Crime
Eight In Custody For Ekiti Monarchs’ Murder, Pupils’ Abduction
Law enforcement officials in Ekiti State have apprehended eight suspects linked to the recent heinous crimes involving the murder of two traditional rulers and the abduction of pupils.
The arrests, which formed part of a coordinated operation spanning Emure-Ekiti Forest, Ise/Ogbese Forest, and Emure-Ile Forest in Ondo State, were made possible through the collaborative efforts of police operatives, hunters, Agbekoya group members, vigilantes, and the Amotekun Corps.
Sunday Abutu, the spokesperson for the state police command, revealed the identities of the suspects, including Yaya Sumaila, Idrisu Abubakar, Hassan Abudullahi, Abudullahi Abudullahi, Haruna Abubakar, Usman Abudullahi, Haruna Sule, and Babusa Alhaji Lede, apprehended in Ayedun/Ayebode Ekiti forest in the Ikole Area.
He said, “The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and are giving credible information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects that perpetrated the dastard acts.
“While the Command will not rest until the fleeing hoodlums are made to face the full wrath of the law, members of the public are hereby implored to be calm and support the Police with credible and timely information that could lead to the arrest of those behind these heinous acts and other criminal elements in the state.”
Abutu stated that recovered items from the suspects include one cow, three cutlasses, one axe, one dagger, and food items.
The arrests follow the tragic incident on January 29, where assailants, suspected to be criminal herdsmen, brutally took the lives of two prominent Ekiti traditional rulers—Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin.
Unidentified gunmen had also targeted a school bus, kidnapping five pupils, three teachers, and the driver of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools within 24 hours of the monarchs’ murder.
Originally demanding 100 million as ransom for the pupils and teachers, the abductors later reduced the demand to 15 million.
In a turn of events, the pupils and teachers were freed on Sunday morning, though tragically, the school bus driver lost his life during the incident.
The Ekiti State Government officially confirmed the release of the victims; however, they have not disclosed whether any ransom was paid for their freedom.
According to Olayinka Oyebode, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Governor, the pupils and their teachers were freed on February 4 and safely brought to the Elemure Palace at approximately 4am.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his pivotal support that facilitated the successful rescue of the victims.
The governor conveyed his appreciation, acknowledging President Tinubu’s specific directives that propelled the search and rescue mission, ultimately leading to the safe recovery of the children and their families.
Crime
How Routine FRSC Patrol Exposed Wanted Driver, Recovered Stolen Sienna
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
Crime
Election Scandal in Abuja: Woman Busted With 20 Voter Cards in Kabusa
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
Crime
NAFDAC Cracks Down On Alleged Expired Goods Ring In Niger, Seals 18 Warehouses
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its fight against unsafe consumables with the sealing of 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, over the alleged storage and planned distribution of expired food and beverage products worth N100 million.
The enforcement action followed intelligence reports that large quantities of expired goods were being stockpiled in facilities located around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road, behind Bida Modern Market in Niger State.
In a statement issued by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola, NAFDAC said its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the raid, uncovering thousands of expired items already packaged for distribution.
ALSO READ: ‘No Suspension For Sachet Alcohol Ban’, NAFDAC Declares
Products recovered during the operation included 80,000 packets of expired non-alcoholic drinks, 5,000 packets of dairy milk, 16,000 packets of bottled water, 28 cartons of pasta, candies and other assorted goods.
The agency arrested managers of the affected warehouses for questioning, noting that preliminary investigations linked the facilities to a company identified as BY Ventures.
Following the discovery, NAFDAC extended its operation to supermarkets reportedly owned by the same company in Minna, where additional expired products and suspected counterfeit Goya oil were allegedly found. The supermarkets were subsequently sealed.
The Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo, was invited for interrogation and reportedly admitted ownership of the seized expired products.
NAFDAC said investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be applied at the conclusion of the probe to deter similar infractions.
The agency reiterated its warning to manufacturers, distributors and retailers to comply strictly with safety regulations, stressing that it would continue surveillance operations to protect public health.





