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Rivers: After Outrage, Police Arrests Pastor For Dehumanising 20 Children

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The Source
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Police Arrests Pastor For Dehumanising 20 Children

By Charles Igbo

The Rivers State Police Command has responded to the outrage which greeted the dehumanisation  of 20 minors by Pastor.

Nigerians had woken up on Tuesday to the heartbreaking video on Social Media Platforms of 20 children being tortured inside the premises of a Church by the so called Pastor, Ifediora Onyeibor, Joseph, and a couple of his insane adherents. They rose in anger and outrage and called for the arrest of the Pastor. They, also, wondered why no security agency was aware of such atrocity until it was made public on social media by a concerned and heartbroken citizen.

On arrest by the Police on Wednesday, August 13, he said he was performing spiritual cleansing on the children as directed by the much abused Holy Spirit. The spiritual cleansing, he said, would last for three days.

Following is the full text of the Police Release which announced the arrests and the rescue of the children. It was signed by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko.

“Arrest of Pastor and Rescue of Victims in Connection with Minors’ Dehumanization

“The Rivers State Police Command has taken swift action in response to a distressing online video, circulating  on social media, depicting the dehumanization of minors within a Church setting, where the presiding Pastor, Pastor Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, ‘m’ aged 41, has been arrested in connection with the incident .

“Preliminary investigations reveal that Pastor Ifediorah allegedly organized a 3-day program for children in his Church, purportedly for “spiritual cleaning,” claiming to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Upon receiving this information, Operatives from the Rivers State Police Command through coordinated intelligence, arrested the Pastor and several Church members at the scene.

“A thorough investigation is currently underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be made public as more information becomes available.

“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju psc mnips, urges the public to remain calm and peaceful while the investigation is ongoing. He urges members of the public to report any suspicious activities or concerns to the nearest Police Station or other Security agencies. He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as minors. The Command will continue to work tirelessly to address any issues that may compromise the security and dignity of individuals within our State.”

While the outcome of investigations is being awaited, not a few people are calling for the arrest of the parents and guardians of the tortured children.

Abuja: HERF Trains Over 100 NURTW Members

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Eddy Road Safety

A non governmental organization, Hospital Emergency Response Foundation, HERF, has facilitated the training of over 100 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in First Responder Stabilization Techniques in Abuja yesterday.

This critical training aimed to prevent unnecessary deaths on our roads by saving lives of accident victims through emergency response skills, was conducted with technical support from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

The intensive one-day session, which took place at the Jabi Park, Abuja, on August 13, empowered drivers and passengers—often first on the scene of road crashes—with the skills to stabilize victims before professional help arrives.

Participants were taught how to assess accident scenes, control bleeding, manage fractures, extricate victims from vehicles and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Each participant left the programme equipped with a stocked first aid box to support real-time interventions.

The training received official endorsement from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) FCT Sector Command, with senior officers in attendance to encourage participants. Representing the Sector Commander, Head of Operations Mr. Isah Nzapisma commended HERF for its consistent efforts in strengthening public capacity to respond to emergencies. “Road safety is everybody’s business. The knowledge you have gained today is not just for you — it is for every life you may encounter in danger on our roads. Use it well and become ambassadors for safety,” he said.

HERF’s Founder and Executive Director, Udanga Agom Jarigbe, said the initiative reflects the Foundation’s vision of ensuring that no life is lost simply because help did not arrive in good time. “We will continue to partner with transport unions, traffic management agencies and other stakeholders to reduce fatalities from road accidents. This training will be replicated across the country so that wherever a crash happens, someone nearby will know exactly what to do,” she said.

An Assistant Director from NEMA, Mr. Labaran Ahman, commended the programme and urged Nigerians to offer immediate help at accident scenes rather than recording videos. He reaffirmed NEMA’s readiness to deploy trained personnel and equipment to support rescue efforts nationwide.

Winston P. Ekpotu, Managing Partner, said that one of HERF’s long-standing partners, Britson and Partners, has been supporting the Foundation since its inception, providing strategic and operational backing for its programs.

“Our relationship with HERF goes beyond sponsorship; it is a shared mission. From the very beginning, we have believed in the vision of building a network of trained first responders across Nigeria. This program is another important step in turning that vision into reality, and we are proud to stand with HERF in saving lives.” Mr. Ekpotu emphasized.

This latest programme builds on HERF’s proven track record, which in 2024 saw over 160 FRSC officers and community volunteers trained in advanced emergency response techniques across the FCT and accident-prone corridors such as the Madalla–Zuba axis. Participants from those programs have since been instrumental in responding to emergencies, demonstrating the real-life impact of HERF’s capacity-building initiatives.

Fmr. PDP National Secretary, Rex Onyeabo Dies

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The Source
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Rex Onyeabo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rex Onyeabo, is dead.

A statement on Thursday August 14, 2025, from his son, Dr Obiora Onyeabo, informed that the former founding member of the PDP passed on peacefully on August 7, 2025.

Onyeabo who served as the PDP National Secretary in 1999, according to the statement, was until his death, the Eze Ndigbo in Abuja .

“With heavy hearts, but gratitude to God for a life well spent, the Onyeabo Family of Enugu State announces the passing of our Patriarch, and Statesman, Chief (Sir) Rex Chuma Onyeabo.

“Chief Rex Onyeabo was a founding memberof PDP, and served as its National Secretary in 1999, as well as a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees until his death.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family”, the statement reads in part.

Besides his foray into politics, late Onyeabo also served in various other capacities both at the State and Federal levels. He was the  Deputy Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, and Chairman, Governing Council of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, Shika Zaria.

The Engineering graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, USA, also, was a one- time Chairman of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Chairman, Board of Nike Lake Resort Hotels Enugu, and Permanent Secretary of the Enugu Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

He was aged 80 years.

Imo Gets Two New Private Universities

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The Source
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Dr Tunji Alausa

By Charles Igbo

“There are inefficiencies at the National Universities Commission” -Education Minister

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the establishment of nine Private Universities. Out of the nine, two are Open Universities.

The approvals were given on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council Meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was disclosed by the Minister for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who also announced the names and locations of the new Universities when he briefed State House Correspondents at the end of the FEC Meeting.

Out of the nine approvals, two are located in Imo State. They are: Bridget University, Mbaise, and Azione Verde University.

Other Universities approved are: Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State, Leadership University, Abuja, Unique Open University, Lagos State, American Open University, Ogun State, Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State, Greenland University, Jigawa State and, JEFAP University, Niger State.

The Minister disclosed that the President Tinubu Government met 551 applications for Private Universities which it proceeded to  prune down to 79. But, finally, on Wednesday, only nine were approved out of the 79 active applications.

The Minister attributed the delay in approvals to inefficiencies at  the  National  Commission of Universities, NUC.

His words: “Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog.”

For the records, the Federal Government a couple of days ago said it has put a halt, for seven years, to the establishment of Tertiary Institutions in the country.

Super Falcons Yet To Receive President Tinubu’s Gifts – Team Captain Ajibade

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Falcons of Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

“Mr President, we don’t want audio money” – Sports Enthusiast

Rasheedat Ajibade, Captain of the continent- conquering Super Falcons, that recently won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Championship, WAFCON 2024, in Morocco, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeem his $100,000 promise to the team.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, in a Podcast, the former Atletico Madrid Female Team winger, said that all the promises made by President Tinubu are yet to be fulfilled. But added that she and her colleagues remain optimistic that it would be fulfilled soonest.

“All the promises made to us, the $100,000 pledge by President Tinubu, we are yet to receive them, because a lot of people have been asking for their share.

“We have not received the money, but they will pay. All the promises are yet to be received, but people have already shared the money we haven’t received (laughs). We have not received it yet.

“We strongly believe that the pledge will be redeemed. If we receive the money it will be in the public domain”, Ajibade stated.

Following Ajibade’s revelation, Nigerians have started a troll on the President Tinubu administration, urging them to fulfill their pledge.

Femi Akano, a Sport enthusiast, reacting to the failure of the FG to redeem its pledge to the Super Falcons said, “This shouldn’t be a similar case of the victorious Super Eagles team that won AFCON 1994, that were just being gifted their houses 33 years after, when most of the players have died.

“We don’t want ‘audio money’, the President should redeem his pledge in earnest”.

Similarly, @John_Vic, a X User, reacting to the interview said, “I Never knew the President is yet to give this Ladies the $100,000 promise, and he was making the announcement as if they would be paid immediately.

“Let us hope he pays them the money before the year runs out”.

How Lecturer’s  Motorcyclist  (Okadaman) Friend Arranged His Abduction – Police

By
Ayodele Oni
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Police on Duty

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AUAA).

The arrests followed a discreet, intelligence-driven operation by operatives of the Command, which uncovered the coordinated roles each suspect played in the crime.

A Statement on Thursday by the Command explained that investigation established that one of the suspects, Benson Alaba (45 years) of Akungba-Akoko, a commercial motorcyclist, who routinely conveyed the victim to his workplace, used his familiarity to spy on the victim’s movements.

The statement, signed by the Command’s spokesman Ayanlade Olusola, stated that “on 4th August 2025, he visited the victim’s residence without prior arrangement, under the pretence of requesting a handset.

“This was later confirmed to be a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate. Shortly after his departure, other gang members moved in and abducted the lecturer.

“Further inquiry revealed that Ogungbemi Wasiu (42 years) of Okeruwa, Ikare, provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of ₦5,000,000.

“Although he claimed the handset was lost on 2nd August 2025, he failed to report the loss to the Police, a deliberate omission that aided the criminal enterprise.

“His role was critical in maintaining communication between the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives, thus facilitating the ransom negotiations.

“The investigation also linked Audu Shaibu (25 years), Ismaila Abdullahi (24 years), Nuru Bature (18 years), Usman Baba (20 years), and Yusuf Muhammed (23 years), all of Agopanu, Owo, to the physical execution of the kidnapping.

“Eyewitness testimony confirmed that these five suspects, acting in concert with Benson Alaba and under the operational facilitation of Ogungbemi Wasiu, participated in forcibly abducting the victim and directly demanding the ransom from the family during the incident.

“The seamless coordination between Benson Alaba’s surveillance, Ogungbemi Wasiu’s communication support, and the aggressive role of the five field operatives clearly points to a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.

“The victim is currently receiving medical attention at the Adekunle Ajasin University Health Centre.

“While the investigation into this case continues, efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing accomplices and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

“The Command remains unwavering in its determination to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and protect the lives and property of all residents in Ondo State.”

After Surviving Auto Crash, Gov Radda Goes On Medical Leave

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Dikko Radda Accident

By Ayodele Oni

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, will begin a three-week medical leave on Monday. This comes a couple of weeks after he  survived an auto crash.

The announcement was made in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu-Zango on Thursday.

The trip comes just weeks after Governor Radda was involved in a road accident while returning from Daura.

He reportedly sustained a fracture, received treatment, and was discharged shortly after the incident.

During his absence, Deputy Governor Mallam Faruk Lawal-Jobe will oversee State Affairs to ensure Government operations continue without disruption.

Governor Radda explained that his decision to take a break is driven by the need to prioritize his health, assuring the people of Katsina that he will return to duty as soon as his medical checks are completed.

“I deeply appreciate the goodwill and support I have received. Taking care of my health now is necessary so I can serve our state more effectively and make sound decisions for our collective progress.

” I look forward to resuming my duties as soon as possible,” the statement quoted him as saying.

He also expressed full confidence in the Deputy Governor’s  ability to lead with commitment and pledged that all ongoing projects and programmes will proceed as planned.

Peter Obi To President Tinubu, ‘You’re Not A Tourist But President Of  Troubled Nation’

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu

The main opposition leader and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again cried out at the apparent indifference and the insensitivity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the myriad challenges facing the country.

As the President jets Today making it over 200 days out of 806 days in office, Obi says the indifference to our problem is worrisome.

President Tinubu leaves the country this Thursday morning on a two-nation tour and a stopover in another city, reminding him that he is not a tourist but the President of a troubled country.

Writing on his X handle this morning in a treatise he titled “Again our President moves as the Nation bleeds” Obi said

“Amid the deplorable state of our nation in all ramifications, we have a virtually indifferent President who has continued to display insensitivity to our situation.

“How can anyone explain that a President who came from Brazil recently and met with the President is returning to the same country, leaving the various degrees of challenges at home unresolved?

“The latest itinerary of the President shows he

will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil.

“The President will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.

In Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The itinerary is silent on the President’s return date to his visibly troubled nation.

“The situation we find ourselves in is deeply worrisome. Our President, who has not found it worthy to visit any of our troubled states, takes joy in travelling to foreign countries at the slightest invitation or excuse. Often departing several days even before the events he’s invited to.

“In his last trip, for instance, he had a one-week State visit to St Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit, where Nigeria was merely invited as an observer, though the role was dressed up as “partner” to the invitation, which was more significant. The leaders of actual member countries who attended only arrived a day or two at most for the event.

‘Nigeria’s insecurity situation, economic hardship, and human suffering have reached their peak. We are now counted among the most insecure nations, the most fragile economies, and the hungriest countries in the world. This dire reality demands the full attention of Mr. President, and his travels should be more within our troubled states and communities, spending time on the ground, and taking decisive action to alleviate the people’s suffering rather than these overseas conferences that contribute little or no tangible value to our nation’s woes. And where the trip is necessary at all, it could be attended in just a few days rather than indulging in prolonged, unnecessary absences from a country that requires 24/7 attention.

“What our nation needs now is security of lives and properties, economic stability and ensuring that our people have food on their table.

“Our President’s planned trip of 12 days departing today,  if necessary, should have been at most a 5-day trip as the event he was invited to in Japan commences on the 20th.

“Nigeria today demands competent leadership with capacity and compassion to start dealing with the problems besetting it with the presence and sacrifice required.

“Mr. President must, as a matter of urgency, commence tours of our states with the same enthusiasm he shows for jetting out of the country every month. These visits will enable him to see, listen and learn more about what Nigerians are going through.

“Though Nigerians know that our huge problems cannot be solved overnight, they want to see 100% effort and tireless commitment to solving them.

“Most importantly, our President must know that he’s not a tourist, but the Chief Executive of a troubled nation, so he must have consciousness, no strict work schedules and a strict travelling schedule to show that he has a troubled country to quickly return to”

A New Nigeria is POssible.’

UBA In Trouble For Moving $160m From Customer’s Account

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Oliver Alawuba

For more than three years, a United Bank for Africa, UBA, customer, Akpasi Oziegbe, had sleepless nights after the commercial bank unlawfully and unilaterally moved over $160 million from his company’s account.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, what started on July 20, 2022 as a joke to the customer took well over 40 months to resolve. What he experienced within the period has left him shattered and traumatised, according to those close to him who spoke with the magazine.

But on Wednesday, a federal high court in Abuja restored his peace that was shattered by the bank as it ordered the Oliver Aluwaba -led lender to return the money to him, with a whopping damages attached to it as compensation for what he went through.

The magazine reports that the customer had dragged the commercial bank to court after all botched attempts to get his money returned to him.

Ruling on the case yesterday, Justice Peter Lifu thoroughly scolded the bank for freezing and moving the money from the customer’s account without a valid court order, saying his rights has been thoroughly violated by the bank.

For UBA’s unlawful act, the judge also ordered the bank to pay the customer N30 million as damages, adding that what the bank did is capable of eroding customers’ confidence in the bank

Judge Lifu noted that the bank had no legal basis for freezing the business domiciliary account or transferring funds from the account without a court order or notifying the customer.

According to a certified true copy of the judgment delivered on July 25, 2025 and made available to journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital yesterday, Justice Lify described what the commercial bank did as ultra vires, act that should not be condoned  in any decent society.

How It All Began

Oziegbe, trading under the name and style of Micoz Bluelink Enterprise, had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1412/2023, sued UBA as the sole defendant.

The plaintiff’s legal team, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, and Adeyemo Richard, explained that the firm was incorporated on March 19, 2021, with a domiciliary account opened thereafter for trading operations.

On July 20, 2022, the company discovered that the account had been restricted by the bank with a balance of $163.8 million meant for supply contracts.

“The applicant made several enquiries to the bank seeking reasons for the account restriction, but the bank failed to respond or unfreeze the account,” Ojukwu said.

Richard, equally, contended in one of the sittings that the bank allegedly transferred the sum without the company’s authorisation on August 19, 2023.

The plaintiff, in the affidavit in support, averred that “there is no mention of fraud in the call-back request presented by the bank, and the document lacks proper endorsement and authenticity.”

In its defence, UBA, through its counsel, Kalat Jatau, admitted the inflow of $163.8 million but claimed the funds were flagged as suspicious.

The bank said it filed a suspicious transaction report with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and temporarily restricted the account pending enhanced customer due diligence.

The bank alleged that “the applicant was informed of the restriction and requested further documentation, which, upon review, was found to be inconsistent with actual transaction amounts”.

It further argued that the funds were recalled following a SWIFT instruction from its correspondent bank, Citi Bank.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu held that UBA breached its fiduciary duty and acted without court approval.

“The bank failed to inform the applicant of reasons for the restriction and proceeded with unilateral withdrawal, thereby breaching the banker-customer contract,” he held.

On the validity of the bank’s evidence, the judge found UBA’s Exhibit ‘A’ defective.

“There is no mention of ‘fraud’ or ‘fraudulent’ in the document, which only states ‘Possible Duplicate’ and does not justify a call back,” he said.

The judge also recognised the significant economic loss and business disruption caused to the applicant following the over-one-year restriction.

According to Lifu, there is no proof the bank took appropriate steps before restricting the account or withdrawing funds, nor did it disclose where the money was transferred.

The judge held that customer’s funds could only be withdrawn from their account “pursuant to an unequivocal instruction by the customer or a court order”, and that neither of which was presented.

Justice Lifu declared UBA’s actions “illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of banker-customer relationship”.

Blue Economy Key To Economic Diversification – Ex-NIMASA DG 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Dosunmu NIMASA

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has reiterated the urgent need for Nigeria to harness the vast opportunities in the Blue Economy as a strategic pathway to diversify the nation’s economy.

The former NIMASA boss made this call today while delivering a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Economic Diversification: Opportunities and Challenges” to participants of the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos.

In his presentation, he outlined the concept of the Blue Economy, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. He stressed the sector’s capacity to reduce Nigeria’s over-reliance on hydrocarbons and emphasized the urgency of tackling key challenges, including regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints.

“The Blue Economy offers a unique and timely solution to Nigeria’s perennial dependence on hydrocarbon resources,” Dr. Dosunmu stated. “With strategic reforms, robust policies, and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders, the sector can significantly boost national revenue and secure a prosperous future for our country.”

The lecture was part of a broader engagement that also featured papers on Foreign Direct Investment and the Blue Economy, Sustainable Coastal Tourism and Recreation in Nigeria, and Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria’s Blue Economy, among others.

The NIPSS is Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, established to develop top-level leaders and policymakers capable of formulating and implementing strategies for national development.

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