Headline

UK Jails Nigerian Student For Raping Stranded Teenage Bus Passenger

Published

2 months ago

November 4, 2025

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Chiemka Okoronta, 29, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Bradford Crown Court
Chiemka Okoronta, 29, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Bradford Crown Court. Photo Credit: West Yorkshire Police

A Nigerian student, Chiemka Okoronta, who was labelled a “dangerous sexual predator” has been jailed for ten years in the United Kingdom (UK).

Okoronta was convicted of raping a stranded teenage bus passenger in West Yorkshire, UK.

The 29-year-old postgraduate student was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for the attack on March 25, which occurred after the night bus service they were both on was unexpectedly terminated in Morley, Leeds.

The court heard that the 17-year-old victim’s phone had died, and Okoronta offered to share a taxi to their mutual destination of Bradford.

Instead, according to Prosecutor Graham O’Sullivan, the vehicle arrived at the defendant’s flat, where the teenager was persuaded to go inside and then locked inside a toilet.

After the attack, the girl approached a bystander outside and used their phone to call the police.

The Bradford Crown Court then sentenced Okoronta to ten years in prison, a three-year extended licence, and a lifetime registration as a sex offender.

The court also heard that after serving his sentence, he will most likely be deported to Nigeria.

Judge Sophie McKone told Okoronta, “I am satisfied that when you asked if she wanted to share your taxi to Bradford, you formulated a plan that would get her back to your flat where you could rape her.

“You concocted a reason for her to come into your flat.”

She added, “You are, I am clear, a dangerous sexual predator.”

An extract from the victim’s personal impact statement, which was read in court, said: “This incident has turned my life upside down. I have flashbacks of what happened to me, and I have nightmares.

“One minute I feel fine, and the next minute it all comes back, I get upset and then frustrated and angered by what’s happened.

“I would miss arrangements to meet friends. I usually stay in my room and avoid talking to people. I still don’t like leaving my room at all.

“When I was told he was found guilty, I felt a sense of relief knowing that this person wouldn’t be able to do the same thing he did with me to anyone else.”

Detective Constable Sue Sutcliffe of Bradford District Safeguarding Unit said, “Okoronta took advantage of his victim and lured her to his home, forcing her to engage in sexual activity.”

Det Con Sue Sutcliffe, of West Yorkshire Police, said, “Okoronta took advantage of his victim and lured her to his home, forcing her to engage in sexual activity.

“I would like to commend the victim in this case for her immense bravery in coming forward straight away to report this horrific crime. Her swift actions meant a fast-paced investigation.

“She said she felt a sense of relief when she found out Okoronta was convicted. I hope today’s sentence can give her some comfort in knowing he won’t be able to hurt anyone else.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to please report it to us so we can take action.

“We have specialist officers to support you throughout the process and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Headline

British Family Accused Of Boarding Dead Grandmother On EasyJet Flight

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2025

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A British family has been accused of trying to board a dead relative onto an EasyJet flight from Málaga, Spain, to London Gatwick on Thursday, passengers said.

The woman, reportedly 89 years old, was wheeled onto the plane by five family members, who told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep.

Witnesses said the woman was pushed in a wheelchair to the rear of the plane and lifted into her seat. Some claimed they overheard a family member tell a boarding clerk, “It’s OK, she’s just tired,” adding, “It’s OK, we’re doctors.”

Just before takeoff, the cabin crew realized the woman had died, and the plane was turned around, delaying the flight by 12 hours.

Petra Boddington, a passenger, said: “easyJet, when did you start letting dead people onto planes? Seriously!” Another, Tracy-Ann Kitching, added: “I saw her being wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they passed me! A doctor on board confirmed that was already dead when they sat her down.”

EasyJet has denied that a deceased person boarded the plane. The airline said the passenger had a fit-to-fly certificate and was alive when she boarded.

“The flight returned to the stand prior to take-off due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical assistance. The flight was met by emergency services, but sadly the customer passed away,” a spokesperson said.

The Guardia Civil in Málaga confirmed officers attended the aircraft, and the woman was declared dead on board. No arrests have been made.

Headline

Russian Strike On Odesa Region Kills Eight, Injures 27

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2025

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Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has reported at least eight people killed and 27 others injured on Friday night after a Russian ballistic missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack targeted port infrastructure facilities in the town of Pivdenne, near Odesa, and damaged nearby civilian vehicles.

The strike came one week after much of Odesa was left without power, heat, and water following a “severe” aerial assault.

“Some of the injured were on a bus that was at the epicenter of the shelling. Trucks caught fire in the parking lot, and cars were also damaged,” the State Emergency Service said.

Emergency officials said the deaths occurred at a port infrastructure facility. Medical teams and first responders were deployed after the strike, but their work was disrupted by “ongoing air raid alerts,” according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa’s regional administration.

Russia has carried out repeated attacks on Odesa in recent days, damaging port facilities, civilian vessels, and key infrastructure.

Two major bridges linking the northern and southern parts of the Odesa region have also been hit, with repairs under way, Kiper said.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported a “massive” drone attack on the southern Mykolayiv region, which damaged civilian infrastructure and vehicles. No casualties were reported.

Odesa, Ukraine’s largest seaport and a major hub in the Black Sea region, has been a frequent target since the start of the war.

Last week, civilian, energy, and industrial sites in the city suffered extensive damage after what regional officials described as “one of the enemy’s most severe airstrikes,” leaving many areas without power and water.

Russia’s Defence Ministry has not commented on the attack.

Speaking hours before the strike during his annual Direct Line call-in show, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was yet to “see Ukraine’s readiness for peace”.

“[Russia] is ready for negotiations and for ending the conflict via peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that it was up to Russia’s “Western opponents” to end the war.

(CNN)

Headline

Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

4 days ago

December 17, 2025

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Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.