metro
DSS releases NLC President Joe Ajaero hours after arrest

DSS releases NLC President Joe Ajaero hours after arrest
The President of the Nigeria Labour Party (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been released on bail around 11.25pm by the Department of State Security (DSS) a few minutes to the midnight ultimatum issued by the unionists.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
He was billed to attend the British Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) conference in London, which started yesterday.
A national officer of the NLC, who confirmed his release to Daily Trust, explained that the secret police said the labour leader was released on bail.
Activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, also confirmed his release via a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday night.
Also, human rights activist and one of the lawyers of the NLC, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release of the labour leader.
READ ALSO:
- Kaduna flood: Two die, 1,000 residents displaced, five communes cut off
- Elephants from Cameroon invade Borno communities, destroy farmlands
- I’m not interested in kickbacks, Fubara tells investors
He said: “Yes, he has been released.”
At least three other sources in the security circle confirmed the development to the Daily Trust when contacted around 11.50pm, shortly before we went to press.
Earlier in the day, members of the organised labour, comprising the NLC and the TUC had threatened to shun their respective places of work and some critical facilities that are driving Nigeria’s economy in protest against the arrest of Ajaero.
This was just as the leadership of the NLC put its over 50 affiliate unions and state branches on standby for protest, if Ajaero was not released by or before midnight.
Also speaking about Ajaero’s travails, one of his lawyers, Maxwell Opara, said that the labour leader had informed the DSS about his trip to the United Kingdom for an official engagement.
He told Premium Times that the DSS had invited Ajaero a couple of days ago via a telephone call but that he told the secret police that he would honour the invitation on Monday, 16th September, 2024, upon his return from the UK to Nigeria.
“They (DSS) invited him on the phone. He told them that he was engaged with the World Trade Union Congress. He had committed to meeting with the DSS on Monday when he returns from the UK,” Opara said yesterday.
DSS releases NLC President Joe Ajaero hours after arrest
metro
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has clarified that a sexual assault case involving Ebunoluwa Fatoyinbo is not connected to the family of President Bola Tinubu.
This clarification comes after widespread social media reports claimed Fatoyinbo is the sister of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son. According to the reports, Oscar Ilochi allegedly assaulted Fatoyinbo while she was exercising alone in a gym basement, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing the facility’s CCTV footage.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed that the command has launched an investigation based on a formal complaint filed by Fatoyinbo. However, she emphasised that the police have not established any familial link between Fatoyinbo and the Tinubu family.
READ ALSO:
- Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
“The FCT Police Command is aware of a circulating publication on social media alleging that the Command has commenced an investigation into a case of sexual assault involving Miss Ebunoluwa, purportedly referred to as the sister of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.
“The Command wishes to clarify that a formal complaint of sexual assault was indeed lodged by Miss Ebunoluwa Mitchell Fatoyinbo against one Oscar Ilochi, a resident of the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.”
Adeh urged the public, including media outlets and social media users, to verify information before publication and rely on official police channels for updates on ongoing investigations.
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
metro
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.
Bago had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.
“Rascality in Minna: anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of efforts to end violent crimes.
He also threatened to demolish any house found to be housing criminals or drug dealers, emphasising that his administration will “apply maximum force to restore order.”
READ ALSO:
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
The governor’s early statements, notably the one targeting people with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging discrimination and lacking a thorough understanding of effective crime-fighting techniques.
In response to the anger, Bago reaffirmed his position on Wednesday at a ceremony in Minna, declaring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.
So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
The state governor went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago insisted that law-abiding residents are not at risk, claiming that the crackdown is primarily directed at criminal elements who utilize “cult” insignia, such as dreadlocks, to conceal their operations and elude law enforcement.
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
metro
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos

Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
A 16-year-old kid named Mustapha was killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in the Oyingbo area of Ebute Metta, Lagos State, on Monday.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident happened during a peace walk sponsored by several young people to address escalating cult-related violence in the town.
It was reported that the walk had hardly ended when an argument erupted between them.
A resident, who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, claimed the fight escalated when a suspected cultist pulled out a pistol and shot indiscriminately, injuring Mustapha with a stray bullet.
READ ALSO:
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
- 2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu
- NLC to IMF: Your reforms inflict hunger, poverty on masses
Another resident told reporters that the teenager was not affiliated with any cult group.
“Mustapha just came out to support the walk. He was not part of any gang. He is a calm and respectful boy. He was taken to the hospital after the bullet hit him, but he died on the way,” the source said.
The incident was said to have caused chaos in the community, while the event ended abruptly.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reported that one of the organisers, who was struck by a gunshot, is in critical condition.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
-
metro2 days ago
Rivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension
-
metro2 days ago
Bring your children to compete with mine, MC Oluomo challenges those mocking his spoken English
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu returns to Nigeria after France, UK trip
-
metro1 day ago
I’m not in supremacy battle with Ooni, says new Alaafin
-
metro3 days ago
Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria elects new leaders, Tinubu praises educational contributions
-
Business2 days ago
Marketers count losses as NNPC slashes petrol price
-
metro3 days ago
Reno Omokri defends Tinubu’s appointments, blasts president’s critics
-
metro3 days ago
N10m raised to relocate boy who faced Peter Obi convoy — Lawyer