Security experts have urged the federal government through the various security agencies and the National Assembly to investigate alleged revelations by a US Congressman that USAID has sponsored Boko Haram.

A United States Congressman representing Pennsylvania, Scott Perry, had accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of funding terrorist organisations like Boko Haram.
He disclosed this at the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on Thursday while speaking during a session entitled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud.”

Perry accused USAID of providing $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan. He, however, noted “zero evidence” of the schools’ construction.

Perry asked: “Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding.

“You are funding terrorism, and it’s coming through USAID. And it’s not just Afghanistan because Pakistan’s right next door. Somebody else got the money. You are paying for terrorism. This has got to end.”

This comes as former President Donald Trump moved to shut down USAID’s operations.
Trump had accused the agency of corruption Speaking to LEADERSHIP, a former director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Barr. Mike Ejiofor, called security agencies and the National Assembly to investigate the allegations.

“I don’t have much information, but he has his. All I expect the National Assembly and our security agencies to do is to investigate the allegations. If it’s true that USAID has been sponsoring Boko Haram, then that’s very dangerous,” he said.

A former Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (rtd) lamented the lack of patriotism among Nigerians despite the country facing existential threats from Boko Haram.

He equally called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of such revelations.

He said, “We face an existential threat, but Nigerians are not patriotic enough. We have suspected these and tried to convince Nigerians, but they wouldn’t believe us.”

He said there are international nongovernmental organisations (NGO) that have paid for accommodation in advance for ten years and above.

He added that the US had, following the action of some Nigerians, imposed an arms embargo on Nigeria despite the country facing existential threats.

“Many of us want to eat our cake and have it, but life doesn’t work like that. Americans have always been pursuing their national interest; anytime they give anything, they know what they want and how to go about it. There is no way somebody would wake up and give you the best of the best, so I’m not surprised because there must be some strings attached. ”

He recalled that security agencies had uncovered a female Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative who rented an apartment in Maiduguri and stayed for an extended period.

“When we raised issues at the time about the move of some of these NGOs, Nigerians said it was a lie.

“It has been there, and that is why we keep emphasising that security is local, so let us develop local resilience.

“These have been there as allegations, and now that the US Congressman has brought them up, there is a need to investigate them thoroughly. He has lent credence to things that have been suspected over time; therefore, it is necessary to examine them and ensure that such doesn’t continue thoroughly.

“As a former Army spokesman, I know there have been suspicions; several commanders have called for NGOs regulation due to their suspicious activities, which is unsurprising. People have been raising the concern,” he said

A victim of Boko Haram who doesn’t want to be named expressed disappointment at the revelation.
He said the Borno State government strictly regulates the activities of NGOs, so it is surprising that the same NGOs will be funding the activities of Boko Haram, which has destroyed many lives.

The Ministry of Defence’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, could not be reached on his phone line to discuss the Ministry’s position on the revelation.

He also did not respond to messages trying to get his official comment at the time of this report.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Sunday warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against its planned March 1 shutdown of telecommunication services in response to the recent 50 per cent tariff hike.

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria similarly pushed back against the NLC’s planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of telecom infrastructure, arguing that such actions are misguided and could harm the industry.

The spokesman for the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a chat with The PUNCH on Sunday, said the agency had deployed operatives to the base stations to prevent any illegal action by the protesters.

The NSCDC, tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecommunications, expressed concerns over the potential risks the NLC action could pose to national security and public safety.

The NLC announced its intention to shut down the operations of telecommunications companies across the country if the tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission was not reversed by the end of February.

The union directed Nigerians to boycott the services of major telecom providers, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, daily between 11am and 2pm starting February 13 and continuing through the month.

The NLC in a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, accused the telecom operators of breaching public trust by implementing the tariff hike before the conclusion of a 10-man review panel’s deliberations.

The union also faulted the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation.

The NLC argued that the tariff increase represented a betrayal of public trust, given the earlier agreement to establish a committee to review the proposed hike.

However, the NSCDC urged the NLC to reconsider its planned protest, warning that any disruption to telecom services could expose the country to criminal activities and compromise national security.

Afolabi made it clear that the agency will not allow any action that could jeopardise the security of the nation.

He revealed that state commandants had been directed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at telecom facilities, with a nationwide deployment of officers, including undercover operatives, to ensure the protection of these assets.

Citing the importance of telecommunications to national security, the corps warned that any disruption could result in vandalism and other criminal activities.

He added, “Already, the NSCDC commandant-general has directed state commandants to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in and around all the telecom masts in their locations.

“Also, there is going to be nationwide massive deployment of the officers and men of the corps, including undercover and intelligence operatives, to maintain peace and ensure that all the government and corporate organisations’ critical national assets and infrastructure are protected from the miscreants who might likely use the opportunity of the planned protest to carry out their criminal activities.’’

“Available credible intelligence already established the fact that the planned protest will be hijacked by hoodlums and that is why the NSCDC is on top of the situation,” he further stated.

The NSCDC called for dialogue to resolve the dispute and hoped that the NLC would reconsider its stance.

Afolabi stated, “The NSCDC, under the leadership of Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, is appealing to the organized labour under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve their planned protest of March 01, 2025 and the move to shut down telecommunication facilities nationwide.

“Although peaceful protests are allowed under the law, experience and fallouts of similar threats in the past necessitate the need to appeal to the NLC not to embark on any action that will further affect the security of the country.

“NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow any action that will expose the nation’s security and eventual compromised economic stability and public safety, under the guise of protesting the increase in telecom services tariffs.

“The scars of similar protests that turned violent in the past are still there as reference points and the NSCDC and other security agencies in the country will not allow the miscreants, hoodlums and other non-state actors to hide under the guise of NLC protest to loot and vandalise government and corporate organisations assets and infrastructure.”

The NSCDC stressed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and stated that it is prepared to take decisive legal action against those who attempt to undermine the security of the country.

“The NSCDC is committed to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and property of the government and corporate organizations we are ready to take decisive actions against any individual or group that embarks on any action that can jeopardise the security architecture of the country,” he added.

The corps said it has placed its personnel on high alert and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal activities during the protest will be dealt with according to the law.

“We still believe that dialogue remains the best solution and we hope that organised labour will listen to the voice of reason and jaw-jaw with the government. We advise organised labour leaders to stay away from base stations and telecom mast locations as NSCDC personnel have been placed on red alert.

“Anybody found wanting will be dealt with according to the stipulated law of the country,” the spokesperson cautioned.

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria criticised the NLC over its planned protest.

The Secretary-General of PTECSSAN, Abdullahi Okonu, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the union had already made its position clear, arguing that the increase is necessary to prevent a collapse of the industry.

In a letter addressed to the NLC, PTECSSAN said the labour congress had acted “in error” by taking decisions without consulting the union, which represents workers in the telecom sector.

“It is our firm belief that the Congress Leadership has acted in error in taking these decisions without prior consultation with our union that operates in the sector,” the letter read.

“Perhaps, getting in touch with us to provide you with information on the happenings in the sector would have assisted the Leadership in taking a better decision than it had taken,” it further said.

The union acknowledged the concerns over the impact of the tariff increase on consumers but insisted that the hike was unavoidable due to rising operational costs.

PTECSSAN pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent surge in petroleum prices, which have significantly increased the cost of maintaining telecom base stations across the country.

On its part, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria urged the labour unions to suspend its planned rally, pointing out that there had been no formal engagements or discussions with the telecom operators before the union’s decision.

ATCON president Tony Emoekpere criticised the planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of infrastructure declared by the workers’ union.

“This isn’t a labour issue; it’s an industry-wide challenge. Interest rates, for example, fluctuate constantly, yet banks don’t shut down in protest. These economic policies affect all sectors, not just telecoms. So why single out our industry?” Emoekpere told The PUNCH.

He emphasised that while concerns about service quality are valid, expecting businesses to operate at a loss is unsustainable.

“If the goal is better service, let’s have that discussion. But resorting to actions that could disrupt the industry and the economy isn’t the way forward,” he added.

The telecom executive further stated that telcos are solely focused on improving services that will be beneficial to subscribers and get value for their money.

But speaking with The PUNCH, the Lagos State NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, rejected the warnings from the NSCDC, making it clear that Labour would not be cowed by threats.

“No one can threaten us – no one! This is about our commonwealth, our joint heritage. Civil Defence officers are merely working for their pay, but they have no authority to dictate to us. If necessary, we will shut down the electricity itself! Who are they to tell us otherwise?” she declared.

 She further lambasted the security forces for attempting to intimidate workers, saying, “Let them threaten all they want, nothing will stop us. We know the song we sing: how many people will the soldiers kill? Even the police must remember to remain civil. They cannot kill us all!”

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, fondly known as Queen Mother, has returned to Nigeria after attending the first phase of her daughter Priscilla’s wedding in Tanzania.

The actress, who has been actively sharing her excitement about her daughter’s wedding on social media, expressed her gratitude for a surprise welcome home reception organised by her close friends and sisters.

In a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, she wrote, “I’m speechless! I thought I was the only ‘extra’ one, but my friends and sisters just took it to a whole new level! This surprise welcome back home party was everything and more! I’m still reeling from the shock – I never saw it coming!

“Thank you, each and every one of you, for this heartfelt, warming, and wonderful surprise! I’m truly grateful. God bless you all! I love you all!”

PUNCH Online reported earlier this month that Priscilla tied the knot with Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, in a traditional ceremony in line with the groom’s customs.

This was followed by Juma Jux’s second proposal to Priscilla before her “family and dearest friends and with a ring twice the size.”

After this, the couple had a civil wedding in Tanzania, with the actress announcing on Instagram, “Three done and dusted, three to go! Nigeria, get ready! We’re shutting down two ceremonies in April! It’s going to be Epic!”

As the family continues to celebrate the union, Iyabo Ojo announced that the second part of the festivities will kick off in April, with both traditional and white weddings set to take place in Nigeria.

She also revealed that the grand finale party will take place in Tanzania in May.

She wrote, “To everyone who flew in to celebrate the beautiful union of my daughter, Priscilla, and son, Juma, I’m forever grateful! The three-part celebration was a resounding success, and I give God all the glory.

“Next, we have two more exciting events: the traditional and white weddings in April, both in Nigeria, followed by the grand finale party in Tanzania in May! May we live to witness our children celebrate their own milestones.

“Thank you, dear fans, loved ones, and family, for your unwavering love and support. May the union of #its.priscy and #juma_jux be blessed, and may your hearts’ desires be fulfilled. Thank you once again!”

The wedding, with the hashtag #JP2025, have sparked excitement among fans, building anticipation for what is expected to be one of the year’s most discussed celebrity weddings.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged financial mismanagement during the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

A report by an Administrative Panel of Enquiry claimed that N96bn was misappropriated during Obaseki’s tenure.

Okpebholo made this known on Friday while receiving the panel’s report, which was submitted to him in Benin City.

The findings were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

The panel, constituted on December 18, 2024, investigated the financial dealings of the 18 impeached local government chairmen from September 4, 2023, to November 2024.

The report indicted not only the former chairmen but also alleged that prominent figures within the factional Peoples Democratic Party were complicit in the misappropriation of funds.

Governor Okpebholo commended the panel for its professionalism and emphasised that financial recklessness in public office would no longer be tolerated.

He stressed the need for accountability and transparency, assuring that those found culpable would face prosecution.

“The administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki took Edo people for granted. They looted resources meant for the people and diverted them for personal gains. We are determined to change this narrative and ensure justice is served,” Okpebholo stated.

“I will personally take this report to the EFCC to ensure those responsible are held accountable. The era of impunity is over.”

The chairman of the panel, Solomon Imohiosen, said forensic investigations uncovered significant financial irregularities, with N95.08bn received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee by the 18 local government councils during the period under review.

However, the report stated that there was little to show in terms of meaningful projects executed with the funds.

The panel further alleged that over N10.43bn was siphoned under the guise of “Security, Environment, and Training,” with the 18 local government chairmen contributing to a fund that was allegedly used as a conduit for misappropriation.

 Funds were also allegedly transferred from this account to individuals and private companies.

The report also implicated former ALGON Chairman, Oghomwen Ugiagbe, and other political figures, alleging that they used personal businesses, including hotels, to funnel public funds.

“The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 local governments councils. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the local governments finances,” the panel chairman said.

But reacting to the allegation, Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the report as a politically motivated attempt to justify the unconstitutional removal of elected local government officials.

“Governor Okpebholo has no supervisory power over the local governments and cannot set up an investigation into their financial activities. If he believes there are infractions, he should refer the matter to the appropriate agencies rather than engaging in propaganda,” Osagie said.

He further accused Okpebholo of attempting to drag Obaseki into the controversy, insisting that the former governor never controlled local government funds during his tenure.

“Okpebholo should focus on governance rather than this his witch-hunt drive against his predecessors. Edo people should ignore these baseless allegations.”

He said, “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96bn, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.

“What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and can therefore not set up any investigation of government officials that are elected into office just like him.

“As a matter of fact, these local government chairmen have a better claim to their democratic office than he, whose election stands on a knife edge, with the election petition tribunal preparing to deliver justice in the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged.

“Also advertising Okpebholo’s ignorance is his attempt, as usual, to drag His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki into his propaganda. Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of local government funds during his tenure, as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months.

“We are forced to, by this statement, inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as governor, and if he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of government from his own, he should simply inform the relevant agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to carry out their constitutional responsibilities. Okpebholo needs to be reminded that he is neither the Inspector General of Police nor the Chairman of the EFCC.

“We urge all Edo people and Nigerians to ignore the lies and falsehood propagated by Okpebholo in his statement and to rest assured that Obaseki, who is clearly the target of Okpebholo’s witch-hunt ran the most transparent government in the history of Edo State and had no authority over local government funds at any time during his 8 years in office.”

Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, one of the contenders for the Alaafin of Oyo stool, has filed a lawsuit at the Oyo State High Court challenging the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.

The suit, filed on February 12, demands the reversal of Owoade’s appointment, arguing that it violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Gbadegesin is also seeking an injunction to prevent Owoade from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.

Gbadegesin’s suit lists Governor Seyi Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants, asking the court to compel them to appear within 30 days.

In the suit filed through his lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), the aggrieved prince contended that: “The governor’s approval of Owoade’s appointment within five days of its presentation was unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.”

Gbadegesin argued that the Oyomesi (kingmakers) had already selected him as the rightful candidate, and he is demanding a court declaration affirming his nomination as valid.

He alleged that Governor Makinde’s decision violated due process in several key areas.

“The selection of the fourth defendant as the Alaafin of Oyo was carried out to the exclusion of rightful kingmakers who were neither suspended nor removed,” he argued.

He is, therefore, seeking “A declaration that the claimant having been validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and or proclaimed by the kingmakers of the Alaafin of Oyo (known as Oyomesi) as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”

Gbadegesin is also seeking an order directing the Governor of Oyo State to “immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of the claimant as validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and proclaimed by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.”

 Furthermore, the claimant asks for “an order of injunction restraining the first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth to thirteenth defendants, their agents, servants and or privies from recognising or further recognising the fourth defendants as Alaafin of Oyo and or paying him the stipends, allowances, salaries and all the prerequisites of office attached to the position of Alaafin of Oyo.”

Gbadegesin, in the suit, demands an order setting aside the nomination, selection and or appointment, approval or appointment and presentation of staff of office to Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo, insisting that it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void.

The suit comes after pre-action notice filed by Sobaloju, addressed to the Governor of Oyo State, insisting that the governor’s actions run foul of the Oyo State Chief’s Law, 2000.

Gbadegesin, recommended by a faction of the Oyomesi, is appealing that the court set aside the appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to a new Alaafin carried out by the governor.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has sent things in motion for the coronation of Owoade as the new Alaafin.

The state government and Owoade have constituted a coronation committee, which held its inaugural meeting last week.

Activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, on Sunday, disclosed that he was still faced with four separate suits in different states filed by members of the Aare Afe Babalola law office.

Farotimi disclosed this while speaking during the Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday.

Farotimi’s disclosure comes after the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), on January 27, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against Farotimi.

Following Afe Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,’ the police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

Babalola had announced his withdrawal of the case against Farotimi citing the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers.

But featuring on Sunday’s conversation, with the theme: “Politics, Law and Society,” Farotimi disclosed that while the police had withdrawn criminal charges against him following Babalola’s petition withdrawal, he still faced four civil suits across different states, all filed by members of Babalola’s law office.

“My inability to speak to certain aspects of this issue is borne out of the fact that, despite the discontinuation of the criminal proceeding, I still have four suits that I am aware of, in four different states of the federation, filed by members of the same law office, against my person,” he revealed.

Farotimi emphasised that his book was not written in a moment of idle talk or baseless accusations but rather a well-researched work documenting his experiences and observations about the Nigerian judicial system.

“I did not sit down in a beer parlour; I was not at an officers’ mess; I was not gossiping. It was not idle, cheap talk. I wrote a book,” he declared. “Let us deal with veracity. Anybody can go and read and then come back and challenge me with the lie that I have told.”

Dismissing claims that the controversy surrounding his book is a personal battle, Farotimi insisted that what is on trial is not his reputation, but the Nigerian legal system itself.

“This is not a trial of Dele Farotimi. Let nobody make that error. It is a trial of the legal system that we have built as a collective,” he asserted.

He reaffirmed that his controversial book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, is not an attack on individuals, particularly legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, but rather a critique of systemic corruption within the judiciary.

He stressed that his work was written in pursuit of justice, not personal vendettas.

“Chief Afe Babalola is more than old enough to be my father,” Farotimi said. “I did not set out to destroy the man or to tarnish his image. Nothing personal. I was writing about the institution of the judiciary.”

Speaking, Farotimi maintained that his critique aimed at institutional failings rather than individuals.

“Multiple names were mentioned in the book, and offices were mentioned. I did not set out to libel anybody,” he explained. “I simply told the truth of what I saw. All I did was write a book. Maybe we have become too accustomed to lies and allergic to truth, to the point where telling the truth has become a sin.”

According to him, Nigerians must engage with uncomfortable truths if the country is to experience meaningful reform. “We have built a system that rewards deception and punishes truth. I am being sued not because I have lied, but because I have dared to speak the truth.”

Farotimi also criticized those who dismissed his book without reading it, labelling their actions as intellectually lazy.

“Ninety per cent of the persons criticizing me for whatever they believe my tactics to have been in writing the book have not read the book,” he argued. “If Nigerians would stop being so philistinic and illiterate, if they would dare to read, there would be no arguments as to the proof of what I have written.”

Team of police officers attached to the Area F of the Lagos State Police Command have been detained for allegedly extorting a Chinese expatriate along the Sheraton-Opebi link Road area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred when the officers numbering three were conducting a stop and search at the location on Wednesday.

The police officers were said to have flagged down the foreigner and requested his documents, including a green card.

Although the expatriate presented the documents through his phone gallery, the officers insisted on seeing the original copies.

A rights activist, Lameed Adekunle, who was privy to the development told our correspondent on Sunday that after a series of discussions and pleas from the expatriate, the officers forced him to pay N100,000 into a Point Of Sale account.

He said, “The expatriate was on his way for an urgent meeting when the police officers stopped him and demanded his documents including his green card which was shown to the officers through a phone gallery but the officers insisted on seeing the original. Because he was unable to provide it, the officers requested N100,000 and since they did not want to get late to the meeting, they had to make the payment into the account provided to them.”

Speaking on how it became public knowledge, Adewale Ojo of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights said the expatriate, who works with a popular construction company, narrated his experience to his Nigerian co-workers who later escalated the matter.

He said, “The man just moved to Nigeria and he felt so disappointed in the way he was treated. He had to tell some of his workers who later informed us. We took it up, informed the police authorities and the officers were identified. This also led to their arrest and detention.”

He further stated that the policemen were summoned to the provost’s office in the Ikeja area of the state, adding that they had since been detained.

Ojo added the police officers were instructed to refund the money to the foreigner.

“The money is expected to be refunded tomorrow,  Monday. We are doing this to make sure that the bad eggs in the police are fished out and we also want to follow this particular case to the end like we have always done,” he added.

In a picture sent to our correspondent, one of the officers was seen conversing with the expatriate in his vehicle.

A receipt of the transfer bearing the name of the expatriate and the recipient was also seen by our correspondent.

The command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for a reaction as calls made to his telephone line were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as this report was filed.

PUNCH Metro reported in October 2024 that officers from Area C Police Command in Surulere allegedly extorted the sum of N1m from three members of the National Youth Service Corps members.

It was gathered that the corps members were stopped along the Surulere expressway before a group of officers surrounded their vehicle and started searching.

An argument ensued between the corps members and the officers before the vehicle was driven to the Area C Police Station where the extortion was said to have taken place.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious mobile phone thief, Temidayo Fadahunsi, at the Ijoke area of Akure, the state capital.

According to the police, there was a case of phone theft reported at the police station in the area and the suspect was arrested in connection with the stealing.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, while parading the suspect and other suspects at the police headquarters in Akure, on Saturday, said after the arrest, when Fadahunsi’s house was searched, no fewer than 228 Android phones were found in his possession with many foreign SIM cards.

The CP said, “On February 6, 2025, a case of stealing was reported to the police. Through shared information, police swung into action and arrested one Temidayo Fadahunsi, aged 25, at the Ijoka area of Akure and the following items were found in his possession: 228 types of Android phones, 156 different types of batteries and 23 foreign sim cards, which he could not give a satisfactory account of where and how he got them.

“The suspect is currently under investigation and will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.”

Afolabi also paraded some suspected kidnappers who had been on the wanted list of the state police command for allegedly involving in various kidnapping activities in some parts of the state.

The police boss listed the suspects who included Aminu, Abdullahi Abubakar, Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas, Kabiru Mohammed, Yusuf Suleiman and Ishaku Abdul, who was an ex-convict, recently released from prison.

“On February 13,  2025, through intelligence gathering and the use of technical support, one Aminu, was arrested at the Akure garage in Ikare Akoko. His arrest further led to the apprehension of Abdullahi Abubakar. In another operation that took place between February 14 and 15, other suspects were arrested by the tactical team who had been on their trail: Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas and Kabiru Mohammed.

“Also, in Ipele, a woman was abducted by unknown gunmen in her house, the police and youths of the town mobilised and immediately trailed the footpaths of the suspects. Their effort yielded positive results as they were able to rescue the woman and while searching for the assailants. They recovered an AK 49 rifle at the scene of the rescue.

Subsequently, through intelligence-led policing one of the suspects, Yusuf Suleiman, was arrested.

“In the same vein, one Ishaku Abdul was arrested by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad based on a tip-off. The suspect who is an ex-convict and recently released from a correctional centre was suspected by the neighbours to be complicit in the recent uprising of criminal activities in the area. He was arrested at the Aladura camp, Oke-Oge, Osi (Akure North LG), the area where recent kidnappings occurred.”

The CP noted that all the suspects had been on the police wanted list, and would be charged to court after the end of the investigation.

President Bola Tinubu says the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) should prioritise the establishment of a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Tinubu spoke on Sunday at the 38th ordinary session of the assembly of the AU heads of state and government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Represented by Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, Tinubu proposed Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve, as the security outfit’s headquarters.

“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea,” a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tibubu on information and strategy, quoted the president as saying.

 

“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos.”

Tinubu’s recommendation of a maritime task force comes on the same day that Nigeria signed an agreement with the AU.

The statement said Nigeria agreed to provide strategic sea lift services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.

Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.

Badaru Abubakar, the minister of defence, signed the agreement on Nigeria’s behalf while Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, signed for the union.

The statement noted that the AUPSC had previously held a high-level meeting.

Tinubu expressed satisfaction at the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a regional counter-terrorism centre, which was one of the outcomes of the meeting.

The president also highlighted the insecurity affecting Sahelian countries grappling with democratic transition.

He blamed the worsening situation on the instability in Libya and urged the assembly to back initiatives to restore law and order in the country.

“It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council resolution 2719 to support AU peace support operations,” the president said.

In doing so, Tinubu added that the AU must try to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters.

Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected ritualist accused of killing Yetunde Lawal, a female student of Kwara State College of Education, has denied any involvement in her death.

The 24-year-old student was said to have gone missing on February 10, prompting her parents to file a report at a police station in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state.

Following the police investigation, Bello was arrested in connection with her disappearance.

The victim was said to have been killed and her body dismembered by the suspect, whom she met on Facebook.

 

In a video circulating online on Saturday, Bello, who introduced himself as Mohammed, claimed that he did not kill Yetunde.

According to him, Yetunde had told him she was asthmatic before visiting his house on the day of the incident.

He claimed that she attended an event earlier in the day and returned to his home, complaining of hunger.

Advertisement

Speaking in the Yoruba language, he said, “My name is Mohammed; I am a Muslim cleric. I am about to gain admission into KWASU.”

“The girl is Hafusa. She is my girlfriend; I met her on Facebook. I didn’t kill her. I am just a victim of circumstance.

“She told me they had an event at 1 pm after school that day. She got back after 3 pm. When she came, she told me she hadn’t eaten, so I went to get her food. However, she was gasping for breath when I got back.

“I was in shock when she died, so I couldn’t cry out for help. I dismembered her body and disposed of it at the public refuse dump because I couldn’t think of any better way. I have never done this before. This is my first time.”