Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo has disclosed that she has been sexually assaulted five times in the past.

The thespian made the traumatic disclosure with Biola Bayo, on her talk show, Talk to B.

She emphasized her zero-tolerance stance on rape, whilst also expressing her frustration with rape apologists.

Iyabo Ojo also discussed her complicated family history, including her father’s struggles with addiction, which led to his death at 40.

She revealed that she grew up with her grandmother and didn’t meet her mother until she was seven years old.

She said, “I was raped five times in my life. I discovered we have a lot of rape apologists. I don’t care who the person is; if that person is my son, I am going to come for him unapologetically.

“I have never met Naira Marley before my entire life. The only time I lacked was when I insisted this was the man I was going to get married to because, at that time, my dad and I disowned each other.

“My dad did everything, alcohol and drugs, so it messed him up at a young age. He died at 40.

“I grew up with my grandmother, who is half Delta and half Igbo. I think I was seven before I knew my mother”.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has shown excitement about the planned visit of President Bola Tinubu to Enugu State today.

Ohanaeze expressed optimism for the release of the leader of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday, the President will commission some of the projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration during the one-day visit.

Commenting on the planned visitation, Ohanaeze, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, expressed delight over the gradual attitudinal change of the federal government towards the Igbo.

The statement partly read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses immense delight over the gradual attitudinal change of the Federal Government towards the Igbo. Ohanaeze has insisted that national peace, unity, patriotism and sustainable economic development of any country are the outcomes, effects or products of equity, and social justice.

“In other words, there is hardly any society or group that can be complacent under severe existential threats such as orchestrated marginalisation, relative deprivations, and external instigation of insecurity, conflagrations and crises.

“It is therefore hoped that with the Enugu visit, President Tinubu will write his name with gold in the hearts of Ndigbo and all the well-meaning Nigerians, if he orders for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

The National National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP, has disclosed the arrest of a suspected arrowhead of an international

human trafficking network operating across the Middle Eastern countries with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai.

The suspect, Uadiale Christiana, popularly called Christy Gold, according to the agency, had been on its wanted list in the past five years.

She was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Serce, NIS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 31, 2024, on arrival from Dubai for the new year celebration. Thereafter, she was handed over to NAPTIP

Explaining how she was arrested, NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye recalled that “on March 18, 2020, the Nigeria Immigration Service Ikeja Airport Command shared intelligence with NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force/Benin Satellite Office (JBTF/BSO) in respect of one Uadiale Jacob ,of number 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

“Uadiale Jacob popularly known as Christy Gold is a senior member of an organized human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Following the Agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, she was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on October 13, 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of aged Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.

“She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 25th of November 2020, where she was granted bail. While on Court bail, she violated the terms of the bail and absconded to Dubai. After failing severally to appear before the Court, a Bench Warrant was therefore issued by the sitting Judge on November 3,2021 for her arrest.

“To get Christiana Uadiale Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the United Arab Emirates Police for her arrest and extraction to Nigeria.

“ Even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of our diligent prosecution of the case, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Honourable Justice F . A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on March 21, 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the Honourable Court.

Luck however ran out on her on the 31st of December 2024, as Officers Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated February 22,2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria.

“Her suspected other accomplices: Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos along with others are field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of victims to Christy Gold, are still on the run”, Adekoya stated.

Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration Service for the arrest, describing it as a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.

She recalled that “ few weeks ago, I visited the Comptroller General of NIS and the outcome of that advocacy visit is this improved synergy and very efficient collaboration. The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the Court to face the sentence by the Law.

“This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever. We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the world are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.

“I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025. We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence against persons, the Director General stated.

Ghana has approved a visa-free travel policy for all countries in the African continent, effective this year, 2025.

The president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, made the announcement during his final State of the Nation address on Friday as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office.

He said the decision to grant all African passport holders visa-free entrance is part of efforts towards strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year.

“This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world.

“All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU’s Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063,” Akufo-Addo said in his address to parliament.

Naija News understands Ghana had previously allowed visa-free access to citizens of 26 African nations and visas on arrival for travellers from 25 others, while only two African countries — Eritrea and Morocco — required a visa before entry.

Other countries in the continent that have also approved visa-free entry to African travellers are Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin.

Fatima Dzuma, a resident of Lafiyagi Dzwafu village in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, is accused of allegedly murdering her husband, Baba, in a shocking act that has left the community in disbelief.

According to a local resident, Baba married Dzuma three years ago after her divorce from her first husband. Dzuma had no children with Baba, although she had one child from her previous marriage. 

Meanwhile, Baba’s first wife recently gave birth, with preparations for the naming ceremony underway.

Dzuma reportedly confessed, saying she killed her husband because she "no longer liked him." 

She allegedly strangled him with a scarf and struck him twice on the head and once on the hand with a pestle while he was asleep, breaking his hand.

After killing him, Dzuma wrapped his body in a mat, dragged it to the backyard, and cleaned the scene. For three days, she denied knowing his whereabouts, even as Baba’s family searched frantically.

However, Dzuma later admitted, “I acted alone.” 

She is currently in police custody, pleading for mercy and claiming, “The devil made me do it.”

The police have confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations are ongoing.

Confirming the report to SaharaReporters, Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer said, on 31 December 2024, the lifeless body of 25-year-old Baba Aliyu was discovered in a bush near Katcha, Niger State. 

The police, led by operatives from Katcha Division, responded promptly to the scene. 

Police further revealed that Dzuma, 27, admitted to killing him after a violent altercation. Fatima explained that her husband had beaten her during the argument, and later, while he slept, she struck him on the head with a pestle, resulting in his death.

Afterward, Dzuma tied the body with clothes and rope, wrapped it in a mat, and discarded it in the bush to cover up the crime. 

The body was sent to Bida General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Fatima was arrested and is currently in custody, awaiting transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.

Malam Yahaya, an elderly Nigerian man, from the Utoro community in Kano State, has been arrested.

The man was nabbed for allegedly sending an individual to steal a baby to gouge his eyes out for ritual purposes.

Operatives from the Bompai Police Station apprehended Yahaya after an individual, whom he had allegedly hypnotised, was caught attempting to carry out the bizarre request.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the ‘hypnotised’ person, identified as Kabir Sani, led the police to Yahaya's residence, where officers discovered disturbing items, including a calabash with an inscription, white and red clothes, and various charms.

Sani said, "My name is Kabir Sani. I reside in Utoro, and I am 25 years old. I came to visit Malam because I was not feeling well. He gave me some medicine with water and told me to use my urine for three days.

"After I came back, he gave me 'Tulare' perfume and Hantu. Immediately, my brain shut down, and I was not myself. Anything he told me to do, I did without questioning his authority.

"He told me that he would give me N1 million, but he asked me to go and find a child whose eyes he would remove to use in preparing a charm for a soldier to make him disappear.

"I went to my sister's house and told her everything Malam Yahaya asked me to do. I told her that I wasn't myself anymore. I tried to find an 8-month-old child who lives in our house.”

"Unfortunately, I was unable to bring the child because if I had, Malam Yahaya would have removed his eyes. I'm pleading with people to help me beg Malam to return my senses to normal," Sani added.

According to SaharaReporters, when contacted, the Kano State Police spokesperson, Haruna Abdullahi, said he did not answer calls or reply to his messages.

Yvonne Okoro, the Ghanaian-Nigerian actress, has said she prefers Nigerian men to their Ghanaian counterparts.

She explained that her preference for Nigerian men isn’t just because of their generosity but also for their romantic nature.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Ghanaian TV show, Showbiz 360 with her colleague Majid Michel, Okoro said her ideal man is someone who is both romantic and generous.

“Nigerian men or Ghanaian men? Nigerian men are better. I didn’t say Nigerian men because of money. That’s not the only thing. Money is there but love, affection is very important. Because if they give me money and there’s no love and they’re very disrespectful, I wouldn’t want that.

“I want the whole package. That’s my kind of man. I want everything.”

Okoro was born in Tamale, Ghana to a Nigerian dad and Ghanaian mother.

She has starred in both Nollywood and Ghollywood movies.

A wedding in Jigawa State has turned tragic after a bride allegedly poisoned food served at the reception.

The incident is said to have left the groom critically ill and one of the wedding guests dead.

The incident occurred in the Jahun Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses suggested to PUNCH Online that the bride’s actions may have been driven by a personal vendetta.

Speaking to PUNCH Online on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway.

“We received a report that the bride had tainted the food served at the wedding reception, leaving the groom critically ill.

“Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged food poisoning incident that occurred during a wedding ceremony in the state,” Adam said.

He revealed that the two suspects are the bride and another female, adding that they are in custody and being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

The police spokesperson added, “We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”

According to the police spokesman, all the wedding attendants who consumed the poisoned food have been discharged from the hospital, except for the one person who was confirmed dead.

“The command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we will provide more details as soon as possible.

“For now, we can confirm that the incident occurred, and we are working tirelessly to unravel the facts. We urge the public to remain calm and assured that justice will be served,” he concluded.

The identities of the deceased, the groom, and other victims have not been disclosed by the authorities.

A stray bullet from a police officer’s gun killed a young woman, identified as Ifeoluwa Adekalu, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, on Thursday.

The incident happened near Okela Police Station, where the officer, reportedly attached to another unit, was visiting.

According to sources, the officer allegedly discharged his weapon while celebrating the promotion of a colleague.

Adekalu, described as a mother of one, was struck by the bullet in front of shops opposite the police station.

Witness accounts differ on her activities at the time of the incident.

An eyewitness said, “The victim was passing by when the bullet hit her in front of a shop opposite the police station.

“She was returning from where she went to pay her accommodation rent.

But another source said, “The woman had just alighted from a commercial motorbike in a bid to access the police station when the incident happened. I do not know her mission, but she was going to the police station when the bullet hit her.”

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.

Confirming the incident, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, AIG Adewale Adeniran, said, “The officer in question has been disarmed and detained.

“The officer will face interrogations in line with the Nigerian Police Act.”