Metro News Archives - Page 6 of 21

Facts are Stubborn’, Odinkalu Questions Police Denial of Kaduna Church Abductions

January 21, 2026 by admin

A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and Human rights lawyer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has criticised the Kaduna State Police Command over its denial of the reported abduction of worshippers from churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state. Odinkalu questioned the motive behind what he described as an attempt by the police to suppress facts surrounding the incident. Odinkalu reacted on Tuesday via his verified X account after the police dismissed reports that dozens of worshippers were kidnapped during Sunday services in parts of Kaduna State. He reacted on Tuesday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account after the police dismissed reports that dozens of worshippers were kidnapped during Sunday church services in parts of Kaduna State, describing the claims as false and capable of causing panic. Sharing video clips purportedly from the affected churches, Odinkalu wrote, “The #policeNG alone know whose & what script they are acting out in claiming to deny the #MassAbduction last Sunday of the #Kajuru177. “Kaduna State CP, Muhammad Rabiu, has been to the community with his folks. He has seen the affected places of worship & personally spoken to survivors.” Odinkalu alleged that the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, may be under pressure to downplay the incident. The videos showed overturned chairs and disrupted church interiors, which he said were evidence from places of worship visited by security officials. According to him, survivors were spoken to during the visit to the affected communities. “I suspect the CP may fear that if he says truthfully what he saw, his paymasters.. will come for his job. But #FactsAreStubborn.” The controversy follows earlier claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria in Northern Nigeria that armed men stormed churches in Kajuru on Sunday and abducted worshippers. Rev. Joseph Hayab, chairman of CAN in the North, alleged that the attackers “came in numbers and blocked the entrance of the churches and forced the worshippers out into the bush.” However, the Kaduna State Police Command, in a joint statement with local government authorities on Monday, dismissed the claims as “mere falsehood being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos.” The chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, said security operatives were deployed to Kurmin Wali following the reports but found no evidence of an attack. “I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack,” Madaki said. Police also quoted the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs as saying that religious leaders who visited the area confirmed that the information circulating was false. However, the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday night confirmed that an abduction incident did occur at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru LGA, following initial uncertainty surrounding the reports. In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Force spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police received reports of the abduction, which generated widespread concern among residents and the general public. According to him, the development prompted the Kaduna State Governor to convene a meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House, Kaduna. Hundeyin explained that confusion arose during the meeting when some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report earlier confirmed by the police, describing it as false. He said the conflicting accounts necessitated caution and further verification before making definitive public statements, adding that comments made by the Kaduna Commissioner of Police were intended to prevent unnecessary panic and not to deny the incident.

11 Dies,Seven Injured in Edo Highway Crash

January 21, 2026 by admin

Eleven passengers have lost their lives while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred on the Benin-Asaba highway in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The Edo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the death on Tuesday. The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Cyril Mathew, who confirmed the incident, said the impact of the collision, which occurred on Saturday, also left seven others injured. Mathew said, “11 persons were killed on Saturday in a fatal road accident along the Benin–Asaba highway in Edo State. “Investigations revealed that an 18-seater commercial bus heading towards Lagos attempted to overtake another vehicle and, in the process, collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. “Rescue operatives of the corps swiftly moved to the scene to evacuate the injured victims to nearby hospitals for treatment.” He added that the bodies of the deceased were recovered and deposited at the morgue. The FRSC boss cautioned motorists against dangerous overtaking and reckless driving, stressing that strict compliance with traffic regulations remained the surest way to curb road crashes. Recall that on Tuesday, a minibus driver lost his life in a multiple road crash involving a TATA bus and a minibus at the Independence Tunnel inward Maryland along Ikorodu Road. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the incident on X on Tuesday. LASTMA disclosed that its Rescue and Recovery Team is on ground to handle vehicle removal and traffic control.

Fire Razes Petrol Station, Tanker, others in Oyo Community

January 14, 2026 by admin

A devastating fire incident on Tuesday completely burnt down the RSK Adebowale Multipurpose Filling station, a petrol tanker and a motorcycle at Ofiki area, Saki in Oyo State. The Chairman of the state Fire Services Agency, Mr Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement made on Wednesday in Ibadan. Akinwande said that the agency received a distress call about the fire incident through a telephone call from one Alhaji Mufutau Badmus, the Saki Branch Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. He said that on receipt of the distress call, firemen led by Mr Kolade Taiwo immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident. A devastating fire incident on Tuesday completely burnt down the RSK Adebowale Multipurpose Filling station, a petrol tanker and a motorcycle at Ofiki area, Saki in Oyo State. The Chairman of the state Fire Services Agency, Mr Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement made on Wednesday in Ibadan. Akinwande said that the agency received a distress call about the fire incident through a telephone call from one Alhaji Mufutau Badmus, the Saki Branch Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. He said that on receipt of the distress call, firemen led by Mr Kolade Taiwo immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident. “On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the filling station, a DAF tanker truck loaded with 50,000 litres of petrol, one Bajaj motorcycle and three fuel dispensing pumps were already engulfed in the inferno,” he said. Akinwade said that personnel of the agency were able to completely extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other properties within the area. He commended the Ofiki Division’s personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their presence and for providing security in the area during the exercise He urged owners of filling stations in the state to prioritise fire safety guidelines. A similar incident occurred on January 9, when property worth millions of naira was destroyed after a fire engulfed three vehicles and a community power house at a filling station in the Kara area of Kishi, Irepo Local Government Area of Oyo State. An eyewitness told our correspondent that the incident happened around 5 p.m. following an explosion at the power house, which ignited nearby combustible materials and spread to adjoining property. NAN

‘Omije Ojumi’ Gospel Singer Bunmi Akinnaanu is Dead

January 14, 2026 by admin

Popular gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu, fondly called Omije Ojumi after her widely-loved track of the same title, is dead. Her death was announced on Tuesday in a statement shared on Instagram by her colleague, Ayo Melody, on behalf of the family. The post, accompanied by a photograph of the deceased and a short clip, stated that she died in a Lagos hospital on January 12, 2026. It read in part, “With great sadness 💔😭we announce the passing of Evangelist Olubunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye OMIJE OJUMI, passed away on 12th January, 2026 at Lagos hospital, Nigeria. May God grant her eternal rest.” In October 2025, during a service at G.F. David Ministries, Ibadan, a video showed the gospel artiste seated with her leg stretched on a chair while a cleric prayed for her. The pastor had spoken about persistent bleeding in the leg and described the condition as a spiritual attack. However, there is no confirmation that the ailment was connected to her death. Akinnaanu began singing at a young age and later left a banking career to pursue gospel music full-time. She shot to prominence with her hit song “Omije Ojumi”, which became a staple in churches and Christian homes across Nigeria, followed by other releases, including “O Ti Sure.”

Bandits Kill Two, Abduct Many in Sokoto Community

January 13, 2026 by admin

Two people have been killed and several others abducted in Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a bandit attack suspected to be linked to gunmen loyal to bandit leader, Bello Turji. The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday that the attack occurred on Monday. He said a detailed account of the incident would be provided once the Divisional Police Officer in the area submits a field report. “Two were killed, and some people were kidnapped, but we don’t yet have the exact number. “We will get fuller details from the DPO of the local government,” Rufai said. Security sources and residents also reported that Bargaja had been attacked days earlier, suggesting repeated raids in the area along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis. Residents said the attack triggered fresh displacement, with villagers fleeing to Isa town and neighbouring communities. Isa, Sabon Birni and other parts of eastern Sokoto have continued to experience attacks, kidnappings and displacement despite assurances by security agencies. Over the weekend, residents reported the arrival of displaced persons from Tidibale ward into Isa town. Residents said the movement of displaced civilians has become increasingly frequent in recent months as more farming and pastoral settlements come under threat. “The whole of Tidibale ward has been devastated by Bello Turji,” a resident alleged in a written statement circulated to journalists. He appealed for urgent intervention from federal, state and local authorities, warning that civilians were fast becoming “refugees in their own land.” As of the time of filing this report, neither the Sokoto State Government nor the Isa Local Government Council had issued a formal response to the situation. A security analyst, Bashar Altine, who hails from Isa LGA, described the situation as “deeply worrying,” noting that many displaced residents are living in public schools and temporary shelters in Isa town. Others, he said, have relocated to neighbouring Sabon Birni, while some have crossed into the Niger Republic in search of safety. Altine also said Turji “is very much alive” and continues to operate actively within parts of Isa and surrounding communities. The renewed attacks in Isa come amid wider concerns over the persistence of banditry in the North-West, where communities have endured years of farm disruptions, mass displacement, school abductions and a shrinking civic presence due to insecurity.

Lagos Monarch, Akran of Badagry, Dies at 89, Sanwo-Olu mourns

January 12, 2026 by admin

The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, De Wheno Menu-Toyi, is dead at age 89. The revered monarch and a leading voice within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, who reigned for over 48 years on the throne of the ancient town, died after a brief illness on Monday. Mourning the demise of the monarch, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, a copy made available to our correspondent, the governor described the departure of Oba Akran as a great loss not only to the people of Badagry but also to Lagos and Nigeria at large because of his remarkable impact as a respected monarch in Nigeria. He said the revered king, who was on the throne for nearly 49 years, is a traditional ruler known for his wisdom, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Badagry’s development, adding that he rendered selfless service to the people and left behind a legacy of unity, tradition, uplifting and modern development. He said, “On behalf of my wife, the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the people of Badagry, the deceased’s family, friends, associates and traditional institutions on the transition of the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Babatunde Akran, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I. “The death of Oba Akran is a great loss to the people of the ancient town of Badagry, and he will be greatly missed. He was a respected journalist. As a traditional ruler, he made positive impacts during his lifetime and contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of his community, Lagos State and Nigeria. “Oba Akran, as a first-class traditional ruler, left a lasting legacy that the people of the Badagry Kingdom will continue to cherish. He served as the custodian of Badagry’s traditions, customs, and cultural heritage for nearly 49 years. He was a stabilising force known for uniting diverse interests within his kingdom and promoted Badagry’s historical sites and cultural festivals nationally and internationally, fostering tourism and cultural exchange. “He also used his position to attract growth and development to the ancient town. I urge his family, friends, subjects and associates, as well as the entire people of Badagry, whose interests the departed traditional ruler represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him. I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of the Badagry kingdom and Lagos State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” Until his demise, Menu-Toyi, who ascended the throne of his forefathers on April 23, 1977, was the Permanent Vice-Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Adekunle Sulaimon Adekunle, a fellow of Data and Solutions Journalism, has over four years experience with competences in data journalism and investigations.

Aare Olayinka Segelu Mourns Oyo Park Attack Victims, Calls For Secured South-West

January 12, 2026 by admin

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and governorship hopeful for the 2027 election in Oyo State, Aare Olayinka Segelu, has mourned the victims of the recent deadly attack on the Old Oyo National Park, calling for a coordinated and robust security framework to safeguard the South-West against rising insecurity. In a statement issued on Sunday, Aare Segelu described the attack as “deeply distressing and unacceptable,” noting that the killing of security personnel at a federal conservation facility highlights the urgent need for proactive, intelligence-driven, and collaborative security responses across the region. Recall that suspected bandits last week attacked a National Park Service outpost at Oloka village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing several park rangers and triggering fear among residents of neighbouring communities. The PDP chieftain said the incident was not only a tragedy for the victims’ families but also a direct assault on the peace, heritage, and collective security of Oyo State and the South-West at large. “This tragedy is one too many. It reminds us that insecurity is no longer a distant threat but one that has crept dangerously close to our communities, forests, and national assets,” Segelu said. He charged South-West Governors, Security Agencies, and political leaders across the South-West to strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance border surveillance, and deepen inter-state collaboration to prevent criminal elements from exploiting forest reserves and national parks as safe havens. Aare Segelu also urged the Federal Government to urgently review and reinforce the security architecture around national parks, stressing that poorly protected conservation areas have increasingly become vulnerable targets and transit routes for armed groups. While commiserating with the families of the slain park officials, he called for adequate compensation, support, and long-term welfare packages for them, emphasizing that those who paid the supreme price in service to the nation must not be forgotten. “As leaders and aspirants, we must not play politics with security. The protection of lives and property must remain a shared responsibility beyond party lines,” he added. Aare Segelu further expressed solidarity with the Oyo State Government and the people of Orire Local Government Area, reaffirming that his commitment to public service is firmly anchored on building safer communities, inclusive governance, and sustainable development. He concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, noting that collective responsibility and timely information sharing are critical to restoring peace and confidence across Oyo State and the wider South-West.

Pictures:Anthony Joshua Injured in Nigeria Car crash, With Two Others Dead

December 29, 2025 by admin

World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident today in Makun, Ogun State. Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around past 11am on Monday. The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated. Adeniyi Orojo, who witnessed the accident told PUNCH Online that Joshua sustained minor injuries, saying that two people died on the spot. Orojo who stated that the accident happened just before Danco Filling Station in Makun, before Sagamu Interchange inward Ibadan axis of the road. He stated that two people died on the spot. “It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash. “Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived. The passenger beside the driver and the person beside Joshua died on the spot,” he said. Fans have flooded social media with messages of concern, while local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Efforts to reach the TRACE Commandant, Akinbiyi Babatunde on further updates about the crash were futile as calls placed to his line did not go through. Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said in a phone call that he would get back to our correspondent shortly. “I’ve seen the videos too, but I will get back to you on it,” he said. More updates on Joshua’s condition are expected shortly. In a brief statement he later shared with our correspondent about 30 minutes later, he confirmed the crash, noting that “two died, while Joshua and one other have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment at a hospital that would not be disclosed.”

A Painful Loss: Makinde Mourns Death of Bayelsa Deputy Governor

December 12, 2025 by admin

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday described the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a sad and painful loss to the state and to the Peoples Democratic Party. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, in Ibadan, the governor expressed his condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Bayelsa State Government, the people of the state, and the PDP family. Ewhrudjakpo was pronounced dead after he suddenly collapsed at the Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday afternoon. Makinde prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of Ewhrudjakpo, whom he described as a loyal party man and a courageous democrat. He also prayed that God would grant the family and the people of the state the strength to bear the loss. “I received the news of the passing away of our brother and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Ewhrudjakpo, on Thursday. “His death is painful and it is a sad loss to the state he served till his last breath and to us in the PDP, as he was a faithful party man, who chose loyalty and commitment to democracy above personal gains. “I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government and the good people of Bayelsa State and pray to God to grant repose to his soul. “I also pray that God will give his immediate family and the state the fortitude to bear the loss. “Good night, courageous democrat!” he stressed. The South-South Governors’ Forum and the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday mourned Ewhrudjakpo’s passing. “…His Excellency, Governor Duoye Diri, who has lost a dependable ally. I also deeply commiserate with the family and friends of the deceased,” Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun was quoted as saying in a statement.

Hoodlums Attack Anambra Church, Kill Two

December 8, 2025 by admin

Some yet-to-be-ascertained armed assailants have attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two persons, burning vehicles and the cleric’s apartment. Our correspondent, who visited the church premises on Monday, gathered that the wife of the priest of the church was among the two persons killed, while some parts of the church building were also burnt. The premises and environs appeared deserted, while some properties were seen littering the place. Some eyewitnesses and residents in the area confirmed to PUNCH Online that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, disrupted church activities and sent panic in the area. One of the sources said, “A brutal attack occurred at the St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe in Lilu community of Ihiala LGA in the early hours of Sunday. “The heavily armed hoodlums invaded the church as worshippers were getting ready for Sunday activity and started shooting, setting properties on the church premises, including buildings, ablaze. “Unfortunately, they brutally murdered the wife of the church priest and one other person. They also injured many others, razed down the priest’s house to ashes, burnt down some church vehicles and other church properties, including a part of the main church building. He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned in the strongest terms the attack in the morning of December 7, 2025, carried out by armed criminals, which resulted in the death of one person. “Some persons were inflicted with serious injuries, including the church building partially burnt, and other properties destroyed at a church premises in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. “The CP states that this heinous and abominable act, committed against innocent worshippers, is not only an assault on the community, but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship. “The command extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the Police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime.