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Gunmen Abduct Health Worker, Wife, Others in Kogi Community

Published

5 months ago

May 22, 2026

11 NYSC Members Rescued, Others Remain in Captivity as Gunmen Attack Travellers on Kogi Highway

Kogi State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afuzat Oyiza

Gunmen Abduct Health Worker, Wife, Others in Kogi Community

For the first time in recent history, bandits have polluted the security atmosphere of Iluke, a major settlement in the Bunu district of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, abducting an unspecified number of persons. The gunmen were said to have invaded the Oke Bukun area in the community in the dead of night at about 1 a.m., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. They whisked away a community health worker popularly called ‘Dr. Ebi’ (omo Kemuna) and his wife. The hoodlums allegedly carried the abductees on motorcycles. Once the victim, who owned a clinic in Oferre, was in their custody, the hoodlums sporadically released bullets as they escaped from town. Iluke has been thrown into fresh fear because of the attack. People in nearby communities in MopAmuro and Ijumu LGAs woke up to the news, triggering panic among them.

The Bunu district has suffered several untold security breaches in recent times. On Monday, May 4, non-state actors operated on the Iluke to Oferre road, shooting randomly and scaring many people away. Jacob, an unsuspecting commercial driver, could not manoeuvre to safety when he suddenly bumped into them. He was forced to a halt and led into the bush at gunpoint. His tormentors eventually made contact with his family, making a demand of N50 million ransom for his release. A source familiar with the story said the gunmen have thus far stuck to their ground. Before then, gunmen abducted two wives, two children, and an aide of ‘Prof. Wonder,’ the paramount ruler of Odai, a tiny agrarian community close to Iluke, on Wednesday, April 16. The gunmen demanded N150 million for their freedom. When the ransom delayed in coming, the gunmen were said to have killed two of the monarch’s children over time, with the display of the gory acts on social media. More than a month after the attack, the hapless monarch was said to have taken ill and been hospitalised while his family remained in the jungle with their tormentors. A source familiar with the case disclosed that the bandits recently demanded that the monarch must bring the ransom in person or risk losing the other abductees.

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The latest attack is not an isolated incident in Kogi State. Kogi State has increasingly emerged as an insecurity hotspot. Its location, linking Nigeria’s north and south through dense forest corridors, has made it attractive to armed groups operating across state boundaries, security officials say. In a similar development on May 20, a Fulani man identified as Bube and one of his cattle rearers were kidnapped at Odo-Eri community in Yagba West Local Government Area. That attack came less than 48 hours after an intelligence alert warned of a possible security threat in the area. Earlier in January 2026, the people of Ayetoro-Kiri community in the same Kabba-Bunu LGA decried persistent bandit attacks, alleging official negligence. According to them, scores of residents were abducted by bandits recently. After painful ransom payment raised through communal contributions, only seven victims were released. The community noted that three of them were already dead, while four others were allegedly battling for their lives in critical conditions at medical facilities. About 30 other innocent citizens remained in captivity, while their fate was uncertain.

Community leaders in Bunuland have repeatedly called for urgent intervention. The stakeholders of Bunuland in Kabba-Bunu local government say that incessant bandit attacks have killed 30 residents and sacked 21 villages, with over 50 residents still under captivity. The president of Bunu Development Association (BDA), Pastor Kokawole Johnson Folorunshon, painted a grim picture of the situation. He said the Bunuland which had been a peaceful agrarian settlement in central Nigeria is currently facing a grave and escalating security and humanitarian crisis. “Our farmers are being attacked on their farms; travellers are abducted on public roads, and women, children and elderly are fleeing their ancestral homes in fear,” he said. “Entire villages are gradually emptying; this is no longer a local problem. It’s a humanitarian emergency and a threat to community survival.” The community leaders noted that residents in settlements like Odo-Ape, Agadalepa, Oniriba, Ayetoro-Kiri, Ole, Ibori-Eni, and Idaka have deserted their villages due to the bandit attacks.

Gunmen Abduct Health Worker, Wife, Others in Kogi Community

Beyond bandit attacks, Kogi State has also witnessed deadly communal clashes. Fresh violence between the Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji Local Government Area left many feared dead and several houses destroyed in early May 2026. The Kogi State Police Command confirmed only two deaths. Police Commissioner, CP Naziru Kankarofi, said security operatives, including naval personnel, vigilantes, and local security groups, were deployed after a distress call was received on May 6. According to a statement by the police spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, security operatives recovered two corpses, rescued an injured victim, and recovered 57 expended cartridges from the scene. The police said several buildings and bags of rice had already been set ablaze before security teams restored calm. Persons of interest have been identified from both communities in connection with the incident. They include Stephen Enema, Isaac Enedubi, and Alex Attah from Itale community, as well as Stephen Amegwu and Shederach Alone from Ishi community.

In response to the growing insecurity, the Kogi State government has launched security operations. Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information, disclosed that about 200 suspected bandits had been killed in an ongoing multi-agency offensive. Several bandit camps were destroyed during coordinated operations. However, efforts to hunt down those who had fled were being hampered as they were using some abducted civilians as human shields. “Security forces have put them in disarray wherever they try to regroup,” Fanwo told the BBC. “The only problem is that the bandits have kidnapped several individuals which they are using as human shields, knowing that the security forces wouldn’t want to kill the hostages along with the bandits.” The offensive follows a recent directive by President Bola Tinubu to top security officials to intensify efforts against bandits, security experts say. Efforts to get the police reaction on the latest Iluke attack were unsuccessful. The Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afuzat Oyiza, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), promised to get back after making enquiries. She had not responded as of press time. Residents continue to live in fear as the search for Dr. Ebi, his wife, and other abductees continues.

Gunmen Abduct Health Worker, Wife, Others in Kogi Community

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FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash

Published

15 minutes ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 people killed in the Ondo aircraft crash, confirming that five crew members and 20 passengers were on board the ill-fated aircraft.

The NAF 931 ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NAF said no survivors had been found.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF also urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information.

The latest NAF figure of 25 people on board differs from the initial information released by aviation authorities on Monday, when the aircraft was reported to have had 25 passengers and seven crew members. The NAF’s subsequent review identified 20 passengers and five crew members. (State House Abuja)

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FULL LIST OF VICTIMS

Crew members

Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime — Flight Captain
Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako — Co-pilot
Warrant Officer Abubakar A. — Aircraft Technician
Corporal Uguru H.C. — Aircraft Technician

Passengers

Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus
Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye
Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina
Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.
Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.
Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.
Flight Sergeant James R.B.
Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.
Sergeant Ani A.E.
Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.
Sergeant Alafuka C.
Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.
Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.
Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
Mrs Ezeh Nneka
Godstmine Tarabina
Joy Micheal
Sunday Micheal
Ukeme David
Gideon Omotola

The Air Force said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board.

Aneke described the crash as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation and assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support.

The NAF said it would continue to provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the accident. (State House Abuja)

The exact cause of the Ondo plane crash remains under investigation.

FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash

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Supreme Council For Sharia Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmed Dies

Published

25 minutes ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Mallam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed

Supreme Council For Sharia Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmed Dies

Mallam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), has died.

Baba-Ahmed’s death was announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, who described the late Islamic scholar and lawyer as a dedicated servant of Islam and humanity.

A separate statement by Malam Jamilu Muazu Haidara also confirmed the death and said the funeral prayer would be held at the National Mosque in Abuja after the Zuhr prayer on Tuesday.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Baba-Ahmed was a lawyer, Islamic scholar and public intellectual who served as the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, where he played a central role in coordinating the council’s activities and public engagements.

According to the council’s official profile, he was born in Zaria and combined traditional Islamic education with formal legal training at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

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He was also a Member of the National Institute (mni) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship, Islamic advocacy, policy engagement and public affairs.

As secretary-general, Baba-Ahmed frequently spoke on issues involving religious rights, justice, governance, security and constitutional matters.

In August 2026, for instance, he signed a statement on behalf of the Supreme Council for Shariah opposing what it described as a rushed constitutional process on the proposed creation of state police. The council called for broader consultation and stronger safeguards before any restructuring of Nigeria’s policing system.

Baba-Ahmed was also a prominent voice in national discussions concerning the rights and welfare of Nigerian Muslims and the place of Islamic values within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

Mourning his death, Pantami said Baba-Ahmed had devoted the last 26 years of his life to the service of Islam and humanity while advocating justice for all.

Pantami prayed for the deceased to be admitted into Jannatul Firdaus and extended condolences to his family, colleagues and the wider Muslim community.

His death comes about a year and a half after the Supreme Council for Shariah lost its former president, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah, who died in April 2025. Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar was subsequently confirmed as the council’s new president.

Baba-Ahmed’s death is expected to prompt tributes from Islamic scholars, legal practitioners, political figures and other Nigerians who interacted with him during his years of public service.

Supreme Council For Sharia Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmed Dies

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Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Published

3 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Chief Ralph Obioha, a prominent pro-democracy activist, businessman, politician and former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has died at the age of 80.

Obioha died on Saturday, October 3, 2026, his family announced in a statement signed by his son, Chima Obioha, in Enugu.

The family did not disclose the cause of death but described the late elder statesman as a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend whose life was marked by service, generosity and commitment to Nigeria.

Obioha was one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s June 12 pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

As a leading member of NADECO, he was involved in efforts to restore the June 12 mandate and end military rule. During the turbulent years of the 1990s, he operated from Canada and the United States as part of the external pro-democracy movement.

Beyond his activism, Obioha served as a member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, between 1979 and 1983.

He later founded the Justice Party, which fielded Reverend Chris Okotie as its presidential candidate in the 2003 election. He was also involved in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and served as chairman of its caretaker committee.

Obioha, who was the traditional ruler known as Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu, was also active in Nigeria’s business and socio-economic sectors.

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In June 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included Obioha among Nigerians selected for national honours in recognition of their roles in the struggle for democracy and the actualisation of the June 12 mandate.

However, Obioha subsequently declined the honour, citing concerns over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and the security situation in the country.

In January 2026, Obioha also spoke publicly about the controversy surrounding the 1966 military coup, rejecting the description of the event as an “Igbo coup.”

The Obioha family said the late elder statesman’s life was defined by his belief in Nigeria’s potential and his commitment to service, leadership and nation-building.

“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind,” the family said.

The family thanked Nigerians for their condolences and prayers and requested privacy as it mourns the former NADECO leader.

Details of his funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced later.