In preparation for a befitting burial for the late renowned leader of the Ijaw Nation, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the Burial Committee paid a visit to suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at his private residence in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Led by Chairman Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the delegation included National President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba, among others.

The committee briefed Governor Fubara on the progress made so far in preparing for a successful burial ceremony.

Late Pa Clark was a respected leader and elder statesman who played a significant role in nation-building and the pursuit of social justice.

His contributions to the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole are immeasurable.

Governor Fubara had earlier described Pa Clark as a quintessential leader who remained fearless in speaking against acts of injustice, leadership recklessness, and marginalization while propagating national unity.

The visit by the Burial Committee was described by the chairman of the burial committee, Lulu Briggs, as a significant step in ensuring that Pa Clark is given a burial ceremony that befits his status and contributions to the nation.

He noted that the committee’s efforts demonstrate the high esteem in which Pa Clark is held, and the ceremony is expected to be a celebration of his life and legacy.

Paul Chukwuma, a frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has resigned from the party ahead of Saturday’s primary election in the state.

Chukwuma cited “unprogressive persons” in the state’s leadership of the party as reasons for his resignation.

“The problem has always been with the leaders in Anambra, the president is interested in fixing Nigeria and we will support him but we will not work with some unprogressive elements in Anambra,” he told journalists on Friday.

Chukwuma, who spoke from his home town in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, said he has handed his official resignation to the chairman of the party of his ward.

“My support and loyalty are 100 per cent for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Our agenda is to connect Anambra to the centre.

“We want to have some time to prepare and ensure that we raise the five per cent we always give the president,” he added.

Meanwhile, another aspirant, Chukwuma Umeoji, stepped down from the race on Friday.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced Umeoji’s withdrawal in a statement.

The statement read in part, “An aspirant in tomorrow’s gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji has informed the Party of his decision to withdraw from the election.

“According to him, this decision was made in good faith following consultations with my supporters across the state.

“Our great Party thanks the Rt. Hon. Umeoji for his aspiration and dedicated support of the Party in Anambra state and nationally.

“It is our hope that Rt. Hon. Umeoji will do all in his power to support and work for the victory of the eventual gubernatorial flag bearer of our great Party in the November 8, 2025 Anambra state gubernatorial election.”

Umeoji’s withdrawal from the race leaves five remaining APC aspirants who purchased the forms, including Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Onunkwo Johnbisco Obinna, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu, to compete for the party’s ticket on Saturday.

Across Nigeria, chilling stories have emerged of hotel guests who checked into rooms, only to disappear without a trace—or worse, to be found mutilated. In the shadows of these horrific incidents, disturbing accounts suggest that hotel employees, driven by greed, coercion, or even direct complicity, play vital roles in aiding the murderers, either by unwittingly or intentionally facilitating such grisly crimes. VICTOR AYENI writes on the dark underbelly of Nigeria’s hospitality industry

The morning of March 21 began like any other when Pastor Sunday Ogofotha bade goodbye to his family and set out from his house in Lagos to his home state, Delta State.

A native of the Owhelogbo community in the Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, he had planned to attend his brother’s burial, which was scheduled to take place in the village the next day.

On arriving in Otowe late that day, the cleric lodged at Century Home Hotel in the Owhelogbo community and settled in for an evening of tranquility, hoping to wake up the next day to attend the burial event.

Sadly, that day never came, as Sunday did not make it out of the hotel alive.

The next day, as the Ogofotha family gathered for the burial service, Sunday was nowhere to be seen, and his phones were switched off.

By the second day, apprehension had crept in, and the family began to frantically call one another to inquire about the cleric’s whereabouts.

Fortunately, on Friday evening, Sunday had informed his wife of the name of the hotel where he was lodging and his room number — a piece of information that ultimately exposed the evil minds that orchestrated the cleric’s murder.

Uncovering a gruesome murder

Some worried family members reportedly called Mrs Rhoda Ogofotha to ask if her husband had returned to Lagos. But their hearts sank when she informed them that he had not yet returned from the trip.

Her efforts to reach Sunday on the phone proved abortive, as his phones had been switched off since Friday evening — an unusual practice that raised some suspicion.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that Rhoda called her in-laws and informed them of what her husband had told her before they lost communication.

With this information, the family members went to Century Home Hotel to ask about Sunday’s whereabouts, but the hotel manager, Godwin Iboirode, claimed that he had checked out.

This prompted the family to leave the hotel in disappointment. However, they returned there again, this time with firm conviction that someone was hiding something.

Our correspondent gathered that when the Ogofotha family members re-visited the hotel, a heated argument erupted when they insisted on searching all the rooms — a suggestion which the hotel management allegedly tried to resist.

By this time, the case had attracted the intervention of the community vigilance group, which forcefully broke the door of a particular room and entered it to find a gory sight: Sunday’s dead body tied to the bed with multiple stab wounds.

Shocking confessions

When the case was reported to the Delta State Police Command, the hotel owner, Joseph Ogbole; the hotel manager, Iboirode; the security guard; and two other staff members were arrested.

An investigation revealed that Sunday had been murdered on Friday night, and his killers, alleged to be hotel staff, also took his ATM cards and withdrew money from his bank account the next day.

A source in the community alleged that the hotel had been a haven for suspected kidnappers and murderers.

“Pastor Sunday is not the only victim of their murder. Sometime last year, there was a story of a POS girl named Bethel who was said to have been killed in that hotel, too. Only God knows how many other people have innocently lodged there and fallen victim to them,” the source toldSaturday PUNCH.

In a video footage posted by Tony Talks Crime, a woman believed to be the wife of the security guard confessed that her husband had murdered the POS lady and buried her on the hotel premises.

According to her, her husband allegedly killed the lady because she accused him of using a fake alert to withdraw N10,000 from her account. Bethel was said to have recovered her money, but the man vowed to kill her in retaliation.

“My husband called her into the hotel; she is a friend of his. That day, he called her on the phone and took her into a room. It was around 7 pm one evening. I don’t know how he killed her because I was in our room. It was when he came out around midnight that he told me he had killed her,” she said.

In his confession, Iboirode, in a video posted on X by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on March 29, claimed that after Sunday lodged at the hotel on March 21, he was approached by two young men who wanted to see the cleric.

“One of them was dark-skinned, and the other was fair-skinned. They told me they wanted to take something from him (Sunday), and I said ‘okay.’ Later, the guys told me that when they collect the thing from the man, they would give me N5m.

“The dark-skinned guy, named Johnson, later came out of the room, but I didn’t see the fair-skinned one, named Clement, come out. After an hour had passed, I went to check the room. When I got to that particular room, I found out that the door had been locked with a padlock. Clement had left through the exit door inside the room that people could use to leave the building.

“Later, in the evening, I began to perceive some odour from the locked door. I knew the man inside was dead, and I was afraid. I decided to escape. I ran to a woman’s house to spend the night, and when it was morning, I came out to find out how the issue was. That was when the vigilantes and community boys attacked me,” he said.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the hotel was owned by Iboirode’s uncle, Oghole, who claimed to be unaware of his nephew’s criminal activities.

Oghole was said to have recruited Iboirode to help manage the hotel, but he was implicated by the community for complicity in Sunday’s murder, which ultimately led to the hotel being razed by angry residents.

Iboirode further disclosed, “I encountered Johnson and Clement before, around December last year, and they gave me N300,000. That time, they brought one girl to the hotel, but since that time, I have not seen the girl,” he added.

According to the police, a POS machine belonging to the girl believed to be Bethel was found in Iboirode’s house during a search initiated by detectives.

“Johnson was the one who handed over the POS machine to me. I don’t know whether it was the guy or the girl who owned the POS machine. But I can confirm that Sunday was murdered in his room by Clement and Johnson,” he added.

Edafe noted that the two suspects and the manager of the hotel have been apprehended, but they are still “investigating to unravel what eventually happened because, to the best of our knowledge, they have not given us the full details.”

The PPRO confirmed that Ogofotha was stabbed “multiple times until he died,” but “he was able to reach out to his wife to tell her where he was before they no longer heard from him. This is why information is vital; telling your loved ones where you are is key.”

Shallow graves in Anambra hotel

In January, another grisly discovery was made on the premises of Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites in Umueze, Anambra State, when more than 30 shallow graves were uncovered.

Decomposing bodies, expended live bullets, and shrines were also found by security operatives who raided and subsequently demolished the hotel situated in Oba Idemili in the North Central area of the state.

“It was a sad thing that the hotel was used for kidnapping and possibly ritual purposes. The upper floor of the facility had 30 partitions for curious use, as well as a shrine. And that is not your everyday hotel; certainly, no government or authority would have approved of such a use.

“Since it’s used for kidnapping operations, it’s automatically forfeited to the government, so that is the law that has been activated. I am not aware if the owner of the hotel has turned himself in to the police. If he did so, maybe today, but he has to answer for his activities. There is no way he can extricate himself from the criminal activities that were happening in the hotel when it was in use.

“We are disturbed and worried about this because it may not be the only facility where you can have such activity. In the last two or three weeks, several buildings used for kidnapping activities have been brought down,” the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, said.

Killed for ritual, others

As the story of the hotel murders in Delta and Anambra states spread across social media, there were different explanations for what the motive of the murder could have been.

“It is ritual killing,” Wisdom Ovie, a father of two, told our correspondent. “If you investigate, you will see that some of these hotels kill people for money rituals. This used to be more common in the 90s when they killed people in hotels and no one knew about their whereabouts. There was one like that in 1996, the Otokoto ritual killings in Owerri, Imo State.”

Infamous Otokoto killing

The Otokoto killing occurred on September 19, 1996, when an 11-year-old schoolboy and groundnut hawker, Anthony Okoronkwo, was drugged and killed by ‘money ritual’ murderers inside a hotel.

The young lad was reported to have been lured into the hotel by a gardener, Innocent Ekeanyanwu, who offered the boy a cold beverage and carried him into the hotel after he became unconscious.

The 11-year-old was said to have been decapitated, had his liver removed and penis severed. His dismembered body was allegedly buried within the hotel premises.

Gory murders

Like feral animals on a rampage for blood, so were the attackers of Olamide Akinolu, who eventually snuffed life out of him in November last year.

The unidentified individuals descended on the 30-year-old, who had gone to the hotel to meet a man to whom he had paid N50,000 to rent musical instruments in Wadoye, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

While the Ogun State Police Command did not disclose the motive behind the assault, sources told Saturday PUNCH that Akinolu began vomiting blood after the alleged attack.

“He sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital, where the doctor pronounced him dead. This prompted a group of people to organise an attack on the hotel.

“The hotel manager was injured, and several instruments were damaged during the violence. Our officers were dispatched to the scene to restore order. Meanwhile, the body has been taken to a mortuary in Olambe for examination and autopsy,” the state PPRO, Omolola Odutola, disclosed.

A year earlier, a similar incident had occurred in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, when the lifeless body of a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chinyere Awuda, was found abandoned near its swimming pool.

The 30-year-old was allegedly beaten to death on July 15 after she was accused of picking up money being sprayed during a birthday party at the hotel.

At her burial, the parents of the deceased, Mr and Mrs Patrick Awuda, lamented that their daughter died an “undeserved death.”

“She was our fifth child. The news of her sudden death came to us as a rude shock. We never expected that her promising life with a bright future would be cut short in such a manner.

“We heard that she was beaten to death by a group of boys, and her corpse was found near an abandoned swimming pool in the hotel where she went with her friends to celebrate someone’s birthday.

“Although the police said the autopsy proved she drowned, we believe she was killed as they have refused to release the CCTV footage of the incident. What can we do? We have left vengeance to God. We are going to miss our loving and caring daughter,” they said.

An unsolved murder

In a more bizarre incident in 2022, several suspects were arrested after a student from Delta State’s University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Adegor Sophia, was found murdered in a hotel room.

Edafe said some management staff, including the hotel manager, had been arrested in connection with the death of the student.

According to the police, although Sophia’s body was not mutilated, her arms and legs were tied, indicating that she was alive when she was restrained.

About two months earlier, in the Federal Capital Territory, a 21-year-old lady, Esther Isaac, was also reportedly murdered in a hotel in the Gwarinpa area.

Esther’s brother, Emmanuel, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, accused the police of humiliating him and alleged that the hotel management had tried to cover up the crime by claiming that their CCTV was faulty the day Esther lodged in the facility.

He said, “We live in Calabar, and I tried calling her two numbers and left her a message onWhatsApp, but she did not respond, which was unusual. I kept calling. Later, a police officer, Inspector Dajunma, picked up the call and told me my sister was dead.

“He asked me to come down to their division in Abuja. I was in Abuja the following day, and the police officers tried to work things out, but the hotel owner shouted at me.

“They asked if I had anyone, and I told them that it was myself and my late sister; we lost our parents a long time ago. They took advantage of my situation. Inspector Dajunma said maybe the case should be transferred to another place, so I left for Calabar. I came back to the station to ask for an update, but the police officers shouted at me.”

In her response, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, denied the allegation levelled against the police by the deceased’s brother.

“The allegation against us is wrong and unfair. The case is, however, under investigation,” Adeh said.

On November 5, 2021, an Abuja-based chartered accountant, Timothy Adegoke, travelled to Ile-Ife, Osun State, to write his Master of Business Administration examinations at the Obafemi Awolowo Distance Learning Centre.

Moments after he checked into Hilton Hotels and Resorts, a hotel owned by Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the father of three, placed a phone call to his wife to let her know he had arrived at his destination.

Unfortunately, that was the very last phone conversation Adegoke had with his wife.

On November 6, 2021, Adegoke’s wife repeatedly tried to reach the 37-year-old on the phone, but his calls were never answered.

Sensing that something was amiss with her husband’s silence, she alerted her in-laws. Two days after friends and family members could not reach Adegoke, and he was missing at the examination venue, he was declared missing.

After an intense search by the police, on November 15, 2021, the accountant’s lifeless body was found in a shallow grave very close to the Hilton Hotel and Resorts, where he had lodged.

After Adegoke’s body was exhumed, there were blood stains on different parts of his body. The shirt he wore was soaked in blood, and his shoulders and head were half-covered with a grey bed sheet.

The discovery subsequently led to the arrest of Adedoyin and six other staff members of the hotel.

Roheem, Adedoyin’s son, who also had a hand in Adegoke’s death, was identified as the fourth murderer. He is, however, still at large.

When the suspects were charged in court and the hearing began, one of the receptionists who was on duty on the night of the murder, Adesola Adedeji, narrated how the hotel management attempted to cover up Adegoke’s death.

While testifying before the court, Adedeji said that after the accountant was killed, she was instructed by Roheem, who was the managing director of the hotel at the time, to fabricate another receipt that would not reflect Adegoke’s name.

An autopsy report later revealed that Adegoke’s death was caused by severe haemorrhage secondary to severe traumatic injury.

After close to two years of intense court arguments, battles, and intrigues, Adedoyin, Aderogba, and Oyetunde were sentenced to death by hanging by the Osogbo High Court on May 30, 2023.

In January 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, upheld the death sentence earlier handed out by the Osogbo High Court.

‘Murders rampant in remote areas’

The belief in money rituals – an occult economy in which money can be magically produced from ritual murders – is rife in Nigeria.

This has been said to be the motive behind some violent murders reported across the country.

However, a Clinical Haematologist, Timothy Brown, pointed out that if there were a string of killings taking place in hotels, it would have to be in seedy motels in remote towns or villages.

“These can’t be something happening in urban areas where many people are conscious of internet usage. In this age of the Internet, such crimes will quickly spread, and people who commit such things need secrecy.

“Again, for people to murder clients in hotels, there has to be more than one person involved. However, it would be more linked to organ harvesting rings,” he opined.

Meanwhile, a psychologist, Olubunmi Onipede, explained that some individuals are known as serial killers because they commit a series of murders over an extended period and often develop a method of selecting their victims.

“Many of these serial killers are psychopaths, and one can trace the roots of their condition back to early childhood. They may have witnessed extreme violence or suffered abuse or neglect, and these causes of trauma can lead to deep-seated psychological issues. These issues can manifest in violence and the urge to murder,” she noted.

Safety expert weighs in

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a safety and security expert, Stanley Ihakpe explained that people need to research hotels and check their websites, reviews, and ratings to assess their safety before lodging.

“Verify the hotel’s location and surroundings to ensure it’s in a safe area,” he advised. “For corporate organisations, a formal risk assessment must be carried out by the business’s safety and security team ahead of the visit by the employee, and the report must be reviewed by top management.

“This review will determine the risk rating of the hotel or range of hotels. For a responsible organisation, it is best to have a list of hotels that have been risk-assessed and considered safe for employees. This must be communicated to all relevant staff as an advisory before each trip.”

Ihakpe also advised people to avoid showing off expensive assets where possible and to always inspect their rooms.

“Check for any signs of damage, tampering, or suspicious activity, or even hidden cameras. Check that the door locks are working and functional. Store your valuables, such as your passport, cash, and jewellery, safely. It’s advisable not to leave these items on the table or the desk by the bed.

“If you are lodging in a hotel, use the deadbolt and chain lock to secure your door and don’t let strangers into your room. Be wary of unsolicited visitors. It’s also important that people are aware of their surroundings.

“People should also learn to report suspicious activity and try to recognise the names of hotel staff. Ask for their names during each engagement. This will help in properly addressing them and assist in facial recognition.”

Ihakpe also urged people who lodge in hotels to always inform friends and loved ones where they are.

“Do this immediately after you approach the front desk and make sure the hotel staff hear you describe the hotel,” he added.

Akinwunmi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), says internal investments within the continent are the only pathway to beating poverty.

Adesina spoke in an episode of BBC’s Focus on Africa podcast that aired on Wednesday.

Reacting to the “unprecedentedly large cuts” to foreign aid that rattled multiple sectors across Africa, Adesina said the impact proves that the continent does not need to rely on international donors.

“You can’t just rely on the benevolence of others,” he said.

“Benevolence is not a strategy; investment is a strategy. There is no substitute to actually hard-nosed investments in which you actually bring in private capital to unlock all of your assets.”

The AfDB president said it is crucial that the youth, who make up most of Africa’s population, invest their talents and skills in the continent rather than seek a future in foreign nations.

“We have to build highly competitive industrial value chains that we can trade among ourselves, that we can get the skills, and some of the people that are leaving will come back,” he said.

“So, if you’re investing in, for example, manufacturing lithium-ion precursor batteries in DRC Congo, it’s three times less than in the United States, Poland, or China.

“And so, when we build those chains, we retain talent, we attract talent. Our young people will do that, so if you want to create more jobs, build industries.

“When you export raw materials, that is the door to poverty.”

Reflecting on his two-term tenure as AfDB president, Adesina said he viewed his position as a mission to fast-track Africa’s progress.

Adesina is the eighth elected president of the AfDB.

He was first elected to the position on May 28, 2015, by the bank’s board of governors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and was re-elected unanimously for a second five-year term on August 27, 2020.

Before his appointment at the AfDB, Adesina was Nigeria’s minister of agriculture from 2010 to 2015.

Adesina will conclude his tenure at the AfDB in September.

Families and colleagues of the 16 hunters who were killed in Uromi, Edo State, by a mob, have warned that they would revenge their deaths if the government fails to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.

The victims were travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Kano for the Sallah celebration when they were intercepted and lynched by some vigilantes on the suspicion that they were kidnappers.

The incident generated outrage across the country.

Most of the slain hunters hailed from Toranke in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.

In separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH, the friends and families of the victims said only justice would assuage their hurt.

A community leader and hunter from Toranke, Alhaji Musa Dogo, said the government must bring the killers to book.

He said, “We cannot allow this to go unanswered. The hunters that were killed were our brothers. We trained together, fought criminals together, and protected our communities together. If the government does not arrest and publicly prosecute those responsible, we will take matters into our own hands. We know how to track down those who commit evil, and we will not hesitate if justice is not served,” he stated.

His companion, Bala Danburan, who sat with him, nodded in agreement.

Danburan said, “We know how to sneak into Uromi and take revenge ourselves if justice is not served. This is not a threat; it is a promise. We have buried too many of our own, and we cannot continue like this. We are hunters, not cowards. If the government refuses to act, we will do what is necessary.”

The hunters also demanded that the case be transferred to a Kano State court, citing a past case where the Kano State Government handed over a suspect, Yunusa Yellow, to the Bayelsa State Government over an alleged kidnapping.

“This is not just about us. If they could request for a case to be handled in their state, why can’t we demand the same? This is a matter of fairness. We want the case brought here, where we can follow it closely and ensure that it is not swept under the carpet. The Edo government must cooperate if they want peace,” Dogo said.

A hunter and resident of Bunkure, Alhaji Usman Bako, expressed anger over the killing of the 16 hunters.

According to him, the hunters were ambushed while returning to the north for the Sallah celebration.

Bako criticised the government for neglecting hunters and other local security outfits who risked their lives in the fight against banditry and kidnapping.

Alhaji Bako said, “If the government refuses to fish out and punish those behind this massacre and continues to ignore us, then they are pushing us to the wall. We may be forced to withdraw from joint operations. We will not continue to die in silence.”

He concluded by calling on the authorities to recognise hunters as frontline defenders of local communities.

Also speaking, a resident, Malam Sani Umar, said his younger brother, Yahaya Umar, was among those killed.

According to him, Yahaya left behind four children and a wife.

He said, “Yahaya was a man of courage, always willing to sacrifice himself for the safety of others. He believed in justice, and now he has been killed unjustly. We have been left with nothing but pain, and those who did this are still walking free. How can we accept this? How can we sleep knowing that the government has not acted?”

Fighting back tears, Hafsat Ibrahim, who lost her son, Nasiru, said, “Nasiru was the backbone of our family. Now, who will take care of us? He worked hard to ensure that his younger siblings attended school and that I never went hungry at the table.

“He was a man of dignity, a fearless hunter who sought only to protect his people. But now, he is gone, and we are left in darkness. We demand justice! The killers must be punished according to Islamic rites, and the government should compensate our families. That is the only way to show us that our loved ones did not die in vain.”

Acknowledging a recent condolence visit by the governors of Edo and Kano states, Umar said, “It gave us some relief knowing that they care about our plight.

“But a visit alone is not enough. We need real action. We need to see arrests. We need to see these people prosecuted and punished for what they did. If the government does not act swiftly, it means they are encouraging more of such killings. We are not just mourning our loved ones, we are demanding justice, and we will not stop until it is given.”

Tension in Sokoto

Meanwhile, there was palpable tension in Sokoto State on Friday over reports of protest over the killing of the hunters.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, gathered that most business areas occupied by non-indigenes, especially the Igbo, were locked up.

Most shops in Igbo-dominated areas in the metropolis, including Bello Way, Emir Yahya, Sahara, and Aliyu Jodi, were shut when Saturday PUNCH visited.

A shop owner, who identified himself simply as Chinedu, said the fear of attack forced him to lock up his shop.

He said, “We heard of the rumour of possible protest and attack by some youths in the state after Friday prayer, and we decided to take precautionary measures.

“One should not wait till something happens before we arrange ourselves, so we decided to close our shop.”

Also speaking on the closure, an Igbo man selling tyres in Sahara said the fear of looters made people close their shops immediately they heard of a possible attack.

The man, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his people decided to be proactive to avoid losing their goods to looters.

He said, “The last time they protested during late Deborah (Christian girl lynched for blasphemy) issue, they used the opportunity to attack and loot our goods, so we decided to be proactive this time.”

But the police reaffirmed readiness to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people in the state.

The spokesman for the Sokoto command, Ahmed Rufai, while speaking with our correspondent, said the command had deployed men in every part of the metropolis to maintain law and order in the state.

Community deserted

As of Friday, the area where the lynching took place, Goodwill Junction, along Old Ilushi Road, Uromi, was still deserted as residents were afraid of being arrested by the police.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that most commercial motorcyclists avoided the area, just as shops, churches and residential buildings in the area remained locked.

A middle-aged man who gave his name as John said the area had been deserted since the killing took place, stating that residents were afraid of being arrested by the police or facing reprisal.

He said, “This area has been deserted. You can see that all the houses are shut as no one wants to risk being arrested by the police. I hear the case has now been transferred to Abuja, so those arrested are being taken to Abuja.

“The killing is unfortunate, but what kidnappers and killer herders are doing to indigenes is evil. Imagine getting killed on your farm; hoodlums kidnapping you in the presence of your wife and children.

“I hope the government will use the same zeal and determination it is employing to fish out killers of the travellers to go into the forest and expel killer herders and kidnappers who have turned Edo forest to their permanent residence.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Fred Itua, said Governor Monday Okpehbolo was working hard to ensure that all the security challenges he inherited would soon become a thing of the past.

Itua noted that the amount to be paid as compensation to families of the hunters would be made public when finalised.

Comedian Ijoba Lande has retracted his statement alleging that Funke Akindele underpaid him for his role in her movie ‘My Siblings and I’.

The comic actor had initially claimed he was paid N90,000 for a month’s work. He also advised upcoming actors to always negotiate payment before accepting work.

However, in a new Instagram post, the comedian clarified that he received N190,000 from Akindele and alleged that the video of his initial statement was selectively edited to highlight the N90,000 figure.

He apologised to the filmmaker, stating that he did not intend to tarnish her image and does “not want to go to prison”.

Lande also revealed that Akindele had offered to convert his payment to daily wages after he left the movie location.

“I do not want to go to prison. Help me beg Aunty Funke. The video was cut and joined. That was not how I did the video. That was not my intention. I cannot tarnish your image. You did not do me any harm. All you people cutting and editing video, you are wicked,” he said.

“Everywhere I said N90,000; you were joining them up separately. They gave me N190,000 then. I also spoke about the good things Funke Akindele did in the industry. Please do not destroy my life. Now, if they sue me, where will I get the money to pay for fine? What I said in the video was on the topic of fast-rising singers charging before working for celebrities. The work was ‘My Siblings and I’. I signed for the N190,000.

“I managed to do the work for one month. Akindele called me and asked why I left, and I told her that I was paid N190,000. She said I should have told her. And I said I thought you were aware. They called me back for the work. And they were paying me N55,000 or N65,000 per day. And I said that part was a mistake.”

Retired military generals have provided insights into why kidnappers have remained ruthless despite the spirited efforts of security operatives in the country.

The security experts attributed the unabated kidnapping activities to the compromise of some security operatives and community leaders, and insufficient collaboration among security agencies.

Kidnapping is a major security threat in the country, and many notable citizens have fallen victim, the most recent being the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brg. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (Retd).

He was abducted at gunpoint from his hometown in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on February 5, 2025, alongside nine other residents.

The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N250m ransom. But when his family and community couldn’t raise the amount, the gunmen held him hostage for nearly two months.

In the end, his family was forced to part with over N60m before the kidnappers finally let him go.

A farmer in Delta State, Godwin Anuka, was murdered in front of his wife and children on March 29, after they were kidnapped in the Ubulu-Uku area of the state. 

Harrison Gwamnishu, the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, said “Before targeting Anuka and his family, the gunmen had also abducted two others, identified as Chibueze and Afam.”

Further exacerbating concerns, some kidnappers also killed three abducted residents of Surubu community in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 22, 2025, despite a hefty ransom payment.

Another chilling case that underscores the ruthlessness of kidnappers in Nigeria in recent times is the abduction of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly who represented Onitsha North 1 Constituency, Justice Azuka.

He was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha.

Despite efforts to secure his release, his decomposing body was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025.

The scale of these abductions was further revealed by Afenifere National Youth President, Eniola Ojajuni, after he was released having spent 12 days from captivity.

Ojajuni disclosed that kidnappers operate at least 55 camps across the South-West alone, strategically positioned for their operations.

His revelation fueled concerns on why Nigeria continues to witness kidnapping activities despite ongoing counter-kidnapping efforts by the military, police, and regional security networks.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, a former Commandant of Army Signals and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd), attributed the ruthlessness of kidnappers to their collusion with security operatives in the country.

He said, “There are criminals colluding with security agencies. Some of these kidnappers, particularly the high-profile ones, are well known to the security agencies. That’s why no one has been able to take action against them.

“It also explains why it is often difficult for the intelligence networks of the security agencies to apprehend them. In some cases, there is even a contract between the kidnappers and the security agencies.”

The retired general emphasised that telecommunication agencies were always willing to cooperate with security agencies to track calls made by the kidnappers.

“However, some yahoo boys have mastered the art of manipulating telecom network systems and mobile phones, making it extremely difficult for the security agencies to trace the kidnappers’ communications.

“There is also a possibility that there are conspirators within the telecom agencies who are part of the kidnapping syndicates. Moreover, if the communities don’t collaborate with local security outfits like Amotekun, there is no way the security agencies can ensure their safety.”

In his submission, a former Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters and President of the Akoko Security Peace and Development Council, Maj. Gen. Dayo Olukoju (retd), attributed the disturbing trend to insufficient synergy among security agencies.

“There is inadequate synergy among the security and communication agencies. That’s the core issue. You also have the National Identity Management Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission. Why would people use phones, and you still can’t track the users? In a country where you have the NIMC and NCC, people are registered and using phones, yet they remain untraceable.

“Nigeria was not like this before. Why is kidnapping becoming a daily occurrence? It’s because people are making money from it. Now, the least kidnappers collect is N20m. There needs to be special courts for kidnappers so their prosecution doesn’t get caught in the usual judicial bureaucracy.

“We have evidence from freed victims that some people are slaughtered after being kidnapped, and the abductors sell their body parts. So, there’s no doubt about this,” he stated.

A retired Colonel, who requested anonymity, also echoed this stance, emphasising that no crime can persist in an area without the involvement of the local leadership.

He said, “Testimonies from freed kidnapped victims have revealed that sometimes when kidnappers demand a ransom, and the cash currencies they receive are marked by the bank, they know immediately once the money is handed over. Who is releasing the intelligence that the money is marked? This suggests that, from the bank to everyone connected, many people are involved in the operation.”

“The kidnappers have both international and national connections. They have suppliers who arm them. It is, in fact, a cartel. And you can only break it with a robust and well-coordinated intelligence network,” he explained.

Three native doctors in Anambra State—Chidozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Ki, Onyebuchi Okocha, alias “Onyeze Jesus,” and Ekene Igboekweze, dubbed “Eke Hit”—have been remanded in prison following their arraignment before the Anambra State High Court in Awka on charges related to kidnapping and money rituals.

The trio appeared before Justice Jude Obiorah on Friday, April 4, 2025, facing multiple charges. The formal charges, including conspiracy and kidnapping, were read out during the court session, which was attended by a large crowd. Despite pleading not guilty to the allegations, the defendants were ordered to remain in state custody, with the case adjourned to April 11, 2025, for further proceedings.

The specific charges are as follows:

COUNT I: Statement of Offence: Conspiracy contrary to Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Rev. Sec Laws of Anambra State 1991. Particulars of Offence: Chidozie Nwangwu, alongside others at large, allegedly conspired on or about the 4th day of September 2024 at Nkpor, within the jurisdiction of the court, to commit a felony, specifically kidnapping.

COUNT II: Statement of Offence: Kidnapping contrary to Section 315 (1) of the Criminal Code Amendment Law 2009. Particulars of Offence: Nwangwu, Okocha, Igboekweze, and others at large are accused of kidnapping on the same day and location.

The arrests of the three men, who are known for their flamboyant public personas and large social media followings, occurred in February 2025, following an investigation into their involvement in providing protective charms for criminals and conducting money rituals. These activities are believed to contribute to the rising insecurity in the region, as authorities claim that such practices fuel criminal behavior and disorder.

Nwangwu, who is popularly referred to as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Ki (“The Egg That Breaks the Kernel”), has been a polarizing figure in Anambra. While some admire his alleged supernatural abilities, others have criticized him for promoting harmful practices. Similarly, Okocha, known as “Onyeze Jesus,” and Igboekweze, or “Eke Hit,” have gained significant attention for their claims of spiritual power, often showcased through social media.

The three defendants were arrested under the provisions of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, which targets such activities under the current administration of Governor Charles Soludo. This law was enacted as part of a broader effort to crack down on activities deemed to be fueling criminal behavior in the state, including practices traditionally associated with native doctors.

The case has generated considerable public interest, not just because of the high profiles of the accused but also due to the contentious nature of the charges and the intersection of traditional practices with modern law enforcement. Authorities have vowed to tackle the nexus between traditional practices and rising crime in Anambra, especially as they seek to curb criminal activities involving native doctors.

Despite their not guilty pleas, the three men were remanded at a state correctional facility.

Their case has drawn attention to the broader issue of how traditional practices, like those engaged in by the accused, intersect with Nigeria’s legal system and contribute to social issues.

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 election, and the opposition party will fail in their bid to overturn his electoral victory at the appeal court.

On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmedOkpebholo as the elected governor of the state and dismissed Ighodalo’s petition.

Ighodalo, who rejected the tribunal’s ruling, said he respects the judiciary but noted that Edo people’s right to credible elections must not be compromised.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate also said his legal team has been instructed tochallenge the judgment at the court of appeal.

However, speaking on Friday during a celebration hosted by his supporters, Okpebholo boasted that he would win at the appeal court and even at the supreme court.

The Edo governor said the opposition party is “wasting money on court cases,” adding that his “mandate cannot be hijacked”.

“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” Fred Itua, spokesperson to the governor, said in a statement.

“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.

“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.

“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.

“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”

In 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, his closest challenger, who scored 247,274 votes.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam as the Managing Director, Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement released on Friday and signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information & Public Relations for: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Imohiosen stated that the appointment takes effect from 3rd April, 2025 and is in accordance with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008 as amended.

Until his appointment, Nasir served as the Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Steel Development as well as the Special Assistant (Academics) to Director General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) .

“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to leverage on his wealth of experience in the steel industry in his new assignment in revolutionising the company to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that will position the nation as the industrial hub of Africa in line with the diversification drive of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read.