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Boko Haram member gets death sentence by hanging

Published

5 years ago

November 11, 2021

A man identified as a member of the Boko Haram sect, Abdulsalam Adinoyi, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Adinoyi was arraigned before an Ekiti State high court on five counts bordering on armed robbery, murder, terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Adinoyi, an indigene of Okene, Kogi State, was said to have attacked and robbed Gana Jiya, a police sergeant, and other police officers at a checkpoint in Oye Ekiti.

While Jiya was killed on the spot, other police officers on duty sustained gunshot wounds.

He was also accused of carting away two AK-47 rifles and launching a “terrorist attack” on the people of Ekiti state and its environs.

All these were said to have happened between December 22, 2016 and March 20, 2017.

In his confessional statement, Adinoyi said members of his group named Abu Uwais and Aminu (a.k.a. Idi-Amin), now at large, were planning an operation when police officers came to his house, which was searched and the AK-47 rifle was recovered, among other items.

Five witnesses, including police officers who were at the scene of the incident, were called by the prosecution during the trial.

Several exhibits were tendered including an AK-47 rifle, statement of the defendant, photographs of the victims, compact discs containing Boko Haram training activities, five SIM cards, flash drives, empty bullet shells, medical reports, among others.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Lekan Ogunmoye, the presiding judge, said the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The sole issues for determination are accordingly resolved in favour of the prosecution,” the judge said.

“The defendant is hereby found guilty as charged. He is accordingly sentenced to death by hanging on counts one, two and three. May almighty God have mercy on his soul.

“He is also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on count four, and 10 years imprisonment on count five with N10,000 as an option of fine.”

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BREAKING: 68 Passengers Escape Death as Enugu Air Crash-Lands at Benin Airport

Published

18 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

BREAKING: 68 Passengers Escape Death as Enugu Air Crash-Lands at Benin Airport

Aircraft overshoots runway and enters nearby bush; all passengers and crew evacuated without casualties as aviation authorities launch investigation.

No fewer than 68 passengers narrowly escaped death on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after an Enugu Air aircraft crash-landed at the Benin Airport in Edo State. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-ENR, was operating on the Enugu–Benin–Lagos commercial route when the incident occurred around midday on Thursday. According to a source at the Benin Airport who spoke on condition of anonymity, the aircraft overshot the runway after landing and veered into a nearby bush. Visuals from the scene circulating on social media showed the aircraft resting on a grassy area beside the runway, with its tail and one wing visibly detached from the fuselage. Passengers and airport personnel were seen walking around the wreckage, with no visible signs of casualties in the footage reviewed.

BREAKING: 68 Passengers Escape Death as Enugu Air Crash-Lands at Benin Airport

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Ibadan Council Boss Demolishes Criminal Hideout in Apata

Published

31 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Ibadan Council Boss Demolishes Criminal Hideout in Apata

Ambassador Kehinde Adeyemi Akande leads joint security operation to bulldoze den used for vandalism, robbery, and theft after months of residents’ complaints and appeals.

The Executive Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Oyo State, Ambassador Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and properties with the demolition of a notorious criminal hideout and den in Odo Ona, Apata area of the Local Government. The decisive action followed persistent complaints from residents and community leaders over the activities of suspected criminals who had turned the area into a haven for illegal operations, making life unbearable for law-abiding citizens. According to the chairman, the criminals had been terrorising residents for a long time by vandalising public water pipelines, stealing transformer cables, burgling houses, robbing, and engaging in other criminal acts that disrupted the peace and security of the area. The location had become so notorious that residents described it as “a market for illegal things and a den for evil activities,” which had made it difficult for security personnel to assess what was going on there. Community leaders disclosed that several letters and appeals had been written to the council over a period of more than six months, inviting the chairman to come to their aid. Notices of evacuation and removal were served to occupants of the hideout, but they refused to vacate, forcing the council to take decisive action. Responding swiftly to the distress call, the council boss led the intervention that resulted in the bulldozing of the hideout used by the suspected criminals for keeping stolen items and their unlawful activities. The exercise was carried out to restore peace, protect lives, properties, public infrastructure, and ensure the safety of all residents. The operation, which was conducted in collaboration with security agencies, saw heavy equipment move into the area to level the structure that had become a source of fear and insecurity for the community.

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Speaking further during the exercise, Ambassador Akande declared that criminality in any form would not be tolerated anywhere within Ibadan South West Local Government. He stressed that his administration remains committed to maintaining law and order and creating a safe environment where residents can live and carry out their daily activities without fear. He warned criminals and other perpetrators of illegal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law, adding that the local government would continue to collaborate with security agencies and community leaders to rid every part of the council area of criminal elements. “We will not allow a few misguided individuals to hold an entire community hostage. The safety of our people is non-negotiable, and we will continue to take every necessary step to ensure that Ibadan South West remains a place where residents can go about their legitimate activities without fear,” Akande stated.

The chairman commended the vigilance and cooperation of the Odo Ona community for prompt reporting of the activities of the criminals, noting that effective security is a shared responsibility between government and the people. He encouraged residents to continue to provide useful information that would assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending offenders. “Security of lives and property remains our top priority. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure Ibadan South West remains safe for everyone,” he said. The Chairman of the Gather Olugbode area of Odo Ona committee in Apata, Mr Adepoju Popoola, who spoke on behalf of the committee, narrated the community’s ordeal with the criminals, expressing how they often robbed and stole from residents from time to time. He expressed appreciation to the chairman for his swift intervention, describing the demolition of the hideout as a major step towards restoring peace and normalcy in the area. “The achievement here today is historical as community residents will sleep better,” Popoola said. He also pledged continued support for the administration’s efforts to promote security, safety of lives, and development across Ibadan South West Local Government. Also speaking, the Baale of Odo-Ona, Oloye Mojeed Gunwa Tajo, echoed the same sentiment, saying the raid had brought relief to residents who had lived in fear for months. He noted that the community had been living under constant threat, with criminals operating freely and brazenly, but the demolition had sent a strong signal that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated.

Present at the venue were political functionaries, the Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Tunde Taofeek Olagunju, the Director of Works, Engr Ademola Moshood Olona, and other local government officials. Their presence underscored the council’s commitment to the operation and its determination to restore law and order in the area. The local government has reiterated its commitment to regular patrols and community engagement to prevent crime and sustain peace across all wards. Officials have also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. The council has pledged to continue working with security agencies to ensure that criminal elements have no hiding place within the local government area.

Ibadan Council Boss Demolishes Criminal Hideout in Apata

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Fashola: I Have Tinubu’s Ears, Can’t Advise Him on Television

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Babatunde Fashola, Former Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Fashola: I Have Tinubu’s Ears, Can’t Advise Him on Television

Former Lagos governor says he has direct access to the President and prefers private counsel over public commentary, while also ruling out a presidential bid and backing state police.

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has explained why he will not take to television to critique President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that his direct access to the President makes public commentary unnecessary and counterproductive. Fashola made the remarks during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines on Wednesday, where he was asked why he had largely refrained from commenting publicly on the President’s performance since leaving office. According to Fashola, President Tinubu regularly seeks his views on governance and areas requiring improvement as the administration prepares for the 2027 general elections. He disclosed that the President recently reached out to him directly, asking for candid advice on what his administration should improve ahead of the polls. “He calls me today, and he says, ‘Today, identify one area where my administration must improve as we count down to 2027. What would you advise me?’ So, I will speak to the President on TV? I’ve told myself I would not do that,” Fashola stated. The former minister emphasised that he values the private channel of communication he maintains with the President and believes direct engagement is more productive than public pronouncements. He noted that he had already offered advice to the President on several matters and intends to preserve that line of communication. “I have his ears, and when I need to see him, I’ve advised on a few things. I think that we must keep that channel open. It’s not my intention to advise him on television,” he said.

When pressed on whether the administration had developed any blind spots after three years in office, Fashola dismissed the suggestion, saying his access to the President made public criticism unnecessary. “There are no blind spots in this administration. You can’t be shouting at somebody whose ear you have,” he responded. The interviewer noted that many Nigerians had expected Fashola to become more outspoken on national issues after leaving public office, but the former Lagos governor maintained that his approach had not changed. He argued that public commentary from someone with direct access to the President would be counterproductive and could undermine the confidential relationship he values.