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  • Ekiti Church Kidnapping: One Dies as 14 Worshippers Regain Freedom After 60 Days

    Fourteen worshippers abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) crusade in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have regained their freedom after spending more than 60 days in captivity.

    The development was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who said the victims were released around midnight on Friday, July 3, and have since been taken to a hospital for medical treatment and evaluation.

    One victim reportedly died in captivity

    According to the report, 15 worshippers were abducted during the attack, but one of them died while in captivity.

    The remaining 14 victims were said to have returned in critical physical and emotional condition after enduring more than two months in the kidnappers’ custody.

    Makama said the victims are currently receiving medical attention as health officials assess their condition.

    Attack happened during church crusade

    The worshippers were kidnapped on April 28, 2026, when suspected gunmen attacked an open-air crusade organised by the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti.

    The attackers reportedly killed the officiating pastor before abducting 15 members of the congregation and taking them to an unknown destination.

    “One of the 15 abducted worshippers died while in captivity. The remaining victims are said to be in critical physical and emotional condition following their ordeal,” Makama stated.

    Authorities yet to speak

    As of the time of reporting, security agencies and the Ekiti State Government had not issued an official statement on the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release.

    It also remains unclear whether any ransom was paid or if arrests have been made in connection with the attack.

  • EFCC Boss Reveals How Yahoo Boys Stole N7.2m from Serving Judge Overnight

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Boys, stole more than N7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in a midnight cyberattack.

    Olukoyede shared the incident during the public presentation of two books written by Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, describing it as a clear example of the growing threat posed by cybercrime in Nigeria.

    Judge lost six years of savings overnight

    According to the EFCC chairman, the judge, who serves in one of the South-South states, was awakened around 1 a.m. by multiple debit alerts showing that fraudsters had emptied her account.

    He said the stolen N7.2 million represented six years of savings the judge had set aside to fund her child’s education.

    Olukoyede disclosed that the judge immediately contacted him after discovering the withdrawals.

    EFCC recovered the stolen money

    The EFCC chairman said the commission quickly launched an investigation and successfully recovered the entire amount before 6 p.m. on the same day.

    He added that the incident happened in a state where a court order had previously restricted the EFCC from investigating certain financial crimes.

    According to Olukoyede, the judge later admitted that becoming a victim of cybercrime changed her perspective on the agency’s work.

    “He added that if an application comes before that judge to stop the EFCC from carrying out its mandate, she will refuse it because she has become a victim,” he said.

    Cybercrime remains a major concern

    Olukoyede used the incident to stress the increasing sophistication of internet fraudsters and the need to strengthen efforts to combat cybercrime across the country.

    He noted that cybercriminals continue to target Nigerians from all walks of life, including public officials and members of the judiciary.

    The EFCC has not disclosed the identity of the judge, the specific South-South state involved or whether any suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

  • Adeleke Tells IGP to Arrest Anyone Breaking the Law, ‘Even If It Is My Son’

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities in the state, saying no one, including members of his family, should be spared.

    Adeleke made the declaration on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Tunji Disu, at the Government House in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

    Governor demands impartial policing

    Speaking during the meeting, Adeleke said maintaining peace in Osun State remains his administration’s top priority and urged security agencies to carry out their duties without fear or favour.

    “If you see any of my people that committed a crime, arrest them. All we want is peace in Osun State,” the governor said.

    He added that even if his own son was found committing an offence, he should be arrested, charged and made to face the law.

    “I don’t condone criminality. All I want is peace in my state and not bias policing. Osun deserves peace,” he said.

    IGP assures residents of peaceful election

    The visit centred on security preparations ahead of the governorship election, with the police chief assuring the governor that the Nigeria Police Force would remain professional, neutral and apolitical throughout the electoral process.

    Disu also reaffirmed the commitment of the police to tackling political violence, thuggery and other security threats before, during and after the election.

    The meeting comes amid heightened security concerns in Osun State following recent incidents of political violence, including the killing of a teenage boy in Ilobu, for which suspects have already been arrested.

    The governor’s remarks have attracted attention as political activities intensify ahead of the governorship poll, with authorities promising stricter enforcement of law and order across the state.

  • South Africa Rejects Compensation Demand, Asks Nigeria to Identify Alleged Drug Dens

    The South African government has ruled out paying compensation for illegal structures occupied by foreign nationals, while calling on the Nigerian government to provide information on locations allegedly used for drug-related activities by Nigerians in the country.

    The remarks were made by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a briefing on government policy regarding foreign-owned assets and informal settlements.

    Government insists only legal properties are protected

    Ntshavheni said foreign nationals who legally own assets in South Africa are free to sell them before leaving the country, stressing that only properties recognised under South African law qualify for legal protection.

    According to her, houses are registered with the Deeds Registry, vehicles through the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), while businesses are registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

    “If you own a property in South Africa, it’s registered. If it’s a house, it’s registered with the Deeds Register. If you own a car, it’s registered in the NATIS system. If you own a business, it’s registered with the CIPC,” she said.

    She maintained that informal settlements and illegal structures do not qualify as recognised properties under the law.

    Calls for information on alleged drug locations

    The minister also called on the Nigerian government to provide information on places allegedly being used for drug-related activities.

    “We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so they can show us where they’ve been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” she said.

    Ntshavheni added that authorities would continue clearing illegal settlements in line with court judgments and warned that no compensation would be paid for structures considered unlawful.

    “There’s no compensation that will come from government,” she said, adding that owners of legally registered properties remain free to dispose of their assets through South Africa’s property market before leaving the country.

    The comments come amid ongoing discussions over immigration enforcement, illegal settlements and crime involving foreign nationals in South Africa.

     

  • Emefiele Trial: Alleged $6.2m Withdrawal Pushed CBN Dollar Account Into ₦2.86bn Deficit, Witness Tells Court

    The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, took a fresh turn on Friday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that an alleged fraudulent $6.2 million withdrawal from the apex bank pushed one of its special dollar accounts into a negative balance of ₦2.858 billion.

    Witness explains alleged deficit

    The 15th prosecution witness, Jim Osayande Obazee, who served as the Federal Government’s special investigator into the CBN, said the funds were allegedly withdrawn from the bank’s Abuja branch without the required naira cover for dollar transactions.

    According to him, the transaction forced the account used for internal staff and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) into a deficit of ₦2,858,150,196.42, a development he said should have immediately triggered an investigation by Emefiele and the bank’s chief accounting officer.

    Obazee made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Hamza Muazu during the ongoing trial being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    How the funds were allegedly released

    The witness told the court that the $6.23 million, reportedly meant for foreign election observers during the 2023 general election, left the Abuja branch of the CBN on February 3, 2023, without proper documentation identifying the receiving official.

    He added that the transaction should have appeared in the CBN’s 2022 financial statements, signed in May 2025, and should also have been detected by both the bank’s internal auditors and external auditors, Ernst & Young.

    Obazee further claimed that the CBN’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal was inactive for more than a month before the withdrawal, making it impossible for the recipient to complete normal identification procedures before collecting the funds.

    “The money won’t leave without the governor’s approval,” the witness told the court, arguing that Emefiele should have detected the discrepancies.

    Investigation and recovered funds

    According to the witness, the investigation began after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him on July 28, 2023, to probe the CBN and related government entities.

    He said investigators discovered that former President Muhammadu Buhari had authorised the release of funds for election observer logistics through a letter addressed to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Obazee said another letter from Mustapha introduced one Jibril Abubakar as the person authorised to collect the money, while a separate directive from the CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision instructed the Abuja branch controller to release the funds.

    He also told the court that investigators recovered $856,500 from Bashir Maishanu, who allegedly confessed and returned the money during the investigation.

    The witness added that there was no evidence showing the funds ever reached any foreign election observers.

    Defence begins cross-examination

    During cross-examination, Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), pointed out that criminal charges had already been filed against the former CBN governor in September 2023, before Obazee’s appointment in December of the same year.

    Obazee confirmed that everyone interviewed during the investigation, including Emefiele, denied involvement in the transaction. He also said Emefiele was questioned while in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

    Justice Muazu ruled during proceedings that the witness could not authenticate Emefiele’s signature on documents presented before the court because he is not a forensic document examiner.

    The court adjourned the case until October 20, 2026, for the adoption of final addresses. Defence counsel also informed the court of plans to file a no-case submission on behalf of the former CBN governor.

  • Oyo Govt Denies Paying Ransom for Abducted Schoolchildren, Teachers

    The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims that it paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false.

    The government was reacting to claims made by social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who alleged in a viral video that ransom had been paid but the victims were yet to regain their freedom.

    Government rejects ransom claims

    In a statement, the state government insisted that no ransom was paid for the abducted pupils and teachers.

    Officials maintained that security agencies are continuing efforts to rescue the victims, urging residents to disregard unverified reports capable of causing unnecessary panic.

    The government also reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe return of everyone still in captivity.

    School abduction triggered public outrage

    The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, after heavily armed gunmen attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

    The affected schools included Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle.

    The attack reportedly claimed the life of one teacher during the invasion, while another teacher was later reported to have died in captivity.

    Protests followed incident

    The abduction sparked protests across the state, including a demonstration led by VeryDarkMan at the residence of Governor Seyi Makinde, where protesters demanded the immediate rescue of the victims and improved security for schools.

    The incident also disrupted academic activities, leading to school closures and an indefinite strike by teachers in some affected communities.

    Security operations continue

    Authorities said security operations have been intensified, with security personnel working to locate the abductors and rescue those still being held.

    The incident has once again drawn attention to the recurring challenge of school abductions in Nigeria, with many calling for stronger measures to protect schools and rural communities from criminal attacks.

  • Oba of Benin Performs Traditional Rituals, Places Ancestral Curses on Kidnappers and Criminals

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has led traditional spiritual rites invoking ancestral curses against kidnappers, armed robbers, ritual killers, bandits and other criminals operating in Edo State.

    The rituals, held on Thursday at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, brought together priests, priestesses, traditional healers and worshippers from different shrines across Edo South as part of efforts to confront rising insecurity in the state.

    Traditionalists gather at Benin Palace

    Participants dressed in traditional red “Ododo” attire assembled at the palace, where they offered libations, chanted prayers and invoked ancestral powers against criminals, their collaborators and sponsors.

    The exercise followed earlier directives issued by the monarch, who said the spiritual intervention would complement ongoing security operations by government agencies.

    Traditional worshippers associated with deities including Aiyelala, Olokun and Osokpikan, as well as members of the Iwebo society and traditional physicians, participated in the ceremony.

    Oba backs fight against insecurity

    Palace officials said the exercise was aimed at supporting efforts by security agencies and the Edo State Government to curb kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

    Chief Osemwonta Iguezigbon, head of the Ewaise palace group, and Clement Edegbe, Chief Priest of the Aiyelala deity, said the rituals were necessary to confront criminality and restore peace across the state.

    They also expressed concern over the growing rate of kidnappings and the decline in respect for traditional values.

    Reactions trail spiritual intervention

    The ceremony has generated mixed reactions on social media.

    While many Nigerians praised the Oba for taking a cultural and spiritual stand against insecurity, others argued that stronger policing, effective law enforcement and improved governance remain the most sustainable solutions to the country’s security challenges.

    The development comes as Edo State continues to battle kidnapping and other violent crimes, with both traditional institutions and government authorities seeking new ways to improve public safety.

  • Moment Tinubu Playfully Calls First Lady ‘Iya Alakara’ at State House Dinner

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shared a light-hearted moment on Thursday when he jokingly referred to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara” during the maiden Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

    The remark, which drew laughter from guests, appeared to reference the recent public debate surrounding the First Lady’s comments on small-scale businesses.

    Tinubu jokes about First Lady

    While acknowledging dignitaries at the event, the President introduced his wife with a smile.

    “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” Tinubu said.

    The comment was greeted with laughter from the audience and quickly circulated across social media.

    Remark follows recent controversy

    The President’s joke comes days after the First Lady faced criticism over comments she made during a Renewed Hope Initiative programme, where she encouraged beneficiaries of government grants to consider small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli kuli.

    Following the backlash, Oluremi Tinubu clarified that the empowerment programme was not limited to akara sellers but also supports traders dealing in tomatoes, vegetables, pepper and other petty businesses.

    She maintained that the initiative provides grants, not loans, to help small-scale entrepreneurs improve their livelihoods.

    Social media reacts

    Tinubu’s humorous reference has generated mixed reactions online.

    While some Nigerians viewed the moment as a light-hearted attempt to address the ongoing conversation, others argued that the remark came at a time when many citizens continue to grapple with economic hardship and the rising cost of living.

    The Presidential Press Corps Dinner was organised to strengthen engagement between the presidency and journalists covering the State House.

  • INEC to Introduce Downloadable PVCs for Lost, Damaged Cards Ahead of 2027 Elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for registered voters whose physical cards have been lost, damaged or defaced ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The initiative is part of the commission’s wider efforts to modernise Nigeria’s electoral system and improve access to voter services.

    Who qualifies for the digital PVC?

    INEC said the downloadable PVC will only be available to registered voters who had previously collected their physical voter cards before they were lost or damaged.

    The commission explained that the digital option will not apply to new registrants or individuals who have never collected their original PVCs.

    Eligible voters will still be required to complete the official replacement process at INEC offices and meet the stipulated deadline of at least 90 days before an election.

    Digital card recognised for accreditation

    According to INEC, the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026 recognise both a valid physical PVC and a downloadable copy for voter accreditation, alongside the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

    The commission said the initiative is expected to reduce the cost and logistical burden of reprinting replacement voter cards while making the process more convenient for affected voters.

    The Electoral Act 2026 also contains provisions allowing eligible voters to print downloadable replacement copies of their PVCs after completing the necessary procedures.

    Mixed reactions trail announcement

    The proposed digital PVC has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.

    While many welcomed the move as a step towards improving electoral services and reducing costs, others raised concerns about possible security risks, implementation challenges and the potential for abuse if adequate safeguards are not put in place.

    INEC also reiterated its plans to introduce full online voter registration as part of its ongoing electoral reforms and advised Nigerians to rely only on its official platforms for information regarding voter registration and PVC replacement.

    The commission said additional guidelines on accessing and downloading the digital PVC will be released in the coming weeks.

    For more information, eligible voters can visit INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration portal at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org.

  • FG to Replace NYSC Khaki Uniform with Locally Made Adire Fabric

    The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the 53-year-old scheme.

    Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.

    ‘Let’s put our money back into Nigeria’

    Olawande said the new uniform would be produced in Nigeria to support local industries and reduce government spending on imported materials.”It’s Adire… Let’s put our money back into the country. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry,” the minister said.

    Adire is a traditional tie-dye fabric widely produced in parts of southwestern Nigeria and has become one of the country’s most recognised indigenous textiles.

    Part of wider NYSC reforms

    The proposed uniform change is part of a broader reform package recently approved by the Federal Government for the NYSC.

    The reforms include improved orientation camp standards, a redesigned graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade, a new uniform design and measures aimed at making the scheme more skills-driven and employment-focused.

    The government said the reforms are intended to modernise the NYSC while promoting local production and economic growth.

    Announcement sparks reactions

    The proposal has generated mixed reactions on social media.

    While some Nigerians welcomed the move as a way of supporting local textile manufacturers, others questioned whether changing the uniform should take priority over issues such as corps members’ welfare, security and improved allowances.

    The Federal Government has yet to announce when the new Adire uniform will be introduced.