Gunmen Abduct Five from Edo Health Centre, Demand ₦100 Million Ransom

A kidnapping incident in Akoko‑Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, has left residents alarmed after five people were abducted from the Makeke Health Centre. The kidnappers have reportedly contacted families, demanding a ₦100 million ransom for the release of two of the victims.

The abductions occurred on February 8, 2026, targeting individuals seeking and providing medical services. The confirmed victims include Mrs. Gladys Okomayin, a nurse at the health centre; Miss Tope Oriloye, a female secondary school student; and Mr. Samuel Ilesanmi, who had brought his son for treatment. The names of the two other victims have not yet been released.

Eyewitnesses reported that the nurse was later abandoned in the bush as she could not keep pace with the kidnappers during their retreat. Following the incident, local hunters and vigilantes mobilised to comb the forests for the abducted individuals, but efforts to locate them were unsuccessful.

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The kidnappers have demanded ₦100 million for the release of Miss Oriloye and Mr. Ilesanmi, heightening fears over a rising spate of kidnappings in Edo State and surrounding regions.

Mr. Omowumi Bode Ekundayo, National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, warned that the security situation is deteriorating, stressing that the area has become a gateway for criminal activities from neighboring states. He called on security agencies and state authorities to take urgent action to prevent further tragedies.

The Edo State Police Command, through Public Relations Officer Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the kidnappings and stated that investigations and rescue operations are ongoing. Authorities are working to ensure the safe return of the victims and apprehend those responsible.

This incident adds to Edo State’s growing security challenges, as communities continue to grapple with abductions and ransom demands across rural and semi-urban areas. Residents and local leaders have urged stronger police presence and rapid intervention strategies to tackle the kidnapping menace.

Gunmen Abduct Five from Edo Health Centre, Demand ₦100 Million Ransom

Ex-Acting AGF Nwabuoku Admits Diverting N868.4 Million to Private Firms

Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, has admitted in the Federal High Court in Abuja to authorising the transfer of N868.4 million in public funds from the Ministry of Defence to four private companies. The confession, made during cross-examination on Tuesday, marks a dramatic turn in the ongoing money laundering trial against the former senior public finance official.

The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, heard that the funds were transferred to Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited. Nwabuoku described the transactions in a written statement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as for “classified security purposes.” However, this contradicted his earlier testimony in court, where he denied any links to the companies.

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During cross-examination by prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, Nwabuoku was confronted with his ICPC statement dated February 2, 2025, in which he admitted authorising the payments while serving as the Director of Finance at the Defence Ministry. The prosecution argued that there was no evidence that the funds were used for lawful security purposes, insisting that the transactions lacked proper documentation or justification.

Nwabuoku also addressed questions regarding his personal residence, claiming he purchased the property with legitimate earnings. However, he acknowledged a N64 million cheque issued by Mdavi Limited to City Gate Homes for the acquisition of the house, raising further questions about the source of funds.

He faces nine counts of money laundering linked to the N868,465,000, with the EFCC prosecuting the case. Earlier, the court dismissed his no-case submission, ruling that sufficient evidence existed for him to open his defence. The trial has highlighted alleged gaps in public finance management and accountability, particularly in senior government offices.

The case has been adjourned to February 27, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses by counsel, as the court continues to weigh evidence in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile anti-corruption trials.

The proceedings have attracted significant attention, reflecting growing public demand for transparency and the recovery of misappropriated public funds. Nwabuoku’s admission is expected to play a key role in the prosecution’s case and could influence how accountability measures are enforced in the management of federal resources.

Ex-Acting AGF Nwabuoku Admits Diverting N868.4 Million to Private Firms

Deji Adeyanju Mocks El-Rufai Over Alleged Arrest Plot

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has mocked former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai following the latter’s claim that the Federal Government is planning to arrest and detain him upon his return to Nigeria.

El-Rufai had raised the alarm in a two-page document titled “Confidential Briefing Memo”, dated February 10, 2026, in which he expressed concerns about what he described as an anticipated politically motivated detention. The memo, reportedly sighted by BusinessDay, outlined alleged sustained pressure from security and anti-corruption agencies after his fallout with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his withdrawal from participating in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In the memo, the former governor said that since formally declining to serve in the Tinubu administration in August 2023 and subsequently resigning from the APC, he and his associates have faced repeated investigations.

“Since formally withdrawing my earlier acceptance to serve in the Tinubu administration in August 2023 and subsequently resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), my close allies and I have been subjected to repeated investigations by security and anti-corruption agencies,” he stated.

El-Rufai, who is reportedly outside the country, further alleged that several former officials who served in his administration, as well as business associates linked to him, have been unlawfully detained without charge for extended periods.

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“Officials who served in my administration and business persons alleged to be associated with me have been unlawfully detained without charge for extended periods, including my Chief of Staff (50 days), a Senior Adviser (28 days), a commissioner (24 days), and a CEO (over 70 days and still detained). They are then arraigned on phantom charges, with judges influenced to deny bail or impose stringent conditions,” he claimed.

The former governor also recalled what he described as a similar attempt to prosecute him during the administrations of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between 2010 and 2013 failed after he was discharged and acquitted of an alleged abuse of office charge relating to land approvals while serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Despite years of intense, multi-agency investigation, no credible evidence has been presented against me, and no charges have been filed,” El-Rufai added.

On the alleged new plan to arrest him, he said he had received credible information indicating the certainty of detention upon his imminent return to Nigeria. He described the move as inconsistent with constitutional safeguards and Nigeria’s international obligations, while also alleging selective prosecution of opposition figures and sponsored media attacks aimed at damaging his reputation.

However, reacting via social media, Deji Adeyanju dismissed El-Rufai’s claims and accused him of hypocrisy, referencing his record while serving as Kaduna State governor.

“El-Rufai said they are planning to arrest him soon. El-Rufai arrested everyone who criticized him in Kaduna,” Adeyanju wrote.

He cited the case of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a government critic who was abducted in 2019 and has not been found since.

“His critic Dadiyata who was abducted in front of his wife and daughter disappeared till today without trace. The oppressors of yesterday are now comrades,” Adeyanju added.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Federal Government, the Presidency, or relevant security agencies regarding El-Rufai’s allegations of an impending arrest.

The development marks another chapter in the ongoing political tensions involving the former governor, who has recently been vocal about his disagreements with the current administration and internal dynamics within the APC.

Deji Adeyanju Mocks El-Rufai Over Alleged Arrest Plot