All We Want Is Her Body – Mary Habila's Father Pleads with IGP for Daughter's Release - Newstrends
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All We Want Is Her Body – Mary Habila’s Father Pleads with IGP for Daughter’s Release

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All We Want Is Her Body – Mary Habila's Father Pleads with IGP for Daughter's Release

All We Want Is Her Body – Mary Habila’s Father Pleads with IGP for Daughter’s Release

The family of the late Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, demanding the immediate release of her remains for burial. Her father, Tanko Habila, accompanied by his wife, other family members and their legal representatives, submitted the petition at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, July 17, 2026. Speaking to journalists shortly after filing the petition, the grieving father expressed deep frustration that nearly two weeks after his daughter’s death on June 27, 2026, the Ebonyi State Police Command had refused to release her body to the family for burial. According to him, the family was not interested in an autopsy and had no reason to suspect foul play in the circumstances surrounding Mary’s death. He argued that sudden deaths can occur without necessarily involving criminality. “As we are standing here, somebody can fall and die. It has happened. All we want is her body to be buried,” Tanko Habila said.

The petition, submitted through the family’s solicitors, K.A. Yusuf & Associates, alleged that despite repeated applications, personal visits and compliance with all lawful requirements, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police had continued to refuse to authorise the release of Habila’s body. The family argued that the prolonged withholding of the body has caused “immense emotional, psychological, financial and cultural hardship,” depriving them of the opportunity to perform customary and religious burial rites. According to an affidavit earlier filed before the High Court of Justice in Ebonyi State, the family stated that it did not suspect any criminal act or foul play in Habila’s death and therefore saw no need for further investigation. The family maintained that its decision was made voluntarily and without pressure, coercion or inducement from any person. The family asked the IGP to transfer the matter from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, direct the immediate release of the body for burial, and investigate any officer found to have acted unlawfully.

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Despite the family’s opposition, the Ebonyi State Police Command has maintained that a post-mortem examination is critical to establishing the exact cause and circumstances of Habila’s death before concluding its ongoing investigation. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed in a statement that the command received a distress call on June 27 from the Divisional Police Officer, Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu. On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Habila had been brought in dead, prompting the Commissioner of Police to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation. Preliminary findings indicated that Habila and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she died in a room within the compound of his residence. “The Command considers the examination necessary, given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death,” Ukandu stated. The command said it is awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their duly authorised representative before the examination can be conducted.

Minister of Works David Umahi personally addressed the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death at a press conference in Abuja, describing her as a “daughter” and dismissing allegations linking him or his office to the incident. According to Umahi, Habila, a nurse employed by the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, had lived with his family for about three years and had been battling an underlying medical condition for which he personally funded her treatment. He revealed that her latest medical bill amounted to about N2.2 million, which he said was paid by him. “The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She stayed with me for three years. She was a staff of the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu. She was a nurse, not a physiotherapist, and her family and my family are like one,” Umahi said. Umahi disclosed that available evidence indicated that Habila had spoken with her boyfriend shortly before her death, complaining of persistent nose bleeding. She was later found dead after colleagues forced open the door to her room, which had been locked from the inside, with the bathroom tap still running. The minister rejected claims of foul play and condemned attempts to politicise what he described as a painful personal loss. He also disclosed that he had requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Abuja to guarantee transparency and public confidence in the process.

The case has generated widespread public attention, with conflicting accounts and social media speculation fuelling demands for a transparent investigation. The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend Umahi and order an open, independent inquest into the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has similarly urged the IGP to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to Force Headquarters to guarantee transparency. The Southern Kaduna Youth Movement (SKYM) has also petitioned the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, seeking an independent investigation into the matter. Additionally, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS) have called for a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, while the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has recommended that President Tinubu order Umahi to step down temporarily to allow for a comprehensive inquiry.

All We Want Is Her Body – Mary Habila’s Father Pleads with IGP for Daughter’s Release

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COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps

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October 17, 2026

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COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps

COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps

MAIDUGURI — Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has arrived in Borno State as the Nigerian military intensifies its security operations following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to rescue all abducted persons and eliminate terrorist and bandit camps across the country.

Shaibu arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, two days after Tinubu issued the directive to security chiefs during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The army chief’s visit comes amid renewed pressure on security agencies to intensify counterterrorism operations, dismantle insurgent hideouts and secure the release of Nigerians being held captive by criminal groups.

Although it remains unclear whether the visit was directly triggered by the President’s order, Shaibu is expected to meet with theatre, field and unit commanders involved in military operations across the state.

His arrival at the headquarters of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri signals continued military engagement in a region that has faced years of insurgency and attacks by armed groups.

Tinubu’s directive was disclosed on Thursday, October 15, by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), after a security meeting with the President and heads of security agencies.

According to Musa, the President ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue all abducted persons, regardless of where they were being held.

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“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are,” the minister quoted Tinubu as saying.

The President also directed security chiefs to ensure that terrorist and bandit camps were dismantled across the country.

“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” Musa said, relaying the President’s position.

The directive comes as the Federal Government faces continuing security challenges, including kidnappings, terrorist attacks and the activities of armed groups in parts of northern Nigeria.

Borno remains a major theatre of counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have carried out attacks on civilians, security personnel and communities in the North-East.

Military operations under Operation Hadin Kai have focused on confronting insurgents, disrupting their movements and restoring security to affected communities. The latest visit by the army chief is expected to provide an opportunity for engagements with commanders overseeing operations on the ground.

Tinubu has also directed security chiefs to ensure adequate security for Nigerians during the elections scheduled for January, according to the Defence Minister.

The President’s instructions place renewed emphasis on rescuing abductees, dismantling armed groups’ operational bases and improving the security environment ahead of the polls.

However, the army chief’s arrival in Maiduguri should not be interpreted as confirmation that all abductees have been rescued or that terrorist camps have been eliminated. No such outcome was established in the reports announcing his visit.

The military’s next steps and any operational results from the engagements in Borno are likely to be closely watched by families of abducted persons and communities affected by insurgency.

For now, the government’s stated objective remains clear: intensify security operations, rescue people held in captivity and dismantle the camps used by terrorists and bandits to carry out attacks across Nigeria.

 

COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps

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Lagos Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Fatal Crash, Driver Rescued

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October 17, 2026

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Lagos Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Fatal Crash, Driver Rescued
Lagos Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Fatal Crash, Driver Rescued

A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus has been set ablaze by an angry mob in Ikorodu, Lagos State, following a road accident involving a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an Okada rider.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, around Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road, where the crowd reportedly attacked the bus driver before security operatives intervened to rescue him.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear, and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) said it could not confirm reports that the motorcyclist died in the incident.

Kolawole Ojelabi, LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, confirmed that an accident had occurred between a BRT bus and a motorcycle on the BRT corridor. He said the motorcycle rider was reportedly using the dedicated bus lane, contrary to traffic regulations.

Ojelabi condemned the destruction of the bus, warning that the incident would affect public transportation in the area. According to him, the damaged vehicle would have served at least 400 Lagos residents daily.

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The attack reportedly escalated after news of the collision spread, prompting a crowd to set the bus on fire. Police officers and personnel of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) intervened and rescued the driver from the angry crowd.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the emergency. Its spokesperson, Amodu Shakiru, said the service received a distress call at about 10:21 a.m. and that firefighters found the bus engulfed in flames on arrival. Firefighters subsequently worked to extinguish the blaze.

Shakiru confirmed that the driver had been beaten but was rescued by security operatives and received medical attention. He said he could not provide further details about the circumstances of the collision.

The identity of the motorcyclist and the precise cause of the crash had not been officially established in the reports available after the incident. It was also unclear whether anyone had been arrested over the burning of the bus.

The incident has renewed concerns about road safety, the use of dedicated BRT lanes and mob violence following road accidents. While fatal crashes can provoke anger and grief, attacking drivers and destroying public transport vehicles can endanger lives, disrupt services and impose additional costs on the public.

Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances of the accident and determine responsibility for the destruction of the bus.

 

Lagos Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Fatal Crash, Driver Rescued

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Imodi-Ijebu Muslim Community Bets on 20 Chiefs to Drive Education, Economic Growth

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October 17, 2026

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Imodi-Ijebu Muslim Community Bets on 20 Chiefs to Drive Education, Economic Growth

New chiefs urged to promote unity, shun partisan politics in mosques, invest in youth, Islamic education

The ancient community of Imodi-Ijebu in Ogun State recently witnessed a blend of tradition, faith and renewed development aspirations as 20 distinguished sons and daughters were turbaned as chiefs of the Muslim community, with a ₦1bn fundraising drive launched to support education and empowerment initiatives.

Beyond the colourful ceremony and conferment of prestigious titles, the gathering presented an opportunity to redefine leadership within the community, with prominent Islamic scholars and community leaders challenging the new titleholders to translate their honours into tangible benefits for the people.

Held at the Tititlayo Agbaje Memorial Comprehensive High School, Imodi, the event brought together Islamic leaders, professionals, traditional titleholders and other stakeholders united by a common aspiration to strengthen the Muslim community and accelerate the development of the town.

At the heart of the ceremony was a strong message: the new titles must not become symbols of prestige alone but instruments for service, unity, religious advancement and social transformation.

The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Shaykh AbdurRahman Ahmad, set the tone with a warning against the intrusion of partisan politics into mosques, stressing that religious institutions must remain places of worship and unity rather than platforms for political mobilisation.

He reminded the newly turbaned chiefs that Muslims were entitled to support political parties of their choice, but cautioned that those occupying leadership positions must not exploit their influence to impose their political preferences on others.

“The chiefs should abstain from bringing politics into the mosque. Any Muslim is entitled to belong to whatever party he wants to belong to. A chief must not use his position to influence other members of the mosque to join his party,” he said.

Shaykh Ahmad also reminded the titleholders that their new positions came with significant responsibilities, urging them to exercise restraint, uphold exemplary conduct and deepen their knowledge of Islam.

He called on them to support the advancement of the religion by paying greater attention to the welfare of Islamic clerics, whose services remain central to the spiritual and social wellbeing of the Muslim community.

A call for accountable leadership

The Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, reinforced the message of responsibility, urging the new chiefs to protect the integrity of Islam, promote religious tolerance and discharge their duties with accountability.

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Citing Qur’an 33:57, he emphasised the need for the titleholders to appreciate the consequences of their actions and ensure that their conduct advanced rather than undermined the interests of the religion.

For him, the responsibilities attached to the titles demanded more than public recognition. They required a conscious commitment to protecting Islamic values and creating an environment in which Muslims could deepen their understanding of the faith.

He proposed the establishment of an Islamic library to improve access to learning resources, encourage continuous religious education and provide members of the community with opportunities to expand their knowledge.

The proposal added an educational dimension to the broader development agenda emerging from the ceremony, underscoring the importance of knowledge in sustaining religious values and preparing future generations for leadership.

Former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, also challenged the Muslim community to look beyond conventional religious activities and embrace a broader developmental role.

He said the mosque should serve as an institution for promoting education, economic development and youth empowerment, helping young people build confidence, acquire useful skills and prepare for the challenges of life.

His position aligned with the spirit of the ₦1bn fundraising initiative, which placed education and empowerment among the key priorities of the community.

New chiefs unveil their priorities

For some of the newly installed chiefs, the ceremony marked the beginning of a fresh commitment to community service, with promises ranging from strengthening Islamic institutions to improving social welfare and expanding economic opportunities.

Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, a retired director of NAHCON who was installed as Aare Adeen, said his immediate priority was to support the Central Mosque, promote unity among Muslim faithful and strengthen Islamic education.

He also pledged to work towards establishing a welfare system for the less privileged and widows, highlighting the need for religious leadership to respond to the everyday challenges confronting vulnerable members of society.

Sanni urged young people to take pride in their faith, pursue Western education, avoid social vices and contribute meaningfully to the development of Islam in Imodi.

His message reflected a wider concern expressed at the gathering: that religious identity, formal education and responsible citizenship should reinforce one another in preparing young people for the future.

Dr Abdulfattah Olufowobi, former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, who was installed as Baba Adeen of Imodi, pledged to bring fresh ideas and positive change to the community.

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He said he intended to promote unity within the Muslim Ummah and address the lingering hierarchical disagreements within the Council of Imodi Muslim Chiefs.

His remarks pointed to the importance of internal cohesion in enabling the community to pursue its development objectives effectively.

Alhaji Oduwole Azeez, installed as Otun Balogun Adeen, promised to advance Islam through personal example, support for Da’wah activities and investment in the next generation.

He stressed that honesty, integrity and the fear of Allah must define the conduct of Muslim leaders, adding that children should be grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah to preserve the values of Islam.

From farming to digital skills

For Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo, Chief Correspondent with The Nation, who received the title of Giwa Adeeni, the development agenda must extend beyond religious affairs to the economic and social needs of residents.

He identified infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, information and communication technology education, agriculture and healthcare as priority areas requiring attention.

Adebanjo also advocated a renewed focus on farming, urging residents to explore agriculture as a viable source of income and employment.

He said efforts should be made to improve the movement of agricultural produce from Imodi to Lagos, where farmers could access larger markets and potentially earn better returns.

According to him, stronger connections to urban markets could help residents take advantage of the relatively lower cost of living in their community while building more sustainable livelihoods.

His proposals highlighted the importance of connecting local production with wider commercial opportunities, particularly for young people and households seeking alternative sources of income.

The 20 titleholders

The 20 distinguished sons and daughters honoured at the ceremony were Dr Abdulfattah Olufowobi, Baba Adeen of Imodi; Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, Aare Adeen; Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo, Giwa Adeeni; Chief Abdul Waheed Sanni, Otun Asinwaju Adeen; and Chief Azeezat Sanni, Ekerin Iya Sunnah.

Others were Alhaji Oduwole Azeez, Otun Balogun Adeen; Alhaja Khadijat Onabule, Eketa Iya Sunnah; Alhaji Ibraheem Mustapha, Otun Arowosadeen; Alhaji AbdulWakeel Baoku, Alatunse Adeen; and Alhaji AbdulMojeed Agbaje, Otun Mogaji Adeen.

The remaining honourees were Chief Alimot Oresajo, Otun Osupa Adeen; Alhaji Ismaheel Yekeen, Balogun Adinni; Alhaji Musiliyu Hussaini, Otun Giwa Adeen; Prince Abdul Rasheed Lawal, Sarumi Adeen; Chief Yunus Ahmed, Otun Aare Musulumi; and Chief Salamat Adesanya, Otun Agbesinga Adeen Obinrin.

Also honoured were Chief Wosilat Oduba, Otun Iya Adeen; Chief Balikis Hassan, Otun Iyalode Adeen; Chief Jemilat Lawal, Otun Alatunse Adeen Obinrin; and Alhaja Risikat Arowolo, Otun Asiwaju Adeen Obinrin of the Imodi-Ijebu Muslim Community.

A legacy measured by service

As the celebrations gave way to the responsibilities ahead, the central challenge for the newly turbaned chiefs will be translating their promises into measurable progress.

The proposed ₦1bn fundraising initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen education, empower vulnerable groups and support community development, while calls for an Islamic library, youth engagement, agricultural investment and improved welfare point to a broad vision of progress.

The success of that vision will depend on the community’s ability to mobilise resources, sustain cooperation among its leaders and ensure that development priorities are matched by practical action.

For Imodi-Ijebu, therefore, the turbaning of 20 illustrious sons and daughters represents more than a celebration of achievement. It is a call for leadership that unites faith with service, tradition with innovation, and religious responsibility with the pursuit of a better future for the entire community.

 

Imodi-Ijebu Muslim Community Bets on 20 Chiefs to Drive Education, Economic Growth

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