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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied rumours suggesting he has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called the claims false, malicious, and a “political hatchet job.”
The clarification was made in a statement released Friday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, following fresh reports circulated on social media alleging Atiku’s exit from the opposition party.
“We ordinarily would not waste words on faceless social media platforms like the so-called ‘Adamawa Happenings,’” the statement began.
“However, in light of inquiries from concerned Nigerians and credible members of the press, we are compelled to set the record straight: His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007) and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not — we repeat, has not — resigned from the PDP. He remains a steadfast, bonafide, and loyal member of the party.”Nigerian cultural tours
According to the statement, the rumour originated from a Facebook page accused of spreading falsehoods and allegedly operated by political actors intent on creating confusion.Political candidate merchandise
“The source of this baseless rumour is a Facebook page peddling falsehoods, evidently orchestrated by desperate political operatives with nothing but mischief and confusion on their agenda,” Ibe said.
He described the publication as deliberate disinformation designed to mislead the public and stir tension among Atiku’s supporters. “This is not just fake news — it is a crude, shameless political hatchet job,” he said.
The statement called on the public, especially Atiku’s followers, to ignore the rumour. “We urge Nigerians, especially supporters of the Waziri Adamawa, to disregard this malicious fabrication. It is a vile, vexatious ploy that deserves nothing but contempt,” it added.Political candidate merchandise
Atiku, the statement concluded, remains committed to the PDP and the democratic hopes of Nigerians. “Atiku Abubakar remains committed to the ideals of the PDP and to the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
This marks the second time in recent weeks that Atiku’s camp has refuted similar claims, including a previous rumour linking him to a defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Bread is a staple food for many in Northern Nigeria, serving as a primary breakfast choice across diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups. With bakeries operating in nearly every state, the industry is vital to both regional and national economy.
According to Statista.com (a global data and business intelligence platform), Nigeria’s bread market is projected to generate $18.81 billion in revenue by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 11.04% (CAGR 2025-2030), revenue surged by 14.3% compared to 2023.
In recent years, the price of flour, bread’s key ingredient skyrocketed, reaching over NGN 80,000 per bag in markets across Kano and other northern states. This forced bakeries to raise prices to cover production costs. However, flour prices have since dropped significantly.
Despite this, bread prices remain stubbornly high, sparking concerns among Kano residents.
Investigating the issue, DAILY POST conducted a market survey at Singa Market, a major food distribution hub in Kano and Northern Nigeria.
Flour prices have dropped, but bread prices haven’t
In an interview, a flour distributor in Kano, Usaini Rabiu confirmed the price drop. “Since mid-2024, flour prices have fallen significantly. We now sell a bag for NGN 55,000 to NGN 56,000. There is ample supply, and all major companies are producing. We urge retailers to pass these reductions on to consumers.”
A price check in various stores within the market confirmed this claim. Following this, we visited a well-known bakery in Kano to understand why bread prices had not adjusted accordingly.
A bakery manager, speaking anonymously, insisted that their prices had already been reduced.
“A loaf that previously sold for NGN 1,300 now costs NGN 900, while the NGN 1,000 loaf is now NGN 700. We adjusted our prices as soon as flour costs dropped. However, I’m shocked to see bread being sold at inflated prices elsewhere.”
Middlemen under fire
The manager blamed middlemen for the price inconsistencies, saying “We sell a loaf to distributors for NGN 900, yet I see the same loaf selling for NGN 1,400 in retail shops. When I investigated, I found out that distributors sell to retailers for NGN 1,200, making a profit of NGN 300 per loaf—more than what we, the producers, make!”
A tea and bread vendor, Kamalu Ishaq, echoed this frustration. He lamented that despite flour prices dropping, bread prices have not followed suit.
“There has been no real price relief since flour costs spiked nearly two years ago. If we make any profit on bread, it’s barely NGN 100 per loaf. A NGN 1,000 loaf is sold to us at NGN 900 by distributors. When we complain, they just tell us to be patient, even though we can clearly see that flour prices have dropped.”
The blame game continues
The consistently high retail prices suggest that middlemen and distribution chains play a significant role in keeping bread costs elevated.
However, Abubakar Garba Indabawa, a bread distributor with years of experience, refuted this claim.
“Nowadays, bakeries require full payment upfront. Unlike before, when we could take bread on credit and pay after selling, we now buy at our own risk. The profit margin is minimal -usually no more than NGN 100 per loaf. For every NGN 10,000 worth of bread, distributors make NGN 1,000 in profit. In some cases, we don’t even earn that much.”
What’s the solution?
As this blame game continues, consumers—especially low-income earners bear the brunt. It remains unclear who is truly responsible for the price discrepancy.
Amid growing frustrations, there is a rising call for regulatory measures to ensure that reductions in essential commodity prices, such as flour, translate into lower costs for bread and other bakery products.
[DailyPost]
In a first major global seizure of its kind in 2025, the Murtala Mohammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 3,765kg pangolin scales in the Lekki area of Lagos.
Speaking to journalists, the Customs Area Controller, MMA command, Micheal Awe, said the operation, which was with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), led to the arrest of five suspects involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
According to the Customs boss, the 3,765kg pangolin scale seizures mark the first major global seizure of its kind in 2025.
He argued that the seizure highlighted both the persistent threat to pangolin species and the heightened vigilance of the NCS in dismantling these criminal networks.
He also disclosed that the current seizure raised the total amount of pangolin scales seized through the joint efforts of the NCS and WJC to over 25 tons since the start of the collaboration in 2021.
“On the 2nd of April 2025, the NCS MMA Command under the leadership of Comptroller Micheal AWE, with the support of the WJC, conducted 2 major operations that resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of 3,765kg of pangolin scales in the Lekki area of Lagos.
“NCS has been continuing investigations into organized criminal networks trafficking in endangered wildlife and exporting wildlife products to Asia.
This operation followed a recent bust of a major trafficking network in Nigeria that resulted in the arrest of a Chinese national Zheng Chao Hong, also known as Zheng Gao Peng, in February 2025 by the joint efforts of the Customs Police Unit and WJC.
“This seizure of 3,765kg of pangolin scales marks the first major global seizure of its kind in 2025, highlighting both the persistent threat to pangolin species and the heightened vigilance of the NCS in dismantling these criminal networks. Additionally, it raises the total amount of pangolin scales seized through the joint efforts of the NCS and WJC to over 25 tons since the start of the collaboration in 2021.”
Additionally, the Customs boss expressed his appreciation for the partnership with WJC, saying the service will not relent in its efforts in fighting wildlife crime to a standstill.
He stated that the service won’t tolerate wildlife trafficking anywhere either through the Airports, Seaports, Land borders or even within the community.
“Comptroller Awe reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi and the management team as he continues to encourage and give maximum support in facilitating legitimate trade whilst sending a strong signal that the service will equally not relent in its efforts in fighting wildlife crime to a standstill.
“We won’t tolerate it anywhere, not through our Airports, Seaports, Land borders or even within the community. Investigations are ongoing, and NCS does not rule out making further arrests.”
The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Gqeberha, has sentenced Lindile Hini (44) to life imprisonment for the rape of a 70-year-old woman, three years for housebreaking with intent to commit rape, and two years for contravening the Older Persons Act. These offences took place on the eve of 29 October 2023 in Kwazakhele, Gqeberha.
The pensioner was at her home in Kwazakhele, sleeping with the lights on, and had left the back door unlocked for her son. Hini, her next-door neighbour since 1984, entered the house through the back door, undressed, and told her he had been waiting for “the opportunity” for some time. He then forcibly removed her pants and sexually assaulted her.
After the assault, Hini requested a bucket of water, washed his genitalia, got dressed, and left. The complainant later contacted a friend, informing her that her neighbour had raped her. The following day, she told her son about the assault, and they called the police. Hini was arrested at his residence on 02 November 2023. The complainant was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received medical attention and counselling to address both her physical and emotional well-being.
Senior State Advocate Ansiot Kimfley argued for an appropriate sentence, stating the assault was premeditated, as Hini admitted to lusting after the complainant for some time. Kimfley emphasised the brutality of the attack, highlighting Hini’s calculated entry into the complainant’s home and his disregard for her safety. In his defence, Hini claimed the elderly woman had seduced him while drunk. This claim was rejected by the court, as it was clear the complainant, a vulnerable woman in her seventies, had been subjected to a violent, non-consensual assault.
In a Victim Impact Statement, compiled by Court Preparation Officer Ayanda Heugh, the complainant expressed suicidal thoughts and fear. She ultimately decided to sell her home, fearing Hini might not receive a prison sentence and that she would continue to live in fear.
Hini, a first-time offender, was convicted on 16 January 2025 and has been incarcerated since his arrest. His sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence. It was also ordered that Hini may not possess a firearm, and his name will be entered into the sex offenders register.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, welcomed the sentence, emphasising that it sends a strong message regarding the seriousness with which such crimes are treated by the court.
Uromi Killing: Untold story of how villagers identified some of them as kidnappers before lynching
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•Kidnappers fed a newborn baby to their dogs in the presence of the kidnapped mother
WHAT occurred at Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Area in Edo State on Thursday, March 27, could have befallen any other community in the heartbeat of the nation, given the prevailing circumstances, tension, and anger over the hair-raising operations of suspected herders in combination with abductors.
More than 24 other communities in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South senatorial districts have been sacked and under siege by criminally-minded herders from northern Nigeria.
The same could also have arisen in over 30 communities in Delta and Bayelsa States, where the residents, especially farmers, are terrified to go to farms because of some brazen Fulani herders who invade their farms, uproot crops they planted and feed their cows, rape women, and take the villagers hostage for ransom.
A few months ago, bewildered women stormed the palace of the Onojie of Uromi to vent their anger at the rising cases of kidnappings and killings.
The situation became so frightening in January that the Onojie of Uzea, Esan North East local government area, HRH Solomon Itoya Iluobe, declared that he did not want to see any Hausa/Fulani in their forests because of their atrocities.
”Our women go to their farms, they rape them, and at times they even set them ablaze. I have paid ransom three times to Fulani herdsmen; they kidnapped my elder sister, and they have also kidnapped two people from this place. Even last month, I paid a ransom.
“To even sleep in this place is by the grace of God Almighty. To access this road, you need security, which is a problem.
“I, as Onojie of Uzea, no longer want Fulani in my forests. They will kidnap us, keep us in our land, and we will pay a ransom. We are tired. I do not have a hand in Fulani, and anybody who has a hand in their staying in our forests should tell them to leave Uzea. We need security here so that one day we will not wake up and discover that we only have two people remaining in the Uzea Kingdom.”
Some weeks ago in Bayelsa State, where the deputy governor confirmed that several local governments were under siege by herders, mothers protested the destruction of their farmlands and rape by the prowling cattlemen.
In Delta, Edo, and Bayelsa States, the situation is as if herders plotted and intensified their operations in the first three months of this year to make life unbearable for the people, who have cried hoarse about their nightmares with the federal and state governments doing little to protect the citizens.
We are hunters, not terrorists — Survivors
However, last week’s incident in Uromi was ill-fated. A raging mob roasted alive 16 out of 27 persons of Hausa origin who identified themselves as hunters and were traveling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to the northern part of the country for the Salah celebration on the supposition that they were kidnappers after finding a cache of arms and ammunition with them.
Some people argued that it was a transferred hostility. Two survivors of the Uromi attack who narrated their near-death experience said they were hunters from Kano State.
They said the rifles recovered by the vigilante group were hunting rifles, claiming they had licenses; however, the vigilante cluster accused them of being terrorists and lynched 16 of them, while five others escaped.
Concerned citizens have also pointed out that the people lynched were Hausa indigenes and not Fulani herders, who the Uromi people claimed were attacking farmers and kidnapping villagers for ransom. Eyewitnesses said more than 20 persons were in the trailer, but some Uromi indigenes helped some of them to escape lynching.
The whereabouts of arms, ammunition, and cash allegedly found are unknown
There is a controversy over the whereabouts of the arms and ammunition found with the victims, but what they saw with them were Dane guns.
A villager said the guns were with the police, but the police public relations officer said everything that has to do with the case has been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
The whereabouts of the supposed cash found in the trailer remain unknown.
Ubiaja indigene sighted victims transferring weapons into a waiting trailer – Ben
Some locals who disputed the claim of the Hausa victims said some kidnappers also have dogs with them in their hideouts in the forests, but the way the victims behaved created room for suspicion from the point they were sighted loading their consignments into a waiting truck, along the road between Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State and Ubiaja in Edo State.
A non-indigene who lives in Uromi, Ben (surname withheld), gave a peek into what happened. His words: “I condemn the act of jungle justice, which is not in line with our constitutional provision of how offenders of any form of crime can be tried.”
“However, those persons are presumed to be kidnappers because information available showed that if you are passing through here to the east, you will move from Uromi to Ubiaja, Ewato, and Ewohinmi, down to Onicha-Ugbo, and there is a forest and a river.
“That place has been a flashpoint; they (herders and kidnappers) have laid siege on that part of the road for the past months, and it was at that spot that an indigene of Ubiaja moving towards Ubiaja from the Onicha-Ugbo axis saw these men carrying their arms from one person to another and into the trailer with Dangote inscribed on it.
“He quickly drove to town and alerted the vigilante men at Ubiaja, who waited for the truck. On getting to Ubiaja, the trailer did not stop for the vigilante, so the vigilante at Ubiaja sent a distress call to those in Uromi, and they mounted surveillance.
“The vigilantes in Uromi were able to use a tipper with a full trip of sand to stop the trailer, and at the point of questioning them, one of them stabbed the vigilante with a dagger, which was how the thing escalated. It is regrettable the way they were handled, but they caused the provocation, and their movement was suspicious.”
What gave them away— Prince Olumese, native
Corroborating the claim, Prince Eugene Olumese said the victims could have also camouflaged as hunters because “there are hunters that carry dogs and Dane guns.”
“From the environment I grew up in, Lagos and Ogun states, we used to see hunters in the bushes, irrespective of what tribe they were; some of them even have huts in the bushes. But even at that, were these people hunters? It could be. Are they kidnappers? It still could be, but some reasons will make you say these people are likely to be kidnappers or hunters.
“They covered themselves with a tarpaulin in a truck filled with palm kernel shells, which means they did not want anybody to know that people were there. Why? Hunters should walk freely in towns; there was something spectacular, and they also had plenty of money. New currency notes—look at it, hunters with new currency notes!
“Many trucks drove through Uromi that day without anybody searching. This truck was carrying palm kernel shells. You can imagine what it took them to search and discover human beings and then guns, money, Dane guns, and dogs, so these people (vigilantes) were working on a tip-off.
“There are videos and write-ups in social media by Uromi indigenes saying these things are happening; they kidnap poor men, they kidnap our women, they rape our women, and they insert sticks into their private parts.
“Sometimes, even when ransoms were paid, they would hold the person who came to pay the ransom and release the one who was held before. These things kept happening again and again, yet nothing was done on these cries, and if anything was done, it was not to the satisfaction of the Uromi indigenes.
“Though it is not right that they took the law into their hands, something triggered the anger. You can imagine that when people are arrested in the act and taken to the appropriate authorities, especially the police, and in a few days to months, you see the same people walking freely.
“Your life is at risk, especially those who keep watch over the town, whom we call vigilantes, because these people will come after them. This was why they mobbed them to death, which is inappropriate. We are unhappy about it. But a situation that was not remedied caused it to happen.”
Why did they hide in the trailer? Okojie, native queries
Another indigene, Brown Okojie, said, “We see trucks pass through here, and you would see the boys who we call aboki standing on the top of the trucks; they hang their Dane guns on their shoulders, and you would see the dogs they carry, but these, they were hiding in the Dangote truck. why?”
A week before that incident, five kidnappers were arrested in the forest, and they were taken to the police station in Uromi, which transferred them to the state police headquarters in Benin City. But shockingly, the following Monday, the same people were released back to the community, thereby putting the lives of those who apprehended them at risk.
Okojie revealed: “A day before the incident, N25 million was paid as ransom to the herders to release a husband and his wife, but they still killed them and left their bodies along the Ubiaja Road.
“That same day, a lady went to pay N5 million to bail her sister from the herdsmen in Uromi; they collected the money, released the initial victim, and then kept her. Now, we are looking for money to release her. As we speak, people who are victims of kidnapping are still with their captors, these Fulani herdsmen.
Fulani herdsmen fed a newborn baby to their dog in the mother’s presence
“Early this year, a pregnant woman was in labor, and the husband had no choice but to carry her around midnight to the hospital. On their way to the hospital, herdsmen kidnapped them. The woman was in labor throughout that night until morning, and she gave birth to a baby boy in their presence.
“The Fulani herdsmen gave that baby boy to their dog because they move with the dogs; the woman said she watched her baby being eaten alive by the dogs. She is still living with the trauma, so you cannot just say that because those victims were with dogs, it made them hunters. After this incident, they still asked for ransom before they were released. They did that to show their level of harshness.”
He said a few days before the incident, about 12 children were going to school together in a community in Ewohi, cows emerged from the bush, the children ran, and a three-year-old child who could not run was trampled upon, killed by the cows, and nothing happened
They are not hunters — Ordia
Ordia, who has been involved in negotiating the release of a kidnapped person, said, “It is not a good experience at all. About two months ago, a very close friend of mine was kidnapped, and the members of our association had to rally round, levied ourselves, including church and family members, and raised N3 million before they released him.”
I am not particularly pleased with how the authorities and media have handled this matter, that they are hunters traveling from Port Harcourt to Obajana and Kano State, as the case may be. Port Harcourt is a riverine area, so where were they hunting? I believe that these guys were not hunters.”
Villagers identified some of them as kidnappers before the lynching
A source told Saturday Vanguard: “What provoked the mob to lynch the 16 persons was when villagers who claimed to have been abducted in the past past came to the scene, and identified some of them as those that kidnapped them.”
“Some of them also identified some items found with them as property they stole from them during their kidnap.
“If they were hunters , why were they not with dried meat and any other things that would show they were hunters? They use the weapons they carry to hunt and kill their fellow human beings, not animals.
“Is it the bags of rice that the vigilantes saw with them that were their proof of being hunters when we already knew they took off from their hideout in the thick forest between Onicha- Ugbo and Ubiaja.”’
Okpbholo’s intervention after dismantling Obaseki’s ESSN
When Governor Monday Okpebholo visited Uromi on March 28, a day after the incident, Hausa people residing in the community and some natives staged parallel protests.
Both sides almost clashed before security agents shot to disperse them, after which the governor came down from his vehicle to address them.
The women’s protest on social media, purporting that they barricaded Okpebholo’s entourage, was an old video.
The protesting women, however, said they were worried that the state government had stopped the local vigilante protecting them in Uromi, and “Now, it is operation secure yourself.”
Former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, had set up the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), mainly vigilante members. Many of them registered with the state government with their arms.
Some were trained by the security forces at the Mobile Police Training School in Ogida Barracks, Benin City, and the government deployed them across senatorial districts, local government areas, and communities. They worked with the local vigilantes and hunters in the communities.
They also mounted roadblocks at the flashpoints around the highways and communities, and at times, jointly searched the forests with government security agencies to checkmate kidnappers and their activities.
When Governor Okpebholo assumed office, he appointed Friday Ibadin, a retired commissioner of police, and changed the name to Edo State Security Corps. Ibadin recalled the personnel and ordered them to submit their guns and appear for profiling, which is what he has been doing for the past three months. The governor suspended him soon after the Uromi incident.
The Okpebholo government took a hard stance against kidnapping by demolishing properties linked to criminal activities, including those of suspected informants and kidnappers, and has vowed to continue this crackdown until kidnapping ends in the state.
These actions were taken based on a new anti-kidnapping law in the state. According to the new law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by the governor, any house found to be used for kidnapping activities will be demolished to serve as a deterrent to others.
Under the new law, a landlord “must profile a person before giving out their house to him or her for rent.”
The government intensified its crackdown on individuals aiding kidnappers, as the state’s task force demolished several properties within the Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.
The measures seemed to be yielding results as collaborators were already allegedly fleeing their areas, abandoning their properties for fear of being demolished until the March 27 tragedy.
[Vanguard]
The United States government has expressed concern over the recent tribunal decision on the Edo State governorship election.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria said the ruling may have come from a process with problems.
In a message posted on the official X account of the U.S. Embassy on Friday, the diplomatic office said there were “serious lapses in the collation process” during the election. They added that civil society groups and election observers are also worried about these issues.
“Ambassador Mills reiterates his statement of September 24 that transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.
“The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement said.
There have been complaints following the September 21 governorship election in Edo. Some stakeholders have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of election malpractice.
The election tribunal, which sat in Abuja, confirmed on Wednesday that APC candidate Monday Okpebholo won the election. It dismissed the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for lack of enough evidence.
The three judges, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, said Okpebholo received the highest number of valid votes and was properly elected.
It can be recalled that a day before the tribunal gave its judgment, a copy of the ruling was leaked online. The leaked version, like the final judgment, also favoured the APC and its candidate.
Three sisters from same parents die after eating egg sauce in Delta - stepmother confesses she killed them
AFOLABI
Three sisters from the same parents have reportedly died in their home after consuming poisoned egg sauce prepared by their stepmother.
The incident occurred in DSC Steel Town, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The father of the three girls was nowhere to be found at the time of this report.
Their remains have been deposited in the mortuary, leaving many, including neighbors, in tears.
Meanwhile, the stepmother of the three girls has confessed to poisoning the egg sauce she gave them to eat last night.
According to her, she did not intend to kill them but only wanted to make them sick for a while because they refused to accept her as their stepmother.
It was learned that the stepmother was the best friend of the late mother of the three girls, who died a year ago.
It was also gathered that the stepmother, who had children with three different men (all of whom are now deceased), moved into the home of her late best friend and married her widowed husband less than a year ago.
Suspension: Court restrains Senate president, Kogi senator, others from speaking with media
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday responded to an allegation by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that he was involved in a plot to assassinate her.
The response from Akpabio came same day a Federal High Court under trial Justice Binta Nyako restrained both Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan as well as other named parties in the case before her to stop speaking to the press on their case. The restraining order issued by Justice Binta Nyako, was sequel to a complaint by Akpabio’s lawyer, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged at a rally she organised in her hometown on April 1, that Akpabio was working with a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.
However, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Eseme Eyibo, in Abuja, the Senate President described the Kogi Central Senator’s allegations as baseless and totally false.
Part of the statement read, “The Office of the President of the Senate strongly condemns the recent baseless, false and inflammatory accusation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she falsely alleged that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio was involved in a plot to assassinate her.
“While speaking in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recklessly and maliciously claimed that Senator Godswill Akpabio “recruited” former Governor Yahaya Bello to “assassinate her in Kogi State rather than in Abuja.”
“This outrageous accusation is not only false but a complete fabrication and deeply irresponsible and dangerous attempt to provoke public unrest, attract media attention, and discredit the person and office of the President of the Senate for ulterior motives.
“It is important to remind the public that this same individual had previously made an unsubstantiated accusation of sexual harassment against Senator Akpabio, a claim she seem to have abandoned without explanation.
“Having failed to gain traction with that narrative, she has now escalated her campaign of misinformation to a deadly and defamatory dimension.
“This pattern of deliberate falsehoods and manipulative theatrics reveals a troubling willingness to exploit public sensitivities through recurring victimhood narratives.
“It is a matter of public record that she has previously made assassination allegations against former Governor Yaya Bello and others in 2019 and 2023, along with multiple unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against other dignitaries.
“Her recurring persecution narrative and evident lying complex should not be weaponised to malign individuals or destroy hard-earned reputations.”
Furthermore, the statement noted that, “this latest reckless allegation is not occurring in isolation. Barely 24 hours later, on April 2, 2025, former Senator Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously withdrawn claim that Senator Akpabio “manipulated the judiciary” to secure his removal from the Senate.
“Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.
“His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North.
“In a further twist, Mr. Abbo also alleged that he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President.
“This, too, is categorically false. Entitlements such as salaries and allowances are processed strictly through administrative and legal procedures. The Senate President does not and cannot unilaterally approve or deny such requests. Any delays or rejections would have been based solely on due diligence and compliance with established protocols.”
According to the statement, “the timing, tone, and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign.
“These individuals, backed by undisclosed interests, appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred. As a statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric.
“Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm, are underway to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.
“We call on the Nigerian public in particular and the International Community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives.
“The Senate, under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, remains focused on its constitutional mandate: to promote legislative excellence, safeguard democratic values, and deliver meaningful progress for the Nigerian people.”
Court Restrains Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan, Others from Speaking with Media
Meanwhile, the restraining order issued yesterday by Justice Binta Nyako, was sequel to a complaint by Akpabio’s lawyer, Ogunwumiju, SAN.
The senior lawyer at yesterday’s proceedings had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of going from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending before the court.
Ogunwumiju added that the Kogi Central Senator had also been to the BBC and CNN to speak on the issue.
Reacting, Justice Nyako ordered that there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regard the subject matter of the case.
While observing that the case was sub-judice, she further barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming of proceedings in the case on social media.
At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, plaintiff’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) told the court that the case was coming up for the first time, having been transferred from another court, under Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
He informed the court that parties had filed and exchanged all relevant documents, except one and prayed the court to grant a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.
According to the senior lawyer, time was of the essence because his client’s suspension was for a limited period, adding that Akpoti-Uduaghan was desirous of expeditious determination of the case.
Responding, the Clerk of the National Assembly represented by Mr. Charles Iyoila as well as Paul Daudu, SAN, who represented the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s application that the substantive case should be heard with the objections raised by the defendants.
However, the application was opposed by Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu, SAN, representing the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem.
In a short ruling, Justice Nyako granted the application and held that the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit. The judge subsequently adjourned till May 12 for hearing.
Listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate and Senator Neda Imasuem (Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct).
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court to challenge her investigation and subsequent suspension for six months over alleged misconduct.
Amongst others, the plaintiff claimed that she was not given fair hearing before her suspension by the Senate.
A bomb explosion on Taiwo Street, Idi-Araba, in the Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State was triggered by a scavenger, Saturday PUNCH has gathered.
The explosion claimed the life of the scavenger and left three others injured.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the scavenger was attempting to dismantle military-grade grenades with the intention of collecting them as part of the scrap metal he was searching for.
The scavenger, whose identity is yet to be known, was handling one of the grenades when it detonated, killing him instantly.
Three other individuals, whose names and addresses are also unknown, sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.
He said, “At 13:30 hours on April 3, 2025, a distress call was received by the EOD unit based in Ikeja that there was a bomb explosion on Taiwo Street, Idi-Araba. Our team of EOD-CBRN operatives was swiftly mobilised to the scene.
“On arrival, the team ensured the area was safe, and after a thorough inspection, it was discovered that the explosion was caused by military-grade grenades that had been tampered with by a scavenger who was trying to split one of them. Sadly, the scavenger lost his life at the scene, while three others were injured and taken to a nearby hospital.”
Hundeyin further confirmed that the scene was secured, photographed, and crucial evidence was collected for analysis.
“The deceased’s body has been moved to a public morgue for autopsy, and an investigation has been initiated. Further developments will be communicated,” he added.
Police in Benue State have rescued the passengers abducted on Thursday night near Otukpo.
In a statement issued Friday night, the spokesperson for Benue State command, Catherine Anene, said that police, in collaboration with members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, were able to rescue 14 kidnap victims.
Anene confirmed that the driver of the bus and a passenger died from gunshot wounds.
“The team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately.
“On 4/4/2025 at about 1500hrs, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior firepower of the police subdued them and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.
“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue. Fourteen (14) victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where one was confirmed dead and others are currently receiving treatment.”
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In preparation for a befitting burial for the late renowned leader of the Ijaw Nation, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the Burial Committee paid a visit to suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at his private residence in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Led by Chairman Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the delegation included National President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba, among others.
The committee briefed Governor Fubara on the progress made so far in preparing for a successful burial ceremony.
Late Pa Clark was a respected leader and elder statesman who played a significant role in nation-building and the pursuit of social justice.
His contributions to the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole are immeasurable.
Governor Fubara had earlier described Pa Clark as a quintessential leader who remained fearless in speaking against acts of injustice, leadership recklessness, and marginalization while propagating national unity.
The visit by the Burial Committee was described by the chairman of the burial committee, Lulu Briggs, as a significant step in ensuring that Pa Clark is given a burial ceremony that befits his status and contributions to the nation.
He noted that the committee’s efforts demonstrate the high esteem in which Pa Clark is held, and the ceremony is expected to be a celebration of his life and legacy.
Paul Chukwuma, a frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has resigned from the party ahead of Saturday’s primary election in the state.
Chukwuma cited “unprogressive persons” in the state’s leadership of the party as reasons for his resignation.
“The problem has always been with the leaders in Anambra, the president is interested in fixing Nigeria and we will support him but we will not work with some unprogressive elements in Anambra,” he told journalists on Friday.
Chukwuma, who spoke from his home town in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, said he has handed his official resignation to the chairman of the party of his ward.
“My support and loyalty are 100 per cent for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Our agenda is to connect Anambra to the centre.
“We want to have some time to prepare and ensure that we raise the five per cent we always give the president,” he added.
Meanwhile, another aspirant, Chukwuma Umeoji, stepped down from the race on Friday.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced Umeoji’s withdrawal in a statement.
The statement read in part, “An aspirant in tomorrow’s gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji has informed the Party of his decision to withdraw from the election.
“According to him, this decision was made in good faith following consultations with my supporters across the state.
“Our great Party thanks the Rt. Hon. Umeoji for his aspiration and dedicated support of the Party in Anambra state and nationally.
“It is our hope that Rt. Hon. Umeoji will do all in his power to support and work for the victory of the eventual gubernatorial flag bearer of our great Party in the November 8, 2025 Anambra state gubernatorial election.”
Umeoji’s withdrawal from the race leaves five remaining APC aspirants who purchased the forms, including Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Onunkwo Johnbisco Obinna, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu, to compete for the party’s ticket on Saturday.
Across Nigeria, chilling stories have emerged of hotel guests who checked into rooms, only to disappear without a trace—or worse, to be found mutilated. In the shadows of these horrific incidents, disturbing accounts suggest that hotel employees, driven by greed, coercion, or even direct complicity, play vital roles in aiding the murderers, either by unwittingly or intentionally facilitating such grisly crimes. VICTOR AYENI writes on the dark underbelly of Nigeria’s hospitality industry
The morning of March 21 began like any other when Pastor Sunday Ogofotha bade goodbye to his family and set out from his house in Lagos to his home state, Delta State.
A native of the Owhelogbo community in the Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, he had planned to attend his brother’s burial, which was scheduled to take place in the village the next day.
On arriving in Otowe late that day, the cleric lodged at Century Home Hotel in the Owhelogbo community and settled in for an evening of tranquility, hoping to wake up the next day to attend the burial event.
Sadly, that day never came, as Sunday did not make it out of the hotel alive.
The next day, as the Ogofotha family gathered for the burial service, Sunday was nowhere to be seen, and his phones were switched off.
By the second day, apprehension had crept in, and the family began to frantically call one another to inquire about the cleric’s whereabouts.
Fortunately, on Friday evening, Sunday had informed his wife of the name of the hotel where he was lodging and his room number — a piece of information that ultimately exposed the evil minds that orchestrated the cleric’s murder.
Uncovering a gruesome murder
Some worried family members reportedly called Mrs Rhoda Ogofotha to ask if her husband had returned to Lagos. But their hearts sank when she informed them that he had not yet returned from the trip.
Her efforts to reach Sunday on the phone proved abortive, as his phones had been switched off since Friday evening — an unusual practice that raised some suspicion.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that Rhoda called her in-laws and informed them of what her husband had told her before they lost communication.
With this information, the family members went to Century Home Hotel to ask about Sunday’s whereabouts, but the hotel manager, Godwin Iboirode, claimed that he had checked out.
This prompted the family to leave the hotel in disappointment. However, they returned there again, this time with firm conviction that someone was hiding something.
Our correspondent gathered that when the Ogofotha family members re-visited the hotel, a heated argument erupted when they insisted on searching all the rooms — a suggestion which the hotel management allegedly tried to resist.
By this time, the case had attracted the intervention of the community vigilance group, which forcefully broke the door of a particular room and entered it to find a gory sight: Sunday’s dead body tied to the bed with multiple stab wounds.
Shocking confessions
When the case was reported to the Delta State Police Command, the hotel owner, Joseph Ogbole; the hotel manager, Iboirode; the security guard; and two other staff members were arrested.
An investigation revealed that Sunday had been murdered on Friday night, and his killers, alleged to be hotel staff, also took his ATM cards and withdrew money from his bank account the next day.
A source in the community alleged that the hotel had been a haven for suspected kidnappers and murderers.
“Pastor Sunday is not the only victim of their murder. Sometime last year, there was a story of a POS girl named Bethel who was said to have been killed in that hotel, too. Only God knows how many other people have innocently lodged there and fallen victim to them,” the source toldSaturday PUNCH.
In a video footage posted by Tony Talks Crime, a woman believed to be the wife of the security guard confessed that her husband had murdered the POS lady and buried her on the hotel premises.
According to her, her husband allegedly killed the lady because she accused him of using a fake alert to withdraw N10,000 from her account. Bethel was said to have recovered her money, but the man vowed to kill her in retaliation.
“My husband called her into the hotel; she is a friend of his. That day, he called her on the phone and took her into a room. It was around 7 pm one evening. I don’t know how he killed her because I was in our room. It was when he came out around midnight that he told me he had killed her,” she said.
In his confession, Iboirode, in a video posted on X by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on March 29, claimed that after Sunday lodged at the hotel on March 21, he was approached by two young men who wanted to see the cleric.
“One of them was dark-skinned, and the other was fair-skinned. They told me they wanted to take something from him (Sunday), and I said ‘okay.’ Later, the guys told me that when they collect the thing from the man, they would give me N5m.
“The dark-skinned guy, named Johnson, later came out of the room, but I didn’t see the fair-skinned one, named Clement, come out. After an hour had passed, I went to check the room. When I got to that particular room, I found out that the door had been locked with a padlock. Clement had left through the exit door inside the room that people could use to leave the building.
“Later, in the evening, I began to perceive some odour from the locked door. I knew the man inside was dead, and I was afraid. I decided to escape. I ran to a woman’s house to spend the night, and when it was morning, I came out to find out how the issue was. That was when the vigilantes and community boys attacked me,” he said.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the hotel was owned by Iboirode’s uncle, Oghole, who claimed to be unaware of his nephew’s criminal activities.
Oghole was said to have recruited Iboirode to help manage the hotel, but he was implicated by the community for complicity in Sunday’s murder, which ultimately led to the hotel being razed by angry residents.
Iboirode further disclosed, “I encountered Johnson and Clement before, around December last year, and they gave me N300,000. That time, they brought one girl to the hotel, but since that time, I have not seen the girl,” he added.
According to the police, a POS machine belonging to the girl believed to be Bethel was found in Iboirode’s house during a search initiated by detectives.
“Johnson was the one who handed over the POS machine to me. I don’t know whether it was the guy or the girl who owned the POS machine. But I can confirm that Sunday was murdered in his room by Clement and Johnson,” he added.
Edafe noted that the two suspects and the manager of the hotel have been apprehended, but they are still “investigating to unravel what eventually happened because, to the best of our knowledge, they have not given us the full details.”
The PPRO confirmed that Ogofotha was stabbed “multiple times until he died,” but “he was able to reach out to his wife to tell her where he was before they no longer heard from him. This is why information is vital; telling your loved ones where you are is key.”
Photo: TVC News
Shallow graves in Anambra hotel
In January, another grisly discovery was made on the premises of Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites in Umueze, Anambra State, when more than 30 shallow graves were uncovered.
Decomposing bodies, expended live bullets, and shrines were also found by security operatives who raided and subsequently demolished the hotel situated in Oba Idemili in the North Central area of the state.
“It was a sad thing that the hotel was used for kidnapping and possibly ritual purposes. The upper floor of the facility had 30 partitions for curious use, as well as a shrine. And that is not your everyday hotel; certainly, no government or authority would have approved of such a use.
“Since it’s used for kidnapping operations, it’s automatically forfeited to the government, so that is the law that has been activated. I am not aware if the owner of the hotel has turned himself in to the police. If he did so, maybe today, but he has to answer for his activities. There is no way he can extricate himself from the criminal activities that were happening in the hotel when it was in use.
“We are disturbed and worried about this because it may not be the only facility where you can have such activity. In the last two or three weeks, several buildings used for kidnapping activities have been brought down,” the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, said.
Killed for ritual, others
As the story of the hotel murders in Delta and Anambra states spread across social media, there were different explanations for what the motive of the murder could have been.
“It is ritual killing,” Wisdom Ovie, a father of two, told our correspondent. “If you investigate, you will see that some of these hotels kill people for money rituals. This used to be more common in the 90s when they killed people in hotels and no one knew about their whereabouts. There was one like that in 1996, the Otokoto ritual killings in Owerri, Imo State.”
Infamous Otokoto killing
The Otokoto killing occurred on September 19, 1996, when an 11-year-old schoolboy and groundnut hawker, Anthony Okoronkwo, was drugged and killed by ‘money ritual’ murderers inside a hotel.
The young lad was reported to have been lured into the hotel by a gardener, Innocent Ekeanyanwu, who offered the boy a cold beverage and carried him into the hotel after he became unconscious.
The 11-year-old was said to have been decapitated, had his liver removed and penis severed. His dismembered body was allegedly buried within the hotel premises.
Gory murders
Like feral animals on a rampage for blood, so were the attackers of Olamide Akinolu, who eventually snuffed life out of him in November last year.
The unidentified individuals descended on the 30-year-old, who had gone to the hotel to meet a man to whom he had paid N50,000 to rent musical instruments in Wadoye, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
While the Ogun State Police Command did not disclose the motive behind the assault, sources told Saturday PUNCH that Akinolu began vomiting blood after the alleged attack.
“He sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital, where the doctor pronounced him dead. This prompted a group of people to organise an attack on the hotel.
“The hotel manager was injured, and several instruments were damaged during the violence. Our officers were dispatched to the scene to restore order. Meanwhile, the body has been taken to a mortuary in Olambe for examination and autopsy,” the state PPRO, Omolola Odutola, disclosed.
A year earlier, a similar incident had occurred in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, when the lifeless body of a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chinyere Awuda, was found abandoned near its swimming pool.
The 30-year-old was allegedly beaten to death on July 15 after she was accused of picking up money being sprayed during a birthday party at the hotel.
At her burial, the parents of the deceased, Mr and Mrs Patrick Awuda, lamented that their daughter died an “undeserved death.”
“She was our fifth child. The news of her sudden death came to us as a rude shock. We never expected that her promising life with a bright future would be cut short in such a manner.
“We heard that she was beaten to death by a group of boys, and her corpse was found near an abandoned swimming pool in the hotel where she went with her friends to celebrate someone’s birthday.
“Although the police said the autopsy proved she drowned, we believe she was killed as they have refused to release the CCTV footage of the incident. What can we do? We have left vengeance to God. We are going to miss our loving and caring daughter,” they said.
An unsolved murder
In a more bizarre incident in 2022, several suspects were arrested after a student from Delta State’s University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Adegor Sophia, was found murdered in a hotel room.
Edafe said some management staff, including the hotel manager, had been arrested in connection with the death of the student.
According to the police, although Sophia’s body was not mutilated, her arms and legs were tied, indicating that she was alive when she was restrained.
About two months earlier, in the Federal Capital Territory, a 21-year-old lady, Esther Isaac, was also reportedly murdered in a hotel in the Gwarinpa area.
Esther’s brother, Emmanuel, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, accused the police of humiliating him and alleged that the hotel management had tried to cover up the crime by claiming that their CCTV was faulty the day Esther lodged in the facility.
He said, “We live in Calabar, and I tried calling her two numbers and left her a message onWhatsApp, but she did not respond, which was unusual. I kept calling. Later, a police officer, Inspector Dajunma, picked up the call and told me my sister was dead.
“He asked me to come down to their division in Abuja. I was in Abuja the following day, and the police officers tried to work things out, but the hotel owner shouted at me.
“They asked if I had anyone, and I told them that it was myself and my late sister; we lost our parents a long time ago. They took advantage of my situation. Inspector Dajunma said maybe the case should be transferred to another place, so I left for Calabar. I came back to the station to ask for an update, but the police officers shouted at me.”
In her response, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, denied the allegation levelled against the police by the deceased’s brother.
“The allegation against us is wrong and unfair. The case is, however, under investigation,” Adeh said.
On November 5, 2021, an Abuja-based chartered accountant, Timothy Adegoke, travelled to Ile-Ife, Osun State, to write his Master of Business Administration examinations at the Obafemi Awolowo Distance Learning Centre.
Moments after he checked into Hilton Hotels and Resorts, a hotel owned by Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the father of three, placed a phone call to his wife to let her know he had arrived at his destination.
Unfortunately, that was the very last phone conversation Adegoke had with his wife.
On November 6, 2021, Adegoke’s wife repeatedly tried to reach the 37-year-old on the phone, but his calls were never answered.
Sensing that something was amiss with her husband’s silence, she alerted her in-laws. Two days after friends and family members could not reach Adegoke, and he was missing at the examination venue, he was declared missing.
After an intense search by the police, on November 15, 2021, the accountant’s lifeless body was found in a shallow grave very close to the Hilton Hotel and Resorts, where he had lodged.
After Adegoke’s body was exhumed, there were blood stains on different parts of his body. The shirt he wore was soaked in blood, and his shoulders and head were half-covered with a grey bed sheet.
The discovery subsequently led to the arrest of Adedoyin and six other staff members of the hotel.
Roheem, Adedoyin’s son, who also had a hand in Adegoke’s death, was identified as the fourth murderer. He is, however, still at large.
When the suspects were charged in court and the hearing began, one of the receptionists who was on duty on the night of the murder, Adesola Adedeji, narrated how the hotel management attempted to cover up Adegoke’s death.
While testifying before the court, Adedeji said that after the accountant was killed, she was instructed by Roheem, who was the managing director of the hotel at the time, to fabricate another receipt that would not reflect Adegoke’s name.
An autopsy report later revealed that Adegoke’s death was caused by severe haemorrhage secondary to severe traumatic injury.
After close to two years of intense court arguments, battles, and intrigues, Adedoyin, Aderogba, and Oyetunde were sentenced to death by hanging by the Osogbo High Court on May 30, 2023.
In January 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, upheld the death sentence earlier handed out by the Osogbo High Court.
‘Murders rampant in remote areas’
The belief in money rituals – an occult economy in which money can be magically produced from ritual murders – is rife in Nigeria.
This has been said to be the motive behind some violent murders reported across the country.
However, a Clinical Haematologist, Timothy Brown, pointed out that if there were a string of killings taking place in hotels, it would have to be in seedy motels in remote towns or villages.
“These can’t be something happening in urban areas where many people are conscious of internet usage. In this age of the Internet, such crimes will quickly spread, and people who commit such things need secrecy.
“Again, for people to murder clients in hotels, there has to be more than one person involved. However, it would be more linked to organ harvesting rings,” he opined.
Meanwhile, a psychologist, Olubunmi Onipede, explained that some individuals are known as serial killers because they commit a series of murders over an extended period and often develop a method of selecting their victims.
“Many of these serial killers are psychopaths, and one can trace the roots of their condition back to early childhood. They may have witnessed extreme violence or suffered abuse or neglect, and these causes of trauma can lead to deep-seated psychological issues. These issues can manifest in violence and the urge to murder,” she noted.
Safety expert weighs in
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a safety and security expert, Stanley Ihakpe explained that people need to research hotels and check their websites, reviews, and ratings to assess their safety before lodging.
“Verify the hotel’s location and surroundings to ensure it’s in a safe area,” he advised. “For corporate organisations, a formal risk assessment must be carried out by the business’s safety and security team ahead of the visit by the employee, and the report must be reviewed by top management.
“This review will determine the risk rating of the hotel or range of hotels. For a responsible organisation, it is best to have a list of hotels that have been risk-assessed and considered safe for employees. This must be communicated to all relevant staff as an advisory before each trip.”
Ihakpe also advised people to avoid showing off expensive assets where possible and to always inspect their rooms.
“Check for any signs of damage, tampering, or suspicious activity, or even hidden cameras. Check that the door locks are working and functional. Store your valuables, such as your passport, cash, and jewellery, safely. It’s advisable not to leave these items on the table or the desk by the bed.
“If you are lodging in a hotel, use the deadbolt and chain lock to secure your door and don’t let strangers into your room. Be wary of unsolicited visitors. It’s also important that people are aware of their surroundings.
“People should also learn to report suspicious activity and try to recognise the names of hotel staff. Ask for their names during each engagement. This will help in properly addressing them and assist in facial recognition.”
Ihakpe also urged people who lodge in hotels to always inform friends and loved ones where they are.
“Do this immediately after you approach the front desk and make sure the hotel staff hear you describe the hotel,” he added.
Africa must build industries, exporting raw materials is a door to poverty — Akinwunmi Adesina
AFOLABI
Akinwunmi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), says internal investments within the continent are the only pathway to beating poverty.
Adesina spoke in an episode of BBC’s Focus on Africa podcast that aired on Wednesday.
Reacting to the “unprecedentedly large cuts” to foreign aid that rattled multiple sectors across Africa, Adesina said the impact proves that the continent does not need to rely on international donors.
“You can’t just rely on the benevolence of others,” he said.
“Benevolence is not a strategy; investment is a strategy. There is no substitute to actually hard-nosed investments in which you actually bring in private capital to unlock all of your assets.”
The AfDB president said it is crucial that the youth, who make up most of Africa’s population, invest their talents and skills in the continent rather than seek a future in foreign nations.
“We have to build highly competitive industrial value chains that we can trade among ourselves, that we can get the skills, and some of the people that are leaving will come back,” he said.
“So, if you’re investing in, for example, manufacturing lithium-ion precursor batteries in DRC Congo, it’s three times less than in the United States, Poland, or China.
“And so, when we build those chains, we retain talent, we attract talent. Our young people will do that, so if you want to create more jobs, build industries.
“When you export raw materials, that is the door to poverty.”
Reflecting on his two-term tenure as AfDB president, Adesina said he viewed his position as a mission to fast-track Africa’s progress.
Adesina is the eighth elected president of the AfDB.
He was first elected to the position on May 28, 2015, by the bank’s board of governors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and was re-elected unanimously for a second five-year term on August 27, 2020.
Before his appointment at the AfDB, Adesina was Nigeria’s minister of agriculture from 2010 to 2015.
Adesina will conclude his tenure at the AfDB in September.