metro
Why Simon Ekpa unlikely to end sit-at-home enforcement – Abaribe
Why Simon Ekpa unlikely to end sit-at-home enforcement – Abaribe
Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South of Abia State, has said a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, will be unwilling to end the sit-at-home order its group imposed on the people of South-East, Nigeria.
He stated this in an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
Abaribe said Ekpa and his cohorts had refused to reverse the policy because they are making profits from it.
In a letter posted on Twitter in July by Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), asked Ekpa to desist from calling for further sit-at-home.
Reacting to the letter, Ekpa said Kanu could not write such a letter, adding that “it is not only a joke but an insult taken too far”.
Speaking on the development, Abaribe said the South-East leaders had agreed to meet with the Federal Government over the continued detention of Kanu.
He said, “Last week, there was a hand-written message from him (Kanu),” Abaribe said.
“Of course, the man who is profiting from it, who is far away in Finland, denounced it and put more conditions saying they will never stop it until we (South-East leaders) see him in Finland.
“We can now see that because they profit from this, they are not going to stop it because it has become a money-making venture.
“We have seen adverts on the internet asking people to contribute money for the liberation of Biafra.
“Now, what do we do? We have to engage the government because there are also some subsisting issues on the ground.
“The court had granted him his freedom and the government applied to the same appeal court for stay of execution and appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not taken any decision.
“Part of the resolution is that we are going to engage everyone. We are going to engage the government at the same time on how we can make a solution that is favourable to all.”
Simon Ekpa
metro
FRSC Loses Ogun Sector Commander Days After Ex-Chief Dauda Biu’s Death
FRSC Loses Ogun Sector Commander Days After Ex-Chief Dauda Biu’s Death
The Federal Road Safety Corps has suffered another loss with the death of its Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, following a brief illness, barely a week after the death of former Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu.
The Ogun State Sector Command announced Ogunjobi’s death in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, describing the development as a major loss to the corps and the wider road safety community.
Ogunjobi’s death comes amid mourning within the FRSC over the passing of Biu, who died on October 11, 2026, at the age of 62. Biu served as the corps’ seventh substantive Corps Marshal from July 2022 to May 2024, having risen through the ranks after joining the organisation in 1988, according to a Punch report.
The successive losses have brought renewed attention to the people behind Nigeria’s road safety administration, whose responsibilities include traffic law enforcement, public enlightenment, emergency response and efforts to reduce road crashes across the country.
In its statement, the Ogun Command said Ogunjobi would be remembered for his leadership, commitment to road safety administration and dedication to the FRSC’s mandate.
“His passing is a great loss to the Corps, his colleagues, and the entire road safety community. He will be remembered for his service, leadership, commitment to road safety administration, and dedication to the mandate of the Federal Road Safety Corps,” the statement said.
The command noted that the late sector commander contributed to efforts to promote safer roads, strengthen public enlightenment campaigns, deepen engagement with stakeholders and improve compliance with traffic regulations during his service.
The command expressed condolences to Ogunjobi’s family, loved ones, colleagues and associates, while acknowledging the pain caused by his death.
It added that further information on funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.
“His demise is deeply regretted,” the statement said, praying for strength for the bereaved family, the corps and others affected by the loss.
metro
Kano: Soldiers Kill Two Kidnappers, Rescue Victim, Recover ₦10m
Kano: Soldiers Kill Two Kidnappers, Rescue Victim, Recover ₦10m
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two suspected kidnappers, rescued an abducted man and recovered ₦10 million reportedly paid as ransom during a security operation in Falgore Forest, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The operation was carried out by troops of the Army’s 3 Brigade under Operation MESA, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local hunters.
The operation followed the abduction of Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu on October 11, 2026, at Fanyabo Village in Falgore Forest.
According to the Army, Aliyu was returning from Yandoka Market in neighbouring Kaduna State at about midnight when suspected kidnappers seized him.
The abductors subsequently contacted his family in Yan Taburmi Village and demanded a ransom for his release.
Following the report of the abduction, troops acted on intelligence and worked with other security personnel and local hunters to track the suspected kidnappers.
The joint security team mounted an ambush in the area, leading to an encounter in which two suspected members of the kidnapping gang were killed.
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The operation also resulted in Aliyu’s rescue, while other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped towards the adjoining Falgore Forest.
During a subsequent search of the area, the troops recovered ₦10 million said to have been paid by the victim’s family as ransom.
The Army said the recovered money was returned to Aliyu and his family.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu.
The Commander of 3 Brigade, Brigadier General Saka Jimoh, commended the troops for their alertness, professionalism and fighting spirit during the operation.
Jimoh reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal groups and preventing further security breaches in Kano State.
He also urged residents to provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The rescue comes amid continuing security concerns over abductions for ransom in parts of northern Nigeria. The Army’s statement indicated that other suspected members of the gang remained at large following the operation.
Kano: Soldiers Kill Two Kidnappers, Rescue Victim, Recover ₦10m
metro
Oyo Baby Trafficking Scandal: Mother, Doctor Arrested Over Alleged ₦2m Sale of Infant
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for ₦2 million in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, arresting the child’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.
The incident came to light after the baby’s grandmother, Mary Amos, reported the child’s disappearance to the police on October 15, 2026, raising concerns that the infant might have been sold.
According to the police, Mary told investigators that her 23-year-old daughter, Cecilia Amos, gave birth to the baby girl on September 6 at Ebepraise Health Centre in Ido. She reportedly said her daughter disappeared with the child about seven days after delivery and could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the baby’s whereabouts.
Following the complaint, police operatives arrested Cecilia for questioning. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the mother allegedly implicated the owner of the health facility, 40-year-old Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, and another person, Hassan Oludunni, in the arrangement.
According to the police account, Cecilia alleged that the two men lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the transfer of the baby to a person identified as Odunayo Folawewo.
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The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged transaction involved ₦2 million. Cecilia reportedly received ₦1 million, while Ebenezer and Oludunni allegedly received ₦500,000 each.
Police subsequently rescued the baby and arrested Ebenezer in connection with the case. The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other suspects, including the alleged buyer, and bring everyone linked to the incident to justice.
The police have not reported the conclusion of the investigation or any court determination of the allegations. The arrested suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The case has renewed attention on child trafficking and the protection of vulnerable children, particularly newborns who depend entirely on adults for their safety and care.
The Oyo State Police Command urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking and other offences involving vulnerable persons promptly.
Residents can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on its toll-free line, 615, or reach the police command’s control room on 08081768614 or 07055495413 to report emergencies or suspected criminal activity.
Oyo Baby Trafficking Scandal: Mother, Doctor Arrested Over Alleged ₦2m Sale of Infant
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