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Anger over Nigerian union member kidnapped in South Africa

Published

1 year ago

April 28, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa

Anger over Nigerian union member kidnapped in South Africa

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has raised alarm over kidnapping of one of their members identified as Ani Silas in Springs, Gauteng Province of the former apartheid’s enclave.

NUSA said this in a statement on Sunday while condemning recent brutal attack on seven Nigerians in various parts of South Africa in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Akindele Olunloyo.

According to the statement, Silas was beaten unconscious and forcibly taken from his workplace by a member of staff of a television station last Thursday.

The Association said the Nigerian has been missing since he was abducted.

Kidnappers of Silas were accompanied by his media team, private security personnel and members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) Crime Prevention Unit attached to the Springs SAPS Station, NUSA said.

The Association added that numerous onlookers witnessed the unprovoked attack and abduction while it has also obtained video evidence showing SAPS officers standing by while this heinous act was committed,” NUSA said.

It said the behaviour by law enforcement officials represented a severe dereliction of duty and suggested potential complicity in what constituted multiple criminal offences under South African law.

“Despite extensive searches of morgues, hospitals, and police stations throughout Gauteng Province, Mr Silas remains missing.

“A formal kidnapping case (Case Number: 508/4/2025) has been registered at the Springs SAPS station.

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“NUSA leadership has been informed that the matter has been transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID),” it said.

The apex body of Nigerians in South Africa demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Silas on Tuesday at 12 noon.

The group also asked for full accountability for all those involved in his assault and abduction, including the
immediate arrest and suspension of the SAPS officers who failed to prevent the alleged attack.

It further demanded a formal investigation and arrest of the assailant and accomplices for their recurring pattern of violent xenophobic attacks against Nigerian nationals.

NUSA also demanded public assurance from the South African authorities that the rights of all foreign nationals will be protected as guaranteed by the South African Constitution and international human rights conventions.

The statement reminded all parties involved that South African law explicitly prohibited acts of torture, assault, and kidnapping under the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act 13 of 2013.

It quoted NUSA President, Smart Nwobi, as calling on all Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and peaceful during this critical time.

“We are in communication with the Nigerian government’s foreign Missions in South Africa, international human rights organisations and the African Union regarding this grave matter,” Nwobi said.

He said should the demands of NUSA not be met by the specified deadline, the Nigerian community in Springs had resolved to peacefully occupy the Springs police station.

Nwobi added that the union would pursue all available legal avenues to secure justice for Silas and other victims of the attack.(NAN)

Anger over Nigerian union member kidnapped in South Africa

Related Topics:Kidnapped Nigerian union South Africa

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FG Orders Immediate Halt of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road Work – Here’s Why

Published

42 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Orders Immediate Halt of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road Work – Here’s Why

Minister Dave Umahi halts work over technical concerns, questions N2.8 billion palliative certificate, and warns of sanctions for poor performance.

The Federal Government has temporarily suspended reconstruction work on the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road, directing the contractor handling the project to halt operations and review the pavement mixture specifications being used on the road. Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, gave the directive on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Ltd. during an inspection of the Osun section of the ongoing road reconstruction project.

Umahi, who toured the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa road project alongside federal lawmakers and other stakeholders, instructed the contractor to visit another project site to study the pavement mixture before resuming work. “Go and check that mixture and then resume your work,” the minister said. He also ordered the contractor to slow work on the carriageway and immediately form two teams to focus on constructing the inner and outer shoulders of the road, describing the shoulder works as critical in certain sections.

The minister warned that if the project would not be completed within the stipulated timeframe, he would withdraw the Controller of Works overseeing the project in Osun State. Umahi disclosed that he had previously redeployed several controllers in other states and was prepared to do the same in Osun if necessary. “I have removed a number of controllers in some states, starting with my own state. I am going to make a classroom in my ministry and bring professionals into the classroom. Those I am removing from sites are going to be learning every day. When you pass, we deploy you back to site,” he stated.

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The minister also criticised the issuance of a N2.8 billion palliative certificate to the contractor, saying he had not seen evidence of the work for which the payment approval was granted. “I am on these roads and I have not seen where the palliative was done, but you already gave a palliative certificate of N2.8 billion,” he said. Umahi directed the Controller of Works to withdraw the certificate within 24 hours and ordered the contractor to carry out the palliative work properly. “I don’t want to see any pothole, and the agreement is that you will mill all the failed and cracked sections,” he said. The minister further instructed the contractor to apply binder on the affected sections and emphasised that performance would determine future working relationships. “My friendship is based on the work. I don’t have a permanent friend or a permanent enemy. We have to take responsibility for what the public has asked us to do,” he stated.

Umahi also directed the Controller of Works to remove heavy-duty trucks parked on newly constructed concrete sections of the road within 24 hours, warning that such practices could weaken the pavement structure. “The moment you have those things parked, it generates internal stress on the concrete. You will not see it immediately, but that is the failure of the concrete,” he explained. The minister additionally warned contractors handling solar streetlight installations on the road corridor to suspend the work until the shoulder construction is completed. “Solar lights must be done when we are done. You can’t effectively do the solar lights on the shoulders until you have done the shoulders,” he said.

Despite the concerns raised during the inspection, Umahi commended CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Ltd. for its commitment to the project, noting that the company had continued work despite outstanding payments from the government. “We have not paid them. They are working on 108 kilometres. They have done about 70 kilometres, and they do about one kilometre per day,” he said.

The Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa expressway is a major arterial route linking the South-West and parts of the South-East, and its prolonged deterioration has remained a source of concern for motorists and residents along the corridor. The project was previously awarded to Kopek Construction Company but was terminated due to unsatisfactory progress before being re-awarded to CBC Global, which is deploying concrete pavement technology expected to make the new road last up to 50 years without major rehabilitation.

FG Orders Immediate Halt of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road Work – Here’s Why

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Police Reject Ransom Talks for Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren, Vow Safe Rescue

Published

55 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu

Police Reject Ransom Talks for Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren, Vow Safe Rescue

DIG Adegoke Fayoade says security agencies working ’round the clock’ to free 46 pupils and teachers taken in Oriire LGA attack.

The Nigeria Police Force has firmly ruled out any form of ransom negotiation for the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, insisting that rescue efforts remain the sole priority. The declaration came on Monday, June 22, 2026, from South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, during an official working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja. Addressing reports of ransom demands by the abductors, Fayoade stated categorically that the police do not engage in such discussions. “We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. All efforts are directed towards getting the abductees freed safely,” he said. He added that multiple security agencies and government authorities are coordinating operations to secure the victims’ release “within the shortest possible time.”

Fayoade explained that his visit to Lagos was part of efforts to strengthen supervision across police commands in the South-West and assess strategies for addressing emerging security threats. He identified manpower shortage, personnel welfare, and operational logistics as some of the major concerns affecting effective policing, adding that observations from the visit would be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, for further action and policy direction. He also confirmed that the recruitment of 40,000 police personnel had commenced.

Fayoade assured Nigerians that security forces are intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and their teachers, who were taken during an attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. The attack, which also claimed the life of a mathematics teacher, sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security measures across the state. “All agencies, including government, are working very hard, and I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, those children and their teachers will be free,” Fayoade said. He noted that the police were investing in technology, data management, and intelligence-led operations, with a data centre at Force Headquarters being completed and officers set to begin courses on the use of Artificial Intelligence in investigations.

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Security sources have indicated that sustained military pressure on the forest where the victims are being held has forced the abductors, suspected to be members of the Ansaru terrorist group, to relax some of their initial demands. The kidnappers had earlier demanded the release of key Ansaru leaders in custody, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related conditions. Sources disclosed that the terrorists are no longer insisting on freeing two prominent Ansaru commanders—Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar) and his deputy, Abubakar Abba (alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri)—who were arrested by the Department of State Services last year. The forest where the victims are believed to be held stretches from the Oyo National Park to parts of Kainji in Niger State, and security forces have tightened surveillance around the area.

Multiple security sources revealed that troops and other security personnel involved in the rescue operation have surrounded a hideout within the National Park forest area, where the abducted pupils and teachers are believed to be held. According to security sources, the terrorists have been “effectively contained within the forest,” with security operatives blocking possible escape routes and restricting their movement with the hostages. Investigators believe the leader of the kidnapping gang is a northerner who was born in Ogbomoso and grew up in the Oriire area, giving him familiarity with the terrain. “It is possible that he ran from Kogi when the heat was turned on them before moving to the kidnap of soft targets in Oriire and its environs, which he is familiar with having spent his early life there,” a security source added.

Following mounting pressure and the likelihood of capture, the terrorists have reportedly resorted to desperate tactics, including the recent killing of one of the abducted teachers, apparently in an attempt to blackmail authorities and halt the ongoing rescue operation. The abduction, which involved 39 pupils and six teachers (a seventh teacher was reportedly killed), has left families in anguish as they await news of their loved ones. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde recently disclosed that a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed during rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the victims. Addressing protesters in Ibadan, Makinde assured residents that Oyo State would not witness a repeat of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, promising that authorities were deploying every available resource to resolve the crisis.

For now, security agencies continue to pursue an intelligence-driven rescue operation, while the government insists on a firm stance against ransom payments. The coming days will be critical in determining the fate of the abducted pupils and teachers. Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the government would continue to restrict public comments on the operation in order to avoid compromising efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Police Reject Ransom Talks for Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren, Vow Safe Rescue

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“You’re still growing as a child” – GehGeh Slams Peller’s Marriage to Jarvis

Published

7 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Ojaigho Prosper, popularly known as GehGeh, TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller and Content Creator Elizabeth Aminata, popularly called Jarvis

“You’re still growing as a child” – GehGeh Slams Peller’s Marriage to Jarvis

Influencer questions whether financial success alone qualifies young content creator for marriage, igniting fresh debate on maturity and timing.

Social media commentator Ojaigho Prosper, popularly known as GehGeh, has publicly criticised TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, over his decision to marry fellow content creator Elizabeth Aminata, popularly called Jarvis. The criticism has reignited debates about age, maturity and readiness for marriage in the social media era, with GehGeh arguing that financial success alone should not be the basis for marriage.

The criticism followed Peller’s announcement on Sunday that he had completed traditional marriage rites by paying Jarvis’s bride price during a family introduction ceremony in Benin City, Edo State. Sharing clips from the event on Instagram, Peller wrote: “Today, I proudly paid the bride price of the woman I love.” He described the occasion as the beginning of a beautiful journey and expressed gratitude to both families for their blessings, declaring himself “officially off the market.” Following the ceremony, Peller shared an emotional video of Jarvis nearly crying as they prepared to leave her hometown for Lagos. He also recently revealed that Jarvis is pregnant, adding another layer to the public discourse around the timing of their union. The couple’s relationship has been highly publicised since 2024, featuring viral collaborations, multiple engagements, emotional breakups, and reconciliations.

Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, GehGeh questioned the growing argument that financial strength alone justifies marriage, insisting that other key factors must be considered before making such a life decision. “Y’all are justifying his act with ‘he has the money allow him’. But y’all failed to ask yourself if he’s ready mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually,” he wrote. He further stated: “Everything isn’t all about the money.” GehGeh expressed disappointment that Peller went ahead with the marriage plans despite his earlier advice, arguing that the content creator was still young and had more personal development ahead of him. “You still growing as a child why get married now eehn.. I tried my possible best to help you but you failed to listen to me.. Peller don go marry Jarvis.. upon all my advice this boy still pour spit for my face,” he said. The influencer also challenged those supporting Peller’s decision on the basis of his financial standing, asking whether they would encourage a younger sibling or family member to marry at a similar age. According to GehGeh, those backing the decision on grounds of Peller’s financial stability should reflect on whether they would advise a younger relative to take such a step.

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The family introduction ceremony comes weeks after Peller proposed to Jarvis at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, where she accepted his proposal. The couple first met in 2023 through TikTok live streams, and their chemistry quickly captured public attention. In October 2024, their relationship became public when Jarvis kissed Peller on stage at the Pulse Influencer Awards. Their journey has been marked by public arguments, with Jarvis previously expressing concerns about Peller airing their private disagreements online and admitting she had “compromised her values” to support him. In July 2025, Jarvis confirmed they were engaged but stressed that marriage would happen at the right time, citing the need for caution and readiness. The couple has also weathered controversy beyond their personal conduct. In March 2026, Jarvis publicly appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for forgiveness after backlash over an unauthorised visit to the Benin Royal Palace, which the Benin Traditional Council described as a violation of palace customs. That episode unfolded in the same Edo State setting where the bride price has now been paid, adding an ironic layer to their recent traditional ceremony.

The development has sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some users defending Peller’s decision on the grounds that he is financially stable and capable of providing, while others agreed with GehGeh that maturity goes beyond wealth and readiness equally matters. The exchange underscores how the private milestones of Nigeria’s young digital stars increasingly play out as public referendums on age, money, and readiness for marriage. What follows remains uncertain. Neither Peller nor Jarvis has fixed a date for a white wedding, and GehGeh has not indicated whether he intends to press the matter further. For now, the debate continues to generate significant online engagement, with fans and critics alike weighing in on whether the young content creators made the right decision.