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How ‘pastor’ brutalises woman, 90, Imam in Edo community

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

How ‘pastor’ brutalises woman, 90, Imam in Edo community

Tempers have flared up in a riverine community, Ofukpo-Ekperi, in the Estako Central LGA of Edo State following a viral video of a man brutalising a woman in her 90s, Adishetu Atairu, and an elderly man, said to be the imam of the community, Musa Shaibu, and six others.

The video footage on WhatsApp and Facebook shows a crowd at night led by a man simply identified as Pastor Sharp-Sharp.

In one of the clips, the elderly woman with a walking stick was dragged to the middle of the crowd while a young man was yelling at her to sit down.

When she sat down on a chair, Pastor Sharp-Sharp was heard saying she should sit on the floor, even as another young man then kicked her legs, forcing her to fall to the ground.

In another clip, a man identified as the chief imam of the community is seen sitting on the bare ground while a young man removed his cap.

In another clip, a woman wearing a hijab was brought forward, and Pastor Sharp-Sharp was heard saying, ‘You killed Eshe and killed the wife’, and the woman said that she had something to say, but Pastor Sharp-Sharp cut her short, saying, “Not now, take her away”.

In another clip, another woman wearing a small hijab was also brought in and the pastor accused her that they were the two and then asked her to leave.

The crowd in the video was heard commending the pastor after humiliating his victims during the unfortunate incident.

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A resident of the community, Abu Buhari, told the Daily Trust in an interview that on July 5, his stepmother, Adishetu Atairu, and others were dehumanised and assaulted by Pastor Sharp-Sharp and his accomplices.

He said, like his stepmom, the community chief imam and other residents were also abducted by Pastor Sharp-Sharp in the middle of the night, using gun-wielding thugs. The victims were physically assaulted and made to confess to crimes they knew nothing about.

“On the faithful day, residents of my community went to bed as usual, only to be woken up by strange, gun-wielding men. The victims were dragged before a waiting crowd and accused of witchcraft. My stepmother was brutalised, humiliated and traumatised,” he said.

“The information I got was that the community youths who are vigilantes initiated a move to offer prayer for the community to progress. But the community members were not in support because of the gangsterism they employed in achieving it.

“They went ahead to contact one Pastor Sharp-Sharp whom, I learned, charged them fees. The youths said the pastor had been performing miracles in some areas. So against the wish of the community, they went and brought the so-called pastor and started unleashing terror on the people.

“The pastor organised a crusade in the midnight and perpetrated terror on those they claimed were witches and wizards.

“According to the information that was available to me, the youths wrote the names of the people they claimed were witches and wizards and handed them to the pastor, who in turn started calling their names out during his crusade.

“When the pastor called names of the people, the youths would go to the person’s house in the dead of night and forcefully bring them to the venue of the event and then proceed to assault and dehumanise them.

“Like in the case of my stepmother, they stormed our house, abducted her despite the injury she sustained on her leg and brought her to the pastor. They gave her a chair but the pastor commanded that she must sit on the floor, which she refused to do, saying she committed no offence.

“In order to force her to obey their so-called overseer, one of his boys tackled her and she fell down. That same treatment was meted on our chief imam and about seven other persons in the village.

“Because of beating and dehumanisation, some people ran away that night. And because of fear of the same treatment meted out to the victims, others started saying all sort of things they know nothing about.”

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According to Buhari, after the dehumanisation, the pastor forced them to pay sundry amounts ranging from N10, 000 and above for chaplain and some miracle medicines.

He said they reported the incident to the police, who asked them to submit a petition on the incident, detailing what happened.

He said after the petition was submitted, the pastor was arrested by the Police Area Command Office in Agenebode, Etsako East LGA on Wednesday, July 17.

“Ofukpo is a riverine community and in the rainy season, the people are cut off from the Ekperi community due to lack of access road,” he also said.

He called on the police and other relevant government agencies to intervene and bring the perpetrators to justice to avert communal and religious crises in the state.

Buhari said his stepmom and other victims are still in pain as a result of the beating and dehumanisation they suffered.

The spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, said, “Yes, the incident is confirmed, the police are aware of it.

“The pastor and one other person have been arrested and they are in police custody. The suspects have been charged to court.”

Reacting to the incident, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria’s Amir (president) in Edo State, condemned the attack and called on the state government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Also reacting, Afemai Islamic Movement’s (AIM) Amir, Sheikh Ismaeel Danesi, called for justice for the people of Ofikpo community.

“Our people are peaceful. No one has the right to assault anyone, let alone old people who are innocent. Our culture forbids it, just as our religion is against it.”

On its part, the Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance, (EMEGG) commended the Nigeria Police and other security operatives for wading into the matter before it escalated.

The group’s coordinator, Sirajudeen Muhammad, assured Muslims in the state that justice for those humiliated will not be compromised.

He said religion is to save and not to harm, adding that the group will follow the case to its logical conclusion.

“The pastor and two others have been charged to court, we were at the court today and we will always be present at the court. The case has been adjourned to August 7, for hearing.”

– Trust

How ‘pastor’ brutalises woman, 90, Imam in Edo community

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EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus

Published

14 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Popular Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, widely known as Sabinus

EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed as false a viral “wanted” poster featuring popular Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, widely known as Sabinus, describing it as fake, misleading, and the work of mischief-makers.

In a statement shared via its official social media platforms on Thursday, the anti-graft agency clearly stamped the circulating image “FAKE NEWS”, warning individuals responsible for spreading such content to desist. In a strongly worded caption, the EFCC wrote, “Clout chaser, stop this now!” — signaling frustration over the growing trend of misinformation online.

The doctored poster, which spread rapidly across social media, mimicked the official EFCC “wanted” notice format, including the agency’s logo and layout. It falsely claimed that Sabinus, allegedly aged 43, was wanted for obtaining money under false pretence, and even listed a supposed last known address in Victoria Island, Lagos State.

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However, further checks confirm that no such notice exists on any official EFCC platform, including its verified website and social media pages, which are the only legitimate channels through which the commission declares individuals wanted. The agency reiterated that all authentic wanted notices are publicly verifiable, urging Nigerians to rely on official sources before sharing sensitive claims.

The EFCC did not disclose whether it has identified those behind the fabricated poster but emphasized that the spread of false information could have serious legal and reputational consequences. The commission has, in recent years, intensified warnings against the circulation of fake news, impersonation of government agencies, and digital misinformation, particularly on social media.

Sabinus, a widely recognised entertainer known for his viral comedy skits and brand endorsements, commands a massive following both within Nigeria and internationally. As of the time of reporting, he has not publicly reacted to the incident.

The development highlights growing concerns about the misuse of digital platforms to create convincing but false narratives, especially involving public figures. Authorities continue to advise the public to verify information carefully and avoid amplifying unconfirmed reports that could harm individuals or undermine public trust.

EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus

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12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene

Published

18 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene

12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene

Tension and outrage have gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State after a 12-year-old Junior Secondary School 2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, reportedly died following alleged bullying by a senior student over provisions. The incident, which began before the Easter break, has raised serious concerns about student safety and bullying in Nigerian schools.

The attack reportedly occurred when a Senior Secondary School 3 student demanded provisions from the younger pupil during terminal examinations. Godwin refused, saying he did not have enough to share. Witnesses allege that the senior student responded with physical violence, repeatedly striking Godwin on the neck and throat, causing him to faint multiple times. Other students only intervened after the assault escalated.

Godwin was initially hospitalized on Easter Sunday for a neck injury. He briefly regained consciousness but was later returned to school without his parents being informed of the seriousness of the incident. Upon returning home for the holiday, the boy began complaining of severe neck and throat pain. Despite taking pain relief medication at home, his condition worsened, prompting his father to rush him back to the hospital, where he tragically died. Medical personnel later confirmed that his death resulted from complications associated with blood clots around the neck and throat area.

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The school principal, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and confirmed that the school community is in mourning. He said a school management committee will meet to review the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and communicate their findings to the public.

The family of the deceased has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate the matter and ensure justice. The boy’s father urged the authorities to intervene, saying he would provide more details at an appropriate time.

The tragic death of Ufokobong Edwin Godwin has reignited discussions about bullying, student protection, and campus safety across Nigeria, with parents and education stakeholders calling for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in boarding schools.

12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene

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Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base

Published

19 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede

Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base

A deadly assault by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and its Islamic State-backed faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, has left several Nigerian troops dead, including a senior commander, following a late-night attack on a military base in Borno State.

The fresh Boko Haram attack in Borno reportedly took place on Wednesday night at a Joint Task Force formation in Benisheikh, located in Kaga Local Government Area along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.

Among those killed in the attack was Brigadier-General O. O. Braimah, commander of the 29 Brigade, alongside several officers, soldiers, and the brigade’s Imam. His death marks a significant setback in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria’s North-East, with military sources describing the incident as one of the most intense recent assaults on a military formation in the region.

According to security sources, the attackers launched a coordinated assault using explosives and heavy gunfire, overwhelming troops after hours of intense fighting. The insurgents reportedly deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to breach the base, engaged soldiers in sustained gunfire, and targeted critical military infrastructure. The prolonged attack caused panic within the base and surrounding communities, with casualties feared to be high, although official figures have not yet been released.

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Several soldiers were seriously injured during the Boko Haram attack, while others are still unaccounted for. Rescue operations are ongoing as the military works to locate missing personnel and secure the area.

The latest incident highlights renewed violence by insurgent groups in Borno. In recent weeks, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Nigeria have intensified, targeting military bases, checkpoints, and civilian settlements. Security experts warn that the attack suggests growing operational strength of insurgents, increased vulnerability of remote military bases, and the need for improved intelligence and aerial surveillance.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has yet to issue an official statement on the attack. However, reinforcements and surveillance operations have reportedly been deployed to the Benisheikh axis to prevent further attacks.

Despite years of military operations, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province continue to pose serious threats in Nigeria’s North-East. The Borno attack on soldiers underscores persistent insecurity and raises fresh concerns about the safety of military formations and personnel in the region.