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Assault by female trader over N100 causes ex-police officer’s death

Published

1 year ago

May 24, 2025

Late Retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Ahaba and wife, Hajara

Assault by female trader over N100 causes ex-police officer’s death

Retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Ahaba appeared to have adopted a Christ-like philosophy in matters pertaining to children. He welcomed them warmly and often sought to fulfil their modest needs and desires.

Yet never in his most troubling dreams could he have foreseen that an interaction with a child would lead to his untimely demise.

It was just a few steps from his residence in Angwan Adamu, Ado, Nasarawa State, at the close of October 2024.

His wife, Mrs Hajara Joseph, revealed his deep affection for children, and recounted that the couple had been blessed with nine children, though they tragically lost one some years ago. The memory of that departed child continued to haunt her husband’s heart, she recalled.

She remarked: “My husband never quite recovered from that loss. Whenever his thoughts turned to the boy, he would sink into a deep melancholy for days.”

She further recalled instances illustrating his tenderness: “There was a day he nearly expelled me from the house for chastising one of the children. On another occasion, he harshly rebuked me when the children complained of hunger. To verify their claims, he feigned sleep in the parlour and observed me surreptitiously serving the children, who subsequently went outside to eat.

“Hours later, when I served him his meal, the children clustered around him. When he inquired whether they had eaten, they replied in the negative. My husband, without hesitation, offered them his portion and returned to the bedroom to apologise to me for having earlier spoken harshly.”

Such was the depth of Mr Ahaba’s affection for children that Mrs Joseph expressed disbelief at the notion that her husband could have physically assaulted a child, as was later alleged.

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Other neighbours around his residence also testified to how he related nicely with their children and expressed surprise that he was alleged to have beaten up someone’s child.

Genesis of tragedy

Following his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force a decade ago, Mr Ahaba had been receiving monthly pension payments from his Retirement Savings Account via African Alliance. However, these payments ceased over a year prior to the incident, significantly affecting his financial wellbeing.

Mrs Joseph recounted that on the fateful evening, her husband had departed their home around 7pm for his customary evening walk and made a purchase worth ₦400 from a local female trader named Obiageli, for which he paid in full.

“After he left, the woman’s six-year-old son ran after him, claiming that his mother said he still owed ₦100,” she said. “The child grabbed my husband’s shirt. My husband calmly explained that he had already paid ₦400 and instructed the boy to relay that to his mother, adding that should she remain insistent, he would return later to settle the difference.”

Shortly thereafter, the boy returned to his mother in tears, alleging that Mr Ahaba had assaulted him.

According to Mrs Joseph, her husband had by then made his way towards their home and paused at the invitation of a fellow Igala woman, one Dora, who suggested he rest from the sun on her veranda. She offered him sachet water, which he was quietly drinking when Obiageli stormed onto the scene.

“She seized his mobile phone and smashed it against the ground,” Mrs Joseph recounted. “She then grabbed his head and repeatedly bashed it against the wall until Dora rushed to intervene and managed to pry her off.”

Her husband, she said, uttered not a single word in retaliation. Upon returning home, he narrated the entire episode to her in quiet disbelief.

By the following morning, however, his face was severely swollen. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors determined that surgery on his head was required.

Legal proceedings and declining health

The matter was promptly reported to the New Nyanya Police Division. Obiageli was arrested and charged before a magistrate’s court for assault, and subsequently granted bail.

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Whilst the case was pending, Mr Ahaba’s health rapidly deteriorated. He lost his sight and, tragically, succumbed to his injuries seven days following the attack.

Mrs Joseph stated that they duly informed the police of his passing. Nevertheless, she expressed profound disappointment that throughout the seven months and eight days during which her husband’s body lay in the mortuary, the police never paid a courtesy visit to the family nor extended any formal condolences.

The late officer was eventually laid to rest at Abejukolo Town in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State on the 10th of May this year.

One of Mr Ahaba’s sons expressed his dismay that, even after formally notifying the police of their father’s death, the assault case continued unimpeded before the court.

“The numerous adjournments drained us emotionally,” he said. “Eventually, we informed the prosecutor that our family was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.”

Police response and institutional oversight

At the New Nyanya Police Station, an officer who requested anonymity confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and initially charged with assault. However, he declined to comment on whether the division had been formally informed of Mr Ahaba’s demise.

A senior officer at Force Headquarters queried why the charge had not been withdrawn following the victim’s death, pointing out that the suspect should have been re-arrested and the case file reclassified as culpable homicide. He asserted that the matter should have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for thorough investigation.

“The prosecutor ought to have advised the Divisional Police Officer of New Nyanya Police Division accordingly,” he noted. He further advised the bereaved family to submit a formal petition to the Nasarawa State Police Commissioner to ensure justice.

In response, the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Ramhan Nansel, stated that he was previously unaware of the case. He asked whether the family had officially updated the police regarding the victim’s death.

The spokesperson said he would present the matter to the state police commissioner, so that legal advice could be sought in order to do what the law says in such a case.

Assault by female trader over N100 causes ex-police officer’s death

Related Topics:death Ex-police female trader

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Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools

Published

4 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai

Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools

LAGOS – The Lagos State Police Command has officially dismissed fears over a circulating threat letter claiming that bandits planned to target and abduct schoolchildren in the state. The Command stated that no verifiable intelligence supports such a threat, while simultaneously ordering heightened security deployment to schools and strategic locations as a precautionary measure. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, June 8, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the Command was aware of the report but urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and residents to remain calm. “There is presently no verified intelligence indicating any imminent threat of such an attack within Lagos State,” Adebisi said. “While every security concern is treated with the utmost seriousness, members of the public are advised to remain calm and avoid panic.” The threat letter, which circulated widely on social media, warned of a planned bandit attack and abduction of pupils, sparking anxiety among parents and school administrators across Lagos. However, the police command moved swiftly to assess the situation and provide reassurance.

The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed an immediate assessment of the situation and ordered the implementation of watertight security measures across the state. According to the Command, police personnel working alongside other security agencies have been deployed to ensure the safety of schools, critical infrastructure, and vulnerable communities. “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed immediate assessment of the situation and ordered watertight security measures across the affected area and other strategic locations within the State,” the police statement read. Officials confirmed that operatives have been dispatched to protect schools, important infrastructure, and communities as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture. The Command further stated that security authorities will not tolerate any attempt by criminal elements to instill fear or disrupt public order in Lagos State.

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The Lagos State Police Command issued a stern warning to miscreants, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals attempting to threaten the peace and safety of residents. “The Command will not tolerate any attempt by miscreants, bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements to threaten the peace and safety of residents,” Adebisi said. “Anyone found engaging in acts capable of causing fear or insecurity will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.” The Command reassured citizens that Lagos remains secure and that aggressive measures are in place to prevent any breach of public safety. It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring the safety and security of all residents across the state.

The police command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security services with timely and credible information, emphasizing that effective policing relies on public participation. Members of the public were advised to report any suspicious persons, objects, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or through the following emergency contact numbers: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929. “It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all residents across Lagos State,” the Command stated, assuring the public that all hands are on deck to ensure the continued safety, security, and well-being of every resident of Lagos State.

Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools

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NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity

Published

19 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity

Organised labour has threatened a nationwide industrial action over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that workers may be forced to shut down economic activities if the government fails to curb the growing wave of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country.

The warning was issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during engagements at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The labour centres said the persistent insecurity facing many parts of the country has become a direct threat to the safety, livelihoods and productivity of Nigerian workers, stressing that no nation can achieve sustainable economic growth while citizens live in fear.

According to the unions, thousands of workers now face daily risks while travelling to work, conducting business or carrying out official duties, as incidents of kidnapping, armed attacks and violent crimes continue to rise in several states.

The labour leaders noted that insecurity is no longer limited to isolated communities but has spread to schools, hospitals, farms, highways and workplaces, disrupting economic activities and deepening hardship for ordinary Nigerians.

They expressed concern over recent abductions involving teachers, schoolchildren and other citizens, arguing that the situation has exposed workers and their families to unprecedented dangers.

The threat of a broader labour action comes amid growing support from organised labour for the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in some affected areas over the abduction of teachers and pupils.

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President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, recently backed the teachers’ action, describing it as a necessary response to the country’s worsening security situation.

Ajaero said workers should not be expected to perform their duties under constant threats to their lives, warning that organised labour may be compelled to mobilise nationwide solidarity actions if governments fail to take stronger steps to protect citizens.

He maintained that the safety of workers must remain a priority, particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare and local government services, where employees often operate in vulnerable environments.

The labour unions further argued that the security crisis in Nigeria has become both a humanitarian and economic challenge, discouraging investment, reducing productivity and worsening the cost of doing business.

While calling on federal and state governments to take decisive action against criminal groups, the unions urged authorities to move beyond public assurances and implement practical measures capable of tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

They also called for intensified efforts to secure the release of victims currently being held by kidnappers and other armed groups across the country.

Meanwhile, the labour centres dismissed reports suggesting that negotiations were progressing on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage, describing claims by some state governors as misleading.

According to labour officials, no agreement has been reached on such a figure, insisting that discussions on workers’ welfare and remuneration remain ongoing.

The unions warned that continued failure to address workers’ concerns over security and welfare could trigger stronger actions from organised labour in the coming weeks.

The latest warning highlights growing frustration among labour leaders over the country’s security challenges, which have increasingly dominated national discourse amid recurring attacks on communities, schools and public institutions.

NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity

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Oyo Demolishes Kidnappers’ Hideout Used to Hold Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons

Published

34 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Oyo Demolishes Kidnappers’ Hideout Used to Hold Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons

IBADAN – The Oyo State Government has demolished a three-bedroom bungalow in the Lako Community along the Aiyegun–Anaye Road axis of Ibadan, after security forces identified the property as the hideout where suspected kidnappers held the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons captive. The demolition, carried out on Monday, June 8, 2026, by officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Public Works and Transportation accompanied by Nigeria Police Force operatives, forms part of the government’s broader crackdown on kidnapping and criminal activities across the state.

The victims – Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul – were abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was driving her children to school in the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan. Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, making her the sister of Chief Bayo Adelabu, a prominent Nigerian politician and former Minister of Power.

The victims regained their freedom following a coordinated rescue operation by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Anthony Placid, the rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations. During the confrontation between security operatives and the kidnap syndicate, two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded, two rifles were recovered from the suspects, and the victims were rescued unharmed and placed in safe custody. Four suspects were arrested and paraded on Sunday at the State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. In a dramatic turn, one kidnapper reportedly fell from the roof of the building where the victims were being held. Preliminary intelligence suggests some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries, and security operatives have intensified efforts to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate.

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The demolished three-bedroom bungalow in the Lako Community along the Aiyegun–Anaye Road was identified during investigations as the operational base and hideout used by the kidnap syndicate to hold victims. A high-powered security assessment of the site was led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Following that assessment, the state government authorized the immediate demolition of the property. According to the Oyo State Government, the action sends a strong message to criminal elements and reflects the government’s commitment to combating insecurity across the state, dismantling criminal networks, and denying kidnappers safe operational bases within Oyo State. The government reiterated its resolve to ensure that persons found culpable of criminal activities, as well as properties used in the commission of crimes where permitted by law, are dealt with through appropriate legal processes.

The Adelabu family expressed deep gratitude following the successful rescue. In a statement released by Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family’s Media Aide, they thanked Almighty God and all Nigerians whose prayers, support, and encouragement contributed to the operation. The statement read: “The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu wishes to express its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Almighty God and to all Nigerians whose prayers, support, encouragement, and concerted efforts culminated in the successful rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul.”

The demolition comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crimes in Oyo State and across Nigeria. In a separate incident, over 40 pupils and teachers from three schools in Ogbomosho, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, reportedly remain in captivity after being abducted on May 15, 2026. Authorities have yet to disclose additional details regarding ownership of the demolished building or whether further demolitions linked to the investigation will follow.