Metro

Missing Ogun Banker Found In Niger

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Editor

A staff member of a Microfinance bank at Kemta Oloko, Abeokuta, Mr Olumide Openaike, who has been missing since Wednesday, January 17, has been found in Mokwa, Niger State.

The wife of the banker, who also works at a microfinance bank in Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Temitope, broke the news to our correspondent on Thursday .

She said, “I am happy to tell you that my husband has been found in a place called Mokwa in Niger State. He called me on Tuesday afternoon.

“He got the phone from one of the residents there because he said those who abducted him collected his phone. We then told him to make a report at the police station there; the police officer on duty who spoke to us said he was in Mokwa.

“Transportation money was then arranged and sent to him; he got to Ibadan yesterday, Wednesday, where he slept. His family members are at Ibadan. He will be back in Abeokuta today.”

Temitope had on Sunday told our correspondent that her husband, who left home for his workplace on Wednesday, January 17, failed to return home.

A viral WhatsApp message had announced the missing banker and father of one said to be a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Strong Tower Zonal Headquarters, Ogun Province 28.

The WhatsApp message partly reads, “Please, I want to let you all know that Mr. Openaike Francis Olumide has been missing since yesterday, Wednesday (17/1/2024) in the morning on his way to his working place. That was when we last heard from him till now. No one has seen or heard anything about him which has never happened before. RCCG Ogun 28 brethren and his family have been in great shock and confusion for his disappearance.”

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident earlier in the week to our correspondent.

Odutola said, “One Temitope reported the case of a missing person involving one Olumide Openaike on Wednesday, January 17 around 7pm. He is said to be light in complexion.

“The police formations across the state are already aware and we shall keep spreading the message to give adequate publicity with the ultimate aim of finding him and reuniting him with his family.”

Metro

Court Upholds Death Sentence For Woman Over Ex-husband’s Murder

Published

17 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence handed down to Farida Abubakar for the murder of her former husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday in appeal No. CA/S/75C/2025, a three-member panel led by Justice Tunde Awotoye dismissed Abubakar’s appeal and upheld the decision of the Kebbi State High Court delivered on June 3, 2024.

The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, adding that the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court were proper and supported by credible evidence.

Abubakar was prosecuted by the Kebbi State Government and represented by A. N. Salau, while the prosecution was led by Zainab Muhammad Jabbo of the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice.

During the trial, the prosecution called 12 witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including Abubakar’s extra-judicial statement and circumstantial evidence linking her to the crime.

In its judgment, the appellate court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and upheld the trial court’s reliance on the doctrine of “last seen,” describing it as adequately supported by the evidence before the court.

Although Abubakar’s extra-judicial statements were not deemed confessional, the court held that all the essential elements of the offences were established.

The Court of Appeal consequently affirmed her sentence to death by hanging under Section 191(b) of the Kebbi State Penal Code, as well as a seven-year imprisonment under Section 224(1) of the same law for causing grievous hurt.

Abubakar has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Govt Begins Clearance Of Illegal Structures Along Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Published

15 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Government has begun a coordinated enforcement exercise along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway aimed at dismantling illegal structures and easing traffic congestion on the busy corridor.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development on Monday via a statement shared on his official X account.

According to Wahab, the clearance operation took off at Alakija in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area before moving through Iyana Iba.

He said enforcement activities are currently ongoing opposite Lagos State University, LASU, with additional operations being carried out around Alaba Market in Ojo Local Government Area.

He explained that operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Agency, LAGESA, working alongside other enforcement units under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, are leading the exercise.

“The clearance operation commenced at Alakija and has progressed through Iyana Iba. It is presently ongoing opposite LASU, with active enforcement also taking place at Alaba Market along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway,” Wahab stated.

The commissioner noted that the exercise is part of the state government’s commitment to improving environmental hygiene, restoring order to public spaces and ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles along the expressway, in line with established environmental and urban planning regulations.

Metro

Nigerian Army Confirms Arrest Of Suspected Suicide Bombing Facilitators

Published

16 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army said its troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), following intelligent gathering, have arrested eight suspects including two principal suspects believed to be key facilitators within the suicide bombing network.

Media Information Officer
Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI who stated this, in a statement on Monday, said, a search of the arrested suspects’ residence led to the recovery of cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery, and other personal effects, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations.

It said during identification procedures, a suspect already in custody positively identified the two principal suspects as individuals who supplied materials used in preparing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The statement confirmed that additional occupants of the residence were also linked to the network, adding that all suspects remain in military custody, undergoing detailed interrogation to facilitate further intelligence recovery before being transferred for continued investigation.

In a related development, OPHK troops intercepted a large consignment of suspected terrorists’ logistics in Mayo Nguli, Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State on 4 January 2026.

The troops seized 45 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with a total volume of approximately 1,125 litres, suspected to have been smuggled for terrorist use.

The suppliers reportedly fled upon sighting the troops, abandoning the petroleum products, which are now in military custody pending further action.