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Expose Criminals Among You or Face Consequences, Bago Tells Fulani Leaders

Published

2 months ago

July 25, 2026

600 Women, Children, Elderly Abducted in Niger Mosque Attack

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago

Expose Criminals Among You or Face Consequences, Bago Tells Fulani Leaders

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has issued a strong appeal to leaders of Fulani communities across the state, urging them to partner with security agencies in identifying and exposing criminal elements responsible for kidnappings, banditry, and other violent crimes. The governor warned that continued silence over the activities of armed groups was fuelling public resentment against the ethnic group, with innocent members increasingly bearing the consequences of the actions of a few, making it imperative for community leaders to take decisive action before the situation spirals further out of control.

Speaking in Hausa during a meeting with community leaders, a video of which has since gone viral on social media, Bago delivered a blunt message to Fulani elders, urging them to advise those involved in criminal activities to abandon crime and return to their communities. He stressed that victims of kidnapping almost always blamed their abductors on the Fulani community, making it essential for leaders to intervene and separate the innocent from the guilty. “My relatives, I will not be afraid of you; I had better tell you this. Whoever gets kidnapped in the bush and is later released will say it was Fulanis who kidnapped him,” Bago said. “So, you should warn your children who are in the bush to return so that we can live peacefully. There is no way people can be kidnapped and made to pay ransom without expecting them to be angry with you.”

The governor noted that public frustration over worsening insecurity had reached a boiling point, alleging that some residents had failed to alert authorities about armed groups operating within their communities, including suspected criminals arriving from neighbouring Zamfara State, where banditry has long been a major challenge. He emphasised that while no one was stopping Fulani people from grazing their cattle, attending school, or living peacefully, the failure of community leaders to rein in criminal elements among them would ultimately lead to collective punishment. “People are angry with Fulanis. No one is stopping you from grazing, going to school, or staying peacefully, yet you know your children are doing bad things to people. Even if they are not caught, you will eventually face the consequences,” he warned, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

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Bago challenged Fulani leaders to distance themselves from criminal elements by reporting them to security agencies instead of offering protection or remaining silent, emphasising that collaboration was essential to restoring peace across the state. He stressed that the government was committed to working with all stakeholders to address insecurity but that community leaders had a critical role to play in identifying and rooting out criminals, and that failure to do so would only deepen the distrust between communities and further endanger innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Despite the governor’s remarks generating significant online attention, social media claims that Bago ordered the removal of all Fulani district heads in Niger State have been fact-checked and found to be false. Independent fact-checking organisations, including Daily Trust and Dubawa, reviewed the full transcript of the governor’s speech and confirmed that he made no such announcement, providing clarity amid the misinformation that had spread rapidly across platforms. According to the fact-check, the governor instead called for better representation of Fulani communities within the traditional emirate system, urging the Emir of Kagara to give Fulani people proper representation as district or ward heads so that everyone feels included, rather than calling for their removal. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bolagi Ibrahim, also refuted the allegations, describing them as deceptive and stating that the governor maintains a leadership style centred on inclusivity and broad community engagement, contrary to the false narratives circulating online.

Bago also directed traditional rulers to monitor religious activities within their domains and take action against preachers whose messages promote division or threaten peaceful coexistence, declaring that anyone using religious sermons to sow discord among Muslims or create hostility between Muslims and Christians should be arrested. He specifically called out the activities of Lakurawa, a militant group that has been operating in parts of northern Nigeria, accusing them of causing trouble under the guise of preaching while actually spreading division. “Also, this Emirate should set boundaries for our preachers,” he said. “Lakurawa come and create trouble among you in the name of preaching, but they are just lying. When they were born, it was Salatul Fatih that was practiced. Shehu Usman Danfodio is the man who laid the foundation for Islam here, yet they are against him. Which books have they read, and where did they study?” He added, “Even if they come to the Jum’at mosque to preach, arrest them. His Royal Highness, I give permission, whoever preaches to divide Muslims, or to divide Muslims and Christians, should be arrested, and we will take them to prison,” signalling a zero-tolerance approach to religious incitement.

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The governor’s remarks came against the backdrop of communal clashes between Fulani herders and the Kamuku community in Rafi Local Government Area that reportedly claimed nearly 80 lives, a tragedy that has heightened tensions and underscored the urgent need for intervention. Bago attributed the violence to alleged land grabbing and political instigation, warning that those responsible would face the full weight of the law, and ordered an immediate halt to all land transactions across the Kagara Emirate unless approved by the state government through the Emirate Council. The governor also raised concerns about the activities of Lakurawa, a militant group that has been operating in parts of northern Nigeria, with the Defence Headquarters confirming that Lakurawa emerged as a new terrorist group in the North-West, particularly in Sokoto, Kebbi and northern parts of Niger State. The group is believed to have links to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), raising fears of a potential alliance between Sahelian extremists and Nigerian actors that could further destabilise the region.

Bago further cautioned vigilante groups against exceeding their responsibilities, urging them to concentrate on protecting border communities and supporting security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands, as unchecked vigilantism could create new security challenges. He emphasised that the state government was committed to working with all stakeholders to restore peace and stability across Niger State, and that all security operations must be conducted within the limits of the law to avoid further escalation of violence and ensure that justice is served fairly.

The governor also addressed the issue of farming along government road corridors, warning that the practice had been prohibited, and directed that any farmer caught planting crops between the main road and power poles should be arrested, with animals allowed to feed on such crops. “Between the main government road and the power poles, where no farmer is supposed to plant, I have given an order that if any farmer plants between the main road and the power poles, you should let the animals eat the crops and arrest the farmer,” he said. “You have your own designated land, planting close to the main road only shows you are looking for trouble.” Bago had previously made a similar call in July 2026, urging farmers to desist from farming on road shoulders to avoid clashes with herders, as competition for land and resources continues to drive conflict in the state. The governor’s tough stance on insecurity comes as Niger State continues to grapple with the twin challenges of banditry and farmer-herder conflicts, which have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted agricultural activities across the state, threatening food security and livelihoods in one of Nigeria’s largest states.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from Fulani community leaders to the governor’s appeal, but the viral video continues to generate widespread discussion on social media about the complex dynamics of insecurity in northern Nigeria. While some commentators have praised the governor’s direct approach, others have called for more nuanced interventions that address the root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment, and competition over natural resources, warning that punitive measures alone may not be sufficient to resolve the deeply entrenched conflict. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are on Niger State as the government moves to implement its security strategy and restore peace to communities that have endured years of violence and uncertainty.

Expose Criminals Among You or Face Consequences, Bago Tells Fulani Leaders

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How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

A 50-year-old suspected child trafficker, Adejoke Popoola, has confessed to selling a newborn boy and a set of twins she gave birth to before stealing at least 13 other children for onward sale, in a case that has uncovered an interstate trafficking syndicate operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta States.

Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, made the startling disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Ibadan, following her arrest on August 4. She claimed she had been involved in the alleged activities since October 2024, after her herb-selling business was gutted by fire, which she said pushed her into the illicit trade as a means of survival.

Popoola stated that she sold a newborn baby boy and a set of male twins, with the twins sold to a clinic in Ogeere for ₦300,000. She said she sometimes received between N80,000 and N120,000 for other children, and up to N900,000 for some victims, depending on the age and gender of the child. “God blessed me with the gift of pregnancy. Anytime a man has sex with me twice, I get pregnant, and it is always difficult to abort,” she said. “I have sold two sets of children, a newborn boy and twins as well, last year. I sold the twins to … clinic; she also resells them to her customers in Lagos. She has a baby industry. When the owner of the pregnancy rejects the pregnancy, that is when I sell.” Popoola, who said she has seven children of her own aged between six and 34, added that she became involved in the alleged operation after meeting a woman she identified as Oluwakemi, who she said operated a “baby industry” and supplied children to buyers in Lagos, revealing the existence of a well-organized trafficking network.

The suspect also admitted to stealing children through various deceptive methods. She explained that she would sometimes disguise herself as a prospective tenant to gain access to homes before taking children when their parents were not around. “I steal babies. I will go to their place and say I want to rent a house. Then, if I do not see anyone, if I see their children, I will just steal their children,” she said. Popoola claimed that a woman she worked with at Ogeere Market taught her how to steal children, providing her with the skills and confidence to carry out the abductions. She further alleged that she sometimes posed as a spiritualist, targeting parents with children living with disabilities, preying on their desperation for healing. “Parents bring their disabled children to me because they cannot talk, sit, or walk. So, I will promise them that I can help them to heal, then I will go and pick another person’s child for them,” she said, revealing a particularly cruel method of operation.

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One of the most chilling incidents she recounted involved the abduction of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an Egungun festival in Oyo Town on June 29. She said she travelled to the festival two days earlier, joined the family during prayers and even contributed money to gain their trust before volunteering to carry the boy during the procession. “When the Egungun left, the boy told his mother that he did not want to stay at home and wanted to join the procession. So, I volunteered to help hold the boy,” she said. “I joined them for the procession and, in the evening, I picked up the boy, laid him on my back and ran away with him.” She claimed she received N900,000 for selling Ifagbenlo, making him one of her most lucrative targets.

Popoola claimed that of the children she allegedly kidnapped, six had died while 17 were rescued by police. The deceased children were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, two; Greatness Adeagbo, five; Sainat Amoo, two; Taiwo Usman, two; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, seven; and Miracle Olaniyi, four. She explained that some of the children died due to illness or neglect while in custody, while others reportedly succumbed to the harsh conditions in which they were kept.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, said the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Popoola herself over allegations including conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation. Detectives later linked the case to the disappearance of Ifakunle during the masquerade festival, as video footage from the event showed Popoola carrying the child moments before he vanished. Popoola was arrested on August 4, and her statement provided the first major breakthrough in dismantling the syndicate. She allegedly named Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her accomplice. Janet was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody, revealing the scale of the operation.

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The investigation later extended to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons suspected to have bought them. Two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the trafficking network, confirming the interstate dimension of the criminal enterprise. The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension, with suspects confessing that children who died in custody were sold to ritualists. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Islamic cleric, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who were allegedly involved in purchasing the bodies of deceased children for ritual purposes.

The police said it has so far rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects in connection with the investigation. The rescued children include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; an infant aged nine days; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; and Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7. The CP urged parents and guardians whose children recently went missing to visit the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families, as some of the children have yet to be claimed.

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

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No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

The Nigerian Immigration Service has launched a fully digital passport renewal system, allowing eligible Nigerians abroad to complete the process remotely without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment. Processing time has reportedly dropped to between five days and two weeks.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially rolled out its Contactless Passport Application System, a digital platform designed to make passport renewal faster, easier and more convenient for eligible Nigerians in the diaspora. Under the new system, applicants can complete and track their applications online without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment, using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth for secure identity verification. The system has been met with widespread praise from Nigerians abroad, who say the reform has effectively ended years of frustrating delays and cumbersome procedures that previously forced applicants to wait for months and travel long distances. A Nigerian community leader in Birmingham, Timileyin Gbenga, described the difference as “night and day,” noting that renewal times have dropped from more than six months to less than two weeks, with some applicants even reporting receiving their passports within five days.

To begin the process, applicants are required to visit the official NIS Passport Application portal. Select “Continue” on the welcome page, then click “Apply for Renewal or Re-issue” to start the application. The portal is the only official channel for initiating the contactless renewal process, and applicants should ensure they are using the correct website to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

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Applicants should create an account and verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. After successful verification, they must complete the application form, select their preferred processing embassy or high commission, and upload all required supporting documents, which typically include passport photographs, proof of residence abroad, and copies of the current passport data page.

After completing the form and uploading documents, applicants must pay the passport booklet fee for their selected passport type, with fees varying depending on the number of pages and processing speed chosen. Upon successful payment, they will receive an Application ID and Reference Number, which should be kept safe as these details will be needed throughout the application process. Applicants are advised to save these numbers in multiple locations to avoid losing access to their application.

After submitting the application, applicants can choose between a regular physical appointment and the new contactless passport renewal service. Those who qualify should select “Opt in for Contactless” under the application status or appointment section of the portal. A guide explaining the process will then be provided, walking applicants through the remaining steps of the digital renewal process.

The next step involves downloading the NIS Mobile App, which is available for download on official app stores for both Android and iOS devices. Within the app, applicants should log in or create a profile, select “Passport Application Services,” and then choose “Passport Biometrics Enrolment.” They will need to enter their Application ID and Reference Number into the app to link their mobile enrolment to their existing application.

The app will first check whether they are eligible for the contactless process. If eligible, they will be guided through capturing their facial image and fingerprints directly on their phone before submitting the biometrics for review. The app uses advanced liveness detection technology to ensure the captured face is real and not a photograph or video replay, adding an extra layer of security to prevent identity fraud.

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Once the biometrics have been reviewed successfully and the applicant is confirmed eligible, they will be asked to pay the contactless service fee, which covers the cost of the enhanced digital processing. After payment, applicants should complete the liveness verification and submit their biometric details electronically, finalizing the digital portion of the application.

The NIS clarified that the contactless option is not available to every applicant. Applicants who are found ineligible after verification will be required to return to the application portal and schedule a physical appointment at their chosen Nigerian embassy or high commission. “If the response is INELIGIBLE, then it means the applicant should return to the landing page of the portal to book a physical appointment at the Embassy/High Commission,” the Service stated, ensuring that all applicants understand the available alternatives.

Even after completing the online and biometric processes, applicants will still need to print their completed application form, passport payment receipt, and biometric payment receipt. These documents, along with their current Nigerian passport, should be placed inside a self-addressed return envelope and mailed to the embassy or high commission handling the application. This step is essential to facilitate passport production and return, and applicants should ensure their return envelope has sufficient postage to avoid delivery delays.

Applicants can begin tracking the status of their passport about two weeks after submission through either the tracking portal or the NIS Mobile App. The NIS advised applicants to monitor the progress of their passport renewal after submission using the online passport tracking platform, which provides real-time updates on the status of their application from processing to dispatch.

The NIS has clarified that Nigerians abroad do not need a valid passport to travel back to Nigeria. According to the agency, Nigerians can return home with an expired passport and renew it after arriving in the country. This clarification comes as many Nigerians in the diaspora prepare for end-of-year trips home, with the NIS encouraging those travelling during the December season to take advantage of their stay in Nigeria to process passport renewal, potentially bypassing the international processing system entirely.

The Federal Government has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team from the NIS headquarters to the United Kingdom to process and clear all pending, new, and renewal passport applications. The NIS confirmed that the contactless passport application platform remains fully operational alongside the intervention exercise, ensuring that applicants have multiple pathways to secure their travel documents.

Applicants are advised to use only official Nigerian Immigration Service channels when applying for or renewing their passports to avoid fraud. The NIS Mobile App is available for download on official app stores, and all user information is securely encrypted and handled in compliance with international standards, giving applicants peace of mind that their personal data is protected throughout the process.

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

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Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate operating around the Iju-Ishaga and Oke-Aro areas of Lagos State, recovering 25 mobile phones and other items during a raid on their hideout.

The suspects were arrested at their alleged hideout in Idi-Oro, Mushin, following what the police described as credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The suspects were identified as Damilare Oluwatobi, 28; Lekan Adenuga, 30; Haruna Sheriff, 22; and David Balogun, 24.

According to the police, the operation followed intelligence gathered on the activities of the alleged robbery syndicate, which was reportedly linked to criminal operations in parts of Lagos.

During a search of the hideout, VCRU operatives recovered 25 mobile phones, two laptop computers, gold jewellery, including a necklace and earrings, and three cutlasses.

The police described the arrests as a significant development in efforts to tackle armed robbery and violent crime in Lagos, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovered items and identify their owners.

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The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation. The Command also said efforts were being intensified to apprehend other suspected members of the alleged syndicate who may be connected to the criminal activities.

The development was confirmed by the Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, who said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the VCRU following sustained intelligence gathering.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for their swift response and intelligence-led approach, describing the operation as part of the Command’s broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.

Fatai reaffirmed the police commitment to protecting residents and tackling criminal activities, particularly armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.

The police listed the emergency contacts as 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

The latest arrests come as the Lagos Police Command continues to rely on intelligence-led operations to identify and disrupt criminal groups operating across the state.

The four suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues, with the police expected to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and pursue other individuals suspected to be connected to the syndicate.