move was partly to prove he could succeed in any industry he chooses.

    “I decided to go into music to show him I can do whatever I want to do,” he added.

    The celebrity socialite and Burna Boy have repeatedly exchanged words online over the past year, with their public clashes often dominating entertainment conversations in Nigeria.

    Fans React Online

    Following the interview, social media users shared mixed reactions, with some defending Burna Boy while others supported Cubana Chief Priest’s comments.

    As of the time of filing this report, Burna Boy and Davido have not publicly reacted to the latest remarks.

  • VeryDarkMan Slams Bayo Onanuga Over Viral Audio Row, Says Focus Should Be on Insecurity

    Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has reacted angrily to the viral audio controversy allegedly linked to him, criticising presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga over his recent comments on the issue.

    In a video shared online, VeryDarkMan said he received multiple urgent calls during a business meeting alerting him to a post made by the presidential aide regarding the trending voice note.

    He described the reaction surrounding the audio as excessive, arguing that more urgent national issues such as insecurity and kidnappings were being ignored in the process.

    “Focus Should Be on Insecurity”

    The activist referenced recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, questioning the level of attention given to such incidents compared to the viral audio controversy.

    He also expressed frustration over the situation of the abducted victims, noting that their whereabouts remain unknown.

    According to him, national priorities have been misplaced amid the online controversy.

    “You Are Trying to Silence Me”

    VeryDarkMan further alleged that the backlash around the viral audio was being used as a deliberate attempt to silence him, insisting that he would not back down from speaking on national issues.

    “The amount of calls I received while in a business meeting… immediately I read the post, I clicked and listened to the video,” he said.

    He added that insecurity remains a far more serious concern than the trending audio controversy.

    He also questioned the silence of officials on the abduction of teachers and students, referencing the ongoing uncertainty surrounding their safety, particularly on Children’s Day.

    As of the time of this report, the Presidency has not issued a fresh response to VeryDarkMan’s latest remarks.

    The incident adds another layer to the ongoing debate around the viral audio, digital misinformation, and rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria.

  • Man Calls Out Pastor Adeboye After Alleged RCCG Protest Over Insecurity Was Cancelled

    A Nigerian man has gone viral on social media after publicly criticising the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, over the alleged cancellation of a planned peaceful protest against insecurity in the country.

    The man, who spoke in a viral video circulating online, claimed church members were initially instructed to embark on a three-day fasting programme before participating in a peaceful walk with placards to protest worsening insecurity across Nigeria.

    “We Were Told There Would Be No Sunday Service”

    According to him, RCCG members were informed during a church service that the protest walk would replace regular Sunday worship activities.

    “Last week Sunday, we were told we would do a three days fasting which started on Friday. On Sunday, there won’t be service in every Redeemed Christian Church of God because we would head out for a peaceful walk protest,” he said.

    The man alleged that after members arrived at church prepared for the protest, a fresh directive was suddenly announced cancelling the planned march.

    Accusations Against Church Leadership

    Speaking emotionally in Yoruba, the man accused church leaders of remaining silent despite increasing insecurity and hardship in the country.

    He further alleged that the protest was cancelled because of political influence linked to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a pastor in RCCG.

    “Just because the wife of the president of this country, Oluremi Tinubu, who is a pastor in Redeem, gave an order, you people cancelled the protest,” he said.

    He also directly addressed Pastor Adeboye in the video, expressing disappointment over the alleged decision.

    “Daddy, may God judge you. We’re no longer safe in this country, we’re finished. The church is ruined. Redeem members were told to hold protest, but you Daddy Enoch Adeboye stopped that protest,” he added.

    Mixed Reactions Online

    The video has generated intense reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over the allegations and the role of religious institutions in addressing national issues.

    Some social media users supported the man’s frustration, insisting that influential religious leaders should speak more openly against insecurity and hardship.

    Others defended Pastor Adeboye and the church leadership, arguing that there was no official confirmation of any planned nationwide protest by RCCG.

    As of the time of filing this report, RCCG had not released any official statement addressing the viral claims or confirming whether such a protest was ever scheduled.

    The incident adds to ongoing conversations surrounding insecurity in Nigeria and growing public expectations for religious and community leaders to speak more strongly on national challenges.

  • Peter Obi Laments Fresh School Abductions, Says Nigeria Has “Little But Shame” on Children’s Day

    Former Anambra State Governor and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the continued abduction of schoolchildren across Nigeria, describing the situation as a painful stain on the country’s image.

    In a statement shared on his social media page to mark the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Obi said it was heartbreaking that while many nations were celebrating and protecting their children, several Nigerian children remained in captivity.

    “A Nation That Cannot Protect Its Children”

    According to Obi, the continued circulation of photos and videos of abducted children online reflects the country’s failure to guarantee safety for its youngest citizens.

    “A nation that cannot protect its children from criminals has little but shame to present to the global community,” he wrote.

    The former governor lamented that some children have remained missing for weeks, months and even years, while families continue to live in fear and uncertainty.

    He stressed that the situation has turned what should have been a joyful Children’s Day celebration into a period of mourning and anxiety for many Nigerian families.

    Fresh Outrage Over Oyo School Attack

    Obi’s comments come amid outrage over the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen reportedly abducted dozens of pupils and teachers.

    Reports indicate that the attackers invaded schools in the area and forcefully took away students, while one teacher was reportedly killed during the incident.

    The attack triggered widespread reactions across the country, with many Nigerians demanding stronger action from security agencies and the Federal Government.

    Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed intensified rescue efforts, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to act swiftly.

    Growing Concern Over Insecurity

    School abductions have remained a major security concern in Nigeria over the past decade, particularly in northern and some southwestern communities.

    Several schools across affected regions have reportedly tightened security measures or suspended activities due to fears of further attacks.

    Obi said the continued attacks on children and educational institutions raise serious concerns about the country’s future and the safety of vulnerable communities.

    Mixed Reactions Trail Obi’s Statement

    While many Nigerians praised Obi for speaking out and drawing attention to the plight of abducted children, others argued that insecurity has remained a long-standing national challenge beyond any single administration.

    On social media, many users described the situation as unacceptable, insisting that children should never become targets of violence or criminal activities.

    The latest incident has again renewed calls for improved security, intelligence gathering, and better protection for schools across the country.