Metro

Again, Police Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers In Ondo

Published

3 months ago

February 25, 2026

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 10 persons suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities in Akure, the state capital.

The arrests came less than 48 hours after the command announced the apprehension of two other suspects allegedly linked to supplying food, drinks and logistics to bandits operating in parts of the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the latest breakthrough followed sustained crackdowns on kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State.

The suspects were identified as Muritala Muhammed (22), Mustapha Adamu (20), Usman Ibrahim (25), Amisu Aruna (28), Asiru Abdulasis (20), Abduliu Sanni (22), Ibrahim Suraju (20), Noah Isiaku (20), Abdulahi Suraju (20), and Arabi Hamet (18).

According to the statement, “On February 23, 2026, following a combined operation between the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting PMF personnel approved and deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, as operational support to Ondo State, operatives swiftly mobilised to locations along Ondo Road based on credible and actionable intelligence.

“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects believed to be connected to a kidnapping syndicate.”

The police said an operational motorcycle and ransom money were recovered from the suspects during the raid.

“Notably, part of the recovered cash comprised burnt currency notes, which are currently being documented as exhibits in the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.

The command disclosed that the suspects had made useful confessional statements detailing their alleged roles within the syndicate, while further investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members still at large.

“The suspects have made useful confessional statements detailing the individual roles each played within the syndicate. Relevant exhibits recovered are being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.

“The Ondo State Police Command is working assiduously to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and to identify and apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large,” the statement read.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

He urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information, stressing that community partnership remains vital in combating criminality.

Lawal also emphasised that security should not be left solely to the police, calling on communities to strengthen credible vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

He assured residents that the command remained resolute in its mandate to safeguard lives and property across Ondo State.

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.