VIDEO: ‘I Have No Regret,’ Says Suspect Caught With Girlfriend’s Severed Head

  Timileyin Ajayi, 32, has been remanded in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nasarawa State Police Command in Lafia, the state capital for the alleged murder of a 24-year-old corps member, Salome Adaidu Adaidu, who was serving in Abuja, was reportedly killed during a visit to Ajayi’s residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Ajayi was arrested on Sunday, January 12, while attempting to dispose of Adaidu’s severed head after dismembering her body. He was subsequently paraded at the Nasarawa State Police Command headquarters, alongside the knife and machetes allegedly used for the crime. Visibly injured from a mob attack prior to his arrest, Ajayi admitted the killing during an exclusive interview with Channels Television, stating that it was unplanned and stemmed from feelings of jealousy. “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time, it’s not something I planned. It happened on that day and it happened. Not that I have the plan in mind, she was cheating. “She hides most of the things from me most times. I got to know from her phone. I saw her chats with other guys on the phone, that was why I decided,” he said. When asked if he regretted his actions, he replied, “I don’t have any regrets because life is reciprocal that is what I thought. If you must do something to someone, you have to be reciprocal with that person. “You have to understand what that person is going through so that you can actually put yourself in the position that the person is going through. That is why I don’t have any regrets because we were actually compatible.” Adaidu’s family denied any knowledge of a relationship between her and the suspect. Her elder sister, Esther Adaidu, said, “This so-called Timi guy, we don’t know him. We have never seen him until we were called up to tell us that this guy murdered and dismembered our sister. “I demand and need justice to be served to this guy sitting over there because he is the one that murdered my sister and he confirmed it to me.” Her uncle, Samson Adaji Adaidu, who described the gruesome details of the crime, stated the position of the family. “The position of the family is we discovered this through the Nigerian Police and we are expecting justice from the police,” he said. He narrated the sad experience, saying, “He has succeeded in destroying our daughter, not ordinary killing, he butchered her into pieces. He cut that body into more than 50 pieces and when you look at the whole thing, he is preparing that body for consumption because he cut them and left them in about six polythene bags’ The Police Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, assured all that justice will be served. He said, “Investigation is ongoing, and upon conclusion of the investigation, he will be arraigned in court for prosecution. I want to assure the family and members of the public that this suspect will not be spared if found wanting. “He will be charged to court for prosecution. We are calling on members of the public who may have any complaints against the suspect to come forward with their complaints and it will be looked into and investigated.” While media reports suggested that Ajayi is a gospel singer, he identified himself as a cryptocurrency trader during the interview with Channels Television. Click the link below to watch the video https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1879411332128157914  

Six Die In Kogi Road Crash

  No fewer than six persons have been reported dead in a road accident in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, while 60 others were injured. The accident occurred around 3 pm on Tuesday near the Zone 8 Roundabout along the Hassan Katsina Road, Lokoja. “An articulated truck travelling from Bauchi to Enugu State lost control, resulting in the devastating crash. “The remains of the six deceased were deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital mortuary,” said the State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Oyedeji. A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported chaotic scenes as first responders worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the accident. “It was a horrific sight. People were trapped and it took hours to clear the scene,” said the resident. Oyedeji urged drivers to exercise caution, especially when operating heavy-duty vehicles, and called on the government to intensify efforts in addressing road infrastructure challenges and enforcing traffic regulations. “As investigations continue into the cause of the accident, Nigerians are once again reminded of the shared responsibility to ensure safer roads for all,” he added. On April 1, 2024, PUNCH Online reports that 13 persons died while two were injured in an auto crash in the state. Oyedeji disclosed that the accident involving a commercial Sharon bus and an articulated cement truck, occurred by Obajana Market along Obajana -Lokoja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state. The sector commander said that the Sharon bus had parked behind a truck around the market for passengers to buy some things when the cement truck lost its brake and rammed into it from behind. Punch  

Oriyomi Hamzat Overwhelmed In Tears As Crowd Celebrates His Return To Broadcasting Station

  The proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, has regained his freedom after meeting his bail conditions. He was released from Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, alongside his co-accused, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Basorun. The trio had been remanded following allegations of involvement in a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair event on December 18, 2024. Justice K. B. Olawoyin granted bail to the defendants on Monday, setting the amount at ₦10 million each, along with two sureties of the same value. Upon his release, Hamzat received a hero’s welcome at Agidigbo FM’s broadcasting station along the Ojoo expressway on Tuesday. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the crowd, he was moved to tears. Addressing his supporters, he said, “Oriyomi is back. At this time, I am in a moment of silence. Thank you very much.” The Oyo State Government had earlier filed an 18-count criminal charge against Hamzat, Silekunola, and Fasasi in connection with the fatal incident. The charges, filed on January 10, 2025, include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence. The prosecution alleged that the defendants failed to ensure adequate security, crowd control, and medical facilities during the children’s funfair, leading to the stampede. Court documents detailed that the defendants’ alleged negligence directly resulted in the deaths of 35 children, including an 8-year-old named Musiliu Sofiat. The prosecution stated the trio’s actions violated Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Kano Gov Commends Committee for Returning ₦100 Million Unused Uniform Funds

  Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has commended the committee responsible for the distribution of school uniforms to primary school pupils for returning ₦100 million of unspent funds from the ₦2 billion allocated for the project. Speaking at the distrobution of 798,000 school uniforms for Primary One pupils at the Kano Government House, Yusuf described the committee’s honesty as a testament to the transparency and accountability driving his administration. This was stated in a statement, issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, on Tuesday. The statement reads, “The governor praised the committee, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, for their patriotism and integrity.” He also revealed plans to distribute computers to secondary schools spread across the state, equipping students with digital literacy skills to prepare them for future opportunities. The governor appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate organizations to support government efforts in revitalizing education. He emphasised that while his administration is making great strides in the sector, even small contributions can make a significant difference in transforming lives. In his remark, the Chairman of Kano State Nigerian Union of Teachers, Baffa Garko, praised the governor’s commitment toward improving education, pledging the union’s full support for all initiatives in uplifting the sector. The event featured a mock Executive Council session, where pupils deliberated on key issues affecting the state, as well as a quiz competition on the role of social media in nation-building. Traditional dances and songs by NNPP supporters added value to the celebrations. Yusuf awarded ₦100,000 to winners in three categories during the event while the coaches of the mock Executive Council meeting received ₦500,000 each in recognition of their efforts. Punch

New Alaafin: Hon Segelu Congratulates New Monarch, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, Govt, Oyo People

  A Germany-based Nigerian entrepreneur, ICT consultant, and politician, Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Oyo people on the pronouncement of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade. Hon Segelu, a frontline aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the gubernatorial seat of Oyo State in 2027, in a statement issued on Monday congratulated Oyo State Government, he also urged Prince Owoade, the newly pronounced Alaafin, to prioritize peace as he assumes his role as the Alaafin of the historic town of Oyo. The PDP Chieftain viewed Owoade’s emergence as “the beginning of a new chapter marked by prosperity, unity, and the preservation of our cultural heritage for the people of Oyo.” He firmly believes that “Prince Owoade will honour the legacy of his predecessors, particularly the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi III, who demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his reign.” The ICT expert applauded the steadfastness exhibited by the royal family, kingmakers, and residents of Oyo, both home and abroad, during this significant selection process that spanned nearly three years. Hon Olayinka Segelu also commended the Oyo State Government, led by His Excellency Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, for fostering an environment conducive for this seamless transition into a new royal epoch. He maintained that “Prince Owoade should please assume the role of a father to all and must unite with other contestants for the advancement of the Oyo kingdom. It is essential to foster inclusivity and unity among the Oyomesi, which must prevail under his leadership. “He should strive to embrace a collaborative approach with all kingmakers, free from favoritism or bias, to serve his people as a pillar of hope, justice, and development. His elevation to the throne of his forefathers underscores the resilience of our traditions and our collective pursuit of progress within the Yoruba communities.” The Staff of Office and Certificate of Appointment have been presented to Prince Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Makinde. The presentation was made on Monday at the governor’s office in Ibadan, the state capital. The new Alaafin is said to have headed to Oyo town where the 21 days of traditional rites for his ascension to the throne is expected to commence forthwith.

Lawmakers impeach Lagos Assembly speaker Obasa

  Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over multiple fraudulent allegations. Multiple sources confirmed that Obasa was removed by the lawmakers during a plenary on Monday. Details surrounding the speaker’s removal are still sketchy as of press time. However, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mojisola Meranda, has replaced Obasa as Speaker. Obasa’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, has not responded to phone calls and a text message regarding the development as of the time of filing this report. More details later …

Makinde Presents Staff Of Office To New Alaafin Of Oyo

  Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State has presented the staff of office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade. The governor presented the official instrument legitimising the reign of a king to the new monarch on Monday morning at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital. The symbolic event was performed nearly three years after the death of the former Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III. The presentation of the staff of office was done amid controversy concerning the choice of the new Alaafin announced by the governor last week. Speaking at the event, the governor said the Alaafin’s stool is important not just to Oyo town but to the Yoruba race as a whole. The governor maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because his administration believes in openness and transparency. He said, “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with. “I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate because I did not want my opinion to influence the process. “Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction. “When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers. I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will make decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance. “The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards the election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me. “Let me also say briefly that for those that are still hell-bent on destabilizing the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them.” While congratulating the new monarch, Governor Makinde prayed that his reign would bring peace and progress to Oyo Town, Oyo State, and the Yoruba race. “The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to the Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world. “I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as the Yoruba race in general,” Governor Makinde added. In his response, Alaafin Owoade promised to work for the progress of Oyo Town, Oyo State, and Nigeria as well as the development of the people. He thanked the Governor, the Oyomesi, and everyone who worked for his selection and assumption of office as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Demola Ojo, lauded the Governor for his determination to ensure that the right processes were followed in the selection of the new Alaafin. He also thanked those involved in the selection process.

Ibadan Stampede Update: Ooni Of Ife’s Ex-Wife, Naomi Silekunola And Oriyomi Hamzat Granted Bail

  Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin on Monday granted the bail applications filed by Olori Naomi Silekunola, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdulahi Fasasi. Hamzat is the founder of the popular Ibadan-based radio station, Agidigbo FM, while Fasasi is the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan where 35 children died at a children’s funfair organized by the Wings Foundation run by the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi. Recall that the court had on Tuesday, 7 January, reserved its ruling on the bail applications. Chief Magistrate Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, presiding over Chief Magistrates’ Court 1, Iyaganku, Ibadan, has on December 24, 2024, ordered the trio to be remanded at Agodi Correctional Facility, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice. Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi are facing trial on a four-count charge that borders on conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and omitting to provide adequate security and medical facilities. Citybuzznews reports that the Oyo State government on Friday instituted a fresh 18-count charge suit before the Oyo State High Court against the trio about the stampede. The 18-count charge borders on an alleged conspiracy to commit a felony, namely murder; manslaughter; conspiracy to commit an offence, and criminal negligence, which are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II Law of Oyo State, 2000. In the charge sheet, the prosecution revealed the names and details of 14 of the reported 35 victims of the incident including Musiliu Sofiyah, ‘f’, 8 years; Lekan Salami, ‘m’, 7 years; Feyikemi Salam, ‘f’, 1 and a half years; Olaniyan Joshua, ‘m’, 1 and a half years; and Laeef Muisi, ‘m’, 8 years. Others are Opeyemi Ayomide, ‘f’, 4 years; Adebayo Fatimah, ‘f’, 4 years; Adebayo Abibat, ‘f’, 5 years; Adeyanju Taiwo, ‘f’, 8 years; Salaudeen Khalid, ‘m’, minor; Anjorin Faridat, ‘f’, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, ‘m’, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, ‘m’, 18 years. The charge also alleges that the suspects, “did conspire together to commit a felony, namely criminal negligence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Law of Oyo State, 2000. “Did negligently omit to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organized by you, and your negligent omission resulted in the death of one Musiliu Sofiat, ‘f’, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 308 and punishable under section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

Several Feared Dead In Reported Zamfara Airstrike.

  Several people were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Kakindawa village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Garba Umar, a resident of the area, told The PUNCH that the incident occurred on Saturday evening as local vigilantes were heading to assist neighbours in Tungar Kara village, which had come under attack by bandits. According to Umar, the vigilante group mobilised after receiving reports of bandits rustling livestock and attempting to abduct villagers. “As we were heading to Tungar Kara around 3:30 pm, an aircraft suddenly appeared in the area and dropped a bomb on the vigilantes. The bandits had already escaped into the forest,” Umar recounted. He alleged that 16 people, including his own son, were killed in the airstrike. “We mobilised to protect our neighbours, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking,” Umar alleged. Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, told The PUNCH on Sunday morning that he would investigate the matter and provide further details. “I will look into what actually happened and get back to you,” Abdullahi said. However, as of the time of filing this report, no additional information had been provided. Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported in November 2024 that the Nigerian Air Force said airstrikes conducted in Zamfara State killed numerous bandits, including key loyalists of the notorious bandit leaders, Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule. Similarly, four days ago, on January 8, 2025, troops of the same Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly killed a notorious terrorist leader, Sani Rusu, and scores of his foot soldiers during a gunfight in Bamamu village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Punch

FA Cup: Arsenal Host Man United As Spurs Face Tamworth

  The FA Cup continues this Sunday with an exciting lineup of fixtures across England. The action begins at 13:00, with Hull City hosting Doncaster Rovers at the MKM Stadium. At 13:30, Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur travels to The Lamb Ground to face Tamworth. Later, a highly anticipated clash sees Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London, kicking off at 16:00. At the same time, Crystal Palace will host Stockport County at Selhurst Park, Ipswich Town faces Bristol Rovers at Portman Road, and Newcastle United battles Bromley at St. James’ Park. The day wraps up with a 17:30 kickoff as Southampton hosts Swansea City at St. Mary’s Stadium. Looking ahead to Monday, Millwall will face Dagenham & Redbridge at The Den in London, with the match scheduled for 20:30. The FA Cup drama continues on Tuesday with three matches kicking off at 20:45. Leyton Orient hosts Derby County at the Gaughan Group Stadium, Mansfield Town faces Wigan Athletic at One Call Stadium, and Preston North End plays Charlton Athletic at Deepdale. Punch