Ibadan stampede: Oyo govt drops charges against Ooni’s ex-wife, Hamzat

The Oyo State High Court has dismissed the criminal charge bought against, the former Queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, a school principal, Abdullahi Fasasi and musician, Oriyomi Hamzat, over the fatal stampede that took place in Ibadan.

The stampede occurred at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024 leaving about 30 pupils dead.

The three persons have been standing trial for their alleged roles in the stampede.

They were initially remanded at the Agodi correctional facility and granted bail on January 14 with the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.

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In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence and other related charges against the trio.

However, the Ibadan high court struck out the case after it was withdrawn by the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Abiodun Aikomo.

Speaking after the court session, Aikomo said the state decided to withdraw the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.

Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, said the families of the victims and the defendants reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.

Ibadan stampede: Oyo govt drops charges against Ooni’s ex-wife, Hamzat

Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and impounded 24,000 litres of stolen oil.

A statement by the division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, on Thursday, said the operations, which were conducted from 24 February to 2 March 2025, with other agencies, resulted in the destruction of 14 illegal refining sites, and arrest of 16 suspected oil thieves and sundry crimes.

He also said the soldiers confiscated over 24,000 litres of stolen products across the operation area.

 Jonah said, “In Bayelsa State, following credible intelligence, troops destroyed two active illegal refining sites around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA. At the site, over 8,000 litres stolen crude, and over 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stocked in sacks were recovered.

“Other items recovered included one generator, wielding and cutting materials.

Similarly, around Adibawa also in Yenagoa LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, beside Oando Wellhead with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude and 800 illegally refined AGO confiscated.

Other seizures included two wheelbarrows and a pumping machine.

Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

Bandits strike again in Benue, gun down 2 soldiers, 3 others

Five people, including two soldiers, were killed when armed bandits launched an attack in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday, according to local residents.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bodies of the slain soldiers were found at the scene shortly after they were shot by the assailants.

Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, confirmed the attack but stated that he was still gathering details on the incident.

The President General of Mdzough U Tiv World Wide and Chairman of the three main socio-cultural groups in Benue, CP Iorbee Ihagh, also confirmed to journalists in Makurdi that five people—two soldiers and three civilians—were killed in the attack on Jato-Aka.

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Efforts to reach spokespersons from the Nigerian Army in Benue for comments were unsuccessful, as those contacted claimed to have been transferred out of the state and could not verify the incident.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the state government expressed condolences over the soldiers’ deaths.

Kula stated, “In a solemn reflection, the deputy governor (Barr. Sam Ode) bemoaned the tragic loss of two gallant soldiers from the Nigerian Army, who were murdered by armed herders while on duty, protecting civilians in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area.”

Bandits strike again in Benue, gun down 2 soldiers, 3 others