Kogi Teacher’s Murder: Three Suspects Arrested, to Face Trial for Culpable Homicide

The brutal murder of Maryam Usman, a 30-year-old teacher at Brains Minds Nursery and Primary School in Ugbamaka-Igah, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for greater protection for teachers in Nigeria. Usman died on June 25, 2026, after enduring a series of vicious assaults by the family members of a pupil she had disciplined, a tragedy that has laid bare the deep-seated vulnerabilities that educators across the country face daily.

The chain of events leading to Maryam Usman’s death began on June 17, 2026, when routine classroom discipline escalated into a nightmare. According to police investigations, Abdullahi Isiaka, the father of an 11-year-old pupil, assaulted Usman at her residence over disciplinary measures she had taken against his son during school hours. Later that same day, while the teacher was on her way to the mosque for prayers, she was attacked again, this time by Ramatu Isiaka Eleojo. The attacks did not end there; on June 18, Ojonojima Mary, younger sister to Ramatu Isiaka Eleojo, reportedly went to Brains Minds Nursery and Primary School and assaulted Usman at her workplace, demonstrating a chilling pattern of sustained violence that ultimately proved fatal. Following these brutal assaults, Usman received initial treatment at Grace Clinic in Ugbamaka before being referred to Eleojo Clinic in Okpo for further medical attention, but she tragically succumbed to her injuries on June 25, 2026, leaving a nation in mourning.

Upon receiving the report of the case on the same day of her death, detectives from the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lokoja launched a comprehensive investigation that moved with commendable speed. The investigation led to the arrest of the three principal suspects: Abdullahi Isiaka, Ramatu Isiaka Eleojo, and Ojonojima Mary, who had initially fled but were tracked down by diligent law enforcement officers. According to the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu Oyiza, a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been established against the suspects, meaning there is sufficient evidence to proceed with formal prosecution. The police have confirmed that the investigation has been concluded, and the suspects will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution, marking a critical step in the pursuit of justice for the slain teacher.

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Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has been vocal in his commendation of the professionalism, diligence, and commitment displayed by the detectives of the Homicide Section, SCID, in ensuring that justice is served in this high-profile case. He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice and assured the public that the Command will continue to investigate all criminal cases diligently and professionally, without fear or favour. The Commissioner also strongly advised members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to always seek lawful means of resolving grievances, a statement that comes amid reports of attempts by the pupil’s family to resolve a brutal killing through elders and cultural norms—an approach the police have firmly rejected as unacceptable for a capital offence.

The tragic death of Maryam Usman highlights the dangerous vulnerabilities facing educators in the line of duty, reviving painful conversations about the systemic failures that leave teachers exposed to violence. Educators across Nigeria frequently suffer physical and verbal assaults from parents, yet teachers’ grievances are routinely overlooked or dismissed by school administrators and authorities. This toxic trend is dangerously prevalent within private schools, where commercial interests often override staff welfare, leaving teachers vulnerable to unchecked parental rage and treated as submissive servants rather than respected professionals. The failure to protect educators has become a national shame that undermines the very foundation of the educational system.

As the trial of the suspects begins, the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) , and civil society organisations must closely monitor the proceedings to ensure that justice is served without interference or undue delay. Ensuring that those responsible are held accountable through the legal system serves as a necessary deterrent against future assaults on schoolteachers, sending a clear message that violence against educators will not be tolerated. Nigerian teachers have quietly endured violence for years, and the case of Maryam Usman is a grim reminder that protecting our educators is a fundamental duty—not just for the sake of teachers, but for the future of Nigerian education itself. Stakeholders must urgently institute robust, uniform measures to protect teachers nationwide, from remote rural villages to urban centres, because only by shielding teachers from violence can we safeguard the classroom, preserve the dignity of the profession, and secure the future of Nigerian education.

Kogi Teacher’s Murder: Three Suspects Arrested, to Face Trial for Culpable Homicide

Miyetti Allah President Remanded Over $2.63m Money Laundering, Terrorism Charges

• Bello Bodejo pleads not guilty to 12-count charge as EFCC opposes bail, citing flight risk and witness interference concerns

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of laundering **$2.63 million** and engaging in transactions linked to the **financing of terrorism**. Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order on Thursday after Bodejo was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on multiple counts bordering on alleged violations of Nigeria’s money laundering laws and terrorism financing provisions. Bodejo was brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo, where he pleaded **not guilty** to all the counts after the charges, dated June 24 and filed on June 25, 2026, were read to him. The EFCC, represented by its counsel **Wahab Shittu, SAN**, informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to enter his plea, and the defence counsel, **Ahmed Raji, SAN**, did not object, allowing the arraignment to proceed. According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/375/2026, the EFCC accused the Miyetti Allah leader of laundering approximately $2.63 million, offences said to contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Following Bodejo’s not-guilty plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a trial date and order the defendant’s remand pending trial. However, Bodejo’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji, informed the court that he had filed a bail application dated June 30, 2026, and urged the judge to hear the motion immediately. Raji argued that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, noting that Bodejo had consistently made himself available to law enforcement agencies and posed no flight risk. Opposing the application, the prosecution filed a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit dated July 6, 2026, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses. Shittu told the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) was “on the watch out for him” and that, “being an influential person, he may manipulate the witnesses and progress of the case”. The prosecution also dismissed the defendant’s claim of ill health, contending that the injury cited was not recent and that Bodejo did not appear to be in poor health. Justice Ekwo declined to grant bail immediately and subsequently ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility pending a ruling on his application. The judge adjourned the matter to July 20, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application. In addition to the money laundering allegations, the EFCC also accused the Miyetti Allah leader of engaging in transactions allegedly linked to the financing of terrorism, an accusation that adds a layer of gravity to the proceedings as the court prepares to rule on his bail application next week.

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According to the charge filed by the EFCC on June 25, Bodejo allegedly accepted cash payments totalling about $2.63 million from **Sa’idu Abubakar**, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody over separate corruption allegations. The anti-graft agency alleged that the transactions, carried out between January 2022 and March 2024 in Abuja, exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold permitted under Nigeria’s money laundering laws and were not processed through financial institutions as required. The specific allegations include that Bodejo received **$100,000** on January 11, 2022; $200,000** on January 21, 2022; **$100,000 on October 26, 2022; $980,000** on February 7, 2024; **$750,000 on March 3, 2024; and **$500,000** on March 20, 2024. Count one of the charge reads that Bodejo “did knowingly and wilfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $100,000.00) in physical currency from one Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force, which sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00), prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law”. Count four of the charge alleges that Bodejo “did knowingly and wilfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force, which sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law”. The EFCC said the transactions violated provisions of both the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which prohibit cash transactions above the prescribed threshold outside the banking system.

Meanwhile, Sa’idu Abubakar, the former Bauchi State Accountant-General who is alleged to have made the cash payments to Bodejo, is currently facing separate legal troubles. In June 2026, the Bauchi State Government filed a 16-count criminal charge against Abubakar, accusing him of allegedly procuring unauthorised loans and diverting public funds totalling about N11.01 billion. According to the amended charge filed before the Bauchi State High Court, the prosecution alleged that Abubakar, while serving as Accountant-General between 2023 and 2024, fraudulently obtained loan facilities from United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Polaris Bank using forged State Executive Council and House of Assembly resolutions. The prosecution further alleged that the loans were purportedly secured for the supply of thousands of motorcycles to Bauchi State civil servants through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises. Abubakar is currently being held at the Bauchi Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail. The connection between the two cases raises questions about the source of the funds allegedly paid to Bodejo and whether they may have originated from the diverted public funds Abubakar is accused of misappropriating, though no direct link has been established in court filings.

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The fresh charges against Bodejo come months after he separately faced prosecution by the Federal Government over the alleged establishment of an unauthorised vigilante outfit. In that case, the Federal Government had accused Bodejo of setting up a group known as the “Nomad Vigilante Group” without lawful authority, an action that generated nationwide debate over community security initiatives and the regulation of private armed groups in Nigeria. Bodejo had pleaded not guilty to that charge as well, and the case has been ongoing. The Miyetti Allah leader has also been a controversial figure in Nigeria’s security discourse, particularly regarding conflicts between herders and farmers in various parts of the country. His arrest and arraignment on money laundering and terrorism financing charges have therefore attracted significant public attention, with many viewing the case as a test of the government’s commitment to tackling high-profile corruption and security-related financial crimes.

As the court prepares to rule on the bail application on July 20, the case continues to draw public attention, particularly given the involvement of a prominent leader of a major herders’ association and the gravity of the allegations of money laundering and terrorism financing. If convicted, Bodejo faces a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment for each count, according to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The EFCC has indicated that it will continue to pursue the case vigorously, while Bodejo’s legal team has expressed confidence that their client will be granted bail and ultimately exonerated. The case is expected to proceed to trial once the bail application is determined, with the court set to hear witnesses and examine evidence from both sides. The outcome of the bail application on July 20 will determine whether Bodejo remains in EFCC custody or is released pending trial, a decision that will likely have significant implications for the broader political and security landscape in Nigeria.

Miyetti Allah President Remanded Over $2.63m Money Laundering, Terrorism Charges

Xenophobia: Youth Group Issues Picketing Notice to MTN Nigeria

The apex Yoruba youth organisation, Oodua Youth Coalition (OYC) , has officially served a notice of intention to picket the offices of telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria over the company’s alleged failure to condemn the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. This decision follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum demanding that the South African-linked company publicly denounce the violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa. The group stated that previous correspondence and direct appeals to the telecom firm had been completely ignored, a response they termed “unacceptable” for an entity reaping immense financial patronage from the Nigerian populace. The coalition confirmed that relevant Nigerian security agencies and the South African diplomatic mission in Nigeria have already been notified of the impending action, though a specific date for the picketing has not yet been announced.

In a statement jointly signed by OYC Vice President, Olatunji Adejuwon, and National Secretary, Olaoye Abolaji, the coalition expressed deep disappointment over MTN Nigeria’s continued silence on the xenophobic violence. The group described the company’s failure to respond as unacceptable, given its South African roots and the patronage it enjoys from millions of Nigerians. “This silence is unacceptable, particularly for a corporate entity whose roots are closely connected to South Africa while enjoying immense patronage and goodwill from the Nigerian people,” the statement read. The OYC emphasised that the planned picketing is aimed at enforcing corporate social responsibility and compelling the company to show moral leadership in condemning acts of xenophobia against fellow Africans. The coalition said it would proceed with a peaceful protest if the telecommunications company continued to ignore its demands, stressing that the demonstration would remain orderly and strictly within the confines of Nigerian law.

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To resolve the impasse, the coalition demands that MTN Nigeria immediately convene a joint press conference with OYC representatives to unequivocally denounce the violence and reaffirm its commitment to the dignity and safety of all Africans. “We once again call on MTN Nigeria to immediately convene a press conference, with representatives of the Oodua Youth Coalition in attendance, to unequivocally condemn the xenophobic attacks and reaffirm its commitment to the safety, dignity and unity of all Africans,” the statement read. The group maintained that the proposed protest would be peaceful, orderly and in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the coalition, relevant security agencies have been notified of the planned action, while appropriate communications have also been sent to the South African diplomatic mission in Nigeria. The group also assured the public that the demonstration would not disrupt business activities unduly but would serve as a symbolic expression of discontent over the company’s perceived indifference to the suffering of Nigerians in South Africa.

The development comes despite comments by MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola, who recently condemned all forms of xenophobia and violence against Africans living in South Africa. Speaking on TVC News’ Beyond the Headlines, Toriola said that although MTN was founded in South Africa, over 11 million Nigerians indirectly own stakes in the company through pension fund investments. “We unequivocally condemn any form of xenophobia, violence or attacks against any community in the world. We’re a Nigerian company, through and through. We’re listed on the stock exchange with over 201,000 retail investors, and 11 million people hold shares through their pension funds in MTN Nigeria,” Toriola said. He added that while the parent company is South African, its shareholder base is international, with investors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Toriola stressed that MTN Nigeria remains committed to Nigeria and unequivocally condemns xenophobia, violence and attacks against any community. He also noted that the company has invested heavily in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure and remains a key player in the country’s digital economy, contributing significantly to employment and economic growth.

The renewed calls come amid a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa following the expiration of a June 30 deadline imposed by vigilante groups for foreign nationals to leave the country. The attacks have included violence, looting of foreign-owned businesses, and displacement of African immigrants from various communities across South Africa. The Nigerian Senate has strongly condemned the violence and urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians in South Africa. The Upper Chamber also rejected calls to nationalise South African-owned businesses, including MTN and DStv, in retaliation for the attacks. Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria be used to compensate affected Nigerians if South Africa failed to do so, but the Senate declined to adopt the recommendation. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cautioned against retaliatory measures, saying, “Nobody in this chamber is happy with what is happening in South Africa… However, we also need to exercise caution.” He emphasised that diplomatic engagement and multilateral cooperation would yield better outcomes than confrontational approaches.

The Senate directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to submit a report within two weeks on actions taken to address the attacks and recommendations for further intervention. The Federal Government has been evacuating Nigerian nationals from South Africa as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate citizens affected by the violence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to register Nigeria’s strong displeasure over the attacks and demand urgent action to protect Nigerian citizens and their businesses. The OYC’s action represents a growing trend of civil society organisations and youth groups taking a more assertive stance on issues affecting Nigerians abroad, particularly when diplomatic efforts appear insufficient to address the grievances of citizens. The group’s decision to target MTN Nigeria reflects a broader strategy of leveraging economic pressure to compel corporate entities to take moral positions on issues of continental significance, a tactic that has been employed in previous instances of xenophobic violence against Nigerians.

Xenophobia: Youth Group Issues Picketing Notice to MTN Nigeria