Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria - Newstrends
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Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

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Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

The United States Congress has stirred national outrage in Nigeria after recommending the repeal of Sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws in northern states. The recommendations, included in a joint report on “Christian persecution in Nigeria” submitted to the White House by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Appropriations Committee, also urged the disarmament of Fulani militias and proposed restrictions on beef and cattle exports to West African countries.

The report claimed that Nigeria is the “deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” citing attacks by Fulani herdsmen and terrorist groups that have resulted in deaths, kidnappings, and destruction of churches and schools. It accused northern blasphemy laws of being used to silence Christians and other minorities, and urged Washington to push Nigeria toward religious legal reforms.

Religious Leaders Reject US Recommendations

Islamic clerics and scholars have strongly condemned the proposals. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, defended the use of Sharia law, emphasizing that Muslims have a right to be governed by their religious injunctions. He also criticized what he described as a double standard in global religious discourse, noting that while other countries allow governance by religious texts for Christians, similar rights for Muslims are being challenged.

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Another cleric, Sheikh Halliru Maraya, described the matter as “sensitive and double-edged,” warning that foreign pressure to scrap Sharia could deepen religious divisions. He stressed that violence in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau affects both Christians and Muslims, urging the US to focus on capacity-building, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism cooperation instead of legal interference.

Civil Society and Experts Raise Sovereignty Concerns

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, called the US recommendations “provocative” and detrimental to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He warned that attempts to enforce legal reforms externally could undermine interfaith harmony and national stability.

Political scientist Prof Jibrin Ibrahim noted that while the US can express concern about security incidents, it cannot dictate Nigeria’s domestic policies. He highlighted that much of the violence is driven by banditry and resource conflicts, affecting citizens of all faiths, rather than targeting Christians alone.

Federal Government Stresses Cooperation and Sovereignty

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, described the report as a potential catalyst for broader cooperation. The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious freedom and emphasized that ongoing security operations, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts address threats posed by terrorist groups, bandits, and communal conflicts, irrespective of religion.

The government stressed that any foreign assistance must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional framework, while warning against external interference in legal matters such as Sharia and blasphemy laws.

Call for Balanced, Home-Grown Solutions

Analysts and civil society organizations argue that while foreign concern is valid, Nigeria must determine its own policies through constitutional processes and inclusive national dialogue. Experts warn that external attempts to reform religious laws risk fueling divisions and undermining national sovereignty, calling for strategic, home-grown solutions to insecurity and interfaith tensions.

Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

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Police Arrest 23-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Killing of Six-Year-Old Girl in Ibadan

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Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Police Arrest 23-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Killing of Six-Year-Old Girl in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man over the alleged killing of a six-year-old girl in Ibadan, the state capital, in a case that has sparked shock and outrage in the affected community.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the incident occurred on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Adigun Village in the Olorunda Ogunsola area of Ona-Ara Local Government Area.

The command said the arrest followed intelligence reports that a young girl had been unlawfully killed, prompting immediate deployment of operatives to the scene to secure the area and apprehend the suspect.

The suspect, identified as Sodiq Kayode Akorede (23), was reportedly found in possession of the victim’s remains, including her severed head, which was recovered by police during the operation. The victim was identified as six-year-old Mutiyatu Sunday.

Police said the suspect was nearly lynched by an angry mob before officers intervened and rescued him from jungle justice, restoring order and taking him into custody.

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Police Say Suspect Confessed During Investigation

Preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. Authorities added that he sustained injuries during the mob attack and was taken to a medical facility for treatment before further processing.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered the immediate mobilisation of officers to the scene and directed that evidence be properly secured for investigation and prosecution.

He also condemned the attempt at mob action, warning residents against taking the law into their own hands, noting that such actions hinder proper criminal investigation and undermine the justice system.

The suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Ibadan for further discreet investigation and possible prosecution.

Police Urge Calm as Investigation Continues

The police command appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing.

Authorities also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly, stressing that community cooperation remains key in preventing violent crimes and ensuring public safety.

The incident has left residents of the Adigun community in shock, with calls for swift justice and increased security presence in the area.

Police Arrest 23-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Killing of Six-Year-Old Girl in Ibadan

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NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

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NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks

NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects in a series of coordinated nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.

The agency said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling both local and international narcotics syndicates involved in the movement and distribution of cocaine, cannabis, and controlled pharmaceutical substances through land, air, and road routes.

In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 93-year-old suspect, identified as Pa Friday Chigbu, at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area on April 7, 2026. A search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis. The agency said the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the illicit drug trade, claiming he had transitioned into drug dealing after years of menial work.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA uncovered an international cocaine trafficking network involving an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, who was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 1.49 kilograms of cocaine. Investigators said he had moved through Lagos and Enugu before arriving in Kano, where he was preparing to travel to Milan, Italy, for drug delivery in exchange for payment.

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Further investigations led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, identified as Dr. C. Ofomata, in Ogun State, who is alleged to have played a coordinating role in the trafficking operation. NDLEA said the suspect was later transferred for further interrogation and was found with controlled pharmaceutical substances at the point of arrest.

In Lagos, operatives intercepted a luxury bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway carrying 15 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis, concealed in compartments of the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In a separate operation in Mushin, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck bound for Onitsha, Anambra State, and discovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup, leading to additional arrests.

The agency said these operations form part of its ongoing nationwide effort to combat drug trafficking, cannabis distribution, cocaine smuggling, and codeine abuse networks across Nigeria.

NDLEA reiterated its commitment to targeting offenders regardless of age, profession, or social status, stressing that both street-level dealers and high-level collaborators in drug cartels will be prosecuted under Nigeria’s anti-narcotics laws.

Officials added that intelligence-led enforcement remains central to disrupting trafficking routes and reducing the spread of illicit drugs across communities nationwide.

NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

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17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

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Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola

17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

The Delta State Police Command has given a detailed account of how a 17-year-old secondary school student allegedly hacked into WhatsApp accounts belonging to celebrities and used them to circulate explicit content and defraud unsuspecting victims.

The Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Division in Uvwie Local Government Area, CSP Temi Agbede-Zuokumor, disclosed the incident during a security awareness programme held alongside Nigerian comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke, where she raised concerns about rising cybercrime among teenagers.

According to the police officer, the case was uncovered after a routine search of a student’s mobile phone during a school-related security check raised suspicion.

She explained that initial attempts by the student’s mother to deny ownership of the device were contradicted after forensic examination of the phone’s contents allegedly linked the device directly to the boy.

Investigators reportedly discovered over 80 foreign contacts, including multiple Australian numbers, alongside large volumes of explicit digital content stored on the phone.

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The DPO further alleged that the teenager not only stored and circulated explicit materials but also sold them to fellow students within the school environment, where he was reportedly referred to as “boss” by peers involved in the activity.

Police also claimed that the suspect had gained unauthorized access to several WhatsApp accounts of celebrities and high-profile individuals, which he allegedly used to send messages and solicit money from unsuspecting contacts.

The development has sparked renewed concern over the growing trend of cybercrime among Nigerian teenagers, particularly involving WhatsApp hacking, online fraud, and the distribution of restricted content within schools.

During the awareness session, comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke also shared a personal experience of being targeted by online impersonators, noting how he once received a fraudulent message from someone posing as billionaire Elon Musk, who requested airtime under false pretences.

Police authorities used the occasion to urge parents, guardians, and school administrators to intensify monitoring of students’ digital activities, warning that cyber-related crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect without proper oversight.

They stressed the need for cybersecurity awareness in schools, adding that early intervention is critical to preventing minors from becoming involved in criminal online activities.

The suspect is expected to face further interrogation as investigations continue into the extent of the alleged hacking and possible accomplices.

17-Year-Old Student Allegedly Hacks Celebrity WhatsApp Accounts, Sells Explicit Content in School

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