Detectives from the Ondo State Police Command have dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate at Oda, arresting three suspects and rescuing several victims during a targeted security operation.
Spokesperson of the command, Abayomi Jimoh disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.
According to the police, investigations showed that a 30-year-old Togolese national, John Apiah, allegedly worked with two female accomplices to deceive victims with false assurances of securing foreign passports and United States visas.
The suspects were said to have obtained substantial sums in foreign currency from their victims before initially accommodating them in a hotel and later relocating them to a private residence in Oda area of Akure.
Police statement explained that “preliminary investigation revealed that sometime in June 2024, one John Apiah, male, aged 30 years, a Togolese national, came to Oda Town, Akure to work as hair stylist, where he met two young women identified as Blessings Assiah, female, aged 22 years, and Laro Larisa, female, aged 21 years.
“The trio subsequently rented a one room and palour apartment from one Owoeye, male, aged 40 years, in Oda Town.
“Further investigation showed that John allegedly used the two women to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of procuring international passports and American visas.
“In the course of this fraudulent operation, the suspect reportedly collected the sum of 600,000 CFA from Charity Paketerima, female, aged 27 years; 500,000 CFA from Mohammed Assiah, male, aged 25 years; and 500,000 CFA from Kanate Dekadja, male, aged 35 years.
“After collecting the money, the victims were initially lodged in a hotel before being moved to the suspects’ rented apartment in Oda Town, where they were kept under suspicious circumstances.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the Police promptly swung into action, leading to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspects.
“The Commissioner of Police reiterated that the Command has repeatedly warned landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants and to be vigilant against allowing their premises to be used for criminal activities, stressing that such negligence would attract serious legal consequences.”
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, has faulted an arrest warrant issued on the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye by a Court in the State.
The State Chief Law Officer maintained that as at this moment, there is no material evidence before the Office of the Attorney General and/or any other person or authority confirming the existence of any written court order or warrant of arrest that has been duly issued and served.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni had last year issued the warrant of arrest of the commissioner for alleged unruly behaviour to another magistrate.
The commissioner was being accused of an alleged assault of a Chief Magistrate, Mrs Temitope Alphonso, during an official visit to her office.
Mrs Seun Osamaye: Court Orders her arrest and detention.
It was alleged that the commissioner verbally and physically assaulted Magistrate Alphonso at the Ministry of Women Affairs during an official visit by the judicial officer to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, in the presence of staff.
However since the order was issued, Osamaye has been appearing at a public function alongside Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, in the presence of security agents that are supposed to effect the arrest.
Reacting, Dr Ajulo stressed that what is presently in circulation remains largely speculative and rooted in media narratives rather than in properly extracted and served court processes.
According to him, immediately reports of an alleged order filtered into the public space, the Office of the Attorney General took proactive and responsible steps to apply for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the purported court order, being the only lawful basis upon which advice can be rendered to the Governor and any further constitutional action taken.
“Unfortunately, the day following when the purported order is said to have been given was the 1st of January, 2026, a New Year public holiday, while the second day, Friday the 2nd of January, was declared a work-free day.
“It is now within public knowledge that court workers embarked on an industrial action last Monday, the very day the request was made. Consequently, no written order has been issued, extracted, or served on any authority,” the Attorney General explained.
Dr. Ajulo emphasised that governance and law enforcement do not operate on hearsay, assumptions, or social media commentaries, but strictly on duly issued legal instruments that are properly extracted and served in accordance with the law.
“I owe both a constitutional duty and personal fidelity to the Governor, to the good people of Ondo State, and to the entire realm of justice.
“As a Minister in the Temple of Justice, and indeed, as a Prince within it, I can state without equivocation and on my honour that there has never been a court order issued that I would allow to be disobeyed. This instance will not be an exception.”
The Attorney General further clarified that it is legally impossible to act on, or advise on, a matter for which no formal court notice has been sighted assuring that once any such order is lawfully obtained, examined, and served, the government will take appropriate, lawful, and responsible steps strictly in line with due process.
He further stated that the Governor and the entire government of Ondo State hold the judiciary in the highest regard, noting that the title of Ambassador of Rule of Law in Nigeria bestowed on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is not ornamental, but a reflection of his consistent adherence to constitutional governance and respect for judicial authority.
Dr. Ajulo disclosed that he has engaged the Commissioner of Police and other critical stakeholders, as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, who has voluntarily resolved to approach law enforcement agencies.
He queried the legal basis upon which any arrest could be effected, stressing that without a duly issued and served court order, such action would amount to a violation of the law, as the purported order remains unavailable and unverified.
He noted that the issue will be appropriately addressed and conclusively resolved in accordance with due process when the court resumes.
The Attorney General cautioned against efforts to compel law enforcement agencies to act solely on the basis of media speculation, warning that any attempt to effect an arrest without a valid warrant or subsisting court order would itself constitute an abuse of legal process.
Dr. Ajulo confirmed ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the issues between the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Temitope Alphonsus, and the Commissioner, whom he described as respected sisters and women of great accomplishments, with a shared commitment to service and the administration of justice.
Top lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development and educational empowerment with the donation of essential learning materials to schoolchildren in Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos under its Fidelity Helping Hands Program, FHHP.
Learning materials provided include school bags, notebooks, mathematical sets, writing materials, and other learning materials to pupils of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School; Aiyetoro Nursery and Primary School, and Adekunle Anglican Nursery and Primary School in Lagos.
Kingsley Ohiri, the bank’s Divisional Head of Legal Services, in his presentation explained that the gesture forms part of Fidelity Bank’s broader CSR initiatives centered on empowering young people, supporting education, and enhancing social welfare in vulnerable communities.
“The Fidelity Helping Hands Program is our staff volunteer program that enables employees to identify and execute impactful CSR projects,” he said. “Through this program, staff volunteers from the Legal Services Division are here today in Makoko to distribute back-to-school materials such as school bags, notebooks, pencils and other essential learning tools. This aligns strongly with one of our CSR pillars: education.”
Ohiri stressed the bank’s focus on improving access to quality education for children in public schools, especially those from indigent backgrounds.
“Over 500 school bags, more than 2,000 exercise books and several other learning items were distributed today. We at Fidelity Bank are proud to give back to Makoko community. We believe that by supporting these pupils with the tools they need to learn, we are helping to build a stronger future for the pupils, the community and Nigeria,” Ohiri added.
Aimed at enhancing the learning experience of children in one of Lagos’ most underserved riverine communities, the gesture received warm appreciation from school leaders, teachers, and parents who expressed gratitude for the bank’s support.
“We sincerely appreciate Fidelity Bank for selecting our school as one of the beneficiaries. This gesture will go a long way in helping our pupils improve academically. Recognizing students who placed 1st to 10th in their classes is also a great motivation for our children”, Tinubu Abimbola, Head Teacher of Adekunle Nursery and Primary School, said.
In his remark, the School Manager of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Laoye Joseph, said the donation will have huge impact on the lives of the students.
“We truly appreciate Fidelity Bank and the continuous support for the educational development of our children. Many families here struggle to provide basic learning materials due to economic hardship, so this intervention is highly impactful. We pray that God continues to uplift the bank,” she said.
Teachers present at the event also noted that many pupils often attend classes without basic supplies, a challenge that affects participation and performance. They commended Fidelity Bank for easing the financial burden on parents, especially amid rising household expenses.
Through FHHP, Fidelity Bank Plc’s staff identify impactful projects in their communities and raise funds to support them. The bank’s management matches these contributions, amplifying their reach and impact.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over the prolonged absence and silence of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the face of what he described as a worsening national emergency.
In a strongly worded statement, Obi asked, “Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” stressing that the question goes beyond curiosity and represents a demand for accountability at a critical time in the nation’s history. He noted that as the year draws to a close, Nigeria is projected to have about 140 million people living in extreme poverty, the highest number in the world. He also pointed to the country’s growing hunger crisis, escalating insecurity, and alarming youth unemployment, with over 80 million young people reportedly without jobs. According to him, Nigeria is now among the worst places to be born, citing infant mortality rates that are even worse than those of a nation seven times its size.
Obi expressed concern that despite these challenges, the President has reportedly spent 196 days abroad in 2025 alone, a period longer than the time spent within the country. He described this as deeply troubling, given the magnitude of Nigeria’s social and economic crises.
He further stated that Nigerians have not heard directly from their President since December 2025. According to Obi, instead of addressing the nation at the start of the New Year, the President reportedly chose to spend the period on holiday in Europe, leaving the country without a New Year address, national broadcast, or any direct message of reassurance and guidance.
Obi contrasted this situation with what is obtainable in other developing nations, where leaders, he said, step forward and communicate directly with their citizens during difficult times. He criticized the silence of the President following reported U.S. military strikes on Nigerian soil, noting that Nigerians learned about the incident through foreign media and American officials rather than from their own government.
Obi described the situation as “not governance, but neglect,” arguing that leadership requires physical presence, direct engagement, and transparent communication. He lamented that instead of speaking to Nigerians face-to-face, the President had earlier sent what he described as an AI-generated image, which he said symbolized the widening disconnect between leadership and the people.
“Are we being governed, or merely being managed from elsewhere?” Obi asked, emphasizing that leadership is more than issuing press releases through aides. He insisted that Nigerians deserve regular, direct media briefings from their President and a clear understanding of the state of the nation.
He stressed that Nigeria cannot be run like a personal business or a private club, adding that rebuilding and growing the economy requires unity, clarity, and visible leadership. According to him, no policy, reform, or security initiative can succeed in a divided nation, and when leadership withdraws, unity collapses, giving way to mistrust and instability.
“In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is dangerous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure,” Obi declared.
Former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed serious concern over the increasing traffic congestion caused by poorly positioned security checkpoints across major roads in the country, warning that they now pose a threat to public safety rather than offering protection.
In a statement shared following his travels during the festive season, Obi described the traffic situation on several highways as “distressing,” noting that in many instances, travellers heading to distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys after spending hours trapped in gridlock.
According to him, the major cause of the congestion is the indiscriminate placement of security checkpoints, particularly at narrow road sections and near construction zones. He described such positioning as counterproductive and irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill and imposes unnecessary hardship on road users.
“Security checkpoints are meant to protect lives, not endanger them,” Obi stated. “When their location and operation create prolonged delays, exhaustion, and increased accident risks, then we must re-evaluate how they are being implemented.”
While acknowledging and appreciating the sacrifices and dedication of security agencies, Obi called for greater discretion and flexibility, especially during peak travel periods. He explained that many travellers are already burdened by long distances and poor road conditions, and that additional delays leave drivers fatigued and vulnerable to accidents.
He further warned that extended gridlock forces people who set out early to remain on the road well into the night, exposing them to heightened security risks at a time when insecurity remains a national concern. “Security must never become a source of insecurity,” he emphasized.
Obi advocated a more strategic and humane approach to security operations on highways. He recommended that checkpoints be relocated away from narrow roads and construction areas, that inspections be expedited during heavy traffic, and that security agencies improve coordination to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.
According to him, such measures would improve traffic flow without compromising security, protect lives, and make Nigerian roads safer and more efficient for all users.
The Rivers State Police Command on Monday January 12, 2025,said it has commenced investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of six family members in Ogale community of Eleme Local Council of the State.
The Source reports that the family of six, comprising four children and their parents were discovered dead by Police on Sunday January,11 ,2026 ,after failing to wake up at dawn.
Local witnesses said the incident sent shock waves across the area, with not a few said to be unsettled by the unfortunate development.
According to the Police, the family’s power-generating set was found still running as at the time operatives forced the door to the apartment open.
A statement from the spokesperson for the Rivers police authorities, Grace Irenge-Koko, informed that investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact cause(s) of the deaths.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations however have tended to suggest power generating fume poisoning as the possible cause of the unfortunate incident.
“The Rivers State Police Command is deeply saddened by this tragic incident. At about 1500hrs on January 11, 2026 ,six members of a family were found dead in a locked room in Ogale, Eleme.
“One Godwin Ogosu reported that his elder brother ,wife ,and children had not woken up from sleep , with the doors still locked.
” Operatives from the Eleme Division forced open the room, and discovered the lifeless bodies,
Monday January 12, 2025.
“Preliminary investigation suggests possible generator fume poisoning, as the generator was reportedly left running indoors”, the police stated.
The statement added that the corpses have been deposited at the Last Home Mortuary, Eleme, for autopsy, while further investigations continue.
This is as the State’s Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to residents to always ensure they operate power generating sets in well-ventilated areas ,to avoid unnecessary exposure to life-threatening incidents.
In a move perceived as a crack within the ranks of the pro-Nyesom Wike Rivers State House of Assembly, two members on Monday January 12, 2026, made a case for the suspension of the impeachment proceedings launched against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu by the Lawmakers.
The Source reports that the legislators had, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, voted to commence impeachment Processes against the State Governor and Deputy citing alleged extra-budgetary expenditure, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and other constitutional and administrative breaches.
But at a media briefing on Monday, the duo of Honourables
Sylvanus Nwankwo,sthe House Minority leader representing Omuma state constituency and Peter Abbey, representing Degema state Constituency, urged their colleagues to temper justice with mercy, and halt the ongoing impeachment processes in the overall interest of peace and stability of Rivers State.
According to them, although there is a plethora of impeachable offences committed by the Governor and his Deputy, the House should, in the interest of the long-suffering people of the State, explore other veritable options to resolve the issues at stake outside the impeachment corridor.
The two members of the House noted that their stand is principally informed by an avalanche of pleas and interventions from well-meaning elders , leaders and stakeholders of the state .
“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how we can resolve this matter, without resorting to the impeachment option.
“That is why we are here this morning to appeal to the conscience of our fellow colleagues. Having listened to some many pleas, calls from our elders and leaders ,both within and outside the state ,we are pleading for leniency.
” We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider their steps ,and see how this matter can be resolved amicably , even though the Governor ,and his Deputy have infringed on the Constitution ,We are therefore appealing to our colleagues to reconsider our stand.”
“We know that he Governor Fubara has infringed on parts of the constitution ,but we are human beings , susceptible to mistakes ,and we as members of the 10th Assembly are pleading with our colleagues to reconsider the option in place”,the concerned law makers stated .
In the same vein ,they urged the Governor, to urgently take steps towards de-escalating tension and misunderstanding by way of ensuring that there are no further constitutional breaches.
Ekpoma Residents Protest Incessant Kidnappings and Killing.
By Ayodele Oni
A Benin City High Court in Edo State has ordered the remand of 52 suspects arraigned in connection with a protest in Ekpoma last Saturday.
The High Court, citing lack of jurisdiction, ordered that all the suspects should be remanded at Ubiaja Correctional facilities till February.
The suspects, including, students of Ambrose Alli University, (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo State were on Monday arraigned at the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City for their involvement in a violent protest at Ekpoma, Esan West local government area of the State on Saturday.
Residents of Ekpoma had embarked on the protest over incessant kidnappings and killings as many victims were abducted from their residence and ransoms demanded.
The protest turned violent as several shops were looted and the Palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma vandalised.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested at various locations in Ekpoma.
Many of the students said they were sleeping inside their hostels when they were arrested at about 3am.
They were driven in a black maria to Benin City, the Edo State capital where they were arraigned.
At the court premises, relatives of the victims were seen loitering around and looking worried.
A man, whose two sons were arrested and gave his name Abdulsalam, said his children never participated in the protest.
The suspects were arraigned through an Exparte Motion filed by Police Counsel, P. O Odion.
Presiding Judge, Justice Wlliam Aziegbemi, said he lacked jurisdiction and asked Counsel representing the defendants to file bail application at the Ubiaja High Court.
He remanded the suspects to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to February 26th, 2026 for hearing.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Ola Olukoyede has informed that he did not initiate the probe and subsequent prosecution of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami ,but inherited same. He inherited the file of the case.
This is as he dismissed claims suggesting that the former late President Mohammadu Buhari’s Minister of Justice is being politically witch-hunted using the Commission as a tool.
The EFCC Chairman’s comments are coming against repeated accusations from Malami that the anti-graft agency under Olukoyede is pursuing both a personal vendetta and a politically orchestrated smear campaign against him.
The Source reports that in the aftermath of his declaration of interest to contest the Governorship seat of Kebbi state in 2027, Malami who is married to one of Buhari’s daughter, has been facing a litany of probes and court actions from EFCC’ and other security agencies including the latest from the Department of State Service DSS over alleged discovery of a large quantity of arms cache at his Kebbi residence.
Particularly, Malami had alleged that his ordeal may not be unconnected with the role he played in setting up the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel that allegedly indicted the EFCC’ chairman over some wrong doings while serving as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency between 2020 and 2023.
According to the former Minister of Justice, the EFCC Chairman who is not happy with the said indictment is now pursing a personal vendetta against him.
But speaking on Channels Television programme ” Politics Today, the EFCC boss insisted that the probes and prosecutions are not being driven by any personal motives , neither are they politically motivated as being alleged by Malami
Abubakar Malami
” I am yet to see the facts ,he ( Malami) wants to bring out to buttress that claim ,if he actually said that . I don’t understand . We carry out our investigation in the most professional way.
“There is nothing personal in this matter. If Nigeria is to move forward, all of us must agree that this fight must be fought without being partisan.
“And that is what I want Nigerians to understand and to agree with us. The investigation of this man (Malami) predated me in the office . A lot of you don’t know that. Yes. I Inherited the investigation file.
“The only thing I did was to ensure that the investigation was carried out in a very professional ,and thorough manner.
“It has been under investigation for almost two and a half years. That file was opened long before me. I Inherited it.
“For the past two years that I have been in the office, we have been painstakingly carrying out the investigation, trying to establish some of these offences and all of that . Not until I was convinced that we had a watertight case we began prosecution.
“So there is nothing personal about it ,. I don’t understand the issue of persecution and all of that . There is nothing.personal about it” Olukoyede maintained.
The anti-corruption commission Chairman also denied allegations that he seeking to settle a personal score with Malami over his alleged indictment .
” Let me put this matter to rest once and for all. Now, those who claim I was fraudulently or criminally indicted by the panel ( Justice Ayo Salami-led panel) ,the onus is on them to publish the report for people to see .
“Don’t forget that the panel was set up in 2020, and I think they rounded off their activities in early 2021. And between 2021 and 2023, when the new Government came into office, the former Attorney General was in office.
“I am very sure he had access to the report. Why was the report not published for two years , while he was in office? Why was it that after an investigation was opened, and charges were about to be filed, he now came to the public to say it was persecution because of the report of the panel .
“For me, I have not seen the report of the panel. I won’t speak on what I cannot lay my hands on. That is number one.
Olukoyede noted that he was not the main subject matter of the panel’s investigation ,but the then Acting Chairman of the Commission.
However, he informed that he, as the Secretary , alongside about seven others were invited by thr panel to offer some clarifications.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu Ode has announced that not fewer than 95 people, consisting of 94 Princes and one Princess are jostling for the vacant stool of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land in Ogun State.
The nomination meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
The Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abiodun Oke, and some other local government officials were present as observers.
Some of the contestants
include Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Dr Kunle Hassan, a renowned ophthalmologist and founder of Eye Foundation Hospital and Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction, among others.
The only female contestant is Oluwakemi Onanuga, a lawyer.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July last year following the demise of the 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
The contestants at the nomination meeting were represented by two of their relatives.
One of the relations moved the motion for the nomination, while the other seconded it, after which the family registered the nomination as accepted.
The family head of Fusengbuwa, Owoyemi, lauded family members for conducting themselves peacefully and ensuring that nothing untoward occurred that could jeopardise the nomination process.
Owoyemi said that, just as the Ifa oracle had foretold, the family was working across the board to ensure that whoever would assume the vacant Awujale stool would further take Ijebu land to greater heights.
The family head and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria said, “We thank God that what we have feared so much has finally come and gone peacefully.
“We have successfully, peacefully and harmoniously nominated our candidates, 95 of them. It is now left in the hands of the kingmakers to do a very good job conscientiously and pick one of them as the next Awujale.
“The Fusengbuwa family has done a lot of traditional research through the Ifa oracle to guide us on what should be done, and we have no doubt that the kingmakers are going to select the person that the Almighty God himself has appointed. We believe that, by God’s grace, in the next one month, we should have the next Awujale.”
Owoyemi also said that the contestants had earlier signed an agreement to accept the outcome of the selection process and not pursue litigation, adding that the family expected each contestant to abide by the agreement.
He further said that the ruling house believe the government would do the right thing and “pick for the family the Awujale that has been foretold would make Ijebu land the biggest and greatest. We believe God will guide them aright.”
