metro
Bandits threaten to kill 29 Kaduna students, demand N500m ransom
Bandits have threatened to kill the 29 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna, still in their custody, following the refusal of the Kaduna State Government to meet their demand of N500 million ransom.
A total of 39 abducted from the school were abducted from the school on March 11. Ten of the students have been released in two batches after some parents have reportedly paid ransom to the bandits.
The Kaduna State Government has insisted that it would not negotiate with the bandits, while the parents pleaded with Governor Nasir el-rufai to negotiate with the abductors.
Spokesman for the parents, Friday Sanni, said at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday that they had received the threats via telephone from the bandits to kill the remaining 29 abductees who have now spent 37 days in captivity.
He said, “We are calling on Nigerians, non-governmental organisations, charity organisations and donors to come to our aid in donating to rescue our children. We don’t know what is happening to them.
“The bandits have threatened to kill our children if we play with them. The other time, they said they will marry the female and kill the men and that a time will come when even if we bring the money, the money will not be useful.”
He said since government claimed security agents rescued the two batches of 10 students earlier released, they should do something about the remaining students.
Sanni also said, “The government has said any parent who negotiates with the bandits will be prosecuted but most of the parents are already arrested emotionally. Our children today are faced with AK 47 guns on them. The faith of our children is what we don’t know; they have spent 36 days without clothing, food, clean drinking water or bathing.”
He said the parents would continue to find a way of reaching out to the bandits.
Sanni said: “We will continue to protest, no matter the number of security forces. The highest is death and we are ready to sacrifice that for our children who have promising futures.”
Sources among the parents said the bandits were earlier given N17 million for the release of all the 39 students following negotiations, “but after they collected the money, they changed their mind, saying it was too small and decided to release only 10 of the students.”
The source said negotiations with the bandits by parents were still going on.
In a statement after the briefing by the parents, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said, “The governor will continue to work hard until banditry is contained, without succumbing to emotional blackmail and gradual politicisation of the unfortunate situation.”.
The commissioner denied reports that Governor El-Rufai threatened to prosecute parents of the abductees for negotiating with the bandits.
The governor had vowed that he would not negotiate nor pay ransom to bandits and that anyone that negotiates with bandits on behalf of the state government would be arrested and prosecuted.
Aruwan said, “Contrary to the mischief in some sections of the media, the bond between the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the parents of the abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, and other citizens in captivity, is deep empathy amidst spirited efforts to secure them.
“The governor will continue to work hard until banditry is contained. Some section of the media has been reporting purported threat by the governor to prosecute parents of the abducted students, which is simply false and deeply mischievous.”
metro
Appeal Court Upholds Two-Year Jail Term for Ex-UNICAL Dean Ndifon
Appeal Court Upholds Two-Year Jail Term for Ex-UNICAL Dean Ndifon
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld the conviction and two-year prison sentence imposed on former University of Calabar (UNICAL) Faculty of Law Dean, Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, over the solicitation of pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student.
The appellate court delivered its judgment on September 18, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/1798/2025, affirming the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the first count.
The first count was prosecuted under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. It alleged that Ndifon, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, solicited pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs from a female student through electronic communication.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court convicted Ndifon on November 17, 2025, after finding that the prosecution had established the offence beyond reasonable doubt. He sentenced the former dean to two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on the first count.
The trial court also convicted Ndifon on a second count alleging that he conferred an undue advantage on himself, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He received a further five-year prison sentence without an option of fine on that count. The two sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning the trial court’s sentencing order provided for them to be served at the same time.
Ndifon subsequently appealed against his conviction and sentence.
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In its ruling, however, the Court of Appeal drew a distinction between the two counts.
The appellate court upheld the first conviction and its two-year sentence but held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to try the second count under the ICPC Act.
It consequently ordered a fresh prosecution on the second count before the High Court of Cross River State.
The ruling does not amount to an acquittal on the second allegation. Instead, the appellate court’s jurisdictional finding means the second count is to be pursued afresh before the court specified in the judgment, subject to any further legal challenge.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it intends to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision on the jurisdictional issue before the Supreme Court.
ICPC spokesperson J. Okor Odey said the commission considers the question arising from the second count to require further judicial determination.
The commission stressed that the ruling on the second count does not affect the appellate court’s affirmation of Ndifon’s conviction on the first count.
The prosecution’s case on the first count relied, among other evidence, on electronic communications between Ndifon and a female student. The Federal High Court considered testimony and electronic evidence before reaching its conviction, which has now been upheld on appeal.
The case arose from allegations concerning Ndifon’s conduct towards female students while he was Dean of the UNICAL Faculty of Law. He was removed from the position in 2023 following allegations of sexual harassment involving female students.
The latest ruling therefore leaves Ndifon’s two-year conviction on the first count intact, while the second count remains subject to fresh proceedings and the ICPC’s proposed further appeal.
Appeal Court Upholds Two-Year Jail Term for Ex-UNICAL Dean Ndifon
metro
Ogun Man Arrested Over Alleged Killing of Neighbour After ‘Rough Play’ With Child
Ogun Man Arrested Over Alleged Killing of Neighbour After ‘Rough Play’ With Child
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Edebiri Temitope, over the alleged killing of his 38-year-old neighbour, Oje Michael Eje, in the Mowe area of the state.
The incident reportedly followed a disagreement over Eje’s interaction with the suspect’s three-year-old child.
According to the police, Eje, a university graduate who studied Guidance and Counselling, was hugging and playing with the child when Temitope became upset, describing the interaction as rough play.
The suspect allegedly picked up a bamboo stick and repeatedly struck Eje. Police said the victim collapsed during the assault and later died from the injuries sustained.
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A relative of the deceased, quoted in additional reports, said Eje had returned from work when the child ran towards him and hugged him. He allegedly lifted the child playfully before entering his room.
The relative said Temitope later confronted Eje at his room, accusing him of playing roughly with the child. The account has not been independently verified.
Following the incident, the suspect reportedly fled the area with his family.
The police later arrested Temitope and transferred him to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The police have not disclosed whether the suspect has been formally charged in court.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Eje’s death and determine the appropriate legal action.
Ogun Man Arrested Over Alleged Killing of Neighbour After ‘Rough Play’ With Child
metro
Viral Anti-Obi Video: Lagos Police Move Against Inspector Osumah Frank
Viral Anti-Obi Video: Lagos Police Move Against Inspector Osumah Frank
The Lagos State Police Command has identified the officer featured in a viral video making political and ethnic remarks about Peter Obi and has commenced disciplinary action against him.
The officer was identified as Inspector Osumah Frank, according to a statement issued on Friday, September 25, by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi.
Frank was captured in police uniform while travelling in a public transport vehicle, where he made comments about Obi, the 2027 presidential election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the possibility of an Igbo person becoming Nigeria’s president.
Reports on the video said the inspector expressed opposition to Obi’s political ambition and made remarks questioning whether an Igbo person could become president. He also discussed a possible Tinubu-Atiku contest and called for Obi to be excluded from the race.
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The video also contained a remark suggesting that money could be used to prevent a political candidate from assuming office even if the candidate won an election, according to reports based on the footage.
The Lagos Police Command described the comments as “careless, inappropriate and uncultured” and said disciplinary proceedings had commenced against Frank under established Nigeria Police Force regulations.
The command stressed that the inspector’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the official position of either the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.
Lagos Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai said police personnel were expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public, adding that wearing the police uniform carries a responsibility to protect the dignity and integrity of the Force.
The Command did not disclose the specific disciplinary sanction being considered against Frank.
Some subsequent reports described the inspector as having been arrested. However, the police statement cited by major outlets confirms the commencement of disciplinary action but does not specify an arrest. That distinction remains important until the Command provides further clarification.
The incident comes ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, in which Obi, Tinubu and Atiku are prominent political figures.
Viral Anti-Obi Video: Lagos Police Move Against Inspector Osumah Frank
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