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Sofiat shouted for help when ex-boyfriend hit her head with a cutlass –Boyfriend of Ogun lady killed for money ritual

Published

4 years ago

February 6, 2022

Saturday, January 29, 2022, is a day residents of Oke-Aregba, Itoko-Tuntun, Idi-Ape and Isoka in Abeokuta, Ogun State, will always remember. It was the day a 20-year-old lady, Sofiat Kehinde, was gruesomely murdered and her head severed for money ritual by four teenagers.

There have been killings in the state for ritual but Saturday’s incident attracted attention and sympathy considering the ages of the perpetrators.

Four teenage suspects; Soliu Majekodunmi; 18, Wariz Oladehinde, 18; Abdulgafar Lukman, 19, and Balogun Mustaqeem, 20; conspired to kill Kehinde and played different roles in her murder. Her skull was severed in her lover, Majekodunmi’s room and burnt almost to ashes.

Fortunately, the suspects were apprehended by security men in the area after they got wind that the teenagers were engaging in something sinister in a building located at Isale-Ijade, Oke-Aregba. The state police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated that the teenagers were caught and arrested with the severed, half-burnt skull of Sofia in a mud pot and her remains already packed in a sack, ready to be thrown away.

Oyeyemi said the policemen at Adatan Divisional Headquarters received information from the head of the community security guard that some suspects were seen burning something suspected to be a human head in a mud pot.

He said three of them were arrested by a team led by the DPO, Adatan Division, SP Abiodun Salau, who raced to the scene and later arrested the fourth person, Majekodunmi, after he escaped.

He added that the suspects upon interrogation confessed that the human skull they burnt belonged to Majekodunmi’s girlfriend.

According to the police, the suspects confessed that the slain lady was lured by her boyfriend to where she was murdered, after which her head was severed and her remains packed in a sack.

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Oyeyemi said, “They subsequently led policemen to the building, where the dismembered body was recovered. The corpse has been deposited at a general hospital mortuary for autopsy. The short cutlass and a knife used in cutting off the victim’s head were also recovered.”

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the clandestine relationship between Majekodunmi and her wicked lover was less than two months after she broke up with her ex-boyfriend, Mustaqeem, who later turned to be her second killer that conspired with Majekodunmi to eliminate her.

It was gathered that Sofiat first dated Mustaqeem and they broke up in September 2021 after her family objected to the relationship. Mustaqeem later transferred her ex-girlfriend to his newly-found male friend, Majekodunmi, who he met in December. Majekodunmi and Sofiat’s relationship which didn’t last up to two months ended on a tragic note for the lady.

In a confessional statement at the police command, Majekodunmi said he executed the heinous crime after he had a sexual intercourse with the deceased.

Sofiat Kehinde

He said, “Sofiat called for help when she was struck with a cutlass. It was sudden and prompt. She never expected such a treatment from me that just sexual intercourse with her and also from her ex-boyfriend. To be honest with you, when we struck her with a cutlass, Sofiat struggled with us before she succumbed to death. Blood gushed out when I severed her head.’’

How the suspects were apprehended

Contrary to the report that the unpleasant odour oozing out from the room when the skull was being burnt gave the suspects away, our correspondent gathered that the cry for help and struggle by Sofiat while she was being sliced by her attackers attracted the public.

Mustaqeem said he was arrested at the crime scene while his partner in crime, Majekodunmi escaped but was arrested the next day. She said, “When we noticed people were aware of our action, we fled the scene but I was arrested while Majekodunmi escaped. It was the second day they arrested him.’’

Head of a vigilance group in the community comprising Aregba, Itoko-tuntun, and others, Segun Adewusi, said a distress call was received from some residents of Aregba that something strange was happening in a building in the area and he led his team to the scene.

He said, “The name of our security team is Ilupeju Parapo, led by Baale Aregba. We are vigilantes in these communities and I am popularly known as ECOMONG. As is our tradition, we surveyed the environment to ensure there was adequate security. On that day, as usual, our members surveyed the area earlier and there was nothing of such. Later around 11pm, some people hinted to us that they heard of a noise that sounded like someone was dragging something with some people in a building but they couldn’t go in. That was around 11p.m.

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“Immediately, I called other vigilantes under me to go in there. On getting there, the boys had beheaded the girl and wanted to run away. One of my guards who was with me ran after one of them and apprehended him. We did not know that one of them escaped. When we grabbed him, that is Mustaqeem, he started begging us that we should not allow one Majekodunmi to escape and at that time, he had run away from the crime scene.

“We forced him to open the door to his room and as he opened the door, we saw that they had put the slain girl’s remains in a sack and tied it. We asked him to untie it and when he (Mustaqeem) untied the sack, we saw that there was no head on the body. As we saw this, we ordered him to take us to where the head was and he took us to another community, Isoka community, where they were burning the head.

“They have burnt the head almost half done. From my observation, they might have started burning it around 8:30pm, because the lady’s face had been burnt and some parts of the skull already darkened. We took the pot in which the head was being burnt to the police station. We called the DPO of Adatan Police Station and when he and his team arrived, they took the suspects to the station.”

Adewusi said the suspects after beheading the lady planned to dispose of the body late at night.

He stated, “They took the skull and started burning it at Isoka, which is a walking distance from the crime scene. When the police did their investigation, Mustaqeem told them that they removed the lady’s SIM card and threw it away. He showed us the point it was thrown to but we couldn’t find it when we searched for it. He also said they threw her phone away after they removed the SIM card. When we and the police went to where he said they threw the phone to, we saw it there. It was a small phone. Mustaqeem told us that if we checked the phone well, we would see that it has blood stains. He also said they cut off a chunk of flesh from the girl’s lap for another purpose.

“We forced him to show us where he kept the chunk of flesh and he took us to the house where they killed the lady. He went to a corner and untied a nylon where he wrapped the slain lady’s sliced flesh. Anyone who was there would express shock.”

How Sofiat was lured to death

Sofiat was said to be a regular caller at Soliu’s house in Oke-Aregba while they dated. It was gathered that they also attended the same mosque for Sunday programme ‘Asalatu.’

An elder sister to Sofiat shed more light on how she left home on Friday for her boyfriend’s house.

Muinat Oke-Owo who betrayed emotion while speaking with our correspondent in her house in Idi-Ape, Abeokuta said they were of the same mother but of different fathers.

Oke-Owo, said Sofiat also known as Pelumi, was a hard-working and gentle lady.

She said, “Sofiat learnt cloth designing for three years. She was a calm and easygoing person. On the Friday she was killed, she washed clothes in the morning and also fetched water. When it was around 6pm, we decided to eat beans. My mum gave her money for the beans and she went to buy it and started preparing it. At 6:30pm, she told me she was almost done with the beans she was cooking.

“Few minutes after 7pm, she told me that she wanted to go out. I collected my torch from her. She always returned home early whenever she went out. Around 8:30pm, I called her on the phone to ask if she was not coming home. She said she was on her way. I observed that she spoke in a low voice and I said, ‘be twisting your voice.’ When I called her mobile again, it was switched off. I went to sleep hoping that she would be home. When I woke up the next day and I didn’t see her in the house, I asked my mother for her whereabouts and she replied that she had not seen her.’’

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Oke-Owo stated that as she became worried over her whereabouts, she heard the news that there was a lady who was beheaded. She added, “I became more worried. I went to Oke-Aregba and saw people looking at their phones. They had filmed the suspects and I checked the phone of one of them and saw Mustaqeem. I know Mustaqeem. He dated my sister before we stopped him from coming to our house. I went to report at the Adatan Police Station. It was at the police station that I learnt she was dead. I was baffled how her ex-boyfriend could kill her. Sofiat was the fourth born in our family. Her father is late and our mother is about 60 years old.’’

Saying they had yet to break the news to their mother because of her health condition, Oke-Owo pleaded for justice to be served in the matter.

“Sofiat schooled in Calabar, Cross River State. She lived with her father’s brother in Calabar. She returned to Abeokuta three years ago. When she arrived in Abeokuta three years ago, she started learning tailoring and met Mustaqeem that killed her,” she stated.

How they chose Sofiat for ritual

Both Majekodunmi and Mustaqeem narrated how they settled for Sofiat as their prey for ritual money.

Majekodunmi said Mustaqeem muted the idea of engaging in ritual killing after he got the information on how to get-rich-quick on the internet.

He said, “Initially, Mustaqeem was formerly in a relationship with Sofiat. Sometime in December last year, Mustaqeem approached me and asked if I would be interested in having a relationship with Sofiat. I was interested in her and I agreed with the offer. On that day, he gave me Sofiat’s number and we started talking on the phone. I asked her out and she accepted.

“Mustaqeem told me to convince Sofiat to visit me in my house a few days after she accepted my proposal, I told her to come and she came. The second time she came to my house, I informed Mustaqeem about her visit to my house. He then told me we should use Sofiat for money rituals.

“I was afraid when Mustaqeem uttered the statement but he told me never to worry that he had planned everything. I didn’t feel comfortable with the statement but he insisted that I should not worry. He showed me a video on his phone where an instructor talked about get-rich-quick ways. I asked him where he got the video from and he said he downloaded it from the internet.’’

He added that after he was convinced with the plan, Mustaqeem asked him to follow him to where they would buy other ingredients to use for the money ritual apart from a human head as the instructor directed on the material downloaded online.

Majekodunmi said, “On the day he was to be killed, Sofiat insisted that she must visit me. Due to her insistence, I accepted and she came. Immediately she arrived, I informed Mustaqeem and he quickly rushed to my house. The three of us were inside the room before Mustaqeem called me outside and whispered into my ear that we should kill Sofiat on that day and cut off her head since we had got the ingredients we needed for a money ritual. I was afraid but he calmed me down. He told me that we would be wealthy and let go of our past.

“I went inside to meet Sofiat. We made love. After lovemaking, I sat on her back and played with her hands. Suddenly, Mustaqeem came inside. He held a cutlass and smashed it on her neck and blood started gushing. Sofiat struggled to death. I tried to stop Mustaqeem but he was too fast. I finished the job by cutting off her head.”

In his statement, Mustaqeem, who claimed to have graduated from Baptist Boys High School, Saje in 2020, said he was a student of an Arabic school in Abeokuta.

He said he was not taught anything related to money rituals at the school.

Mustaqeem said, “Sofiat and I were lovers before we broke up in September last year because her family was against our relationship. When we were dating, I used to visit her in her house especially during the weekend and she used to come to my house too. After Sofiat and I broke up our relationship, sometime in December last year, I met Majekodunmi who later became my friend. In one of our discussions, he asked about my girlfriend and I told him that I had broken up with her. He enquired why we broke up and I explained everything to him. Not long after that period, he told me that he was interested in Sofiat. I gave him her number.

“Few days later, he came to me and told me that he had approached Sofiat and she accepted his offer to be her lover. There was a day Soliu called me at midnight that Sofiat was in his house. During our conversation that day, Majekodunmi described Sofiat as a gentle lady and I observed that he loved her. I saw a post on Facebook that explained how to get rich quickly. I downloaded the video because I had interest in getting wealthy at an early stage. I wanted to get rich and lead a luxurious life. The video was what prompted me to tell Soliu about getting rich quickly at our early age. He was interested after I showed him the video on my phone and asked where we would get the materials we needed.

“I told Majekodunmi that we can use Sofiat for the money ritual because she was calm and easy to lure. At one point, Soliu was furious at me. He rejected it but I persuaded him that it was an easy process and no one would be aware of the secret other than the two of us. He later agreed after I told him that we would be wealthy and forget our past. He agreed and we planned everything together. Our plan was that Soliu would invite Sofiat to her house, make love with her and I would join him to eliminate her and get a place where we would burn her head with the ingredients and also dump her body in an uncompleted building. Soliu asked many times if the plan would work but I assured him that it would work and I told him that N3,000 was the cost of the needed ingredients.

Mustaqeem said when Sofiat arrived in Majekodunmi’s house, he called to inform him that she was around.

He added, “I saw her inside Majekodunmi’s room and I left them for some minutes. After they made love, I went inside and hit her with a cutlass on her neck. Majekodunmi sat on her back, holding her hand tight. She struggled but later gave up the ghost and Majekodunmi held the knife and cut off her head.”

How they escaped being lynched

When the news filtered that some teenagers had beheaded a young lady for ritual money, it was learnt that an angry mob thronged the place and asked for the perpetrators. But the ECOMONG leader and his team prevented them from carrying out jungle justice on them.

Adewusi said, “The angry people wanted to kill them. They came from different corners and demanded to see them. It took the intervention of the police and my group to protect them. If it was the mob that caught them, they would have killed them. They also begged us to release them to them to deal with them.

House where the lady was murdered

It was a five-minute drive from Adatan Police Station to Aregba, the house where Sofia was murdered. The place is a stone’s throw away to the Abeokuta South Local Government Primary School, Isale-Ijade.

Both the police and the ECOMONG leader led our correspondent to the place. There is a narrow path close to the main road that leads to the house. It’s observed that the building is not only ancient but also dilapidated. It has been sealed and a carpenter was called to open it. The house was unsealed by the police for our correspondent’s inspection.

The surrounding of the house looked unkempt and deserted. In the front of the building, there are five graves. It is a bungalow with seven rooms; five rooms in the main building. Three of the rooms were reportedly occupied by two unnamed ladies and one alfa.

There are three other rooms in the boys’ quarters. Two of the rooms looked abandoned and the other one was where Sofia was slaughtered. In the shallow room which could not contain three people, bloodstains littered clothes and other items such as plates, spoons and other belongings. The wall’s old painting was peeling off. The room is small and untidy with no mattress. The floor is covered with carpet.

The wall has different Arabic inscriptions and phone numbers. Some of the numbers were dialled but they didn’t connect. The ECOMONG leader said the suspects confessed that they took the mattress outside before they murdered the lady.

Stakeholders’ react

Some stakeholders in the state have condemned the incident.

Speaking on behalf of the community leaders, the Otun Baale and the Secretary of the community, Jamiu Showunmi, said the community was in grief over the incident.

He blamed the incident on the unbridled desire to get-rich-quick. Showunmi said, “It is desperation that is pushing the youth to the situation. We grandfathers, I am over 60 years, have never committed such a crime.”

A traditional ruler, the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, said, “I have said it many times that parents are mostly responsible for their wards’ failure to be responsible.

Also, the Ogun State Chairman, Association of Nigeria Authors, Paul Oni, stated that some leaders couldn’t defend their wealth with remuneration from their office, adding that when accused of corruption, they escape unscathed through the porous unrighteous institutions.

On his part, a medical doctor, Dr Kunle Ashimi, observed that lack of mentorship was a problem, noting that children nowadays could hardly identify people of good character in society to emulate.

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Phyna Files N500 Million Defamation Suit Against Carter Efe Over Sex Claim

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Content Creator and Streamer Carter Efe and Former Big Brother Naija winner Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna

Phyna Files N500 Million Defamation Suit Against Carter Efe Over Sex Claim

Reality TV star gives content creator seven days to retract claim or face legal proceedings after explosive social media dispute.

Former Big Brother Naija winner Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has initiated legal action against content creator and streamer Carter Efe, demanding ₦500 million in damages over allegations that he falsely claimed they had a sexual relationship. The legal move follows days of escalating online drama that has dominated Nigerian social media conversations and drawn widespread public attention, with fans and observers closely following the unfolding dispute between the two prominent figures in Nigeria’s entertainment space.

In a pre-action letter dated July 30, 2026, signed by Segun Ojienoh of Eko Solicitors & Advocates, Phyna accused Carter Efe, whose real name is Joseph Oderhohwo Efe, of making defamatory remarks during a livestream broadcast on Twitch and X on July 25. The letter detailed how Carter Efe repeatedly claimed, “You slept with me,” during the broadcast, a statement that Phyna’s legal team argued falsely portrayed her as someone who engages in sexual relationships to gain opportunities to appear on livestreams. The lawyers further contended that the statement exposed Phyna to public ridicule and caused significant harm to her reputation, which she has built over years as a public figure and brand influencer.

“As you coldly calculated, the sinister statement has since been rebroadcast on numerous platforms and by handles which are legion, thereby escalating the untoward damage already visited on Phyna,” the letter reads in part. “The above defamatory words which you uttered were packed with innuendos suggesting that Phyna will sleep with anyone with a significant online following in order to get featured on livestreams, especially when the statement is rationalised alongside the sentences uttered in the sequence following the defamatory words.” The legal team emphasized that the defamatory nature of the statement was compounded by the viral nature of social media, where content can spread rapidly and reach millions of viewers within hours.

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Phyna’s lawyers demanded that Carter Efe take specific actions to remedy the harm caused. First, they demanded that he retract the statement within seven days of receiving the letter, doing so in a contrite manner. Second, they required that he publish an undertaking not to make similar comments in the future, effectively committing to refrain from further character assassination. Third, they insisted that the retraction be issued via the same livestream platforms where the statement was made, ensuring that the correction reaches the same audience that witnessed the original allegation. At this stage, Phyna is not seeking monetary compensation, with the letter stating she has set the value of damages demanded at “₦0.00 (Zero Naira, Zero Kobo)” , a gesture her lawyers described as gracious and focused on clearing her name rather than financial gain.

However, the letter warns that failure to comply with the demands will result in legal proceedings, with Phyna seeking not less than ₦500 million in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for the alleged harm to her reputation. “If you do not meet any – or all – of the above demands, TAKE NOTICE THAT, without prejudice to other rights, reliefs and remedies available to her, Phyna will be seeking legal redress against you by claiming a sum not less than a sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) only as general, exemplary and aggravated damages, for the malicious damage you did to Phyna’s character,” the letter added, leaving no doubt about the seriousness of the legal threat.

The controversy that led to this legal action began when Davrel, a streamer associated with singer Davido, alleged that Carter Efe had described Phyna as being “of no benefit.” Phyna responded by calling out Davrel over an alleged unpaid debt, triggering a public exchange between the parties that quickly escalated on social media. The situation intensified when Davrel accused Phyna of making sexual advances toward him and claimed she had asked him to introduce her to his father, further inflaming tensions and drawing more attention to the dispute. During a subsequent confrontation between Phyna and Carter Efe in a viral video shared on social media, Carter Efe claimed they had been sexually involved, a statement that became the basis for the current legal action. In the viral exchange, Phyna asked, “Me and you fck?”* and Carter Efe responded, “Yes. I will bring the whole evidence come outside.” Phyna then replied, “Thank you very much. You and Davrel will hear from my lawyer,” foreshadowing the legal action that would follow.

During an Instagram Live session on Thursday night, an emotional Phyna apologised to her fans and confirmed that legal action had been taken against both Carter Efe and Davrel. She reflected on the toll the ordeal had taken on her, saying, “I know a lot of people say I’ve lost my self-respect. I have put myself down so much, and I think I finally realised that. Yes, you are saying the truth.” Phyna continued, “I have stood different kinds of drags, but there are two types of drags that I can’t stand. One is what everybody knows, and the other one is a sexual and man issue. I do not move that way,” emphasizing the particular pain caused by allegations of a sexual nature. She stated that the events of the past few days had forced her to adopt a new approach, one that prioritizes legal recourse over emotional reactions. “Since I started streaming, I tried to stream the way everybody streams, but it has brought a lot of disrespect to me, and this one that happened recently has to be the last time I will be disrespected like that. It has to be the last time my playful self or that Phyna that’s always there for everybody, laughing with everybody, or that Phyna that would always rant online when someone offended her,” she said. “This is the end of that Phyna because, at last, I’m finally learning how to use legal means because, at the end of the day, if I check it, I don’t really look for trouble. Most times, it’s my own reactions that overshadow what was done to me, and it makes the whole thing seem like I am the one wrong. So, Carter Efe and Davrel, check your emails and WhatsApp. You’ve been served. Thank you,” she concluded, signaling a new chapter in how she handles public disputes.

Shortly after Phyna’s announcement, Carter Efe confirmed in a video shared online that he had been sued for ₦500 million. As of the time of this report, he had not publicly indicated whether he would comply with the demands in the pre-action letter, leaving his next move uncertain. The coming days will determine whether the matter is resolved out of court or proceeds to litigation, a development that would likely draw even more attention to the already high-profile dispute.

Phyna Files N500 Million Defamation Suit Against Carter Efe Over Sex Claim

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Kuje Chairman Appoints Special Assistant on Dance, Clarifies Role Amid Public Debate

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Ibrahim Danladi as his Special Assistant on Dance

Kuje Chairman Appoints Special Assistant on Dance, Clarifies Role Amid Public Debate

Hon. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo says the position is actually for entertainment, not dance specifically, as Nigerians question the necessity of the appointment.

The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, has appointed Ibrahim Danladi as his Special Assistant on Dance, a move that has drawn public attention and sparked debate about political appointments in Nigeria.

According to an appointment letter dated July 13, 2026, and signed by Shekwolo, the appointment takes immediate effect. The letter, referenced KAC/CHM/30/VOL.1, stated that the appointment was in recognition of Danladi’s “selflessness, hard work, dedication, and contribution to the development of Kuje Area Council”.

“With pleasure, I wish to inform you that you have been appointed as Special Assistant (Dance) with immediate effect,” the letter reads.

The appointee, Ibrahim Danladi, is popularly known within the community as “Alanta”. His selection has been welcomed by many in Kuje’s entertainment circles, with stakeholders describing it as a positive step toward recognizing the role of dancers and other creative professionals in community development. Observers believe the creation of the position could provide greater opportunities for local entertainers, promote youth engagement, and strengthen support for the creative industry within the Area Council.

However, the appointment has also attracted broader public scrutiny, coming at a time when many Nigerians have raised concerns over the growing number of political appointments at different levels of government amid the country’s economic challenges. Some have questioned the necessity of creating such a position, while others have defended it as a legitimate effort to support the creative sector.

Speaking to TheCable on Friday, Shekwolo moved to clarify the nature of the position, seeking to address what he described as a misunderstanding.

“Yes, I made an appointment. But it is the wrong perception that they gave. It is an appointment for a special assistant on entertainment not dance,” he said.

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The clarification suggests the role is intended to support the broader entertainment sector in Kuje Area Council, rather than focusing exclusively on dance. However, critics have noted that the official appointment letter specifically refers to the position as “Special Assistant (Dance),” raising questions about the discrepancy.

The appointment represents one of Shekwolo’s early administrative decisions since taking office. In February 2026, Shekwolo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election, polling 17,269 votes to defeat Zakwoyi Danlami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 15,824 votes. The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Abdullahi Galadima, scored 4,305 votes.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Nkiruka Odoh of the University of Abuja, declared Shekwolo duly elected after he fulfilled all legal requirements. Shekwolo’s victory was part of a broader APC performance in the FCT area council elections, which saw the party secure three of the six chairmanship seats.

The appointment letter, signed by Shekwolo in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, expressed hope that Danladi would justify the confidence reposed in him by diligently carrying out the responsibilities of the office.

“Your appointment is in recognition of your selflessness, hard work, dedication, and contribution to the development of Kuje Area Council. It is hoped that you will live up to expectation in the discharge of your responsibility,” the letter added.

As of the time of this report, the specific responsibilities, remuneration, and scope of Danladi’s role remain unclear. It is also unknown whether the position comes with a salary or other entitlements, as is customary with political appointments in Nigeria. The Kuje Area Council administration has not released further details about the appointee’s duties or the rationale behind creating the position.

The appointment has generated mixed reactions across social media platforms. Supporters have argued that recognizing creative professionals is a progressive step that could help channel youth energy into productive endeavors. Others have dismissed the move as an unnecessary expenditure at a time when governments at all levels are being urged to cut costs and prioritize essential services.

Political analysts have suggested that the appointment could be part of a broader strategy by Shekwolo to engage with young people and build a grassroots support base in Kuje. The creative industry has grown significantly in Nigeria in recent years, with many young Nigerians finding employment and opportunities in entertainment, music, dance, and content creation.

However, critics have pointed out that the Area Council faces more pressing challenges, including infrastructure deficits, education, healthcare, and youth unemployment. They argue that appointing a Special Assistant for entertainment, while well-intentioned, may not address the immediate needs of Kuje residents.

Shekwolo, who assumed office following his election victory, has not publicly responded to the criticisms beyond his clarification that the role is for entertainment, not dance. The Kuje Area Council has also not issued any official statement regarding the scope of Danladi’s duties or whether the appointment will be reviewed in light of the public reaction.

This is not the first time political appointments in Nigeria have attracted public scrutiny. In recent years, various state and local governments have faced criticism over the creation of numerous special assistant positions, with many Nigerians questioning the financial implications and the effectiveness of such roles in delivering tangible development.

The Kuje Area Council serves as one of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, alongside Abuja Municipal Area Council, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari, and Abaji. The area councils are responsible for providing local government services to residents, including primary education, healthcare, roads, and waste management.

The controversy over the appointment highlights the broader national conversation about governance, fiscal responsibility, and the role of political appointments in Nigeria’s public administration. As the country continues to grapple with economic challenges and calls for leaner government, such appointments are likely to remain under close public scrutiny.

For now, the attention remains on Kuje as residents await more details about the appointment and its implications for the area council’s development agenda. Whether the role of Special Assistant on Entertainment will translate into tangible benefits for Kuje’s creative community remains to be seen.

Kuje Chairman Appoints Special Assistant on Dance, Clarifies Role Amid Public Debate

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Rivers police arrest 50-year-old man over alleged defilement of two minors

Published

4 hours ago

July 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe

Rivers police arrest 50-year-old man over alleged defilement of two minors

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old man, identified as Godwin, over the alleged defilement of two minors in Ogale community, Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

The minors, aged 13 and 11, were reportedly referred for medical examination as part of the ongoing police investigation.

The suspect was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Eleme Police Division after the parents of the two girls lodged a formal complaint with the police.

A relative of one of the minors, identified as Cletus, alleged that the suspect used errands to gain access to the children.

According to him, the suspect would allegedly send the girls to purchase items and invite them into his room when they returned.

Cletus further alleged that the suspect would lock the door and increase the volume of music playing in the room before carrying out the alleged acts.

He also claimed that the girls were threatened and warned not to disclose what had allegedly happened to them.

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The allegations have not been proven in court, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, said the suspect was in police custody and that investigations were ongoing.

Agabe said the police had issued medical forms to the parents of the minors to enable the girls to undergo medical examinations.

She explained that the medical findings would assist investigators in determining relevant facts and the appropriate next steps in the case.

“Yes, I can confirm the arrest of the suspect. He is in our custody,” Agabe said.

“However, the police issued a medical form to allow the girls to undergo an examination.”

The police spokesperson added that investigators were awaiting the medical reports, noting that the results would form part of the evidence being considered in the case.

She said the investigation was still ongoing and that the medical examinations were an important part of the process.

The case has renewed concerns about the protection of children and the need for parents, guardians, schools, community leaders and relevant authorities to respond promptly to reports of suspected sexual abuse.

Child-protection advocates have continued to call for timely reporting, professional medical care, appropriate psychosocial support and thorough investigations in cases involving minors.

The police are expected to determine the next course of action after reviewing the medical findings and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had not announced the conclusion of the investigation or stated whether the suspect would be charged.