Edo Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Abduction, Sexual Abuse Of Five Girls

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old self-styled prophet, Nicholas Nusa, over the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of five girls in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

Nusa, identified as the overseer of Divine Grace Church along Imoga Road, Ibillo, was arrested following information received by the police about the alleged disappearance and abuse of the girls.

According to the police, the five girls were allegedly taken from communities around Ibillo and Imoga at different times between September 2025 and April 2026 and kept at the suspect’s residence.

The command said the girls were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse while in the residence, with one of the victims, a 15-year-old girl, becoming pregnant during the period.

The latest police account said the teenager later went into early labour and underwent surgery. She subsequently lost the baby, according to the command.

The development was disclosed by the police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, during a briefing on the command’s recent operations in the state.

The police said the investigation began after information about the alleged activities was received on September 12, 2026, leading to the arrest of Nusa.

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The command said the suspect allegedly made statements during interrogation, but the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

Police authorities also said the five girls have been reunited with their respective families following their recovery.

The identities of the girls have not been released, reflecting the need to protect the privacy and welfare of minors involved in an alleged sexual abuse and child protection case.

The police have not publicly disclosed the precise circumstances under which each of the girls allegedly came into Nusa’s residence, whether their families knew they were there or whether other people were involved in their alleged movement and abuse.

Those issues are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.

The police are also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s pregnancy, the alleged abuse and the events leading to the loss of her baby.

Nusa remains an accused person and has not been convicted of any offence. The allegations against him will have to be established before a court.

The case forms part of a series of child abuse and sexual violence investigations recently announced by the Edo State Police Command.

In a separate case, the command also announced the arrest of Kadiri Edenokun, 57, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area.

Police said the six-year-old victim was receiving medical care under the supervision of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, while the suspect remained in custody for investigation.

The two cases are separate and should not be treated as part of the same investigation.

The police also reported the arrest of a 23-year-old man in another case involving the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl. That matter was reportedly transferred to the Gender and Family Support Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The cases have renewed attention on the vulnerability of children to abduction, sexual violence and exploitation, particularly where minors are placed in the care or custody of adults outside their immediate families.

The Edo Police Command urged parents, guardians and members of the public to promptly report cases involving missing children or suspected abuse to law-enforcement authorities.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor said the command would continue to take action against individuals suspected of committing crimes against children and other vulnerable persons.

The investigation into the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of the five girls is continuing, while the police are expected to forward the case for prosecution after concluding their investigation.

Edo Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Abduction, Sexual Abuse Of Five Girls

Abia Police Rescue Four-Day-Old Baby, Arrest Four Over Alleged Theft, Trafficking

The Abia State Police Command has rescued a four-day-old baby allegedly stolen from her mother and arrested four suspects over alleged child stealing, conspiracy and trafficking.

The suspects, identified as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43, were arrested on September 16, 2026, following what the police described as credible and actionable intelligence.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), Obehie, carried out the arrests.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the four suspects allegedly conspired to take the newborn from her mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person.

The police said the suspects were apprehended following an investigation into the alleged baby theft and trafficking.

Both the baby and her mother were subsequently rescued, according to the command.

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Chinaka said the mother, whom the police described as mentally unstable, had been released to her family for proper care and medical attention.

The newborn, however, was handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody.

The four suspects remain in police custody while the investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

The development adds to recent cases involving the alleged trafficking of children in Abia State and the wider South-East region.

Earlier in September, the Abia Police Command reported the arrest of a man and three others over an alleged plan to traffic a 16-month-old child for financial gain. In that separate case, the suspects were transferred from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, for further investigation into alleged conspiracy and child trafficking.

The state command has also recently reported a wider crackdown on kidnapping and human trafficking. The Guardian reported that the command had, between August 10 and September 11, arrested more than 222 suspects in connection with over 152 reported cases, while nine kidnapping and human-trafficking victims were rescued during the period. That report also included the rescue of a one-year-old girl allegedly being targeted by suspected traffickers.

However, details about the alleged buyer of the four-day-old baby, the amount reportedly paid for the child, where the baby was taken from and how the police located the infant have not been publicly disclosed by the command.

The police have also not disclosed whether the alleged buyer has been identified or arrested.

Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that anyone found responsible for the alleged crime is brought to justice.

The rescued baby remains under protective care while the police investigation continues.

Abia Police Rescue Four-Day-Old Baby, Arrest Four Over Alleged Theft, Trafficking

Rent Crisis Deepens as Tenants Struggle With Soaring Housing Costs in Calabar, Lagos, Abuja

The rising cost of accommodation is placing growing pressure on households across Nigeria, with tenants in Calabar, Lagos and Abuja struggling to cope with sharp increases in house rents, agency charges and other costs associated with securing accommodation.

The situation has become particularly difficult for low- and middle-income earners, students, young workers and families whose incomes have failed to keep pace with the rapid increase in housing costs.

In Calabar, the problem has become especially pronounced in recent years, with residents reporting that rents for ordinary accommodation have increased several times over.

A one-bedroom apartment that could previously be rented for about ₦100,000 a year is now being offered for around ₦1.2 million in some parts of the city, while a self-contained apartment that once cost about ₦50,000 can now attract rents of approximately ₦700,000.

Two-bedroom apartments that were previously available for about ₦150,000 have also risen to around ₦2 million in some locations.

The increases have made it increasingly difficult for ordinary residents to remain in the city, particularly as the rent increases have not always been matched by improvements in the quality or condition of available properties.

Some tenants have complained that buildings in parts of central Calabar remain poorly maintained despite the substantial increases in rent. Properties in areas including Marian, Henshaw Town, Akim, Yellow Duke, Atakpa, Goldie, Afokang and parts of Calabar South have been cited among locations where accommodation costs have risen sharply.

In some cases, tenants say they are paying significantly more for old buildings with leaking roofs, cracked walls, poor ventilation and inadequate maintenance.

The pressure is particularly severe among students because of the concentration of tertiary institutions in the city.

With institutions such as the University of Calabar, University of Cross River State, the School of Nursing and the School of Health Technology attracting students, demand for accommodation continues to rise.

Some students have resorted to sharing rooms with several other people to reduce costs. Others have moved farther away from their institutions, while some families have reportedly sent unemployed graduates back to their communities because they can no longer afford accommodation in the city.

The rent itself is also only part of the financial burden.

Prospective tenants may have to pay agency fees, agreement fees, inspection charges and caution fees, significantly increasing the amount required before they can move into a property.

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The situation has triggered calls for stronger regulation of the activities of estate agents and greater protection for tenants.

The Cross River State House of Assembly has already considered measures aimed at addressing the rent crisis in Calabar, including moves to restrict the activities of property agents and strengthen oversight of rent increases.

However, the continuing complaints from tenants suggest that regulation alone may not immediately resolve the problem.

Landlords and property owners, on the other hand, have pointed to the dramatic increase in the cost of construction and property maintenance.

The price of cement, steel, roofing materials, labour, transportation and other building inputs has risen significantly over the years, increasing the cost of constructing and maintaining residential properties.

For landlords, those costs are increasingly being reflected in rents.

The same pressure is evident in Lagos, where accommodation remains one of the biggest expenses confronting residents.

As Nigeria’s commercial capital continues to attract workers, businesses, students and migrants from different parts of the country, demand for housing remains high.

Rents vary significantly across Lagos, but tenants in several areas have reported substantial increases, particularly in neighbourhoods close to major commercial centres, transport routes and employment opportunities.

For many residents, the challenge is not simply finding an apartment but raising the large amount of money required to secure one.

Annual rent payments, combined with agency and legal fees, can require tenants to spend several months’ income at once.

Some households have responded by moving from more expensive parts of Lagos to areas on the outskirts of the metropolis.

But moving farther away from the city centre often creates another financial burden.

Lower rent can mean longer commuting distances and higher daily transportation costs, especially for workers who travel into commercial and business districts every day.

Consequently, some tenants face a difficult choice between paying higher rent closer to work or accepting cheaper accommodation farther away and spending more money and time commuting.

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The situation is similarly challenging in Abuja, where rapid urban expansion and sustained demand for housing have pushed accommodation costs higher in many districts.

The Federal Capital Territory has experienced significant population growth, while the concentration of government institutions, businesses and other economic activities continues to attract workers and residents.

As demand rises, many tenants have been forced to look beyond established districts for relatively affordable accommodation.

Neighbouring suburbs may offer lower rents, but the savings can be eroded by higher transportation costs, longer journeys and additional expenses associated with daily commuting.

For some residents, particularly workers on fixed salaries, the combined burden of rent, transportation, food, electricity and other household expenses has made urban living increasingly difficult.

The housing problem is therefore becoming closely linked to Nigeria’s broader cost-of-living crisis.

As prices of food, energy, transportation and other essentials rise, households have less disposable income available for rent.

At the same time, landlords face higher costs of maintaining properties and replacing damaged facilities.

The result is an increasingly difficult relationship between tenants seeking affordable accommodation and landlords attempting to recover rising property and maintenance expenses.

Another major concern is the role of property agents.

Tenants in different cities have complained about agents allegedly increasing asking prices, adding multiple charges and sometimes creating competition among prospective tenants willing to pay more.

Because agency fees are frequently calculated as a percentage of rent, a higher rent can also translate into higher earnings for agents.

This has fuelled calls for stronger regulation of the real estate and rental market, including clearer rules on agency charges, transparent rental agreements and penalties for unlawful or unjustified fees.

Housing advocates have also stressed the need to address the supply side of the problem.

Without a significant increase in the availability of affordable housing, efforts to control rent increases may have limited impact in cities where demand continues to outstrip supply.

The situation in Calabar illustrates this challenge clearly. The city’s relatively limited space for expansion, combined with increasing demand from students, workers and businesses, has put pressure on its existing housing stock.

Lagos faces an even larger challenge because of its population density and high demand for accommodation near economic centres.

Abuja, meanwhile, continues to expand into surrounding communities as residents search for alternatives to expensive accommodation within the city.

The movement towards outer suburbs has created a wider urban housing problem, as increased demand eventually pushes rents higher in areas that were previously regarded as affordable.

For tenants, the consequences go beyond the inconvenience of paying more.

High rents can force families to reduce spending on food, healthcare and education. Students may be pushed into overcrowded accommodation, while workers may relocate farther from their jobs and spend more time and money commuting.

Some households may also be compelled to share accommodation with relatives or friends, while others return to their hometowns when they can no longer sustain urban living costs.

The pressure has renewed calls for governments at both federal and state levels to expand affordable housing programmes, improve urban planning and enforce existing tenancy regulations.

There are also calls for policies that would encourage private developers to build more low- and middle-income housing rather than focusing predominantly on high-end properties.

For tenants, the immediate concern remains finding accommodation that matches their incomes.

As house rents continue to rise across Nigeria, the experiences of residents in Calabar, Lagos and Abuja show how housing is becoming an increasingly significant component of the country’s cost-of-living challenge.

Unless housing supply expands significantly and the cost of construction, transportation and other essential services becomes more manageable, many households may continue to devote an increasing share of their income to keeping a roof over their heads.

Rent Crisis Deepens as Tenants Struggle With Soaring Housing Costs in Calabar, Lagos, Abuja