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Author: Promise Odejide

  • Gunmen Abduct Two IBEDC Staff on Duty Along Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road

    The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has confirmed that two of its staff members were abducted while on duty along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, raising fresh concerns over security in the area.

    The incident occurred on April 29, 2026, according to a statement issued by the company.

    Workers kidnapped during official duty

    IBEDC said the employees were carrying out their responsibilities when they were whisked away by gunmen on the Oyo State axis of the road.

    The company described the development as deeply troubling.

    “We are deeply concerned about this situation, and our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families at this difficult time,” the statement read.

    Company engages security agencies

    IBEDC said it is working closely with relevant security agencies to secure the safe release of the abducted workers.

    Efforts are ongoing, although no further details have been provided on the progress of the rescue operation.

    Rising insecurity in Oyo axis

    The incident adds to growing concerns over kidnapping in parts of Oyo State and surrounding areas.

    Last month, a young woman identified as Adetutu Aderibigbe was abducted outside her residence in Ibadan.

    Sources said she was taken by gunmen around 6pm in the Bolumole area and driven away in a vehicle without number plates.

    Concerns deepen among residents

    Recent cases of abduction have heightened fears among residents, with calls for stronger security measures across the state.

    The latest attack on utility workers has further underscored the risks faced by individuals carrying out essential services.

  • Kled AI Exits Nigeria, Imposes IP Ban Over Alleged 95% Fraud Rate

    A United States-based data marketplace, Kled AI, has withdrawn its app from Nigeria and imposed a nationwide IP ban following what it described as widespread and organised fraud among users.

    The company said the decision came after internal reviews revealed high levels of abuse that disrupted its operations.

    Company cites ‘95% fraudulent activity’

    Kled AI founder Avi Patel disclosed that about 95 per cent of user activity from Nigeria was found to be fraudulent.

    “We have removed Kled from the Nigerian app store and IP banned the entire region,” he said.

    The platform, launched in 2025, pays users to upload digital content such as photos and videos used to train artificial intelligence systems.

    Abuse of platform raises concerns

    According to the company, many users allegedly submitted black screens, duplicate files, internet-sourced images and AI-generated content instead of original data.

    The abuse, Patel said, made the platform ineffective for its intended purpose.

    He also alleged that some users bypassed identity checks by submitting fake documents, including altered foreign passports during verification processes.

    Comparison with other countries

    Kled AI noted that fraud rates in other markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines remained below 10 per cent despite larger user bases.

    The company said the contrast influenced its decision to suspend operations in Nigeria.

    Possible return not ruled out

    Despite the withdrawal, Patel indicated that the decision may not be permanent.

    He said the company could reconsider Nigeria if stronger fraud detection systems are developed to manage abuse at scale.

    Mixed reactions trail move

    The development has sparked reactions online, with some Nigerians acknowledging abuse of digital earning platforms, while others questioned the credibility of the claims.

    The incident adds to ongoing concerns about trust and credibility in Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.

  • Moniepoint CEO Raises Alarm Over Talent Gap, Says 500 Roles Remain Unfilled

    The Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda, has raised concerns over a growing talent gap in Nigeria, revealing that the company is struggling to fill about 500 open positions despite ongoing recruitment efforts.

    He made the disclosure in a video interview while speaking on workforce challenges facing the fintech sector.

    500 vacancies remain unfilled

    Eniolorunda said the company deliberately shifted its hiring focus to Nigeria in 2024 but began encountering difficulties by 2025.

    According to him, the challenge goes beyond numbers, as many applicants do not meet the required standards.

    “We have probably 500 vacancies, and we are struggling to fill those roles. Not only could we not find people in the quantity we needed, but the few people we found were not up to the global standards,” he said.

    Focus on global competitiveness

    The Moniepoint CEO explained that the company competes with international firms, particularly in Asia, making high-quality talent essential.

    He noted that building competitive products requires skilled professionals who can operate at global levels.

    “My biggest competitors are from China. I need to make sure I have world-class people working in the organisation,” he added.

    Concerns over education and values

    Eniolorunda linked the talent gap partly to challenges within Nigeria’s education system.

    He also pointed to broader societal influences, including the growing appeal of quick wealth, internet fraud culture, and excessive social media use.

    According to him, these trends may be affecting discipline and long-term skill development among young people.

    Calls for urgent intervention

    The fintech executive described the situation as a deeper societal issue, warning that declining standards could impact national competitiveness.

    “I am honestly beginning to feel like we need to do something to prevent the general quality of reasoning in this country from declining further,” he said.

    He also highlighted what he described as a role-model gap, noting that many young Nigerians are increasingly influenced by visible wealth rather than sustainable success built on skills.

    Wider implications

    The development adds to ongoing conversations about skills development, education reform and workforce readiness in Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.

    Industry observers say addressing the gap will be critical to sustaining innovation and competitiveness in the sector.

    https://twitter.com/i/status/2051359061371695216

  • Obi-Kwankwaso Camp Claims 10 Million Nigerians Joined NDC Within 24 Hours

    The South-West coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, Dr Adefolaseye Adebayo, has claimed that about 10 million Nigerians registered with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) within 24 hours of Peter Obi joining the party.

    She made the statement during an interview while reacting to concerns over Obi’s political chances ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Claim follows Obi’s defection

    The development comes after Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the NDC.

    Their move has triggered widespread reactions, with debates over its impact on the opposition’s strength.

    Adebayo dismisses concerns

    Adebayo rejected claims that Obi’s chances had weakened following his defection.

    She insisted that his political strength goes beyond party platforms, pointing to his national appeal.

    “Mr Peter Obi has a lot of followership across Nigeria. You can’t say his chances have drastically reduced,” she said.

    ‘10 million registered in 24 hours’

    Highlighting what she described as growing momentum, Adebayo claimed millions joined the NDC shortly after Obi’s move.

    “Twenty-four hours after Peter Obi left ADC, 10 million Nigerians registered with NDC and that says a lot,” she added.

    The claim has not been independently verified.

    Supporters cite growing momentum

    Supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso have argued that their alliance could form a strong opposition bloc ahead of 2027.

    They say the increasing interest in the NDC reflects continued public support for their political agenda.

    Ongoing political realignments

    The latest development adds to ongoing shifts within Nigeria’s political space as parties and key figures reposition ahead of the next general elections.

    Observers say the coming months will be critical in determining how these alignments shape the 2027 race.

  • Drama as Woman Accuses RCCG Pastor of Sexual Assault Attempt in Viral Video

    A viral video has triggered widespread reactions after a woman accused a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) of attempting to sexually assault her during a private encounter.

    The allegation surfaced online, drawing attention to the conduct of religious leaders and accountability within faith communities.

    Allegation emerges in viral clip

    In the video, the woman claimed she visited the pastor’s residence to deliver food when the situation allegedly changed.

    She said the pastor began making advances toward her and ignored her repeated refusals.

    According to her, the incident escalated into an attempted assault, which she resisted.

    Details of the encounter

    The woman alleged that the pastor persisted despite her objections and later made further inappropriate demands.

    “I kept telling you no… you were trying to rape me,” she said in the video.

    During the exchange, the pastor was seen attempting to respond and question parts of her claims.

    Reactions trail incident

    The video has since generated intense debate on social media, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation.

    Some users demanded accountability, while others urged caution pending verification of the claims.

    No official response yet

    As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the RCCG or relevant authorities regarding the allegation.

    The incident adds to ongoing conversations around safety, consent and responsibility within religious spaces.

     

  • Rufai Oseni Alleges Moves to Block Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Elections

    Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni has alleged that there may be political efforts aimed at preventing Peter Obi from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

    He made the claim while commenting on recent political developments involving opposition figures.

    Oseni claims strategy to limit Obi

    Speaking during a discussion, Oseni suggested that Obi remains one of the strongest opposition figures capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu.

    He argued that attempts could be made to stop him from appearing on the ballot.

    “The only person that can give President Tinubu a push is Mr Peter Obi. The first strategy is to ensure he doesn’t get on the ballot,” he said.

    Links party switches to internal crises

    Oseni also addressed criticisms surrounding Obi’s movement across political parties.

    He said such decisions were influenced by internal disputes within opposition parties, drawing parallels with the crisis that affected the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022.

    According to him, similar tensions contributed to Obi’s exit from the African Democratic Congress.

    Claims over ADC structure

    The media personality further alleged that the structure of the ADC had been influenced by the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    He referenced disagreements over zoning arrangements, claiming there were differences during a meeting in Oyo State.

    “From a source, there were plans to zone the ticket to the South, but Atiku’s camp insisted otherwise,” he said.

    Debate over Obi’s exit

    Oseni also disputed Obi’s stated reason for leaving the ADC, suggesting the move was driven by internal pressure rather than legal concerns.

    He claimed the former governor had been “pushed into a corner” within the party.

    The comments add to ongoing debates around opposition realignments and political strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

  • Datti Baba-Ahmed Questions Obi’s Readiness for 2027, Criticises Exit from Labour Party

    Former vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has raised concerns about Peter Obi’s political direction ahead of the 2027 presidential election, questioning his readiness for the challenges ahead.

    The comments come amid recent political realignments involving key opposition figures.

    Datti faults Obi’s party exit

    Speaking in an interview shared online, Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party.

    He said Obi should have remained to address internal challenges rather than walk away.

    “As much as I dislike what the APC has done against Nigerians, someone who got the Labour Party’s ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problem,” he said.

    Questions over leadership approach

    Baba-Ahmed also questioned Obi’s approach to political disputes, suggesting it may not reflect the resilience required for national leadership.

    “My former leader saying that wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away? If there is a quarrel in Nigeria, will he walk away?” he asked.

    “If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” he added.

    Doubts over alliance strength

    The former lawmaker further expressed reservations about a potential alliance involving Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    He suggested that such a ticket could struggle to gain traction in northern Nigeria.

    The remarks follow reports of both politicians moving from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

    Growing political tension

    The development highlights ongoing shifts within the opposition as parties reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Analysts say such internal criticisms could shape discussions around coalition building and candidate selection in the coming months.

  • Davido Apologises to Fans After Missing Lagos Show Over Aviation Fuel Issues

    Afrobeats star Davido has apologised to fans after failing to appear at a scheduled performance in Lagos, blaming aviation fuel challenges that disrupted his travel plans.

    The singer was billed to headline an event marking Secret Place’s fifth anniversary in Ikate Elegushi.

    Fans react as Davido misses show

    Fans who gathered for the event on Sunday were left disappointed when the singer did not show up.

    The show, which also featured Zlatan Ibile, had drawn a large crowd expecting Davido’s performance.

    His absence quickly sparked reactions among attendees.

    Singer cites fuel challenges

    In a post shared on his Instagram story on Monday, Davido explained that logistical issues linked to aviation fuel shortages forced him to reschedule his trip.

    “The world happened to me yesterday… finding fuel was a problem to even fly. Everything had to be rescheduled,” he said.

    He linked the situation to broader global disruptions affecting fuel supply.

    Apology and promise to fans

    The singer apologised to fans who attended the event, assuring them that he would make up for the missed performance.

    “To my fans that pulled up… sorry I missed it. We’re going to run it back again soon,” he added.

    Wider concerns over fuel supply

    The incident comes amid growing concerns about aviation fuel availability and rising costs, which have impacted flight operations in several regions.

    Such disruptions have increasingly affected travel schedules, including those of entertainers and event organisers.

  • Family Begs Elumelu to Drop Complaint After Arrest of 18-Year-Old Over Viral Divorce Post

    The family of an 18-year-old UTME candidate, Kingsley Akunemeihe, has appealed to businessman Tony Elumelu to withdraw a complaint that led to the teenager’s arrest over a viral post claiming Elumelu had divorced his wife.

    The incident has sparked concern over the arrest of the student shortly after writing his JAMB exam.

    Teen arrested after exam

    Kingsley was reportedly arrested on April 18 while returning from his Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    His sister, Ngozi Akunemeihe, said he was taken into custody and has remained detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department for over a week.

    “He was coming back from his JAMB exam when he was arrested and never got home,” she said.

    Family claims post was reshared

    According to Ngozi, the controversial post did not originate from her brother.

    She explained that he only reshared it from another account on X, believing it to be true at the time.

    After being alerted that the claim was false and defamatory, she said he deleted the post and issued a public apology.

    “He realised it was wrong and apologised. The apology is still on his handle,” she said.

    Appeal for leniency

    The family said the teenager was arrested about 10 days after the incident despite his apology.

    Ngozi pleaded with Elumelu to consider her brother’s age and show mercy.

    “He is just 18… a teenager who acted out of ignorance. I am begging you to withdraw the complaint so that he can come back home,” she said.

    Growing concerns

    The case has raised questions about the treatment of young social media users and the consequences of sharing unverified information online.

    As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Tony Elumelu regarding the family’s appeal.

  • FG Moves to Evacuate 130 Nigerians from South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

    The Federal Government has begun plans to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, with at least 130 citizens already registered for voluntary repatriation.

    The move comes amid rising concerns over violence targeting foreign nationals.

    FG raises alarm over attacks

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the evacuation plan is aimed at protecting Nigerians as tensions escalate.

    She noted that more citizens are expected to register in the coming days as fears grow over safety.

    The minister also conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s concern, stating that Nigeria would not tolerate continued attacks on its citizens and their businesses.

    Nigeria summons South African envoy

    In response to the situation, the Federal Government has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said discussions would focus on recent anti-immigrant protests and reported cases of harassment, violence and destruction of Nigerian-owned businesses.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for justice, citing the killing of two Nigerians in separate incidents allegedly involving security personnel.

    Evacuation plan underway

    According to the minister, efforts are ongoing to compile a register of Nigerians in South Africa and arrange evacuation flights for those willing to return.

    She described the process as part of broader steps to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.

    Wider regional concern

    Reports indicate that other African nationals have also been affected by the violence, including Ethiopian migrants.

    Despite condemnation of the attacks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, anti-immigrant protests have continued in some areas.

    There have also been reports of individuals being stopped in public places and asked to present identification, while some foreign-owned businesses were forced to shut down during protests.

    The development has drawn reactions across the continent, with Ghana also raising concerns after a viral video showed one of its citizens being confronted over immigration status.

    South Africa is estimated to host about 2.4 million documented migrants, although the actual number is believed to be higher.