metro
Three arrested in Sokoto over “Sai Malam” cult linked to WhatsApp “Red Chamber” group
Three arrested in Sokoto over “Sai Malam” cult linked to WhatsApp “Red Chamber” group
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a rising cult group known as “Sai Malam”, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to curb organised crime and youth criminal activities across the state.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement signed by Commissioner of Police Ahmad Musa on Saturday. Musa described the operation as the result of credible intelligence and meticulous planning.
“The notorious Sai Malam cult has been a growing source of fear for communities across Sokoto State,” the statement said. “On Friday, following a well-coordinated operation, we successfully apprehended three suspected members, including the primary suspect Usman Shu’aibu.”
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During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being initiated into the cult via a private WhatsApp group called Red Chamber, which was used to lure youths into criminal and morally reprehensible acts. The group’s activities allegedly include witchcraft, ritual practices, pursuit of demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, organised thuggery, and violence, Musa stated.
The police operation followed growing complaints from residents about the cult’s destabilising activities and successfully disrupted a key cell of the group.
Commissioner Musa also issued a public advisory for parents and guardians, warning them to monitor their children’s smartphone and social media activities. He urged vigilance regarding sudden behavioural changes, secretive phone usage, or suspicious peer influence, and encouraged reporting of such activities to authorities.
Musa reassured the public of the command’s commitment to intensifying efforts to track and arrest more Sai Malam members while ensuring the protection of lives and property across Sokoto State.
Three arrested in Sokoto over “Sai Malam” cult linked to WhatsApp “Red Chamber” group
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metro
BREAKING: Armed Thugs Reportedly Kidnap Sowore, Whereabouts Unknown
BREAKING: Armed Thugs Reportedly Kidnap Sowore, Whereabouts Unknown
Human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly been kidnapped by armed men described as thugs, with his current whereabouts said to be unknown.
The development has raised concerns over the safety of the former presidential candidate and the circumstances surrounding his reported abduction.
Details surrounding the incident, including the exact location, time of the alleged kidnapping and identities of those responsible, were not immediately available.
Sowore, who is also the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and a prominent critic of successive Nigerian administrations, has repeatedly faced arrests, detention and confrontations with security agencies over his activism.
His latest reported ordeal is likely to generate fresh concerns among human rights organisations, civil society groups and his supporters, particularly if his whereabouts cannot be established.
Further details are awaited as efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported incident continue.
BREAKING: Armed Thugs Reportedly Kidnap Sowore, Whereabouts Unknown
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metro
Terrorists Kill Police Inspector, 11 Others in Fresh Kebbi Attacks, Residents Flee Communities
Terrorists Kill Police Inspector, 11 Others in Fresh Kebbi Attacks, Residents Flee Communities
Suspected Lakurawa and Mamudawa terrorists have killed a police inspector and 11 civilians in a series of attacks on communities in Kebbi State, forcing residents to flee their homes amid renewed fears over worsening insecurity in the North-West.
The attacks reportedly occurred between October 22 and 28 across communities in the Besse and Shanga riverine areas of the state, including Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the affected communities, killing residents, setting houses and motorcycles ablaze and looting shops and other property before retreating towards their hideouts.
According to reports, the attackers moved along the River Niger corridor from Kaoje towards Besse, spreading fear among residents of settlements along the route.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that 12 people, including a police inspector, were killed in the series of attacks.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, explained that the casualties were recorded in separate incidents and not during a single attack on one community.
Usman said suspected members of the Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorist group attacked communities along the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis on October 26 and 28.
He disclosed that five people were killed on October 26, while seven others, including a police inspector, lost their lives during subsequent attacks on October 28.
The police spokesperson also explained that the violence was preceded by an incident at Samanaji Market on October 22, where suspected local vigilantes, popularly known as Yan Sakai, allegedly attacked Fulani traders over rumours of cattle rustling and a planned attack.
Three Fulani traders reportedly died during the incident, while a police inspector sustained injuries.
The police said its tactical team, deployed by the Divisional Police Officer in Besse, intervened to prevent further violence.
However, the subsequent attacks and reprisal violence reportedly worsened the security situation, forcing residents of several communities to abandon their homes.
A resident, Aminu Usman, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the attacks as devastating, saying the gunmen burnt houses and property before withdrawing to their hideouts.
He said the coordinated nature of the attacks caught many villagers unaware, leaving several families homeless.
Another resident, Aliyu Tailor Besse, said the attackers moved from communities around Kaoje towards Besse, targeting settlements along the River Niger.
He explained that some residents had received warnings about the movement of armed men and fled before the attackers arrived, while others who remained behind suffered the consequences.
A resident also disclosed that some families lost several members during the attacks, while only a few people remained in some of the affected communities.
The situation reportedly forced many displaced residents to seek refuge in safer neighbouring communities.
Meanwhile, the police said additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected areas to prevent further attacks and restore normalcy.
Usman said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mohammed Hadejia, had ordered intensified security operations, including clearance, search-and-rescue and confidence-building operations.
The command also said investigations were ongoing and that security operatives were pursuing those responsible for the attacks.
The latest violence has renewed concerns about the activities of the Lakurawa and Mamudawa groups in Kebbi State, particularly in riverine communities where residents remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.
Residents have called on the Federal and Kebbi State governments to strengthen security operations, protect vulnerable communities and provide assistance to families displaced by the attacks.
Terrorists Kill Police Inspector, 11 Others in Fresh Kebbi Attacks, Residents Flee Communities
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metro
‘You Must Treat Me With Respect’ – Oshiomhole Blasts Rufai Oseni During Heated Live TV Interview
‘You Must Treat Me With Respect’ – Oshiomhole Blasts Rufai Oseni During Heated Live TV Interview
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has engaged in a heated exchange with Arise Television presenter, Rufai Oseni, during a live appearance on the station’s Morning Show.
The confrontation occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, when Oseni questioned the senator about political developments involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia.
Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), became visibly displeased with the presenter’s questioning style, accusing him of repeatedly interrupting his responses instead of allowing him to address the issues raised.
The senator insisted that Oseni had asked several questions and should give him sufficient time to respond before introducing further questions or challenging his explanations.
During the heated exchange, Oshiomhole warned the presenter against what he described as a practice of asking questions and answering them himself.
“I won’t allow you to continue with this tradition of speak to yourself and answer yourself. You asked three questions and I will reply them. And you have no right to interrupt when I am replying,” the senator said.
He further called on the presenter to observe what he described as international best practices in conducting television interviews.
“Let’s agree on international best practices. You must have the patience to listen to my answer. And you must treat me as a guest with respect,” Oshiomhole added.
The former Edo governor also challenged Oseni, declaring: “Rufai, I am very ready for you.”
The disagreement reportedly centred on questions concerning Wike’s political activities, Uzodimma’s position and the President’s foreign trip.
Oshiomhole subsequently defended the relationship between Tinubu and Wike, rejecting suggestions that the FCT minister was receiving preferential treatment within the President’s political circle.
The exchange comes amid increasing political discussions and controversies surrounding the Tinubu administration as political parties and prominent figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It also follows another heated encounter between Oseni and APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on the same programme on October 27, during which the two disagreed over the President’s campaign remarks in Kaduna and the country’s economic situation.
The latest confrontation has once again brought attention to the often-contentious relationship between political officeholders and television journalists during live interviews.
‘You Must Treat Me With Respect’ – Oshiomhole Blasts Rufai Oseni During Heated Live TV Interview
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