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Abducted Kwara ECWA Worshippers Die In Captivity

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Five worshippers abducted during an attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have died in captivity.

 

The church’s minister, Rev. Timothy Omole, informed the congregation about the tragic development in a message to the church’s WhatsApp platform.

He also confirmed the report to the media earlier on Wednesday.

Among those killed was the pastor’s wife, Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole.

The victims were among eight worshippers kidnapped when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service on March 22, 2026.

According to Rev. Omole, the news left him heartbroken.

“It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people that were abducted from ECWA Omugo on the 22nd of March, 2026, only three are still with the kidnappers”, he said, adding that “The remaining five have been with the Lord.”

The Clergy listed the deceased as “Elder Chief David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi and Mrs Rachael Oluwaremilekun Omole, his wife.”

“God to console their immediate family and the church at large.”

Rev. Omole said the information was relayed by Mr Sunday Bakare, one of the abductees, who escaped from captivity after spending more than a month with the kidnappers.

According to him, Bakare informed the church that five of the abductees had died while three others remain in captivity.

Some of the victims, it was gathered, were on medication but were allegedly denied access to their drugs by their captors.

Sources familiar with the negotiations had earlier disclosed that families of the victims were informed of the deaths, although details surrounding the circumstances remained unclear.

The attack occurred on March 22 when gunmen stormed the church during worship, shooting sporadically and forcing congregants to flee before whisking away eight worshippers into a nearby forest.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦1 billion ransom, an amount that the pastor confirmed was reduced to N150 million during negotiations.

Report says relatives of the victims eventually raised about ₦20 million and also provided food items and other supplies allegedly requested by the abductors in a bid to secure their release.

Despite the efforts, the kidnappers reportedly collected the money and supplies but refused to release the victims.

Three of the abducted worshippers are still believed to be in captivity.

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Fake Fertility Doctor Nabbed In Ibadan After 7 Years Of Practice

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Police operatives have arrested a 45-year-old man, identified as Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical facility and administering treatments for about seven years without any medical qualification or licence.

The spokesperson for Oyo Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday said Benjamin was arrested on 2 October 2026 at about 3:00 p.m. by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit at his clinic, ‘Life Is Good Hospital’ in the Olodo area of Ibadan.

Ayanlade said the arrest followed credible intelligence about his activities at the facility.

“The suspect was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly fertility-related treatments, despite not being a certified medical doctor,” the statement said.

The Police spokesperson listed items recovered from the premises of the suspect’s facility to include two weighing scales, four Quantum Magnetic Resonance Body Analysers, one stethoscope, a large carton of assorted medicines, and specimen bottles.

The Oyo police spokesperson added that during preliminary investigation, Benjamin confessed that he had been operating as a quack practitioner for about seven years without any licence to practise medicine.

He further stated that he specialized in fertility-related treatment, which he administered to patients at the facility.

DSP Olayinka said the confession raised concerns about potential risks to members of the public who may unknowingly seek treatment from unqualified persons, especially in sensitive areas such as fertility care.

Investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and determine whether other persons were connected to the operation of the facility. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, the police said.

The command advised residents to verify the professional credentials and registration status of anyone offering medical services before entrusting their health or that of their loved ones to them.

Oyo Police Command also appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious medical facilities or persons presenting themselves as medical practitioners without verifiable credentials to the police or relevant regulatory authorities.

The Command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and said it would continue to collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies and members of the public to address activities that endanger residents’ health and safety.

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Police Arraign 5 Over Attack On Officers In Ogun

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Ogun State Police Command has arraigned five suspects before the Ota Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in the assault and obstruction of police officers carrying out their lawful duties in Ota.

The suspects were brought before the court following an incident around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, on October 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babasiyi.

The police said the incident occurred after a patrol team intercepted and arrested a suspect allegedly found with a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

According to the command, the officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they were allegedly ambushed by a group of people armed with cutlasses, stones and bottles.

The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to some of the officers, damage to the police operational vehicle and the escape of the suspect in custody.

Following the incident, the command said an intelligence-led operation was launched, leading to the arrest of five suspects identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.

The suspects were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The police said efforts were still ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene of the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting police officers carrying out their lawful responsibilities.

“Members of the public are urged to refrain from physical confrontation with law enforcement personnel and channel grievances through established lawful channels,” the statement said.

The command added that “the safety of police officers performing lawful duties remains a priority of the command.”

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9 Yr-Old Arrested Over Deaths Of 4 Family Members

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The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy over the alleged killing of four family members in Rugan Badali community, Karasuwa Local Council of the state.

 

The police said the child allegedly set fire to the family house while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, resulting in their deaths.

According to report, the suspect was said to have committed the act after his father flogged him over an allegation that he had stolen a fowl.

Speaking with journalists in Damaturu yesterday, the suspect, whose name was withheld because of his age, allegedly confessed to setting the house ablaze.

He said he bought matches the following day and set fire to the house.

“I carried one of our fowls to sell. People reported me to my father, and I was beaten. The following day, I bought N50 worth of matches in the neighbourhood. While my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me,” he said.

The boy added: “People came to the rescue. I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer. I then confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu.”

Parading the suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, the police spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Ali, said the boy remained a suspect despite his age.

Ali said the case would be handled in accordance with the law, stressing that the incident underscored the need for greater attention to criminal activities involving children.

He expressed concern over the development, particularly as the state continues to recover from the effects of Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.

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