Tragedy struck on Sunday when gunmen suspected to be hired assassins shot and killed the Shepherd-in-charge of a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Idiroko Border town of Ipokia local government area of Ogun State.

The deceased, identified as Yomi Adetula was shot dead right inside his church during the Sunday service around 11a.m. while preaching.

An eyewitness at the scene told LEADERSHIP that Adetula’s assailants, wielding AK-47 rifles and numbering about six, all clad in Celestial Church’s garments, stormed the Hebrew Celestial Church located at the Odo Eran area of the Old Garrage Road in Idiroko where they rained bullets on the deceased pastor, waiting to certify him dead and dismembering his body inside the church before leaving the scene.

LEADERSHIP further gathered that the deceased was the Idiroko Unit Commander of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-SAFE Corps; one of the community security outfits established and funded by the Ogun State government.

While the reasons behind the murder could not be immediately ascertained, our correspondent however, gathered that late Adetula had for the past few months been having running battles with certain smuggling cartel in Idiroko Border town, which necessitated his transfer to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in December 2024.

Sources within his church in Idiroko also confided in this newspaper that the development led to the forceful closure of his church in December by some suspected smugglers.

The State Commander of So-SAFE Corps, Soji Ganzalo, who confirmed the incident said that he received the news of Adetula’s assassination with a rude shock.

Ganzalo however, assured that the Corp would not relent until the matter is properly investigated, while also promising to assist appropriate security agencies with necessary information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

Attempt by 26-year-old Esther Onyinyechi Uzodinma, a 200-level student of nursing at the Noida International University, Uttar Pradesh, India, to swallow 76 wraps of cocaine hours before her return flight to the South Asian country through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Esther was scheduled to return to Delhi, India from MAKIA in Kano on Qatar Airways flight 1432 on Friday, January 17, 2025, but was arrested in her room at 11:30pm on Thursday January 16 at Royal Park Hotel, Sabon Gari, Kano, while awaiting the cocaine consignment she was to ingest before her flight the following morning.

Her lid was blown open when NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State on Thursday, January 16 intercepted 31-year-old Cosmas Okorie in a commuter bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano. Inside his black polythene bag was an audio speaker, which was used to conceal 76 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.340 kilograms, which he was going to deliver to Esther in Kano. A swift follow-up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the female university student later same day.

In her statement, Esther claimed the drug cartel she was working for recruited her in India and paid for her trip to Nigeria to enjoy her Christmas and New Year holidays. To avoid her parents knowing she was in Nigeria, Esther did not travel to her home state, Imo but was lodged for two weeks in a hotel in Enugu, from where she was flown to Abuja and then Kano where she was lodged at Royal Park Hotel to swallow the 76 pellets of cocaine sent to her from Lagos before taking her Qatar Airways flight to India on Friday morning. She said she was promised over $5,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit consignment in India.

In other operations along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway, NDLEA officers arrested four suspects: Abdullahi Umar; Tijjani Samaila; Lucky Obotte and Abubakar Haruna, who were heading to Maiduguri, Borno state, Kano, and Abuja in commuter vehicles with over 38,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and 100mg concealed in audio speakers and cloths.

In Lagos, operatives of a special operations unit of the Agency on Tuesday, January 14 raided the hideout of a 59-year-old Nwokedi Emeka Jonas in Ojodu-Berger area of the state where they recovered 10 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 4.9kg as well as different paper bags he uses in dispensing the psychoactive substance in retail quantities. Printed on them include street names and codes such as ‘Dead man’; ‘Gelato top shelf smoke’; ‘Topshelf’; and ‘Gelato cake’
In other operations in Lagos, operatives of the state Command of the Agency on Wednesday 15th January raided a house in Igando New Town area of Alimosho where they arrested three suspects: Isaac Vincent, 32; Ebube Ikechi, 25; and Christopher Usifoh, 43, from whom 1,610kg skunk, a strain of cannabis and 6kg pills of tramadol were recovered. Also recovered from the house were a delivery van and three other vehicles used for distributing the illicit drugs.

Two suspects: Olashile Okoya and Mohammed Ibrahim were arrested on Saturday, January 18 when NDLEA officers raided their home at 5A Addison Palmer, Cadogan Estate, Castle Rock Avenue, Osapa, Lekki Lagos, where 28 kilograms of Cannadian Loud were recovered following credible intelligence.

Not less than 67kg skunk was seized from Saheed Sulaiman on Thursday, January 16 when NDLEA operatives raided his Edumare street, Lagos Island hideout, while various quantities of assorted illicit substances were recovered from Adamu Abdullahi on Tuesday, January 14 when Jerry Irabi Estate, Lekki hideout was raided by NDLEA officers. They include 3.7 litres of codeine syrup; 10,000 pills of tramadol; 1,670 tablets of rohypnol; 6.5kg cannabis; 3,100 tablets of diazepam; 10,090 tablets of Molly; 5,500 tabs of Exol-5; 1.2kg crisps of wrapped methamphetamine and a monetary exhibit of ₦623,650.00.

In Kano, two suspects: Usama Adamu, 25, and Isah Ibrahim, 29, were on Friday, January 17
arrested at Dawanau, Dawakin Tofa LGA where a total of 7.6kg skunk, 78 tubes of rubber solution and 356 bottles of ‘suck and die’, a new psychoactive substance were recovered from them. In another raid in Kano, Usman Isa, 29, was nabbed along Zaria road with 114 blocks of skunk weighing 49.8kg.

Three suspects: Lawali Isiaka, Umoru Isiaka and Mohammed Kabiru were on Wednesday, January 15 arrested by NDLEA operatives with 390 tablets of Molly and 65.5kg of cannabis at Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, while Samuel Ogbu, 24, was nabbed with 25,000 pills of tramadol by operatives along Wukari- Zaki Ibiam road, Wukari LGA, Taraba state.

In series of raids in Abuja, a suspect, Rufa’i Hashimu, 27, was arrested at Gwarimpa village area of the FCT with 118 bottles of codeine-based syrup, while 13 others were nabbed in other locations such as: Area1 IDP camp, Gishiri, Zuba, Dei -Dei, AYA, Lagos Street Garki, Karu, and Lugbe. Recovered from them include different quantities of tramadol, diazepam, and methamphetamine.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of NUD Basic Primary School, Orile-Igbon, Oyo state; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti; Holy Family International Schools, Calabar; Kudam Islamic School, Osogbo; Business Apprenticeship Training Centre, Kankia, Katsina, while Abia state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Lagos, Kogi, SOPU, Kano, Kwara, FCT, and Taraba Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged them and their compatriots across the country not to rest on their oars as they intensify their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts

The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State, on Saturday has risen to 86, while 55 people were injured and taken to hospital.

As of Saturday, the death toll was reported as 70, with 50 injured.

However, more corpses have since been recovered, and all have been given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

He stated that the agency, alongside Gurara Local Government Area and brave, kind-hearted volunteers, conducted the mass burial between 5 pm and midnight.

“A total of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.

“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.

“The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between the hours of 5pm and midnight.

“The number of injured now stands at 55, with one death recorded at Dikko PHC,” Baba-Arah stated.

A speeding fuel tanker crashed on Saturday morning at Dikko Junction, located between Niger and Kaduna states.

While some residents attempted to scoop fuel spilling onto the tarred road from the tanker, it exploded in a massive blaze. The explosion killed both those collecting fuel and others attempting to rescue them.

Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago visited the scene of the tragic explosion on Saturday and has issued a ban on vehicles coming from the Maje axis from passing over the Dikko Bridge.

The governor gave the directive while inspecting the scene of the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

Bago, decrying the recklessness of some drivers, stated that it was unacceptable for vehicles coming from Maje to use the bridge, directing them instead to follow the underpass and take the appropriate U-turn.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, confirmed the directive in a statement on Sunday.

“Niger State Government has directed that no vehicle coming from the Maje axis should be allowed to pass over the Dikko Bridge.

“Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago issued this directive during his visit to the scene of the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA.

“The governor, who criticised the recklessness of certain drivers, said vehicles from Maje must use the underpass and make the U-turn correctly.

“He also urged the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the directive and called on all relevant transport unions to cooperate with the Road Safety Corps,” Ibrahim stated.

The governor expressed his gratitude to NSEMA, the Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Union of Road Transport Workers, among others, for their roles in evacuating the victims.

He also announced that doctors from Minna hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital.

Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, shared a touching yet humorous exchange with President Bola Tinubu during a phone call on Saturday.

The President reached out to commiserate with the music icon over the loss of his beloved mother.

President Tinubu extended his condolences and prayed for the repose of K1’s mother’s soul, urging him to accept the loss as the will of God. The President, who has long shared a cordial relationship with the Fuji maestro, spoke with empathy and offered words of comfort.

“May her soul rest in perfect peace,” Tinubu said warmly. “I know how painful it is to lose a mother, but I pray that God grants you the fortitude to bear this loss. Take heart, Wasiu.

As the conversation unfolded, Tinubu, known for his witty sense of humour, lightened the mood with a jovial remark. “You will not suffer because you have lost your mother. God will protect you. Don’t forget you have me, your President.

The comment drew laughter from K1, who reciprocated with his own dose of humour and gratitude.

“Akanbi, you are the President of Nigeria. I can’t ever suffer because my mother is gone. I am your son, and you are my father. It’s your duty to take care of me!” he replied, his voice brimming with playful affection.

“As long as you are President, I cannot suffer. Nigeria cannot suffer,” he declared, adding, “With you in charge, there is hope for all of us.”

Their light-hearted banter continued as K1 jokingly threatened to hold Tinubu accountable if he ever found himself in distress. “You can’t be President and watch me suffer, o. It’s not possible! You’re my backbone now,” he quipped, prompting another burst of laughter on both ends.

The call, which could have been a somber moment, was infused with warmth and camaraderie, reflecting the strong bond between the two figures. K1, who has always been vocal about his admiration for Tinubu, used the opportunity to reaffirm his support for the President’s vision for Nigeria.

“Baba, with you as President, we are on the path to greatness. My mother may be gone, but I am at peace knowing Nigeria is in your hands,” K1 said with conviction.

K1’s response was both heartfelt and humorous: “If I ever feel like suffering, I’ll just remind you of this call! Thank you, Mr. President.”

Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji has opened up about the constant online trolling he and his wife, actress Mo Bimpe, face daily, including harsh comments labeling her barren. Despite the negativity, the couple has chosen to remain unshaken, with Lateef stressing that such remarks hold no weight in their lives.

In a recent interview, Lateef revealed that ever since they tied the knot, many critics have taken to social media to speculate about their personal lives, including their decision to have children. However, he clarified that these trolls know nothing about their private choices or the plans they are building as a family.

“People don’t know our decision or what we are building. They call my wife barren, but such comments don’t bother us,” Lateef said. “We’ve grown a thick skin, and we refuse to let these words weigh us down.”

The actor, whose latest film Lisabi is currently streaming on Netflix, noted that dealing with public scrutiny is part of being in the spotlight. He shared that he and his wife have learned to prioritise their happiness and block out the noise.

“Negative comments come with the territory when you’re in the public eye. What matters is how you handle them, and for us, it’s by focusing on what’s important—our love and our goals,” he added.

Mo Bimpe, who is also a prominent figure in Nollywood, has faced her share of criticisms, with some people even questioning their compatibility as a couple. Despite this, the pair continue to show unwavering support for each other, often sharing heartfelt messages on social media that demonstrate their bond.

Lateef acknowledged that being in the limelight can attract both love and hate but maintained that they choose to focus on the positive aspects of their journey. “We understand that not everyone will be happy for us, and that’s okay. We won’t give energy to negativity,” he said.

The couple’s resilience and refusal to engage in online battles have earned them admiration from fans who praise their maturity and strength.

Lisabi, Lateef’s latest Netflix project, has also garnered attention for its gripping storyline and his stellar performance. The actor expressed gratitude for the support he continues to receive from his loyal fanbase, noting that this motivates him to keep raising the bar in his craft.

The Police in Ondo State says it has apprehended a three person syndicate, 62 year-old woman, Sabira Izuorah, and couple, Isiaka Lukman and Abosede Lukman, allegedly specialised in child stealing and trafficking.

Mr Wilfred Afolabi, state Commissioner of Police (CP), made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Akure.

He said that the suspects were arrested after a case of a missing child was reported at Okuta Elerin-Nla Division in Akure.

Afolabi said that four babies between one week and two months old, and 10 children between two and seven years, were recovered.

The CP explained that Izuorah, from Ihiala in Anambra State, was the buyer, while Isiaka aged 42 and Abosede aged 23, from Ibadan, Oyo State, were the seller.

He said that the couple were arrested through intelligence-led policing when traced to Ottah Village in Edo State.

“During interrogation, the suspects (couple) admitted to abducting the child and other children from Ondo and Osun States.

He said that the couple admitted to sell their victims to Sabira in Ihiala, Anambra State, at the rate of N1 million per child.

The police boss said that Sabina was arrested in Ihiala and four babies were found in her custody.

“A complainant reported that a man, Samuel Adejobi (real name: Lukman Isiaka and a woman, Ewatomi (real name: Abosede Olanipekun), came to her shop pretending to be siblings to eat.

“While playing with the complainant’s child, Abosede deceived her by claiming she wanted to buy biscuits for the baby.

“Meanwhile, Lukman distracted the complainant by engaging her in a personal conversation and requested she followed her to Olukayode plaza in the market to get a mobile phone.

“On getting to the market area, he abandoned her and left.

“The complainant, on getting back to the shop, discovered that her child was missing with no trace of Abosede, the supposed sister of the man she followed to the market,” he said.

Afolabi said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations, while efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue some children. currently on the missing list.

Their blistering exchange didn’t just ignite tension—it exposed deep-seated rivalries, insecurities, and power struggles that are bound to unravel as the season progresses.

Nollywood heavyweights Ini Edo and Annie Idibia unleashed a firestorm of drama in the explosive premiere of Young, Famous and African season three on Netflix, delivering a confrontation that has already etched itself into reality television history.

The third season introduces a mix of fresh and returning personalities, promising more chaos than ever. Newcomers like South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, celebrated Nollywood actress Ini Edo, and entrepreneur Shakib Lutaaya join the star-studded cast, featuring Zari “The Boss Lady” Hassan, Swanky Jerry, Diamond Platnumz, Annie Idibia, Naked DJ, Kayleigh Schwark, Fantana, Luis Munana, and Nadia Nakai.

The drama kicked off during a “peace talk” orchestrated by Annie with the help of Ini. The sit-down was intended to mend fences with cast members Annie had clashed with during the previous season.

But what began as a fragile attempt at reconciliation quickly devolved into chaos when tensions, grudges, and egos clashed head-on.

The tipping point came when Ini Edo, unafraid to speak truth to power, accused Annie of sabotaging the peace talk by refusing to acknowledge her own faults.

According to Ini, Annie’s stubbornness and need to always be right were the root causes of her strained relationships with others.

Annie, visibly shaken but defiant, refused to back down. She accused Ini of ambushing her and silencing her during the meeting while the other cast members piled on criticism.

Her frustration boiled over as she demanded the opportunity to defend herself, but Ini, unimpressed, doubled down on her accusations.

In an emotionally charged moment behind closed doors, Ini expressed her utter disgust with Annie’s behavior, vented her disbelief that Annie had the audacity to challenge her so publicly.

“She wouldn’t dare speak to me like that anywhere else,” Ini fumed, questioning why Annie chose the reality show as the stage for such blatant disrespect.

SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT BELOW 

Nollywood star Annie Idibia has once again found herself at the center of a heated storm on Young, Famous, and African, but this time, the flames were stoked by Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan, who launched a scathing attack on the actress and her husband, legendary musician 2Face Idibia.

The drama unfolded during a seemingly harmless dining conversation that quickly spiraled out of control. Annie, known for her outspoken nature, made a pointed remark about Zari’s husband—a comment that didn’t sit well with the unapologetic socialite. What followed was an unfiltered verbal onslaught that left viewers gasping.

Zari didn’t hold back, dragging Annie’s husband into the fray by branding 2Face a “baby-making factory” and questioning his reputation as a loyal partner. The insults didn’t stop there.

Zari turned her attention to Annie, boldly dismissing her achievements as an actress and taking direct aim at the cracks in her much-publicized marriage.

With precision, The Ugandan socialite accused Annie of failing to address her personal life while trying to call out others, adding fuel to an already blazing confrontation.

In her words;

“Why is it your problem? I mean your man is almost 50 and he is running around sleeping with 20-year-olds and making them pregnant. But you wanna talk about my husband? Your husband has kids all over Africa.”

“You are leaving your business unattended looking at other people’s houses. What do you do? Last time I checked, you were an actress 10 years ago, do you have a movie out? Innocent this, Innocent that; 2Baba this! You are 2Face just like your husband, Mrs 2face. What do you fccking do?”

Unfazed by the biting comments, Annie clapped back with fiery energy. She interrupted Zari mid-rant, questioning the validity of the “babies all over Africa” narrative about her husband, a statement delivered with cutting sarcasm.

This explosive moment followed the dramatic Season 3 premiere of Young, Famous, and African, which had already set the stage for tension with a fiery confrontation between veteran Nollywood actress Ini Edo and Annie Idibia.

SEE VIDEO BELOW

This was made known in a statement titled: ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, jointly signed by Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev, Anthony Ovayero Ewherido and Chancellor/Notary Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo.

The statement alleged that Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with one Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on 29 December 2024, noting that the footage of the marriage had been widely circulated on social media.

By his this action, the church said that Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon law of the church.

“Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“On November 30, 2024, Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, who has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America, contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Diocese of Warri reached out to Fr. Oghenerukevwe, requesting the submission of documents required to initiate the process. However, on December 29, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA. Footage of this marriage has been widely circulated on social media.

“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333). He retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of this decree in accordance with Canon 1734 §1 whenever he demonstrates a willingness to reform.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement said.