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Oyo Abduction: DSS to Re-Arraign Five Suspects Thursday

September 16, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on Thursday re-arraign five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group over their alleged involvement in the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The suspects are also facing allegations linked to the subsequent killing of two of the abducted victims. The Federal Government filed a six-count amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, before the Federal High Court in Abuja through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Suspects Seek Lawyer of Their Choice The five defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, aka Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, aka Abu Khalifa and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, aka Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, aka Abu Itisar. The court had scheduled their arraignment for Wednesday, but proceedings stalled after the first defendant objected to representation by a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council. The council’s Deputy Director, Akilaluyel Shettima, had announced his appearance for the five defendants before Justice Saliu Ibrahim. However, Muhammad told the court that the defendants wanted their previous lawyer, Bala Dakum, to continue representing them. “We had been represented by Bala Dakum as our lawyer before and we would want him to continue to defend us,” he said. Court Grants Access to Defence Lawyer Oyedepo acknowledged the defendants’ constitutional right to counsel of their choice and said the DSS was committed to ensuring justice. Following the objection, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case until Thursday for the defendants to be re-arraigned. The judge directed the suspects to contact Dakum and ensure his presence in court. He also ordered the DSS to grant the defendants access to their lawyer to enable them prepare their defence in accordance with the law.

Osun Shooting: Accord Chieftain Buried as Police Recover Second Corpse

September 14, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

The Osun State Police Command has recovered another corpse from the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, bringing the number of deaths linked to Sunday’s shooting at the park to two. The police confirmed the development on Monday as the remains of Olalekan Oyeyemi, a chieftain of the Accord Party in Osun State popularly known as ‘Emir Ajagungbade,’ were laid to rest at his newly completed residence in the Agunbelewo area of Osogbo according to traditional rites. Emir died on Sunday after gunmen opened fire during a clash involving him and a group led by another National Union of Road Transport Workers leader identified by his nickname, Sibi, at the Mayfair Motor Park. A video that circulated on social media after the incident showed Emir lying face down in a pool of blood inside a vehicle. Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, later confirmed Emir’s death in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to identify and arrest those responsible. Emir’s death has been linked to moves by some members of the transport union to install him as the next Osun State chairman of the NURTW. Police Recover Second Corpse Providing an update on the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, told journalists that the police had recovered another body from the motor park. “The governor has decided that the park should not operate. The park has not been operating. A corpse was also recovered by the police, and it has been deposited at the morgue. “The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for more investigation. Those being mentioned in connection with the crime, they should go to the nearest Police station to report themselves rather than going to social media to defend themselves. The Commissioner of Police has promised that all those involved will be apprehended and face the law, irrespective of who they are.” Meanwhile, traditionalists conducted Emir’s burial rites in the presence of close family members and priests. His associates, who accompanied his remains from the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, waited outside the premises while the traditional burial rites took place. Hoodlums Attack Hospital Workers Before the hospital released Emir’s remains, suspected hoodlums believed to be associates of the deceased attacked two members of staff after discovering that the workers were recording them with their phones. Our correspondent, who visited the hospital to monitor developments, later observed the arrival of additional police vehicles carrying security operatives. Their presence helped restore calm at the facility. Commissioner Denies Endorsing Emir as NURTW Chairman Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, has denied claims that he summoned NURTW leaders to his residence in Modakeke on Sunday and told them that the state government had endorsed Emir as the next chairman of the union. Two NURTW leaders in Ile-Ife, identified as Gbadagesin and Kazeem Akeem, had made the allegation in videos circulating on social media. Speaking with PUNCH Online, Oyedele dismissed the claim and said the individuals who spoke about the meeting were not present when the issue of the NURTW chairmanship came up. “The person who did the video was not at the meeting I had with them. Had he been there, he would have known that what I told them was not what he said in that video. I was not in the meeting they had in Osogbo last week. After that meeting, which involved transport union members from various branches, they called me on Thursday and said they wanted to come and see me. I told them to come to my office on Monday (today), but they said they could come to my house. “They came around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. When they got to my house, they told me that they had all agreed that Olalekan Emir should be the next chairman, and they wanted me to support them. I told them that since that was what they wanted, I would present their case before the governor, the Chief of Staff and others when he gets back to the state. That was our agreement before they left. It was two hours after they left my house that I was called that Emir had been killed,” he said. Oyedele appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that the government was working to resolve the crisis. The police have meanwhile transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and vowed to arrest and prosecute everyone found culpable, regardless of their status. spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi

Nepal Flood Death Toll Tops 1,000 as Thousands Remain Missing

September 10, 2026September 1, 2026 by admin

At least 987 people have died in devastating floods along the China-Nepal border, Nepal’s disaster authority said on Tuesday, pushing the overall death toll from the disaster beyond 1,000. Chinese state media earlier confirmed 16 people were killed in Tibet, bringing the total toll from Wednesday’s disaster to 1,003. The number of missing in Nepal dropped to 3,916, as rescue efforts entered a seventh day, and the bodies recovered rose. In China, state media say there are 546 people missing, taking the overall number of missing to 4,462. The missing in Nepal include 583 foreigners from over 30 nationalities. The missing in China include 261 foreigners from 23 countries. Among the missing foreigners, Indians make up one of the largest proportions, with 275 citizens and another 128 people of Indian origin missing in Nepal, according to New Delhi. There are 85 US citizens missing, according to the State Department on Sunday. There are also 62 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 42 Australians, and 33 British citizens, according to reports, including both Nepal’s tourist board and embassies. In India, authorities in Uttar Pradesh state said they had recovered 17 bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal, believed to be flood victims. Indian authorities are seeking to identify them, and they are not included in the toll. AFP

Bandits Kill Eight Farmers, Injure Five in Sokoto Community

September 11, 2026August 30, 2026 by admin

Bandits have attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing at least eight farmers and injuring five others in a shooting attack. The attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, sent residents into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the community around 3:00 p.m. The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent. Rufai said the command was aware of the attack, adding that details of the incident were being gathered. According to him, ” Yes, we are aware of the attack, 8 farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it, ” Rafai added. A local source, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the bandits opened fire on farmers in the community. According to the source, “The bandits came around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting at people. No fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot injuries.” The source alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security agencies during recent operations in the area. He said, “We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days.” The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who have continued to face threats from armed groups operating in parts of the state.

Benue Varsity Student Arrested for Allegedly Pouring Hot Water on Colleague

September 11, 2026August 29, 2026 by admin

The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 500-level student of Fr Moses Adasu University, formerly known as Benue State University, for allegedly attacking a neighbour by pouring hot water on them. The spokesperson for the state command, DSP Peter Aondongu, told journalists on Saturday that an investigation had commenced to unravel the cause of fighting between the two students. He said, “Yes, it happened yesterday, Friday, August 28, 2026. “From the information I have, both students were staying in the same room and had an issue. The suspect allegedly boiled water, added salt and pepper, and poured the mixture on the victim and then locked her inside. “After some time, people became aware of what had happened and were able to intervene and rescue the victim. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment, while the suspect was arrested. “I don’t have much information yet about the genesis of the disagreement or what led to the incident, but I can confirm that the incident happened. I also understand that both of them are students of the Benue State University.” Meanwhile, our correspondent learnt that the suspect had attacked a 200-level Political Science student of the same university, identified as Rose, following a disagreement. Narrating what might have transpired between the two female students, the Students’ Union President, Akighirga Vitalis, who led members of his executive to the hospital, said that Rose explained that there was a disagreement with the suspect identified as Felicia, which allegedly escalated into the violent attack. Vitalis said that the duo had been living together before disagreements over personal matters began to strain their relationship. While expressing shock over the condition of the student and condemning the alleged attack, Vitalis described it as “a grave and unacceptable assault on the life and well-being of a fellow student.” He said, “We are deeply concerned about this incident. The Students’ Union will follow this matter closely until justice prevails.” The union president assured all that the union would engage relevant authorities and monitor the investigation, as well as any disciplinary process that may arise within the university. Vitalis said that if the allegations against Felicia are established through due process, the Students’ Union would support the application of appropriate sanctions under the university’s regulations, including expulsion where warranted. “The Students’ Union will not condone violence or any conduct capable of endangering the life of another student,” Vitalis said.

Two Feared Dead as Crisis Erupts at Osun Motor Park

August 24, 2026 by admin

Two people were feared killed in Ikire, Osun State, on Monday following an alleged attempt to seize control of a motor park at Naira and Kobo Junction in the town. One of the videos of the incident obtained by our correspondent showed a man sitting in a vehicle and appearing to be dead, with an open wound on his head. In another picture, a man was seen lying face down in a pool of blood. Sources who spoke to PUNCH Online on the condition of anonymity said drivers allegedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress had been in control of the park until some drivers who were said to be members of the Accord Party arrived at about 10:30 am and allegedly attempted to take over the park. An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said during a telephone interview, “A political thug named said to be working for APC and his team were at the motorpark in Ikire around Naira and Kobo area in Ikire when some political thugs from Accord stormed the area around 10:30am to take over the place. “During the melee, a new Toyota Hilux donated to Ikire Divisional Police Station was damaged. The windscreen was smashed and the tyres damaged.” Another resident of Ikire, who spoke on the incident during a telephone chat, told our correspondent that, “The Accord Party members were trying to take over the park from those of the APC extraction, and during the mayhem, an Accord member was shot. “After the killing, the Accord members went to the palace of Akire of Ikire to report that the Divisional Police Officer was involved in the mayhem. “During the meeting at the palace, police claimed that the Accord members abducted the Secretary of Palm Oil Seller Association in Ikire and it was while chasing the kidnappers that an exchange of fire occurred and in the process, a stray bullet hit one person.” Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile line rang out, while responses to text messages sent to him were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report. Details soon…

Police Arrest 27-Year-Old Suspect Over Fatal Hotel Stabbing in Adamawa

August 15, 2026 by admin

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man over the alleged killing of a woman at a hotel in Girei Local Government Area of the state. In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the incident occurred at No Vex Hotel, Girei, on Friday. “Following a report of an altercation at No Vex Hotel, Girei LGA, on 14th August 2026, operatives from Girei Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly responded to the scene. “The victim was found with severe injuries and in a pool of blood. She was immediately rushed to a medical facility where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement said. According to the police, the suspect, identified as Ali Haruna, of Bolori Ward, Maiduguri, Borno State, had been arrested in connection with the incident. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly made statements claiming responsibility for the act. The police are, however, treating this as part of the ongoing investigation and are working to establish the circumstances and motive behind the incident,” the statement added. The command said the knife allegedly used in the commission of the offence was recovered from the suspect and would be treated as an exhibit. The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Kabir Hassan, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and ensure a discreet, thorough and professional investigation. The command assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law. It further urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from jungle justice while allowing the police to conclude their investigation. However, when Weekend Punch visited the scene on Saturday, an eyewitness said the suspect lodged at the hotel, which is owned by a retired police officer, on Friday afternoon and allegedly committed the murder by 5pm the same day. The eyewitness further claimed that the suspect confessed that the deceased was the third person he had killed this year.

Fire Guts Lagos Hotel

August 15, 2026 by admin

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said its response team had successfully contained a fire outbreak at Purple Crown Hotel on Balogun Street, along Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos, with no casualties reported. The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the fire incident, which was reported at 9:52 am, affected a room on the first floor of the hotel. Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the agency’s Tiger Squad, working with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police, arrived at the scene within 10 minutes of receiving the distress call. “Upon arrival, responders discovered that a room on the first floor of the hotel had been severely affected by fire,” he stated. According to the PS, preliminary investigation suggested that “the fire may have been triggered by an electrical fault within the affected room.” He added that the incident caused significant fire and smoke damage to a section of the building. The PS noted that there was no loss of life or injury, adding that all hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated to a designated muster point. “There was no loss of life and no injury recorded. All hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated from the building to the designated muster point,” the statement said. He added that a roll call was conducted under the supervision of the response team and police officers “to account for all occupants and confirm their safety.” According to him, the fire was brought under control and completely extinguished through the joint efforts of LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the police. “The joint operation focused on containing the fire, preventing further spread to adjoining rooms, and ensuring the safety of both occupants and responders,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He noted that following the incident, access to the entire building was restricted as a precaution because of the volume of smoke and the extent of the fire damage. The statement said the affected section of the hotel remained cordoned off “pending a detailed structural and electrical integrity assessment by relevant authorities.” “The situation is now fully under control. The fire has been extinguished and the immediate danger neutralised. “Normal operations will only resume upon clearance from safety officials.” The PS commended the emergency responders for what it described as the “speed, professionalism and inter-agency collaboration” displayed during the operation, saying the swift response “prevented escalation and protected lives and property.” He urged hotel operators, facility managers and business owners to prioritise regular electrical maintenance, install and service fire suppression equipment, and ensure that staff were trained on emergency evacuation procedures. “Compliance with the Lagos State Safety Commission. Commission guidelines remains non-negotiable,” the statement added. He also urged members of the public to remain calm and report emergencies promptly through the Lagos State emergency toll-free lines: 112, 767 or 08000 112 112. PUNCH Online reported on Monday that LASEMA responded to separate fire outbreaks in Igando and Anifowoshe, Ikeja, with no loss of life recorded in either incident. Oke-Osanyintolu had stated that response teams attended to multiple emergency incidents across the state between Sunday evening and the early hours of Monday. The first fire occurred at about 7:37 pm on Sunday at 23 Shaba Ojo Street, near Omolade Bus Stop, Igando, while the second fire incident was reported at about 11:30 pm at 61 Abeokuta Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja.

Fire Razes House in Kwara as Arson Suspected

August 8, 2026 by admin

Arson is suspected to be behind a fire outbreak that destroyed a room in a three-bedroom apartment in Iluteju Community, Irewolede area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday. The fire, which occurred around 1:07pm at C76, Iluteju Community, was quickly contained by personnel of the Kwara State Fire Service, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. The agency confirmed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH in Ilorin. According to Hassan, the suspicion of arson followed information gathered from sympathisers and community members who were at the scene of the incident. “According to information gathered from sympathisers and members of the community at the scene, the fire was suspected to have been deliberately set,” he said. The spokesperson added that the room affected by the fire was the only one in the building furnished with furniture, while the other rooms had been emptied of their contents. “According to information gathered from sympathisers and members of the community at the scene, the fire was suspected to have been deliberately set,” he said. The spokesperson added that the room affected by the fire was the only one in the building furnished with furniture, while the other rooms had been emptied of their contents. He also said the building had already been disconnected from electricity, ruling out power supply as an immediate source of ignition. Hassan, however, noted that the cause of the fire remained subject to further investigation by the appropriate authorities. “The affected building had already been disconnected from the power supply, further ruling out electricity as an immediate source of ignition, subject to further investigation by the appropriate authorities,” he stated. The Fire Service urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that could lead to fire outbreaks or endanger lives and property. The Chief Fire Officer, Muhammed Alabi, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and urged residents to continue providing accurate and timely information to the service during emergencies.

Woman Rescued After Plunging Into Lagos Lagoon

August 4, 2026 by admin

A woman was rescued by local fishermen after she reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from the Idumota-Carter Bridge. The incident occurredWoman Rescued After Plunging Into Lagos Lagoon on Tuesday afternoon, according to a video by X.com user, #ChuksErice. In the video, the woman was seen sitting in a wooden canoe after being pulled from the water, while a fisherman paddles the canoe away from the bridge. The woman appeared disoriented as she sat in the canoe following the rescue. Passers-by who gathered on the bridge could be heard reacting to the incident and questioning what might have prompted the woman to jump into the lagoon. A woman speaking in Yoruba was heard asking, “What were you thinking to that extent?” A man was also heard saying, “I can never kill myself because of thinking,” while another person responded, “Pray to never be in that position.” The circumstances surrounding the incident and the woman’s condition after the rescue had not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report. The video generated reactions on X, with some users expressing concern over the woman’s safety and what may have led to the incident. Reacting to the video, an X user, James JERRY, asked why the woman had been left alone in the canoe after being rescued. “But why is she alone? What if she jumps again? The man is paddling his canoe, who will help out, then?” he wrote. Also reacting, Kingkosec described the rescue as having both positive and negative implications for the woman. “Worst and best thing that can happen to anyone is to be rescued like her. Worst for not fulfilling your wish, best that you will still live again,” he wrote.