Okonjo-Iweala disowns fake post criticising Tinubu, vows legal action against impersonators - Newstrends
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Okonjo-Iweala disowns fake post criticising Tinubu, vows legal action against impersonators

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Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Okonjo-Iweala disowns fake post criticising Tinubu, vows legal action against impersonators

Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has disowned a viral social media post falsely attributed to her, in which she was quoted as criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria.

The post, titled “Trump didn’t ‘hit’ us — our leaders did,” alleged that Okonjo-Iweala blamed Nigerian leaders for prioritizing rhetoric over decisive action against banditry and insurgency. It also falsely claimed that she urged President Tinubu to “stop the damage control speeches” and “secure the people.”

Reacting on Saturday via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the WTO chief described the statement as fake and said legal action was underway against those behind the impersonation.

“Beware, this story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name,” she wrote.

Okonjo-Iweala condemned the impersonation, calling on the culprits to take responsibility rather than hide behind her identity.

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“Whichever coward did this should write the message in their own name and not hide behind mine or anyone else’s! Scammers and 419ers, stop!” she added.

Her reaction came amid growing controversy over remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being persecuted in Nigeria.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, warned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if the reported killings of Christians continued. The comment drew sharp criticism and prompted official reactions from the Nigerian government.

Responding, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and religious freedom, emphasizing that his administration actively engages with leaders of all faiths to promote peace and national unity.

He dismissed foreign portrayals of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation, describing such claims as false and contrary to the country’s long-standing culture of diversity and coexistence.

“Religious tolerance has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said in a post on his X handle.

He also pledged to continue working with the United States and other international partners to strengthen mutual understanding and protect all religious communities.

However, Trump doubled down on his stance during a follow-up post on Wednesday night, insisting that the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.” He urged U.S. lawmakers, including House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole and Congressman Riley Moore, to investigate the situation and report back to him.

Okonjo-Iweala disowns fake post criticising Tinubu, vows legal action against impersonators

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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.

According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.

Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.

Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.

The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.

He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.

Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.

 

Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

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Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

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Adeleke withdraws EFCC suit after Tinubu’s intervention
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

The Osun State Government has vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for the recent killings and violent clashes across the state.

The government also denied allegations that it was protecting those suspected of killing Olalekan Oyeyemi amid a leadership dispute in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Speaking on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, said the administration would allow security agencies to investigate the cases without interference.

 Adeleke Summons Security Chiefs

Following the recent violence, Adeleke called an emergency security meeting attended by commanders from the police, DSS, Army, NDLEA, Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Amotekun.

Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi represented the governor at the meeting.

Ojo said the security chiefs agreed to intensify efforts to stop further killings and restore peace across Osun.

He also dismissed claims that the government was shielding suspects in Oyeyemi’s murder, saying the police and DSS had been directed to thoroughly investigate the case.

Meanwhile, two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, had alleged that Oyeyemi was killed because some union leaders opposed his proposed emergence as the next state chairman.

Transportation Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, however, denied that the government endorsed Oyeyemi for the position. He said the union leaders only informed him of their decision to choose the deceased.

About five people have reportedly been killed between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo in incidents linked to motor park disputes and alleged cult-related clashes.

 

Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

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57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

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57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor

57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, identified as Kadiri Edenokun, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The suspect was reportedly taken into custody after the alleged abuse of the child was brought to the attention of the authorities, prompting the police to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Police sources said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that the incident occurred on more than one occasion. However, the allegation remains under investigation, and Edenokun has not been convicted of any offence.

The case has renewed attention on the problem of child sexual abuse in Edo State, particularly allegations involving adults who have regular access to children within homes and other familiar environments.

The Edo State Government disclosed in August that more than 70 cases of child defilement had been recorded in the state between January and July 2026. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, said children between the ages of two and 10 were among those affected.

The commissioner also said that more than half of the cases reported during the period involved fathers of the affected children, highlighting concerns over sexual abuse occurring within family settings.

The state government has continued to work with relevant agencies on cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the provision of medical, psychosocial and protective support to survivors.

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The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also been involved in providing temporary protective care and other forms of assistance to children and young people affected by sexual violence.

In a separate case reported recently, the ministry provided an update on a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused and became pregnant. The ministry said the survivor was placed in a government shelter and was receiving support while arrangements were being made for her welfare and education.

The police have also reported a number of arrests involving alleged sexual offences against minors across Edo State.

The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the command arrested several suspects in August in connection with sexual and gender-based violence. Some of the suspects were subsequently charged to court, while investigations into other cases continued.

Among the cases reported by the command were allegations involving girls aged 13, 15 and 11. Police also reported investigations involving alleged defilement of minors in Okpella and other parts of the state.

At its August operational review, the Edo Police Command said 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with sexual and gender-based violence during the month. The command also reported arrests linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking and other offences.

The latest case involving the six-year-old girl is expected to be subjected to further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.

The child has reportedly been placed under appropriate care and is receiving medical attention with the involvement of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Child protection advocates have consistently stressed the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases of child abuse and sexual violence, particularly where the alleged perpetrator is a family member, caregiver or another adult with access to the child.

Under Nigerian law, allegations of defilement involving children are treated as serious criminal matters, with the relevant authorities responsible for investigating reported cases and presenting evidence before a court where prosecution is warranted.

The police are expected to complete their investigation and take appropriate legal steps based on the evidence gathered.

Edenokun remains an accused person at this stage, and any determination of criminal responsibility will ultimately be made through due process and, where applicable, by a court of law.

57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

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