Category: PM News

The Edo State Police Command has cautioned dog owners and breeders to exercise adequate control and supervision over their animals to prevent attacks and protect members of the public.

The warning followed the hospitalisation of a Benin-based telecommunications technician, Ajani Taiwo, after he was attacked by three dogs.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at a site behind the Okhoro Police Division along Okhoro Road, Benin City, where Taiwo, who resides in the area, had gone to install MTN network equipment.

According to the police, shortly after the site’s power handler opened the entrance, the technician was attacked by the three dogs before their owner, identified as Sandra Ughanlunen, could intervene.

Taiwo’s cries for help reportedly attracted neighbours, who rushed to the scene and rescued him from the animals.

The victim sustained a head injury and was taken to a nearby medical facility, where he received emergency treatment.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, who confirmed the incident, said the dog owner was arrested by operatives of the Okhoro Police Division following a formal complaint by the victim.

‘Upon arrival, he contacted the person in charge of power to open the door, and as the door was opened, about three dogs attacked him before the owner, Ughanlunen Sandra, arrived at the scene,’ Ikoedem said.

She added that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack had commenced.

The Command urged dog owners and breeders to properly restrain their animals and ensure that they did not pose a danger to members of the public.

A woman, Doris Ojuederie, has asked the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to restrain the Nigeria Police Force from further arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating her over a dispute arising from her planned marriage.

Ojuederie and Ezenwaogene filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, the Police Service Commission, the DPO, Galadimawa Police Station, and three officers attached to the National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC.

Also joined as a respondent is Mrs Fibiawari Jonathan, whom Ojuederie accused of allegedly using the police to harass her over the relationship.

In a motion ex-parte filed through their counsel, Terkaa J. Aondo, SAN, the applicants are seeking interim orders restraining the police from arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating or otherwise interfering with their personal liberty, freedom of movement and private life pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The applicants are also asking the court to restrain Fibiawari from procuring or instigating their arrest or detention.

In her affidavit, Ojuederie alleged that police officers had threatened to confiscate her international passport and impose an international travel ban on her.

She said the alleged threats followed her arrest and detention on August 6, 2026, after which she was released on bail.

According to her, the police subsequently continued to invite her and allegedly threaten her with another arrest, seizure of her mobile phone and international passport, as well as restrictions on her international movement.

She said: ‘Since I left the station on the 6th of August, 2026, the Police through the 8th and 9th Respondents have been calling me persistently threatening to arrest, seize my phones, International Passport and detain me.’

Ojuederie alleged that the dispute was substantially connected to her proposed marriage to Ezenwaogene.

She said she had introduced Fibiawari to her fiancé but later discovered that Fibiawari had allegedly developed an interest in him.

She further claimed that she reported the matter to Fibiawari’s husband after allegedly discovering an affair between them.

The applicant alleged that on July 10, armed police officers arrived at her residence in Jabi, Abuja, accompanied by Fibiawari, and attempted to gain access to her apartment.

She said she was subsequently arrested at her residence on August 6 and taken to the National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, in Abuja.

According to her, her mobile phones were seized for forensic examination, while police officers allegedly pressured her to write a statement without her lawyer being present.

She further alleged that the officers compelled her to apologise to Fibiawari.

Ojuederie stated that the repeated police actions had left her ‘in constant fear’ of another arrest and affected her ability to move freely and live peacefully in her residence.

She also claimed that her fiancé had separately been invited and harassed by the police over the matter.

In their written address, the applicants’ counsel argued that their fundamental rights under Sections 34, 35, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution were under threat.

Counsel submitted that an interim injunction was necessary to preserve the status quo, arguing that ‘the purpose of an interim injunction is to maintain the status quo’ and prevent the subject matter of the suit from being rendered nugatory.

The applicants maintained that the dispute was essentially civil and matrimonial in nature and urged the court to protect them from further arrest, detention, passport seizure and restrictions on their freedom of movement.

They, however, acknowledged that the proposed injunction would not prevent the police from investigating ‘any genuine criminal offence disclosed by credible evidence’ or proceeding in accordance with due process of law.

They therefore urged the court to grant the interim orders pending the determination of the substantive application.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, August 25, 2026, the court directed the applicants to put the respondents on notice and adjourned the matter until September 8, 2026, for hearing.

The people of Okija have continued to express goodwill and support for High Chief Christian Okonkwo Ezinwaputaife, the Lord Mayor of Okija, following a Thanksgiving ceremony held in his honour on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

The Thanksgiving, held in Okija, was an occasion of gratitude and celebration as family members, friends, associates and well-wishers gathered to rejoice with the respected community leader on his recognition as the Lord Mayor of Okija.

The title was conferred by the leadership of the Okija Progressive Union (OPU), adding another chapter to the community’s evolving history of leadership, service and recognition.

The celebration also comes at a time when Okija continues to witness important developments in its traditional and community life, including the upcoming conferment of the Agunaechemba title on Chief Frank Anyijiofor Uduakomiri.

The community warmly felicitates with HRM Igwe Okaije and Chief Frank Anyijiofor Uduakomiri on the upcoming conferment of the Agunaechemba title and wishes them wisdom and success as the honour takes its place within the rich traditional heritage of Okija.

For the people of Okija, the recognition of distinguished sons of the community remains an important part of preserving its cultural values and encouraging service to the people.

The Thanksgiving of the Lord Mayor of Okija, High Chief Christian Okonkwo Ezinwaputaife, therefore provided another opportunity for the community to celebrate leadership, service and the bonds of fellowship that continue to unite its people.

Speaking in the broader context of community development, the occasion underscored the importance of responsible leadership and the need for all individuals and institutions within Okija to continue working toward peace, unity and progress.

Okija has a long-standing tradition of honouring individuals who distinguish themselves through service and commitment to the community. Such recognitions, when approached with mutual respect, can serve as instruments for strengthening communal bonds and inspiring future generations.

As the community celebrates these developments, the emphasis remains on maintaining the dignity of Okija’s institutions, respecting its traditions and ensuring that every honour bestowed on its sons contributes positively to the collective good.

The people of Okija once again congratulate High Chief Christian Okonkwo Ezinwaputaife, Lord Mayor of Okija, on his Thanksgiving and wish him continued wisdom, strength and success in his community service.

Warm felicitations also go to Chief Frank Anyijiofor Uduakomiri, Agunaechemba, on his conferment, with prayers for peace, wisdom and fruitful service.

Okija celebrates its sons, honours its traditions and looks forward to a future of greater unity and progress.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has explained that recent reductions in electricity allocations to some Distribution Companies were triggered by transmission network failures rather than inadequate power generation.

The affected areas include the Lagos, Abuja and northern corridors, where several critical transmission lines suffered outages, limiting the amount of electricity that could be safely wheeled to consumers.

NISO said the outages required adjustments to generation dispatch and allocations to DisCos as part of efforts to keep the national grid within safe operating limits and avert a broader system disturbance.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the management of the system operator on Sunday and titled, ‘Clarification on Recent Changes in Power Allocations Following Transmission Line Outages.’

The statement followed concerns over recent fluctuations in the volume of electricity allocated to DisCos in different parts of the country.

NISO said, ‘The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to provide clarifications on the recent changes in power allocations to Distribution Companies serving the Lagos, Abuja and Northern corridors. The changes in allocations occurred due to multiple transmission line outages that affected available transmission capacity and configuration of the network at different times. Adjustments were made in the course of normal system operations to ensure that the interconnected network remained within secure operating limits.

‘The availability of generation does not, by itself, guarantee that the available power can be delivered to a particular load centre. Power transfer is dependent on the availability and capacity of transmission infrastructure and the prevailing configuration of the network.’

The operator, which oversees the real-time monitoring, coordination, control and dispatch of the interconnected Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, said electricity allocations were determined after continuous assessment of the transmission network.

According to NISO, the Lagos corridor experienced a series of outages affecting major 330kV transmission lines, including the Olorunsogo-Ayede 330kV Line 1, Benin-Egbin 330kV Line 1 and Benin-Omotosho 330kV Line 1.

The Osogbo-Ikeja West circuit also remained unavailable for an extended period.

NISO said the combined loss of the transmission circuits reduced the quantity of electricity that could be safely transferred into Lagos.

Consequently, allocations to Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric and the Sakete international supply were reviewed and curtailed in line with the prevailing network configuration and system security requirements.

The northern part of the country also recorded significant transmission constraints.

NISO said the Shiroro-Mararaba 330kV Line 1 tripped between August 24 and 26, affecting power allocations to Abuja and northern areas as the remaining transmission circuit was forced to carry the load.

The situation deteriorated at 6:47am on August 27 when the Shiroro-Mando 330kV Line 2 and Mando-Jos 330kV Line 1 tripped simultaneously.

NISO said this left the Mando-Jos circuit as the only available transmission route supplying Jos and the North-East, while the Apir-Lafia 330kV Lines 1 and 2 had already been unavailable for an extended period because of faults.

The simultaneous failures substantially reduced transmission capacity to Jos and the North-East and changed the network configuration after the bus at the Mando Transmission Substation became separated.

To maintain grid stability, NISO said it subsequently revised and curtailed electricity allocations to Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Yola and other affected locations.

The Abuja corridor was also hit by transmission problems on August 29, when the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV Line 1 and Gwagwalada-Katampe 330kV Line 1 tripped at the same time at 3:55am.

Both circuits were restored later that morning, with the Shiroro-Katampe line returning to service at 7:25am and the Gwagwalada-Katampe circuit restored at 7:20am.

NISO said the incidents underscored the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s electricity network, noting that a fault affecting one major transmission circuit could have consequences for electricity supply in distant locations.

It stated, ‘Generation availability does not automatically translate into deliverable power to Distribution Companies. Adequate transmission capacity and a secure network configuration are equally essential.’

The operator explained that when transmission limitations make it unsafe to move available generation to particular areas, it may have to redistribute generation, reduce load temporarily or adjust allocations to DisCos.

It said, ‘Accordingly, the recent changes in power allocations resulted from transmission line outages, constrained transmission capacity and system configuration prevailing at the respective times, rather than being attributed to generation availability.’

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested some staff members of a hotel in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, alongside friends of the deceased, Okorite Charles, who died under mysterious circumstances at the facility.

Charles, said to be in his mid-20s, reportedly died after he lodged at the hotel with some friends.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Karbolo, said the victim was allegedly pushed from an upper floor of the hotel, although the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.

According to the police spokesperson, Charles was rushed to a hospital following the incident, where a medical doctor reportedly confirmed him dead.

Karbolo said the deceased’s friends later returned to the hotel and began protesting, attracting a crowd and creating tension in the area.

She said police operatives were quickly deployed to restore order and prevent the situation from escalating.

‘The hotel staff on duty at the time of the incident, as well as the victim’s friends who were present with him, were arrested for questioning and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death,’ she said.

The police also restricted activities at the hotel pending the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s brother, Mr Obomate, had earlier raised concerns over the circumstances of Charles’ death. He alleged that a doctor at the hospital noticed what appeared to be a stab wound on the deceased’s stomach.

He further claimed that the family suspected Charles might have been struck on the neck with an object before his death.

The police command said investigations were ongoing to establish what led to the young man’s death and determine whether anyone would be held responsible.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have sustained offensive operations against terrorists in Katsina State, neutralising a key commander and recovering weapons, ammunition and motorcycles during clearance operations in Matazu Local Government Area.

The operation was conducted on August 29, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restrict their ability to operate across affected communities.

In a statement on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 encountered stiff resistance from armed terrorists while conducting clearance operations in identified terrorist enclaves in Matazu.

Danja said the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee the area.

‘Troops, however, responded decisively and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee the area,’ Danja said.

He stated that troops subsequently exploited the area and confirmed the neutralisation of a terrorist commander identified as SMALLY, who operated under the notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Muhammadu Filani.

According to Danja, the operation also resulted in the recovery of three machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, 180 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles allegedly used by the terrorists.

The recovery of the weapons and motorcycles is significant as security forces continue to target the mobility and firepower of terrorist groups operating across the North-West.

Danja said the latest operation was part of a broader offensive designed to maintain pressure on terrorist networks and degrade their operational capabilities within the Joint Operations Area.

‘The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to sustain pressure on terrorist networks and dismantle their operational capabilities across the Joint Operations Area,’ he stated.

He added that the troops remained committed to taking the fight directly to the terrorists, denying them freedom of action and disrupting their ability to threaten communities.

‘Troops remain resolute in taking the fight to the terrorists, denying them freedom of action and creating conditions for the restoration of lasting peace and security across affected communities,’ Danja added.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to ‘immediately reject and withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), as the Bill is unnecessary, unlawful, unconstitutional and threatens civic space, media freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria.’

The organisations said, ‘if enacted, the Bill would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations and other organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.’

The Bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), proposes mandatory registration and disclosure requirements and provides for sanctions, including a minimum fine of N20 million for civil society organisations and private entities, as well as possible suspension or revocation of operating licences.

In a joint open letter dated 29 August 2026 and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director, SERAP, and Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary, NGE, the organisations said: ‘Although the Bill is presented in the guise of promoting transparency, it would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.’

The organisations urged ‘the National Assembly to immediately withdraw and reject the Bill and publicly commit not to reintroduce any legislation that unjustifiably restricts civic space, media freedom or the legitimate activities of civil society organisations and private entities.’

The organisations said, ‘Should the Bill be passed into law despite the serious constitutional and human rights concerns raised, SERAP and NGE will consider taking all appropriate legal action in the public interest to challenge it and protect freedom of association, media freedom and civic participation.’

The joint open letter, read in part: ‘The Bill could have serious consequences for independent journalism and civil society organizations, given the reliance of many organisations on foreign grants to support investigative journalism, fact-checking, journalist safety, media development and other public-interest activities.’

‘The Bill is unnecessary, duplicative and would impose the additional cost of another regulator on public resources.’

‘Nigeria already has a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption enforcement through the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Federal Inland Revenue Service and other competent authorities.’

‘Nothing in the Bill demonstrates that these institutions are unable to perform their statutory responsibilities or that any regulatory gap justifies creating another regulator with overlapping and potentially intrusive powers.’

‘The Bill also employs vague concepts such as ‘foreign aid’, ‘national priorities’ and ‘public interest’ without defining them or establishing objective legal standards to govern their application. As such, the Bill fails to satisfy the constitutional and international human rights requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.’

‘The Bill would establish the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC) and confer broad powers to register NGOs, CSOs and private entities receiving foreign assistance; compel disclosures; inspect records; investigate activities; monitor the utilisation of foreign assistance; issue directives; suspend approvals; revoke registrations; and impose administrative sanctions.’

‘These sweeping powers go far beyond ordinary financial regulation and would expose legitimate organisations, including independent media organisations, civil society groups and other civic actors and private entities, to intrusive governmental supervision and interference.’

‘Subjecting independent media and other civil society organisations and private entities to an additional executive-controlled regulatory regime would increase governmental leverage over their operations, place pressure on independence and create conditions conducive to self-censorship.’

‘Religious organisations, humanitarian organisations, charitable bodies and other legitimate entities receiving foreign assistance could also be subjected to the proposed regulatory and disclosure requirements.’

‘By applying to organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance, the Bill would extend its regulatory reach to independent media organisations, labour unions, professional associations, universities, research institutes, religious and humanitarian organisations, technology hubs and other entities lawfully receiving foreign grants, donations, technical assistance or development funding.’

‘The proposed penalties make the Bill even more dangerous. CSOs and private entities could face fines of at least N20 million, suspension or revocation of their operating licences, while individuals could face hefty fines and imprisonment for non-compliance.’

‘As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections amid an increasingly shrinking civic space, the Bill further threatens fundamental rights, democratic participation and media freedom.’

‘The suppression of the press in recent times takes various forms ranging from extrajudicial and unlawful detentions, disappearances, malicious prosecutions and wrongful use of both legislation and law enforcement.’

‘Part II of the Bill establishes the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC) and gives it powers to register NGOs, CSOs and private entities receiving foreign assistance; maintain databases; compel information; conduct audits and inspections; monitor the utilisation of foreign assistance; issue regulations and guidelines; and impose administrative sanctions.’

‘These sweeping powers create significant opportunities for arbitrary or selective enforcement, exposing a broad range of legitimate organisations and private entities to intrusive governmental supervision and undermining their operational independence.’

‘The Bill also requires recipients to disclose detailed information about foreign assistance, including sources, amounts, conditions and implementing partners, with such information to be placed on a public National Foreign Aid Register.’

‘The Bill regulates how foreign assistance must be used, subjects recipients to annual audits and requires foreign-funded projects to align with government-defined national development priorities. The combination of these requirements with criminal sanctions, substantial fines and possible suspension or revocation of operating licences creates a disproportionate regulatory burden on legitimate organisations.’

‘The Bill is incompatible with sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution 199 (as amended) which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.’

‘It is also inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and relevant international human rights standards protecting civic space, freedom of association and media freedom.’

‘Any restriction on the rights to freedom of expression, association and media freedom must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate public purpose, and be necessary and proportionate in a democratic society.’

‘The right to freedom of association protects not only the right to form an association but also the right of an association to freely carry out its lawful activities without undue government interference.’

‘Enabling and protecting freedom of association is essential to addressing Nigeria’s challenges and to the realisation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.’

‘Associations provide essential avenues for individuals and communities to organise, express their concerns, promote and defend their rights and participate in public affairs. Undue and excessive restrictions on associations affect the operations of organisations and have a direct and detrimental impact on the communities they serve.’

‘By imposing extensive regulatory controls and potentially severe sanctions on organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance, the Bill risks weakening important channels of public participation, service delivery and accountability.’

‘The proposed regulatory framework, particularly its mandatory registration, intrusive inspection powers, broad disclosure requirements and severe sanctions, goes beyond what can reasonably be considered necessary and proportionate in a democratic society.’

‘United Nations human rights experts have consistently warned that separate regulatory regimes targeting organisations receiving foreign funding can discriminate against legitimate civil society actors, produce a chilling effect on freedom of expression and association, and facilitate arbitrary governmental interference.’

‘The Bill should also be viewed alongside recent efforts to narrow civic space in Nigeria, including the increasing use of criminal defamation and cybercrime laws against journalists and activists, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), arbitrary arrests for peaceful expression, and repeated attempts to expand governmental control over civic actors.’

‘Experience across multiple jurisdictions demonstrates that foreign funding laws can be used not to improve transparency but to stigmatise, intimidate and restrict independent civil society organisations and the media. Nigeria should not follow that path.’

SERAP and NGE therefore urged the National Assembly to:

Immediately withdraw and reject the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), and publicly commit not to reintroduce legislation that unjustifiably restricts civic space, media freedom or legitimate activities of civil society organizations and private entities.

Prioritise legislation that strengthens transparency, accountability, media freedom, civic participation and an enabling environment for private entities, independent civil society, religious, humanitarian and media organisations.

Refrain from introducing further legislative proposals that undermine democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in the period leading to the 2027 general elections.

Uphold the National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to protect and promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and ensure that legislative power is not used to narrow legitimate democratic participation or silence critical voices.

The Lagos State Chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) has paid a condolence visit to the family of late veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing his death as a significant loss to Nigeria’s entertainment industry and cultural heritage.

The delegation, led by the State Ambassador of Renewed Hope Ambassadors Lagos, Tayo Ayinde, visited the bereaved family to express sympathy and solidarity following the death of the celebrated Yoruba actor.

Ayinde was accompanied by the RHA Chief of Staff, Dr Oluremi Shopeyin; Director of Protocol, Hon. Jibike Babatunde; Director of Security, Hon. Olalekan Abubakar; Hon. Bayo Ajisebutu and other members of the organisation.

The delegation was received by Ogogo’s widow and members of the Hassan family.

Speaking during the visit, Ayinde described the late actor as a cultural ambassador whose influence extended far beyond his performances on screen.

‘The late Taiwo Hassan, fondly known as Ogogo, was more than an actor; he was a cultural ambassador and a towering figure whose exceptional talent brought joy, inspiration and pride to millions of Nigerians,’ Ayinde said.

He stated that Ogogo’s decades-long career earned him widespread admiration and established him as one of the most recognisable personalities in Nigeria’s film industry.

Ayinde added that the actor’s contribution to Yoruba cinema went beyond entertainment, noting that his work helped preserve indigenous narratives, language and cultural values while contributing to the growing international visibility of Nigerian cinema.

‘He was a role model whose dedication, professionalism and passion for the creative industry contributed significantly to the evolution and global recognition of Nigerian cinema,’ he added.

The RHA delegation also offered prayers for the repose of Ogogo’s soul and prayed for divine comfort and strength for his widow, children and other members of the Hassan family.

Ayinde said the visit was intended not only to commiserate with the bereaved family but also to honour the memory of an actor whose career left an enduring imprint on Nigeria’s creative economy.

Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was widely celebrated for his performances in Yoruba-language films and his longstanding presence in Nollywood. His career helped cement indigenous storytelling as a major component of Nigeria’s vibrant film industry.

His passing has continued to generate tributes from colleagues, admirers and stakeholders across Nigeria’s entertainment and cultural sectors, underscoring the breadth of his influence and the lasting appeal of his body of work.

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged human trafficking and organ-harvesting syndicate operating in Nasarawa State, arresting two medical doctors and two other suspects.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Force Special Tactical Squad following an intelligence-led operation that allegedly exposed the recruitment of vulnerable young Nigerians for illegal kidney harvesting.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate.

According to the police, STS operatives carried out a sting operation at about 6 p.m. on August 19 in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Those arrested were Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53; and David Idoko, 25.

Oyime, an Edo State indigene, is a nephrologist reportedly attached as a consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja.

Otukpa, a Benue State indigene, is also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital.

Police said clothes allegedly bought with proceeds of the suspected criminal activities were recovered during the operation.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable, financially desperate and largely uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.

The victims were allegedly persuaded to undergo medical procedures before their kidneys were harvested under circumstances now being investigated by the police.

Police said Ode confessed to recruiting victims for the syndicate.

According to his statement to investigators, he allegedly lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026.

The police alleged that Ezekiel’s kidney was harvested and that $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million at the exchange rate cited by the Force, was paid for the organ.

Investigators also uncovered another alleged victim who claimed he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and taken to a hospital where his kidney was harvested.

The second victim told police that he was paid N7 million.

The Force said the allegations form part of the evidence being examined as investigators seek to establish the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and identify other persons who may have been involved.

Police also said investigators uncovered an alleged document-forgery operation linked to the syndicate.

The suspects and their alleged accomplices were accused of forging documents to facilitate the medical procedures and create the appearance of consent or lawful transactions.

The allegedly forged documents included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

Police said the findings raised serious concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians and the alleged use of falsified official documents to facilitate organ harvesting.

The Force said investigations were continuing and that the arrest of the four suspects formed part of a wider effort to dismantle the suspected network.

Other suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate remain at large, with police operatives continuing efforts to apprehend them.

The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, organ harvesting and other forms of organised criminal exploitation across the country.

Police said investigations would also seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged recruitment of victims, the medical procedures carried out, payments made and documents used in the cases.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave Abuja on Sunday for Europe, beginning a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave, with the timing coinciding with the formal take-off of political campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s first destination will be London, United Kingdom.

‘His first stop will be London, United Kingdom,’ Onanuga said.

He added that Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the end of the break to participate in what is expected to be an intense electioneering period.

‘President Tinubu is expected to return home after the working vacation to join the hectic campaign for the January 2027 election,’ Onanuga said.

The President’s departure comes barely two weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the campaign period for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027. The governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6.

Tinubu, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), enters the campaign season amid a highly competitive political environment and growing scrutiny of his administration’s economic record.

His government has defended major reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign-exchange market, as necessary measures to stabilise public finances and rebuild the economy.

The reforms, however, have been accompanied by a severe cost-of-living crisis, with inflation, declining purchasing power and insecurity emerging as major issues likely to shape voters’ decisions.

The President faces prominent challengers, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, while the opposition remains divided after efforts to forge a broad coalition against the APC failed to produce a unified presidential ticket.

Tinubu has also strengthened the APC’s political machinery ahead of the election, with a large number of state governors now aligned with the ruling party. The development has increased the party’s organisational reach while simultaneously fuelling opposition concerns about the concentration of political power.

The President’s vacation also follows a recent 12-day leave taken by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who resumed official duties on August 18 after the Presidency said his break was intended to provide time for ‘study, reflection and intellectual renewal.’ Shettima subsequently represented Tinubu at the African Union summit in Angola.

While the Presidency described Tinubu’s trip as a ‘working vacation,’ the three-week absence places his return squarely within a crucial phase of the 2027 election cycle.

His post-vacation schedule is therefore expected to be dominated by campaign activities as the APC seeks to secure another presidential mandate.