A middle-aged man, Tartor Ayihe has reportedly committed suicide after allegedly selling a plot of land to three different buyers at Ayihe village, Makurdi Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

The deceased was reported to have drank a poisonous substance believed to be a snipper to take his own life.

Narrating the incident, a source in the community who preferred anonymity said the deceased took his own life Wednesday evening after he was asked by the community leaders to give a detailed account of how he sold the piece of land to three different buyers.

According to the witness, “After it was discovered that he sold a piece of family land to three different buyers, the matter was reported to the Kindred Head by those he deceived into buying the land.

“He was summoned to the home of the Kindred Head alongside the buyers. They all assembled for the matter to be addressed. But he suddenly left the meeting venue in the pretence that he wanted to pick something from his residence.

“We later heard that he rather went to provision stores to purchase poisonous chemicals believed to be snippers which he took home and drank, after switching off the phone.

“And after waiting for him for about an hour, people were sent to go and bring him back to the venue. But on getting to his home he was discovered motionless and empty bottles of the chemical he consumed littered the place. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was already dead at the time of getting to the hospital.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene who  confirmed the incident said, “Our operatives have been sent there to find out what happened.”

Ojomachenwu Adaidu, mother of Salome Adaidu, has recounted her last moment with her daughter who Oluwatimileyin Ajayi allegedly murdered.

Salome, 24, was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving with Nicon Insurance in Abuja.

She was said to have visited Ajayi at his residence in Papalana, New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State before her death.

Ajayi was found on Sunday trying to dispose of her body.

Speaking recently with BBC Pidgin, mother of the deceased said: “I called her on Saturday and asked where she was. She told me she was washing clothes. I then asked if she was washing the clothes alone. She said yes and added that the firstborn child was in the living room cleaning it.

“She also told me that once she finished, she planned to go to the place where she does her NYSC training. Maybe it was from that training that this incident happened because the bag she took to the training was the same one the police brought, which I saw on Monday.”

The grieving mother demanded justice for her daughter.

“Maybe on her way to the place, she entered a ‘one-chance’ (a kind of scam often involving public transport), or someone used medicine (voodoo) on her because she doesn’t have friends like that. I want justice for my child,” she said.

Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, earlier assured that the law would take its course.

“Investigation is ongoing and upon conclusion, he will be arraigned in court for prosecution. I want to assure the family and members of the public that this suspect will not be spared if found wanting,” Nansel said.

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has emphasised the importance of responding quickly to pressing issues affecting Nigeria.

Speaking at the Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto Remembrance Day event in Kaduna yesterday, he emphasised the importance of Nigerians reflecting on the country’s potential, describing it as a “Blessed but disorganised land.”

He revisited historical events, particularly the 1963 disagreement over the introduction of petroleum in Nigeria.

According to him, “The late Sardauna of Sokoto’s insistence on refining oil in Nigeria played a significant role in his persecution.

“He made bold efforts to ensure Nigeria’s economic independence, a vision that remains unfulfilled.”

Al-Mustapha lamented the state of the Northern region, describing it as being left in a state of neglect following the loss of its leaders.

He added, “To restore the Northern region’s honour, security, education and economy, we have to have respect for traditional leaders and revive the values, fearlessness, courage, authenticity, and teamwork of Sardaunan.”

Earlier, the National President of the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), Malam Balarabe Rufai urged Northern leaders to embrace the visionary leadership of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, as a blueprint for sustainable development in the region.

Rufai highlighted the exemplary leadership of the Sardauna, whose legacy focused on education, agricultural growth, and infrastructure development.

One of the contestants to the throne of Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, has approached a court of law to challenge the appointment and presentation of the staff of office to Prince Akeem Owoade as the new and 46th Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Gbadegesin, who the majority of Oyo’s Kingmakers (Oyomesi) designated as the next Alaafin, is appealing that the court set aside the appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Oba Owoade carried out by the Oyo State governor.

In a pre-action notice, signed by his legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN, a copy of which was addressed to the governor, he insisted that the Governor Makinde’s actions run foul of the Oyo State Chiefs’ Law 2000.

“By announcing a different candidate, the Governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for the selection of the Alaafin.

“The Governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgement of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as It Is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, and the allegations of bribery by two Oyomesi members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated,” the letter read.

The lawyer noted that Gbadegesin was seeking “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as 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” and a declaration that he “was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”

Nigerian music sensation, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly called Wizkid, has become Africa’s biggest earner on Spotify.

Music statistics monitoring platform Chart Masters recently revealed artists’ monthly earnings on Spotify around the world with Wizkid emerging as Africa’s biggest earner with $1 million.

While Canadian rapper Drake and American singer, Taylor Swift, are the world’s biggest earners on Spotify with $7,717,904 and $7,713,106, respectively, the list of Africa’s top 10 earners is dominated by Nigerians, except for South Africa’s Tyla.

Hereunder is the list of the top 10 African earners on Spotify:

1. Wizkid – $1 million

2. Burna Boy – $782,148

3. Tems – $660,210

4. Tyla – $607,804

5. Davido – $458,615

6. Asake – $451,553

7. Omah Lay – $421,123

8. Ayra Starr – $400,972

9. Rema – $367,973

Bandits have attacked the General Hospital in Kankara local government area of Katsina State, shooting a medical doctor and kidnapping an unknown number of hospital staff.

The attack occurred around 7:00pm on Tuesday night, during which Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire was shot.

According to a resident of the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the bandits invaded the hospital premises in a coordinated attack, creating panic among staff and patients and shot sporadically.

The resident confirmed that the injured doctor, who was shot in the leg, is currently alive and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Dr. Dandashire, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in Kaduna State, who garnered 13 awards including ‘overall best graduating student’ in the Class of 2019, was shot at the General Hospital while attending to patients who came to seek medical intervention.

Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that two people were injured, while three others were kidnapped during a bandit attack that occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Kankara General Hospital in the state.

A statement issued by the police spokesman, DSP Sadiq Aliyu, said the attack occurred at approximately 8:20pm when armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles stormed the hospital, opening fire and causing panic among staff and patients.

The assailants targeted the hospital, shooting sporadically before security forces from the Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters arrived.

The ensuing gunfight between the assailants and police disrupted the attack and forcing the bandits to flee.

However, two individuals including 30-year-old Dr. Murtala Saleh who was shot in the right thigh, and Kamala Suleiman, 20, sustained a gunshot wound to his knee during the incident.

Both victims were promptly taken to a medical facility and are reported to be in stable condition.

However, amidst the chaos, the bandits abducted three people whose identities are being withheld by authorities for security reasons.

Commissioner of Police of the Command, CP Aliyu Musa, has condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless assault on healthcare workers and facilities.

CP Musa has ordered an intensified manhunt for the perpetrators and deployed additional police units to the area to enhance security and aid in the search and rescue efforts.

“Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and the arrest of the assailants,” said DSP Aliyu.

The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity that could aid in apprehending the attackers.

Police said further updates on the investigation and rescue operations will be provided as developments occur.

Doctor gives ex-girlfriend two goats as compensation for dumping her

Bindura District Medical Officer Dr Tonderai Chiwawa has become the centre of social media discussions after reportedly offering two goats as compensation to his pregnant girlfriend, Karen Tandanguni, following their breakup.

 The controversy has escalated, with Karen, 25, dragging the married doctor to a traditional court over the matter.

Karen claims their relationship began in November 2022, during which Dr Chiwawa allegedly promised to marry her and even introduced her to some of his relatives. However, she revealed that some of his family members warned her about his history of three marriages and multiple children. After their breakup, Karen stated that the doctor offered her two goats as compensation, which she rejected, considering it an insult.
 
The situation has taken a more serious turn with Karen accusing Dr. Chiwawa of pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy and allegedly threatening her when she refused. "I also fear for my life because he said he is prepared to harm me if I keep the child," she stated.

Karen has since reported the matter to the Bindura Police Station, including a theft complaint after her phone, which contained incriminating messages, was stolen. The case is now set to be heard before Chief Masembura on January 19 for resolution.

Dr Chiwawa, however, has denied the allegations, claiming he only knows Karen from the neighbourhood and dismissing her accusations as an attempt to tarnish his image. "I know the girl from around, and I don't care whatever she says. You can write all the information she tells you. She just wants to tarnish my image," he stated.

Meta has announced plans to lay off approximately five percent of its workforce.

The move, outlined in a memo obtained by Bloomberg, is part of a broader strategy to raise performance standards as the company gears up for what Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta, described as an “intense year”.

In the memo, Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s dedication to developing transformative technologies and shared the company’s goal of building teams with the brightest talent.

He added that the company’s updated performance management approach will accelerate the process of addressing low performance.

“Meta is working on building some of the most important technologies of the world. AI, glasses as the next computing platform and the future of social media. This is going to be an intense year, and I want to make sure we have the best people on our teams,” the memo reads.

“We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year, but now we’re going to do more extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle, with the intention of back filling these roles in 2025.”

Meta has more than 72,000 employees, according to its most recent quarterly report.

In a report by CNBC, an unnamed director at the company confirmed that the latest reduction expected to be completed by February 10, 2025, will affect about 3,600 employees.

The decision also comes amid significant operational shifts at Meta.

On January 7, Zuckerberg announced plans to replace third-party fact-checkers with a community notes system, similar to Elon Musk’s X platform, and to reinstate more political content on the platform.

The tech mogul had also revealed plans for artificial intelligence (AI) to take over the roles of mid-level software engineers at Meta.