Nigeria News (Standard)
Anambra Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Killing of 23-Year-Old, Demand for ₦2m Ransom
State Command says suspects buried victim in shallow grave as residents’ tip-off leads to breakthrough in South-East community
State Command says suspects buried victim in shallow grave as residents’ tip-off leads to breakthrough in South-East community
Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested four individuals in connection with the alleged killing of a 23-year-old woman, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave after her abductors reportedly demanded a ₦2 million ransom from her family. The incident occurred earlier this week in the South-East state, with the authorities confirming the arrests on Monday.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the investigation began when concerned members of the public provided credible information about suspicious activity relating to the victim’s disappearance. Spokesperson for the command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said police detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) apprehended Ifechukwu Okechukwu, aged 33, described as the primary suspect and alleged boyfriend of the deceased. Three other suspects were also detained during subsequent operations.
The matter has generated concern among residents and highlights ongoing issues around kidnapping and violent crime in Anambra and across Nigeria’s South-East. The discovery of the victim’s body by sympathisers who assisted police underscores public anxiety over personal safety and law enforcement’s capacity to respond swiftly to such cases.
In his official statement released to journalists, Ikenga commended local vigilance and cooperation with security agencies. “We appreciate members of the public for their timely information which led to exposing this criminal act and apprehending those involved,” he stated. Ikenga added that investigations are ongoing to determine if any ransom payment was made before the murder occurred.
Police authorities have assured residents that all suspects will be prosecuted according to law upon completion of investigations. Community leaders are urging continuous collaboration with security agencies, while calls have intensified for more robust policing measures in Anambra and neighbouring states affected by similar incidents.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-nab-four-over-girls-death-in-anambra/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abdulsalami Abubakar Dismisses Poisoning Rumours, Reveals Autopsy Found MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes
Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja
Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has refuted long-standing claims that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was poisoned while in detention, stating that an international autopsy confirmed the June 12 icon died of natural causes. Abdulsalami made this disclosure in Abuja on Monday during the launch of his autobiography, ‘Call of Duty’, held as part of his 84th birthday celebrations.
In the book, Abdulsalami revisited the circumstances around Abiola’s death on 7 July 1998, which occurred during a meeting with a delegation from the United States government. The delegation included Tom Pickering, then US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and Susan Rice, then Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. Shortly after the meeting began at an undisclosed Abuja location, Abiola developed a severe cough and complained of feeling hot before collapsing. A doctor was immediately called in and later pronounced him dead from what was diagnosed as a heart attack.
The development reignited decades-old suspicions among many Nigerians that Abiola had been poisoned—particularly theories focusing on a cup of tea served during the meeting. Abdulsalami, however, wrote: “I do not believe Abiola was poisoned. The family requested an autopsy and we assembled American, British, Nigerian and Canadian pathologists to conduct it. The autopsy report attributed his death to natural causes.” He further noted that medical records dating back to 1994 showed Abiola had pre-existing health conditions including hypertension and an enlarged heart consistent with hypertensive heart disease.
Drawing from Susan Rice’s memoir ‘Tough Love’, Abdulsalami described how Abiola began coughing severely almost as soon as the meeting started before suffering breathing difficulties and being rushed for urgent medical attention. “Efforts to save him were unsuccessful,” he added, citing also Tom Pickering’s account that detailed how visibly distressed Abiola became before he passed away. The former Head of State also recalled receiving news from his Chief Security Officer Abdulrasheed Aliyu: “Aliyu, my CSO, called me. As soon as I picked, he said in a shaky voice that there was a problem… He said Abiola was dead. My head went blank.”
Beyond clarifying the cause of death, Abdulsalami used his autobiography to address other key moments in Nigeria’s political history—including the annulment of the June 12 presidential election—and to counter persistent rumours surrounding deaths under military rule. As at press time, opposition figures could not be immediately reached for comment on Abdulsalami’s revelations.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Federal Government Cancels Second South Africa Evacuation Flight, Hundreds of Nigerians Stranded in Johannesburg
Nigerian Union South Africa demands explanation as affected citizens say many cannot afford to return home independently
Nigerian Union South Africa demands explanation as affected citizens say many cannot afford to return home independently
The Federal Government has cancelled a scheduled evacuation flight for Nigerians stranded in South Africa, leaving hundreds in Johannesburg and other cities unable to return home as at 16 June 2026. The announcement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just one day before the planned airlift, gave no reason for the abrupt decision.
The first batch of evacuees, numbering over 260, had arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on 11 June aboard a special Air Peace flight organised by government to respond to rising anti-migrant violence in South Africa. A second flight was scheduled for 15 June but was called off via a brief statement from Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa: “There will be no evacuation flight tomorrow.” No further details were provided.
The cancellation has heightened anxiety among Nigerians still facing threats linked to anti-immigrant sentiment. The President-General of Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, said many of those affected are distressed and unable to pay for flights on their own. “The inability of the scheduled flight of 15 June 2026 to airlift these Nigerians has further compounded their challenges and raised serious concerns among affected individuals and their families,” Nwobi stated in a written appeal. NUSA called on Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa and relevant ministries to publicly clarify the cause of the cancellation and provide concrete next steps.
Videos circulating online show displaced migrants gathering at temporary shelters across South African cities. One Nigerian business owner with valid documents told reporters he was being forced out despite employing more than 20 locals; he said he only wanted compensation for his assets but this was refused. In another case highlighted by foreign media, a Ghanaian woman described losing her salon to looting and now sleeps on the street with her son and nearly 200 others.
South Africans have reportedly set an informal deadline of 30 June for undocumented migrants to present themselves for repatriation or risk enforcement action. With government support now uncertain following the cancelled evacuation flight, stranded Nigerians say they face increased hardship and insecurity. As at press time, officials had not issued an updated timetable or provided any assurance regarding future flights.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/nigeria-cancels-south-africa-evacuation-flight-2026061710585056115
Nigeria News (Standard)
Troops Rescue Four Kidnap Victims in Katsina During Military Operations
Katsina government confirms rescued victims receiving medical care as security forces intensify hunt for bandit leader
Katsina government confirms rescued victims receiving medical care as security forces intensify hunt for bandit leader
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued four persons abducted by armed men in Katsina State during ongoing military operations targeting notorious criminal gangs. The rescue, which took place in areas identified as strongholds of the bandits, was confirmed on Monday by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasur Muazu.
According to Dr. Muazu, the victims—identified as Musa Yakuba (62), Alhaji Sa’adu Dayi (68), Mukhtar Danja (36), and Salisu Danja (50)—were found after sustained search-and-rescue efforts by security forces. The operation followed a spate of abductions in the area, including the kidnap of late Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd.) and his wife around the same period.
The commissioner stated that medical personnel attended to all four individuals immediately after their rescue, as they had sustained gunshot injuries during captivity. “The Katsina State Government is pleased to announce the successful rescue of four kidnap victims by troops of the Nigerian Army during ongoing operations aimed at tracking and apprehending the notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, and his criminal gang,” Muazu said in a written statement released to journalists in Katsina.
The spate of abductions in Katsina North-West zone has heightened concerns among residents and led to increased pressure on security agencies to restore safety in affected local government areas. Government has recently approved additional measures, including recruitment of forest guards, to complement existing security strategies across rural communities.
Dr. Muazu assured that military operations will continue until those responsible are apprehended and normalcy is restored. He also urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information on suspicious activities. As at press time, all rescued victims were reported to be responding to treatment while troops maintained their presence in vulnerable communities.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/troops-rescue-four-abducted-victims-in-katsina/
Abdulsalami Abubakar Dismisses Poisoning Rumours, Reveals Autopsy Found MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes
Federal Government Cancels Second South Africa Evacuation Flight, Hundreds of Nigerians Stranded in Johannesburg
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