Police arrest hospital cleaner for allegedly stealing NYSC doctor’s ₦18m car in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old hospital cleaner, Mohammed Dan-Azumi, for allegedly stealing a 2016 Toyota Corolla Sport valued at about ₦18 million from a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) doctor in the state.

The suspect was apprehended in Kano State after an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Yola, who also recovered the stolen vehicle.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the incident was reported after the vehicle owner entrusted the car to Dan-Azumi for washing.

The police said the suspect, who is from Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, allegedly drove the vehicle away instead of returning it to its owner.

“The breakthrough followed a report lodged by the owner of the vehicle, who stated that he had entrusted his vehicle to Mohammed Dan-Azumi, 26, of Girei Local Government Area, for washing. The suspect allegedly absconded with the vehicle to an unknown destination,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:

• Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert
• Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment
• Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment

Following the complaint, detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) immediately launched a coordinated investigation, deploying intelligence-gathering techniques to track the suspect’s movements.

The operation led officers to Kano State, where Dan-Azumi was arrested and the stolen vehicle was successfully recovered.

Findings revealed that the suspect works as a cleaner at Girei Cottage Hospital, where the vehicle owner, a serving NYSC member, is undergoing his primary assignment as a medical doctor.

Police said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and determine whether any other persons were involved in the crime.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabiru Hassan, commended the professionalism, dedication and swift response of the investigating team.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling all forms of crime and criminality across the state and assured residents that the police would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing to protect lives and property.

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to support law enforcement agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable information that could aid the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal activities.

The recovery of the vehicle adds to the command’s recent efforts to combat vehicle theft and other property-related crimes in Adamawa State.

Police arrest hospital cleaner for allegedly stealing NYSC doctor’s ₦18m car in Adamawa

Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert

The 2027 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticised the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a Kano resident for advertising cannabis for sale on social media, describing the judgment as “jungle justice” and calling for an urgent review of the case.

Sowore urged the immediate suspension of the judgment pending an appeal and appealed to the Kano State Government to initiate a judicial review, arguing that the punishment was excessive for what he described as a non-violent offence.

The former presidential candidate made his position known in a statement posted on his verified X account, where he questioned what he called the disproportionate application of justice in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

“I strongly condemn what I consider to be jungle justice against this young man, Ashiru Idris, for merely advertising the sale of cannabis,” Sowore said.

The controversy followed the conviction of Ashiru Idris, a 28-year-old Kano resident who was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine after being found guilty of advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.

The conviction was secured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after a video allegedly showing him advertising cannabis for sale circulated online.

READ ALSO:

• Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment
• Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment
• UNILAG fixes July 27 for 2026 Post-UTME, releases guidelines

According to the anti-narcotics agency, the prosecution forms part of its ongoing efforts to discourage the use of social media and other digital platforms to promote or market illicit drugs.

The agency described the judgment as a strong warning to individuals who advertise prohibited substances online, stressing that Nigeria’s drug laws prohibit the cultivation, possession, sale, trafficking and promotion of cannabis and other illicit drugs.

Reacting to the judgment, Sowore argued that the case highlights the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

According to him, courts sometimes impose harsher punishments for non-violent offences than for more serious crimes such as violent attacks, corruption and kidnapping.

“This is why I have consistently argued that Nigeria’s justice system requires urgent reform. Too often, our courts appear to react more harshly to non-violent offences than to serious crimes,” he stated.

Sowore said such sentencing patterns raise important questions about fairness, proportionality and the priorities of Nigeria’s justice system.

He further argued that cannabis is no longer treated solely as an illicit substance in many countries, noting that several jurisdictions now regulate its cultivation and use for medical, industrial or commercial purposes under strict legal frameworks.

While acknowledging that every country has the authority to enforce its own laws, he maintained that sentencing someone to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis deserved broader public debate.

The activist therefore called for the immediate suspension of the judgment against Idris pending the determination of an appeal, while urging the Kano State Government to conduct a comprehensive judicial review of the case.

Despite Sowore’s criticism, Nigeria’s existing drug laws continue to classify cannabis as an illegal substance. Under the provisions of the NDLEA Act and other relevant legislation, offences involving the cultivation, possession, trafficking, sale or promotion of cannabis remain punishable by law.

Legal analysts say the case has reignited public debate over whether Nigeria’s sentencing framework adequately balances deterrence with proportionality, particularly in cases involving non-violent drug-related offences.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation that Idris had filed an appeal against the judgment, while the NDLEA has continued to defend the conviction as part of its broader campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert

Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment

Isaac Fayose has publicly appealed to his elder brother, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, to reject his appointment as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board, arguing that the position does not reflect the former governor’s political experience and national profile.

The appeal followed the announcement by President Bola Tinubu approving the appointment of 26 chairmen and board members for 10 federal agencies and commissions, with Ayodele Fayose named to lead the REA Board. The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Under the new board composition, Fayose will serve as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors, while Abba Abubakar Aliyu remains the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with three executive directors retained on the board.

Reacting in a video posted on his Instagram page, Isaac Fayose congratulated his brother on the appointment but maintained that the former governor deserved a more prominent federal position after serving two terms as governor of Ekiti State.

According to him, appointments such as minister or ambassador would have better reflected Fayose’s political standing than chairing a federal agency.

He questioned why the former governor was offered the REA position instead of what he described as a higher national office, insisting that his brother had built a strong political career and commanded significant influence within Nigeria’s political landscape.

READ ALSO:

• UNILAG fixes July 27 for 2026 Post-UTME, releases guidelines
• INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs
• Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief

Isaac also compared the appointment with that of former presidential aide Reno Omokri, arguing that others had been given what he considered more prestigious federal roles.

In the video, he suggested that the timing of the appointment may not be coincidental, linking it to the recent visit of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to his residence.

Isaac claimed the appointment may have been influenced by political considerations, although he did not provide evidence to support the assertion.

Recalling previous conversations with his brother, Isaac said Ayodele Fayose had repeatedly stated after leaving office that he had no intention of accepting another public appointment.

He said the former governor had always maintained that he would focus on his private businesses after completing his tenure, noting that he had established himself in business long before entering politics.

Describing the REA appointment as a “Greek gift,” Isaac questioned why it was being offered several years after Fayose left office.

Despite his reservations, he congratulated his brother and urged him to pass the opportunity to one of his sons instead of accepting it personally.

“I know you will not take this appointment,” Isaac said, expressing confidence that the former governor would decline the offer.

Beyond the appointment, Isaac also expressed optimism about the prospects of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election, saying he believes the political landscape could shift significantly before Nigerians return to the polls.

The appointment of Ayodele Fayose has continued to generate reactions across political circles, with supporters and critics expressing differing opinions over whether the former governor should accept the role.

While some view the appointment as recognition of Fayose’s experience in public service, others believe the former governor should decide independently whether the position aligns with his political aspirations and future plans.

As of the time of filing this report, Ayodele Fayose has not publicly commented on his appointment or responded to his brother’s appeal.

Fayose’s brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment