metro

Air Peace suspends flights over NIMET strike

Published

1 year ago

April 24, 2025

Air Peace suspends flights over NIMET strike

Air Peace has issued notification to suspend flight operations nationwide following the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline in a statement said the decision is immediate.

In a statement by its Head Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo , the carrier said it decision is necessary because NiMet , the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, is currently not providing services.

Without these weather reports from the control tower, flight safety, the airline said cannot be guaranteed.

The statement reads: “As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.

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“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”

Speaking on the NIMET strike, a senior NiMet management source said: “Management is disappointed with the hardline taken by the unions when some of the issues in dispute have been resolved, and others are in various stages of resolution.

“In a response given by management when the unions served it a strike notice, management stated all the issues and their status.

“It is surprising that the unions resorted to strike action because the unions themselves recently wrote and thanked management for its labour friendly policies. Makes you wonder if there are other motives or there are people bent on sabotaging management.

‘Management is not relenting in reaching an amicable resolution with the unions so that normal services will be restored. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo who has been supportive has scheduled a meeting with all the parties on Thursday, 24th of July, 2025. We are hopeful that the unions will listen to reason. No one bites off his nose to spite his face.”

Air Peace suspends flights over NIMET strike

metro

Osun: Family Questions Police Suicide Claim After Man Dies in Cell

Published

3 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Osun Police PRO DSP Abiodun Ojelabi

Osun: Family Questions Police Suicide Claim After Man Dies in Cell

The family of a 40-year-old man, Taofeek Azeez, has demanded a thorough investigation into his death in police custody in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, questioning the police account that he died by suicide.

Azeez reportedly died hours after being detained over an allegation of stealing cocoa seeds. His death has raised concerns about the circumstances of his arrest, his treatment before being handed over to the police and the events inside the detention cell.

According to reports, local vigilantes apprehended Azeez over the alleged theft and took him to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye before he was handed over to the police at the community’s police outpost.

A video reportedly seen by the newspaper showed Azeez being subjected to corporal punishment and paraded half-naked while being taken to the palace.

His brother, Fatai Alimi, expressed disbelief over reports that Azeez had taken his own life in detention, describing the circumstances of his death as suspicious and calling on the Osun State Commissioner of Police and the state government to intervene.

Alimi alleged that Azeez had been beaten and stripped before he was handed over to the police. He also questioned the circumstances in which his brother was reportedly found hanging in the cell.

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“It was surprising to hear that he had killed himself inside the cell; his death looks suspicious,” Alimi said, urging the authorities to establish what happened and ensure justice for the family.

Azeez was a father of six children, had three wives and left behind an aged mother, according to his brother.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command said Azeez had been arrested by community members over the alleged theft of cocoa seeds and subsequently handed over to the police.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspect was questioned and detained at the Agbeye police outpost. An officer later discovered him dead while checking the cell.

Ojelabi said preliminary findings indicated that Azeez had died by suicide while in custody. He added that the officer in charge of the outpost would be questioned as part of the investigation.

The police spokesperson also said the command was unaware of reports that Azeez had been humiliated or paraded around the community before his transfer to the police.

The family’s account and the police explanation have left questions about the events preceding Azeez’s death, including the alleged treatment he received before detention and the supervision of the cell. These matters require independent verification through a thorough investigation.

No arrest had been announced in connection with the death in the earlier police account, although the officer in charge was to be questioned. The police said the family had been contacted to discuss arrangements concerning the deceased.

The case has renewed calls for accountability when suspects die in custody. Azeez had been accused of stealing cocoa seeds, but the allegation had not been established in court before his death.

The family is seeking answers about how he died and wants the authorities to determine whether any person or officer should be held responsible. The outcome of the investigation will be crucial in establishing the circumstances of his death.

Osun: Family Questions Police Suicide Claim After Man Dies in Cell

metro

Oyo: Police Officer’s Son Held Over Alleged Rape of Five-Year-Old Girl

Published

3 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Oyo: Police Officer’s Son Held Over Alleged Rape of Five-Year-Old Girl

A 19-year-old man identified as Bayo has been arrested over the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Oyo town, Oyo State, while a human rights organisation has called for an independent investigation amid allegations of possible interference in the case.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday in the Durbar area of Oyo town, when the child was sent by her mother to buy a recharge card. The suspect is said to be the son of a serving police officer in Ibadan.

The victim’s father, Afeez Tiamiyu, told Saturday PUNCH that he was at work when his wife called to inform him of the incident. He said he rushed home and, after speaking with his daughter, accompanied the family in identifying the alleged suspect.

According to Tiamiyu, the family took the child to the scene, where she reportedly identified the young man. Bayo was subsequently arrested and taken to the Police Area Command in Durbar, Oyo.

Tiamiyu alleged that the family became concerned after arriving at the police station and discovering that the suspect’s father was a serving police officer. He claimed that some officers on duty attempted to persuade the family to drop the complaint.

The father said the family refused to abandon the case and sought the assistance of human rights advocates. His allegations about the conduct of officers have not been independently established.

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A medical examination was reportedly conducted on the child at the State Hospital in Oyo. According to a medical report dated October 5, 2026, and signed by a doctor identified as Dr Adeniyi, the child sustained injuries to her vulva and labia minora, accompanied by severe pain. The report was described by Saturday PUNCH as indicating injuries consistent with sexual assault.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that the incident had been reported and that an investigation was underway. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The transfer places the case under the state-level investigative unit as the authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegation and determine the appropriate next steps.

Meanwhile, the Ta’awunu Human Rights Initiative (THURIST) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, demanding an independent and transparent investigation.

In a petition dated October 6, 2026, and signed by its Director-General, Sulaimon Tadese, the organisation raised concerns about alleged attempts to resolve the matter privately because of the suspect’s reported family connection to a police officer.

The group argued that allegations of sexual abuse involving a five-year-old child should not be treated as a private family dispute. It called for the protection of the child and her family, the preservation of medical and forensic evidence, and the prosecution of the suspect if investigators establish sufficient evidence.

THURIST also urged the Police Service Commission to investigate any officer found to have attempted to suppress the complaint, intimidate the family or interfere with the investigation.

The allegations of police interference have not been independently verified, and no finding of misconduct against any officer has been established in the information publicly available. The authorities’ investigation will be critical in determining whether the complaint was handled appropriately.

The case has renewed concerns about child protection, access to justice and the need for allegations involving minors to be handled without intimidation or undue influence. The child’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy.

Bayo remains a suspect, and the allegation against him has not been determined by a court. The investigation is expected to establish the facts and whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution.

Oyo: Police Officer’s Son Held Over Alleged Rape of Five-Year-Old Girl

metro

Police Bust Counterfeit Currency Hideout In Abia, Arrest 40-Year-Old Suspect

Published

3 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Police Bust Counterfeit Currency Hideout In Abia, Arrest 40-Year-Old Suspect

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as John Paul, after operatives allegedly uncovered a hideout used for producing counterfeit Nigerian currency in Obikabia community, Aba.

The operation led to the recovery of seven bundles of suspected counterfeit ₦200 notes, which police said had been taken into custody as exhibits. Investigators are also working to track down other suspected members of the alleged counterfeiting syndicate who fled.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, on October 9, 2026.

According to the command, operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided the suspected hideout after receiving actionable intelligence that some individuals were allegedly involved in producing counterfeit Nigerian currency.

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The police said the intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of John Paul and the recovery of the suspected fake notes. However, the command did not disclose whether currency-printing equipment or other materials used in the alleged operation were recovered.

The investigation is ongoing, with officers seeking to establish the full scope of the suspected operation and identify other people allegedly involved. The police have not disclosed the estimated value of the recovered notes or how long the hideout had been in use.

The Commissioner of Police, Afolabi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities and protecting lives and property across Abia State. He warned that the state would not be allowed to serve as a base for criminal operations.

The command also encouraged residents to provide useful information to security agencies to support efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks.

The arrest comes amid ongoing police operations targeting suspected criminal activities in the state. However, John Paul remains a suspect, and the allegations against him have not been established in court.