News
My Mother Was Kidnapped After I Exposed $2.4bn Subsidy Fraud – Okonjo-Iweala
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed that her investigation into an alleged $2.4 billion petrol subsidy fraud was followed by the kidnapping of her mother in 2012.
Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this in a recent interview with Bloomberg, recalling how the abductors demanded that she resign as Nigeria’s finance minister and leave the country in exchange for her mother’s freedom.
Her mother, Kamene Okonjo, was abducted from her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, in December 2012, while Okonjo-Iweala was serving as finance minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to the former minister, the investigation began after her office detected an unusual rise in claims submitted by petrol importers. She said she subsequently approached the president for approval to audit the accounts.
“So I went to the president and said, look, something is going on here. Could we audit the accounts? And he said, yes, go ahead. And we found about $2.4 billion worth of fraud. So, we refused to pay,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala said her mother was kidnapped shortly after the decision not to pay the disputed claims. The kidnappers reportedly told her that her mother would only be released if she resigned from office and left Nigeria.
“I was told (by the kidnappers) that for her to be released, I should resign and leave the country,” she recalled.
Describing the incident as one of the most difficult experiences of her life, Okonjo-Iweala said her mother was held in a forest for five days before escaping.
“She was held in the middle of a forest, and one night she escaped. She’s still alive. She’s 96 now,” the WTO chief said.
She described the ordeal as deeply traumatic, saying she had never imagined that her parents could become targets of such violence.
“It was a terrible, terrible five-day ordeal. I think the worst in my life,” she said.
“I never dreamt my parents could ever be touched in this way, that people would be that evil,” she added.
Okonjo-Iweala also revealed that she considered resigning during the crisis but was advised by her father not to yield to the kidnappers’ demands.
According to her, her father urged her to remain resolute and continue her work rather than submit to what he regarded as blackmail.
“He said, ‘We don’t give in to blackmail’. And he said, ‘You’ve got to carry on. You’ve got to go to work’,” she recalled.
Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria’s finance minister from 2011 to 2015 before becoming the Director-General of the WTO in 2021.
News
3 Arrested For Homosexual Acts In Oyo
Police operatives have arrested three men for allegedly engaging in homosexualism in Saki area of Oyo State.
The three suspects identified as Ayomide Lukeman, aged 22; Shuaib Aremu, aged 22; and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed, aged 23 were arrested by operatives of the of the Oyo Police Command Monitoring Unit, Saki Operational Base.
DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesperson for Oyo Police Command said the arrest of the three men followed information received on 29 September 2026 concerning the alleged involvement of a group of individuals in unnatural sex conduct.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the Command Monitoring Unit to verify the intelligence and take appropriate action, culminating in the arrest of three suspects,” Olayinka said.
The police spokesperson added that in the course of preliminary investigations, the suspects allegedly admitted to engaging in homosexual acts.
According to the statement, two of the suspects confessed to having had carnal knowledge of the third suspect on multiple occasions, with the latter allegedly regarded by them as their “wife.”
The Police spokesperson added that investigations are, however, ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations and determine whether any other individuals are connected to the matter.
“Against this backdrop, the Oyo State Police Command reiterates its commitment to conducting investigations professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law. The Command assures the public that all necessary investigative procedures will be followed to establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” Olayinka said.
Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 (SSMPA) criminalises consensual same-sex sexual activity such as homosexualism.
Offenders can be subjected to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
News
5 Feared Dead As Tanker Crushes 4 Micra Cars In Ibadan
No fewer than five people were feared dead on Saturday after a diesel tanker reportedly lost control and crushed four commercial Nissan Micra cars along the Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The accident occurred at Aduloju Bus Stop, opposite Dominion City, and left the vehicles badly mangled.
Preliminary reports attributed to the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority indicated that the tanker driver lost control of the articulated vehicle while travelling at high speed.
Brake failure was suspected to have caused the truck to veer into the commercial cars, crushing them in the process.
Report says eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, saying some people rushed to rescue passengers trapped in the wreckage before the arrival of emergency responders.
One eyewitness said the tanker suddenly swerved into the cars, leaving their occupants with little opportunity to escape.
Officials of OYRTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police were reportedly deployed to the scene to coordinate rescue operations, maintain order and manage traffic.
Emergency responders also worked to clear the wreckage and prevent further danger to road users.
Entertainment
NIBAD 2026: Abike Dabiri To Take Centre Stage As Bunmi Ebony, DJ X-One Host Baltimore Event
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa ( OON) has been scheduled for honour, among other awardees, at the 2026 and the 6th edition of the annual Nigerian Independence Ball, Awards, and Dinner (NIBAD),billed to hold in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 18th of October .
At the instance of Naija Times USA and Raindrop Group led by Olaniyi Thompson Tabi, activities marking the 6th edition of NIBAD commenced on the 3rd of October with Independence carnival in Maryland.
As part of the expanded 6th edition, the Annual Independence stage play titled ‘Your Excellency Sir!’ …The saga of a nation, written and directed by Olaniyi Thompson Tabi, was showcased at a very colorful event on the 9th of October.
Designed to be an unforgettable celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence celebration, the grand finale of the celebration is billed for Sunday, the 18th of October, 4.00pm, at Gabriel Community Centre, 6948, Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244.
The evening will not only commemorate Nigeria’s rich history and vibrant culture but will also spotlight the exceptional contributions of Nigerians at home and abroad in various fields such as business, healthcare, education, community service, and more.
The evening will feature a grand awards ceremony to honor those who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and dedication in their respective industries. Among them, Dr Dabiri- Erewa
Hon. Dr. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa (OON) is a prominent Nigerian politician, public administrator, and former broadcast journalist who has been able to show leadership since her appointment as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
To add colour to the event also, is
Dj X-One, reputed as the best Disc Jockey in the DMV area. Bunmi Ebony, a fast rising Juju Artiste in Atlanta will also be on the bandstand to thrill guests at the event to celebrate Nigeria.
****About NIBAD: The Nigerian Independence Ball, Awards, and Dinner (NIBAD) is an annual event that celebrates Nigeria’s Independence while recognizing the achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora. NIBAD aims to highlight the cultural pride, resilience, and accomplishments of Nigerians globally, bringing together community leaders, professionals, and influencers for an evening of celebration, inspiration, and unity.
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