Metro

Abducted Pastor Escapes, Surfaces In Kwara As Kidnappers Sleep Off

Published

4 years ago

March 16, 2022

Oke Ako, a community in the Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, erupted in joy on Tuesday as a cleric, Michael Adeyeye of Christ Apostolic Church in the community escaped unhurt from the four gunmen who abducted him on Saturday.

Residents of the community could not believe their ears when news filtered in on Tuesday morning that the cleric had escaped and was at Eruku in Kwara State awaiting vehicle to convey him back to Oke Ako.

It was carnival like as the cleric arrived the community in the afternoon to the waiting arms of youths and the elderly who sang and danced round the town.

Adeyeye, while recalling his experience, said he, alongside the four gunmen who initially demanded N50million ransom before reducing it to N15million, walked in the forest throughout Saturday night and Sunday.

He said, “We were in church for a vigil on Saturday. At about 10.20pm, four armed men arrived the church, saying ‘where is pastor?’ On locating me, they tied my hands and ordered me to follow them. We went into the bush.

“The following day, Sunday, they asked me to call my family to get N50million ransom across to them for me to regain my freedom. We were using my phone which they had already seized for the calls. Later, they reduced the ransom to N15million.

“Unfortunately for the gunmen, on Monday morning, at about 5am, the God of covenant demonstrated his awesomeness. I saw the CAC Founder, Apostle Ayo Babalola, in a vision. That was what woke me up to discover that my abductors were fast asleep.

“So, I rose and stealthily moved away from the location into the bush. I kept walking in the bush until Tuesday morning when I got to Eruku, a town in Kwara State. On getting to the town, I called one of my brothers whose phone number I know offhand.”

Adeyeye, who said that his abductors were Fulani Bororos going by their language and physical appearance, added, “Their guns looked like AK-47, the guns appeared fabricated. I am happy for my escape. I am happy to be reunited with my people and church members. I can see love from the community.”

The cleric, who lauded security agencies for their efforts since he was abducted on Saturday, said, “The report I had on my return is that operatives of the police, Amotekun, Nigerian Army, vigilante and local hunters did their best on the matter. Our people said the security agencies went into the bush on rescue mission to ensure my release and apprehension of the criminals.”

The PUNCH reports that Oke Ako residents have been complaining that the community is under the siege of herdsmen who they complained were committing all sorts of atrocities including attacks in the farms, kidnappings and making lives unbearable for them.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.