The Police Command in Ogun says it has arrested Kadir Owolabi, a motorcycle rider, who was allegedly in possession of three human skulls.
CSP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Odutola said that a search of his luggage by mobile police officers led to the shocking discovery of three human skulls.
She said that the routine stop and search operation was conducted by operatives from 71 PMF, Awa Ijebu, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, on the Ijebu Ode-Ibadan Expressway at Refugees Camp Junction, Oru Ijebu.
“During the exercise, officers intercepted Kadir Owolabi, who was riding a motorcycle. A search on his luggage led to the shocking discovery of three human skulls.
“Preliminary investigation subsequently led to the arrest of another suspect, Jamiu Yisa, aged 53, behind Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat,” she said.
Odutola said that the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for discreet investigations.
The spokesperson added that the command reiterated its commitment to decisive action against crime.
She urged residents to cooperate with the police while assuring members of the public of trust, confidentiality, and identity protection. (Punch)
The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports. Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will lead the engagement process.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. ”Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read. The minister added that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public show of penitence over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement. Keyamo also revealed that the NCAA would withdraw its criminal complaints against the artiste. The development comes days after the musician apologised to the public, insisting the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons and not alcohol, as was alleged by security personnel.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
The minister emphasised that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” , warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector. On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos. He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police. (Punch)
Female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who assaulted Ibom Air’s crew and clashed with airport security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos has been charged to court.
Mr Tunde Moshood, Spokesperson to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on X.
Moshood also said she has been remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.
He stated: “The more reason the flying public should be more careful, the unruly passenger on Uyo-Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri.”
Vanguard reports that Emmanson, on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos assaulted the airline’s crew and clashed with airport security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Sunday.
Confirming the development, the airline said shortly before take-off from Uyo, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone, but she refused.
According to the airline, she refused to comply until the pilot-in-command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.
The statement reads: “This action prompted a verbal tirade from Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the purser who had earlier instructed her. She walked up to the unsuspecting purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her. She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
Moshood also said she has been remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.
He stated: “The more reason the flying public should be more careful, the unruly passenger on Uyo-Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri.”
Vanguard reports that Emmanson, on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos assaulted the airline’s crew and clashed with airport security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Sunday.
Confirming the development, the airline said shortly before take-off from Uyo, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone, but she refused.
According to the airline, she refused to comply until the pilot-in-command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.
The statement reads: “This action prompted a verbal tirade from Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the purser who had earlier instructed her. She walked up to the unsuspecting purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her. She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
“By this time, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. Before security could arrive, the purser, as seen in the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived. The arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger, as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at both Ibom Air and FAAN security. She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault both Ibom Air and FAAN security staff and even slapped the ground supervisor.
“The passenger was removed from the ramp and taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
“Ibom Air has since submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and placed a travel restriction on Emmanson, who will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft.” (Vanguard)
An All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held in Opi-Nsukka, Enugu State, was temporarily disrupted on Saturday following reported incidents of violence, including the destruction of canopies and rally materials.
Witnesses said the rally was interrupted multiple times before party supporters regrouped and continued the event. Party officials also alleged that campaign posters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were torn during the disturbance.
A former governorship aspirant and ex-commissioner in the state, Mr. Peter Okonkwo, who addressed the crowd after the rally reconvened, described the disruption as an attack on the party’s peaceful assembly. He noted that despite the setback, party members remained resolute in their support for the APC and President Tinubu.
“They tried to disperse us multiple times, but we stood firm and came back stronger,” he said. “We are here to show our support for the President and our belief in the future of the APC.”
No official confirmation has been made regarding the identity of those responsible for the disruption. The incident took place on the same day the Enugu State Government commissioned several projects in Nsukka, including a 5,000-shop international market and roads.
Top APC leaders in the state condemned the incident and called for an investigation. They included:
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, Enugu State APC Chairman
House of Representatives members: Hon. Sunday Umeha, Hon. Chimobi Atu, and Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi.
The party leaders urged the authorities to ensure the safety of political gatherings and allow all parties to freely mobilize support.
Despite the disruption, the rally proceeded with the reception of over 1,000 new members from other political parties including the PDP, Labour Party, APGA, ADP, and YPP.
Minister Nnaji praised the resilience of the attendees and the courage of the new members, describing their defection to the APC as “a significant step toward greater political participation.”
The APC chairman, Agballah, called for a peaceful and fair political environment in the state, noting that previous rallies in other areas had experienced similar challenges.
“We believe in democracy and the right to peaceful assembly,” he said. “We urge all stakeholders to respect that.” (Vanguard)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Dr. Doyin Abiola, widow of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
Dr Abiola, former Managing Director of the National Concord newspaper, reportedly died on Tuesday at the age of 82.
Abiodun, in a condolence message on Wednesday, noted that Dr. Abiola was not only a devoted partner to her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola, but also a distinguished individual in her own right, who contributed immensely to the journalism profession.
The governor noted Dr. Abiola’s foray in the field of journalism, starting with the Daily Sketch Newspaper and a brief stint with the Daily Times before becoming the Managing Director of the Concord Newspapers.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a remarkable woman whose contributions to society and unwavering support for her late husband during the tumultuous period surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election in Nigeria will forever be remembered.
“Her dedication to justice, democracy, and the betterment of her country exemplifies the strength and resilience of her character.
“She displayed excellent spirit in the fight for the validation of the annulled June 12 election as the person in charge of the Concord Group of Newspapers, owned by her then embattled husband.
“She played a significant role in advocating for the democratic ideals that many Nigerians still strive to uphold today. Her commitment to these principles, particularly during a time of great political unrest, demonstrated her courage and unwavering belief in the power of democracy.
“As we reflect on Dr. Abiola’s life, it is essential to acknowledge the sacrifices she made alongside her husband during a period marked by challenges and adversity.
Her strength in the face of political turmoil exemplifies the spirit of resilience as she stood steadfastly by her husband, providing support and encouragement during trying times, and her unwavering dedication to his vision for a better Nigeria will never be forgotten.
“In addition to her political involvement, Dr. Abiola will also be remembered for her contribution to the journalism profession.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who admired her. We must continue to uphold her ideals and strive for the principles she passionately advocated for throughout her life,” the statement noted. (Punch)
Operatives of the Rapid Response Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command on Saturday evening recovered the corpse of missing real estate operator, Ekpeboh Richard, after days he was declared missing by his family.
His decomposing body was recovered from the forest between New NDDC Road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Police discovered the deceased was shot in the head in an execution-style and dumped in the bush.
A graduate of the Niger Delta University, Ekpeboh is the Vice Chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa and hails from Amassoma in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. He is married with two kids.
He left home on July 24, 2025, and his wife became worried at around 2 a.m. when he failed to return home.
According to family sources, all calls by the worried wife to his mobile phone were left unanswered until three days later via WhatsApp chat, when he purportedly asked her not to mount unnecessary pressure on him and that he was okay.
Further prompted by the wife that she would reach out to the extended family to ask him why he abandoned the house was met by a promise to send money via POS, where the sum of N15,300 was purportedly sent to a POS agent and not her account.
The family source also revealed that he owes two persons the sums of N9 million and N3 million, respectively, within the association.
However, it was later discovered that those who abducted and killed him were the ones using his phone to chat with his worried wife.
The RRS operatives, working on intelligence, youths, and an eyewitness, discovered that two young men in a blue-coloured Honda V-Boot car had dragged the deceased out and took him deep into the forest. “What we heard later were two gunshots. And the two young men scampered to their car and left.
“They also left with the deceased’s car, a Toyota Matrix.”
Police investigators discovered that there was a struggle between the deceased and his killers, with footwear discovered a few metres from where the body was discovered.
“We, the youths, assisted in recovering the body. The place he was dumped was a swamp. His head was blown off by gunshot,” one of the youths revealed.
Our correspondent gathered from sources at the Police Headquarters that the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department have taken over the case and is already working on two leads.
“We are looking at the fact that it may be a case of business deals gone wrong with members of his Association of Real Estate Consultants, or that he may be involved in a cybercrime or money laundering deal that went wrong.” “We will get to the root of the matter and bring the culprits to book,” a police source stated.
A senior police officer, who confirmed the development, told our correspondent that the Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, is fully aware of the development. (Guardian)
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2023 gubernatorial candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu, on Monday endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The State party chairman, Abayomi Tella, disclosed this in Sagamu, at the official campaign flag-off and inauguration of the campaign council for Bolarinwa Oluwole, the PDP candidate for the Remo Federal Constituency bye-election.
Bolarinwa is seeking to replace the late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the former lawmaker representing the constituency, who passed away in January after a brief illness.
Addressing the party faithful at the palace of Akarigbo of Remoland, Tella said Ogun PDP has adopted President Tinubu as its candidate because he is from the Southwest.
“We will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though he is in the opposition, let us support our own from the Southwest. Our support is for Tinubu, and we will stand by him. We are ready to give him our votes. The whole of the Southwest will give him our votes.
“We are going to support him. We will give him our votes. All we want in that election is fairness and justice,” Tella said.
Speaking on the recent defection of the party’s former governorship running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, and others to the ruling APC in the state, he described them as immaterial, stressing that most of them lack political weight.
He said, “Do not be discouraged by the defections. Those who left—what did they contribute to the party? Even their polling units, they couldn’t deliver. We are not moved by that,” he added.
Also speaking, Adebutu said Ogun PDP holds no grudge against Tinubu and his candidacy.
He, however, accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of bad governance and vowed that the PDP will challenge the ruling APC in the state come 2027.
He said, “I was with the President in January, and I told him that we have no issue with his leadership and candidacy.
“We, however, have an issue with bad governance in Ogun State; that is why we must have this platform to challenge bad governance.”
He emphasised the importance of winning the bye-election and the need to challenge bad governance in the state.
Adebutu noted that the party won 34 wards out of 35 in the previous election in the federal constituency, saying the APC-led government has lost goodwill due to its conduct.
Adebutu rallied support for the PDP candidate, describing the bye-election as an opportunity to punish bad governance and restore sanity.
On his part, the PDP candidate for the Remo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bolarinwa Oluwole, pledged quality representation if elected.
The National Vice Chairman of PDP, Engr Kamorudeen Ajisafe, presented the party’s flag to the candidate, Bolarinwa Oluwole. (Vanguard)
After four months of trial, Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin today, Thursday, sentenced Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected killer of Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a 24-year-old final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, to death by hanging.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted four other suspects: Ahmed Abdulwasiu ‘M’, 41 years; Suleiman Muyideen ‘M’, 28 years; Jamiu Uthman ‘M’, 29 years; and Abdulrahmon Jamiu ‘M’, 31 years.
Recall that Alfa AbdulRahman Bello, the killer of the final-year student of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, at the commencement of the trial confessed before the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals.
He also claimed to be an Islamic cleric and that he carried out the act all alone.
Bello, who said he killed Lawal because he needed human hands for money rituals, regretted that if only he had known another way to source the needed ingredient, he wouldn’t have killed her.
On February 13, 2025, Hafsoh Lawal was said to be attending a naming ceremony of her friend’s newbornbaby when AbdulRahman Bello called her to his residence somewhere around Offa garage area of Ilorin.
AbdulRahman Bello, during the trial, told the court that after having bouts of sex with Hafsoh, he choked her by the neck, after which she passed on, and he then dismembered her body.
At another time, AbdulRahman Bello said Hafsoh Bello died of asthma after having rounds of sex with her and that the fear of how to dispose of the lifeless body caused him to dismember her body. (Vanguard)
The Presidency on Thursday announced that President Bola Tinubu has extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The tenure of the CG of Customs is due to expire on August 31, 2025, but the President has extended his tenure by one year.
The Presidency, in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the extension, approved by Tinubu, will enable Mr. Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives of the administration.
The statement listed the reforms to include the modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service, the implementation of the National Single Window Project, and the execution of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol.
The statement further added that “President Tinubu recognises Mr. Adeniyi’s steadfast leadership and commitment to service.
“The President is confident that this extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.” (Vanguard)
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday dissolved the State Executive Council.
Alia announced the dissolution in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
Kula said that the governor informed the council members of the dissolution at the end of the 12th (2025) SEC meeting.
The chief press secretary said that the governor directed the commissioners to hand over to the permanent secretaries of their ministries as soon as possible.
He appreciated all the former commissioners who worked with him for two years and urged those who might not be reappointed, to remain in the party.
He said those who would not be reappointed are only paving the way for other citizens to also contribute their quota to the development of the state.
Meanwhile, the governor has approved the immediate appointment of Mr Moses Atagher, a legal practitioner, as the new Chief of Staff to replace Mr Paul Biam.
Kula said that Atagher is a former two-term attorney general and commissioner for justice in the state.
Atagher, who is a seasoned administrator, is also the former acting managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank.
Speaking for the dissolved commissioners, immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Bemsen Mnyim, appreciated the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.
“At every stage in life, everywhere you are called to serve is a school. We have learnt a lot while working with you,” Mnyim said. (Punch)
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