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Sultan to Nigerians: stop blame game, unite against terrorists, other criminals

Published

5 years ago

December 10, 2021

Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

• CAN boss tasks security agencies to learn from US

Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III yesterday advised Nigerians to desist from the blame game and unite against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements in the country.

Alhaji Abubakar, who lamented the rising insecurity in the country urged Muslims to stop accusing Christians of promoting killings in the North.

He also called on Christians to disregard the recent threat by unknown persons to kill anyone found in churches in Zamfara State.

At the fourth quarterly meeting of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja where the Sultan spoke, Christian Association of Nigeria President Samson Ayokunle urged security agencies to learn from the United States, strategies for tackling insecurity.

The meeting with the theme: ”NIREC, security agencies and peace in Nigeria” was also attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai.

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The monarch expressed displeasure over the killings and kidnappings in the country and enjoined Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other religions to stop the blame game.

He said: “The blame game has to stop so that we can work in unity to overcome” those he described as “our common enemies. If I continue talking about the insecurity in the North, we will not leave this room. A few days ago, we read media reports on how people were killed in a bus in Sokoto. There is no single day that passes without people being killed in the North especially in the Northwest.

“When I saw a note that the bandits are threatening Christians in Zamfara, I asked what is the work of our security agencies?

“I will not stop going to the mosque to pray because I saw in a paper that if I go to the mosque I will be killed, let me be killed, I must die, so Christians should not be afraid of going to church to worship because an anonymous person is threatening them.”

The Sultan said since Nigeria has many challenges, it “behoves on leaders to wake up and come together to understand and tackle them.”

The Sultan added: ”Let’s not deceive ourselves, everything is not alright. I have said this so many times. Knowing that you have a problem makes it easy for you to solve it. The earlier we rise up to the occasion together, the better for us,”

He charged religious leaders to be wary of the kind of things they say to their followers who believe that they rely on the Bible and Koran.

While advocating dialogue to address some of the challenges in the country, Sultan Abubakar said the elite are the major problems of the nation.

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“I believe dialogue is the best option. We must come up with possible solutions to our problems. The elite are the problems of this country because they always want things to go our way,” he added.

Rev. Ayokunle recalled the way and manner the US rescued its abducted citizen in Nigeria from Boko Haram and advised security agencies to learn from that operation.

He wondered why persons would be kidnapped and the security could not trace them and their abductors through intelligence.

The CAN boss said he was particularly worried that Nigerian roads “have become a den of kidnappers and a no-go-area for travellers”

He said:”Travelling from one point to another by road, in particular, has become a very great risk, kidnappers are everywhere and they don’t only come out to kidnap but also to kill, so you don’t know who the next victim is going to be.

“Why should these people be killing and hiding people in our territory without being challenged, why should it be easy for them to hide people somewhere within the state and the security agencies in the state within a few days or weeks will not be able to fish them out?”

Ayokunle, therefore, called for an increase in intelligence gathering, and on the public to volunteer information to the security agencies.

The Nation

Related Topics:criminals Featured Nigerians Sultan Terrorists

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Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has allayed fears over the safety of the newly constructed Festac-Alakija Bridge following a recent vandalism attempt, assuring residents and motorists that the structural integrity of the facility remains intact and it is safe for use .

The governor carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected bridge pillar at Vin-Niger along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday . He was accompanied on the inspection by contractors handling the facility, members of the State Executive Council, and local government chairmen, who joined him in evaluating the extent of the damage to the bridge . The inspection followed viral videos showing the vandalised portion of the bridge, which had sparked widespread concern and condemnation on social media, with calls for the government to take immediate action to prevent further damage and ensure public safety . Addressing concerns raised by the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated emphatically that preliminary assessments had confirmed the bridge remained fit for use. Officials from the Office of Infrastructure had inspected the damaged bridge and confirmed that its structural integrity remained intact despite the vandalism . Sanwo-Olu clarified that while the main structure of the bridge remained intact, vandals had excavated portions of the structure and removed fittings used to secure the facility . He said the bridge leads into Festac Town, while the land and abutment are under the control of the Federal Housing Authority . The governor also added that immediate remedial works would be carried out to protect the bridge’s columns and prevent further deterioration .

The governor condemned the vandalism as “barbaric, criminal and unacceptable”, warning that Lagos State would not tolerate attacks on critical public infrastructure . In a joint midnight enforcement operation, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force arrested 27 suspected hoodlums in connection with the vandalism . The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that investigations revealed the suspects had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge, removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure . The commissioner said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State .

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The governor vowed that the government would pursue those responsible for the vandalism, including individuals involved in receiving, buying or selling materials stolen from public facilities, regardless of their social status or background . He stressed that attacks on public infrastructure undermine government investments and pose risks to the safety and wellbeing of residents . The governor expressed concern over the persistent vandalism of public infrastructure in Festac Town, citing the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods along Second and Seventh Avenues .

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged residents to take greater responsibility for protecting public assets by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies and relevant authorities . He commended security personnel involved in securing the area, including the Lagos State Police Command, RRS, Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, and KAI, for their prompt intervention .

The governor explained that the inspection formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor, restore order and protect critical public infrastructure . He noted that considerable progress had been recorded in clearing the corridor of illegal activities and obstructions, and that he would continue the inspection towards the Alaba Rago axis . Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting public assets, ensuring the safety of road users and maintaining law and order across the state, while continuing to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard Lagos and create an environment where law-abiding residents and businesses could thrive .

Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

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Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute

Published

18 hours ago

August 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute

A Kano Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of 25-year-old Maimuna Idris in a correctional centre after she pleaded guilty to allegedly cutting off her boyfriend’s manhood with a knife. The prosecution told the court that the attack occurred after she discovered his intention to marry another woman .

The Kano State Police Command arrested Idris, a resident of Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following a report from the management of Durbar Hotel in Badawa Quarters, Kano, who alerted authorities to the shocking incident . The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m., when Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend, Ashiru Sani, with a sharp knife after learning of his plan to marry another woman, a revelation that sparked a violent reaction with life-altering consequences . According to the prosecution, the attack was so severe that she completely severed Sani’s manhood during the altercation, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that required immediate emergency medical attention . The hotel management alerted security operatives at approximately 12:50 p.m., prompting the Badawa Divisional Police Officer to lead a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the weapon—a sharp knife—was recovered as an exhibit that will be presented as evidence during the trial .

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Idris was arraigned before Magistrate Sadiya Usman on a two-count charge of attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt, offences that contravene Sections 229 and 248 of the Penal Code, which carry severe penalties upon conviction . In a dramatic development that surprised the courtroom, she pleaded guilty to both charges when they were read to her in court, potentially paving the way for a swift resolution of the case . Magistrate Usman ordered that Idris be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for further mention, giving the prosecution time to prepare and present their case fully .

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has strongly condemned the attack, describing violence as an unacceptable response to personal disagreements and warning that such acts would not be tolerated in the state . The police assured residents that a diligent, transparent, and thorough investigation would be conducted, and that the suspect would be prosecuted following the completion of the probe to ensure that justice is served for the victim . The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Kano, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, with doctors working to address the extent of his injuries and provide the necessary care for his recovery . Police said the investigation is ongoing, and further details about the case are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.

Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute

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Edo Spiritualist Arrested for $1,100 Sextortion of Indian Woman – EFCC

Published

19 hours ago

August 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Odigie Moses

Edo Spiritualist Arrested for $1,100 Sextortion of Indian Woman – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist, Odigie Moses, in Ekpoma, Edo State, for allegedly tricking an Indian woman into taking a naked spiritual bath, recording the session without her consent, and then blackmailing her for $1,100 .

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist, Odigie Moses, over his alleged involvement in a $1,100 sextortion scheme targeting an Indian woman . The anti-graft agency disclosed in a statement on Friday, August 7, 2026, that the suspect was apprehended in Ekpoma, Edo State, following an investigation into the alleged crime. The arrest forms part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat the growing menace of cybercrime and online blackmail, which have become increasingly sophisticated and transnational in nature, exploiting victims across borders through digital platforms.

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According to the EFCC, Moses allegedly misrepresented himself on the social media payment platform Zelle as possessing spiritual healing powers capable of solving life-threatening challenges, a claim designed to attract vulnerable individuals seeking quick solutions to personal problems. The victim, an Indian woman seeking spiritual intervention for personal problems, contacted him believing he could help her overcome the difficulties she was facing, unaware that she was being lured into a carefully orchestrated scheme. The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, a ritual he presented as necessary for the healing process, which he recorded live without her permission, betraying the trust she had placed in him. Following the recording, the suspect allegedly threatened to release the explicit video publicly unless the victim paid him money, using the threat of public humiliation to extort funds from her. Under duress and to prevent the circulation of her nude footage, the woman transferred **$1,100** to the suspect, hoping the payment would put an end to the ordeal. “Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the victim had to pay the sum of $1,100 to the suspect in order to prevail on him not to release her nudity to the public,” the anti-graft agency stated, confirming the extent of the blackmail.

The EFCC described the act as sextortion, a form of image-based abuse involving threats to share nude or sexual images to coerce victims into complying with financial demands, a crime that has become increasingly common in the digital age as perpetrators exploit the anonymity and reach of the internet. The commission confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that Moses will be charged to court upon their conclusion, ensuring that the suspect faces the full weight of the law for his alleged crimes. The EFCC’s swift action in this case sends a strong message to cybercriminals that law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting victims and prosecuting offenders, regardless of where they operate from.