Metro

‘My Pastor-husband Deserted Home, Refused To Call, Visit Me, Our Sickle Cell Child’

Published

3 months ago

February 21, 2026

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled on a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Ifeoluwa, against her husband, Gabriel, whom she accused of lack of love, irresponsibility and abandonment.

Ifeoluwa stated that Gabriel, a prophet, left home for Lagos when their child was two months old with the excuse that he wanted to carry out his ministerial work there.

According to Ifeoluwa, Gabriel was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but that he later stopped coming home or getting in touch with her.

The plaintiff added that the defendant refused to pay her and their child, who is a sickle cell (SS) patient visits whenever he travelled to town for their church programme.

She added that he snubbed her when they once met at a function.

Ifeoluwa further said that Gabriel sent only N2,000 to their child since he deserted home four years ago.

She stated that she wanted to put her marriage to Gabriel behind and start life afresh.

She, therefore, entreated the court to rule that they are no longer husband and wife.

The plaintiff pleaded for custody of their child and begged the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for his welfare, giving priority to his feeding, education, and health care.

Gabriel refused to make an appearance in court even though he was served court summonses.

Ifeoluwa, in her evidence said: “My husband is a prophet. We met, courted, and got married in April 2022.

“Our child was just two months old when he announced to me that he was relocating to Lagos for his ministerial work.

“Although I was not happy with his decision, he still left. My husband was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but he suddenly stopped coming home.

“He abandoned me and our child, who is sickle cell patient and stopped communicating with me.

“He cared less about how our child and I were surviving.

“Even though he sometimes travelled down to Ibadan to attend programmes in his church, he never checked on us.

“I once met my husband at a function and he snubbed me.

“He was not bothered about our child’s welfare despite being aware of his health challenge.

“My husband sent N2, 000 only for our child’s upkeep since he left home four years ago.

“My lord, it is glaring that my husband no longer loves me. Neither is he still interested in our marriage. I can see that he is no longer interested in our marriage.

“I, therefore, pray that this honourable court put an end to our relationship.

“I plead for our child’s custody so that I can give him adequate attention.

“I further plead that the court orders my husband to be responsible for his upkeep, giving feeding, education, and health care a priority.

“I, hereby, demand for the sum of N100,000 for the maintenance of our child being a sickle cell patient.”

The president of the court, Mrs O. E. Owoseni, gave her judgment, stating that there was no subsisting marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was contracted, and the bride price was not paid.

Owoseni further said that since Gabriel deserted home, and refused to communicate with her even when he saw her at a function, this according to her indicates that he is also no longer interested in their marriage.

She consequently ordered both parties to go their different ways.

Owoseni mandated the defendant to give their child N50,000 per month for his upkeep, considering the state of his health which requires utmost care.

She directed the defendant to pay adequate attention to their child’s feeding and education also.

(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.