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I regret coming back to Nigeria —— 92-yr-old mourns, as son dies in police cell
I regret coming back to Nigeria —— 92-yr-old mourns, as son dies in police cell
For 92-year-old Festus Arhagba, life has become an endless nightmare of grief and regret after his 50-year-old son, Kingsley, reportedly died in police custody at the Ajeromi Division, Lagos, under what he described as a chilling mix of “deception, cruelty and extortion.”
Sitting in his modest Lagos home, leaning heavily on a walker, the frail nonagenarian battling paralysis recounted to Saturday Vanguard how the family’s torment began on June 26, 2025, when policemen later identified as operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abuja, arrested his younger son, Kenneth.
In a quivering voice, he said: “I regret coming back to this country. I was employed directly from abroad to come here. Since I came to this country, I have never had this type of experience. My 50-year-old son, Kingsley, was the one taking care of me. Now I don’t know what to do.
“He had gone to drop his children at school when the policemen, five in number, handcuffed him in the presence of my grandchildren and whisked him away. For four agonizing days, we did not know where Kenneth was. Then I received a call from a policeman who identified himself as ASP Danjuma, telling us to bring food for Kenneth at Ajeromi Police Station.”
But the family’s hope soon turned into horror, as Kingsley was reportedly detained on arrival. Later, according to the nonagenarian, a family contact was told to bring someone on ‘level 12’ for Kenneth’s bail.
He said: “I told them I didn’t have anyone at that level, but I could bring my house documents. They agreed. I gave the documents to a Deacon who took them to the station. By the time he got there, he found that my elder son had collapsed. At the hospital where he was taken, doctors said Kingsley had died before he was brought in, and the policemen vanished, claiming they went to ‘pump their tyre.’”
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Root cause
The tragedy’s roots trace back to a bitter dispute over a storey building on Salami Street, Tolu Road, in the Ajeromi Ifelodun area. Kenneth, the younger son earlier arrested, explained that years ago he had helped his ex-girlfriend, Mary James, facilitate the property purchase.
“Mary used my late elder brother’s name as the buyer on the ‘Contract of Sale,’” he revealed, adding that title documents were never produced. The matter was said to have been reported at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon, when the documents failed to appear, leading to the arrest of the seller, identified simply as Prince, who reportedly told detectives that the papers were with the EFCC and promised to refund the money to Mary.
But, Kenneth said, “the matter took a new twist, when Mary bypassed the police and settled directly with Prince. She shared a video showing them preparing a fresh deed”.
Forfeiture
Further findings revealed that four months ago, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of the building to the Federal Government after the EFCC linked it to N89 million siphoned from Sterling Bank during a system glitch. A mark that read “ EFCC, keep off” was boldly seen in front of the building when Saturday Vanguard visited
But some persons said to be posing as owners of the building were accused of forging documents, including the Oluwa family receipt and Deed of Assignment, allegedly used to obtain N69 million from a complainant, Anthony Nlebedim, and his son, Ikechukwu Sylvester Nlebedim, despite being aware that the property in question was under dispute.
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Incommunicado
Kenneth expressed shock that when arrested, he discovered in Abuja that the petition against him was for kidnap, conspiracy and threat to life.
He recalled in pain: “I was handcuffed and thrown into the cell at Ajeromi Division on Thursday, taken to the Marine Police on Friday, where I spent two nights before I was taken to Abuja on Sunday night of June 29,2025.
All through my detention, I did not eat. I was deprived of calling anyone for four days. One of the policemen told me that he had strict instructions to prevent me from speaking to anyone and even if I died in detention, nothing would happen. I was released because of my elder brother’s death.”
Call for Justice
Now, the Arhagba family has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, calling for justice and prosecution of those behind Kingsley’s death.
“The police have killed one of my children,” Festus sobbed, sinking back into his chair as his wife, silently pacing the room, wiped away her own tears.
Meanwhile, police sources claimed Kingsley collapsed in the presence of his relatives and was not tortured. But for the Arhagba family, that explanation did little to heal the gaping wound left by a death they see as needless, cruel, and emblematic of a system where “justice is still too often silenced”.
I regret coming back to Nigeria —— 92-yr-old mourns, as son dies in police cell
Vanguard
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
metro
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
metro
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
The Nigerian Army has temporarily frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for certain officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The decision aims to bolster manpower as the country faces a surge in kidnappings and worsening insecurity.
The move comes after more than 600 abduction cases were reported in November 2025, including the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
An internal circular dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff cited provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, allowing service extensions “in the interest of the service.” The memo explains that officers usually retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion/conversion boards, but these rules can be overridden during national emergencies.
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The suspension affects officers who have:
- Failed promotion examinations three times
- Been passed over repeatedly at promotion boards
- Reached rank age limits
- Failed conversion boards thrice
- Completed 35 years of service
Officers granted extensions will remain in service but will not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments. Those unwilling to continue can still proceed with standard exit procedures.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the directive and manage morale across units, with the policy to be reviewed once national security conditions improve.
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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