Crime
Man Sentenced To Death For Murder Of Sex Worker In Ekiti
A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced a 26-year-old man, David Isaiah, to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial sex worker, Comfort James.
The tragic incident, which occurred on February 6, 2024, involved Isaiah and his friend, Saviour Daniel, who allegedly conspired to kidnap and kill the young woman.
Daniel, however, died before the conclusion of the trial.
The prosecution, led by Ibironke Odetola, on Monday, explained that Isaiah and his late accomplice lured the victim from her workplace at Afrika Brothel in Irona, Ado Ekiti.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Court Sentences Osinachi’s Husband To Death By Hanging
After abducting her, they tied her hands and neck, used her phone to demand a N100,000 ransom from her colleagues, and later killed her by forcing herbicide into her mouth.
During the trial, the brothel’s director testified: “I was called by other commercial sex workers in the brothel, that they had not seen the victims (sex workers) since the previous day. The missing sex worker was said to have called to inform her colleagues that she had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding N100,000 ransom.”
The witness said he immediately reported the matter to the police and the Civil Defence office. Isaiah and Daniel were later arrested after their phone numbers were tracked. It was Isaiah who led officers to the site where the victim’s body had been dumped.
Odetola presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits in court, including the defendant’s confessional statement, SIM cards, photographs of the deceased, a pair of slippers, a herbicide container, and a warrant to bury the corpse.
In his defense, Isaiah did not call any witnesses but admitted to the crime. “After having sex with the deceased, we used her number to call her colleagues that she had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of N100,000.
“Her hands and neck were tied all along, but when the ransom was not forthcoming and on realising that she had seen our faces clearly, to avoid being implicated, we poured herbicide in her mouth and she later died,” he confessed.
Justice Olalekan Olatawura, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. He convicted Isaiah on all three counts—conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, the defendant is found guilty as charged. Any sympathetic consideration in favour of the defendant cannot, therefore, be justified,” the judge said.
“Consequently, the defendant is sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy, life imprisonment for kidnapping and for murder, the judgment of this court upon you is that, you be hanged by the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul.”
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
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According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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