Free Speech Under Threat in Kaduna? Zango-Kataf LGA Chairman Accused of Using Police to Detain Julius Tagwai Over Facebook Post, Residents Allege Abuse of Power

Is freedom of expression being criminalised in Kaduna State? This question has sparked public outrage following the alleged arrest and detention of Julius Shehu Tagwai, a young resident of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, over a Facebook post critical of the handling of Christmas welfare packages.

According to community sources, Tagwai was invited to the Zonkwa Police Station on the evening of January 9, 2026, and went there voluntarily. However, residents claim that upon arrival, he was immediately taken into custody and detained without being informed of any specific offence. They allege that the arrest was carried out on the instruction of the Chairman of Zango-Kataf LGA, Mr. Bege Joseph Gaya, who was said to be the complainant.

The Facebook post in question reportedly expressed disappointment over the alleged non-distribution of Christmas packages said to have been provided by the Kaduna State Government for residents. Community members insist the post was peaceful and amounted to nothing more than the exercise of the constitutional right to free expression.

Matters reportedly escalated when Tagwai’s lawyer and younger brother arrived at the station to secure his release, only to be informed that he had already been transferred out of the division. The Divisional Police Officer allegedly disclosed that the transfer to the Kaduna State Police Headquarters was done on the instruction of the local government chairman.

On January 10, Tagwai was moved to the state police headquarters. His legal counsel later claimed that after examining the police file, no formal written complaint or recognisable criminal offence had been documented against his client. The lawyer further alleged that Tagwai was denied access to his mobile phone, preventing him from contacting family or legal representatives and leaving relatives unaware of his whereabouts for hours.

As of the time of reporting, Tagwai remained in police custody over an unspecified offence, triggering anger among residents who describe the incident as an abuse of political power and an attempt to intimidate critics and suppress dissent. Locals also referenced a similar recent arrest of another young man, Ayuba Black, raising fears of a growing pattern of targeting outspoken residents.

Human rights advocates have warned that arresting a citizen over an opinion, denying communication, and holding a person without clear charges may violate Sections 34, 35, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee dignity of the human person, personal liberty, and freedom of expression.

Residents are now calling on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and other oversight bodies to urgently investigate the matter and ensure accountability. Attempts to obtain responses from the local government chairman and the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Deji Adeyanju Identifies Four Groups Unhappy About US Bombing Terrorists in Nigeria

Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has identified four categories of people reportedly unhappy about the US airstrikes on ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto, Nigeria. In a Facebook post on December 28, 2025, Adeyanju listed the groups as: members of the Nigerian Army allegedly benefiting from insecurity, terrorists themselves, terrorist sympathizers, and politicians exploiting opposition politics. The US military action, carried out at Nigeria’s request, has sparked varied reactions across the country, with some praising the intervention while others express concern over its implications.

US Attack in Sokoto: Resident Accuses Trump of Targeting Innocent Civilians in Alleged ISIS Airstrike, Questions Terror Claims

A Sokoto resident, Jamilu Umar Jabbi, has strongly condemned the recent United States airstrike on alleged ISIS bases in Sokoto State, ordered by former US President Donald Trump. Speaking via a Facebook post, Jabbi questioned the existence of ISIS in Sokoto and accused the US of targeting innocent civilians rather than terrorists. He argued that areas with documented terrorist activities, such as Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of eastern Sokoto, were ignored, while Jabo—an area he claims has no history of terrorism—was struck at night.
Jabbi further alleged that the attack reflects injustice and a hidden agenda against Muslims, calling on Nigerian leaders to speak out and urging divine intervention. His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting the US action as a counterterrorism effort and others insisting that innocent lives were lost. The incident continues to fuel national debate over the legitimacy, intelligence basis, and humanitarian impact of the reported US airstrikes in northern Nigeria.

Sheikh Gumi Sues Two Facebook Users Over Alleged Defamation, Says False Threat Claims Endangered His Life

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has instituted a criminal defamation case against two Facebook users, George Udom and Bello Isiaka, at the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna State over publications he says were falsely attributed to him and seriously damaged his reputation. The suit, filed on December 24, 2025, followed a Facebook post alleging that Gumi threatened Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, over ongoing military operations against bandits.

According to court documents, the defendants allegedly published a statement claiming that Gumi warned that the minister’s family in Zango Kataf, Southern Kaduna, would be eliminated if military offensives against bandits continued. Through his lawyer, Suleiman Lere, Sheikh Gumi categorically denied ever making or endorsing such remarks, describing the publication as malicious, reckless and deliberately crafted to portray him as a terrorist sympathiser and a threat to national security.

Gumi maintained that the false claim gravely harmed his standing as a cleric known for advocating peace, dialogue and restraint, while also exposing him to possible reprisals from security agencies and members of the public. His legal team warned that the era of hiding behind social media platforms to spread falsehoods and destroy reputations was coming to an end.

The criminal summons cited provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, under which the alleged offences attract serious penalties upon conviction. The case has further drawn attention to the growing problem of misinformation and defamation on social media in Nigeria, particularly against high-profile figures.

Sheikh Gumi, who has previously engaged armed bandits as part of peace-building efforts in northern Nigeria, reiterated that he stepped back from such engagements after the federal government designated bandits as terrorists in 2021. He stressed that while his past interventions were aimed at peace and economic stability, they exposed him to significant personal risks he is no longer willing to take.

Kaduna Trader Arrested for Criticizing Governor Sani’s Flouting of Presidential VIP Security Order Released After Detention

Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Comrade Danhabu, a trader from Kaduna, was arrested in early December for a Facebook post criticizing Governor Uba Sani’s alleged failure to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of police protection for top officials. In his post, Danhabu highlighted that key state officials, including commissioners, the Chief of Staff, and the Speaker, continued to enjoy police escorts despite the presidential order. Arrested at his market and interrogated by the Commissioner of Police, Danhabu was initially remanded in a magistrate court until January 13, 2026. His detention sparked concern among his family, including his elderly mother and two children. After widespread attention, Danhabu has now been released. The case underscores ongoing tensions over freedom of speech, enforcement of presidential directives, and police conduct in Nigeria.

#KadunaTraderArrest #FreedomOfSpeechNigeria #VIPSecurityControversy

Renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has approached the Chief Magistrate Court of Kaduna State, seeking criminal action against two Facebook users over an alleged defamatory publication and death threat linked to Nigeria’s Minister of Defence. The legal action follows claims that the defendants falsely attributed a threatening statement to Sheikh Gumi, portraying him as the author of a violent warning directed at the defence minister and his family.

Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the application was filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna. The matter, listed as Case No: KD Km 1685725, names Sheikh Gumi as the complainant, while George Udom and Bello Isiaka are listed as defendants. Sheikh Gumi is seeking the issuance of a criminal direct complaint summons against the two individuals.

According to the application addressed to the Registrar of the court, the complaint arose from a Facebook post allegedly published by the defendants on December 23, 2025. The post, described as a “Breaking News” item, reportedly stated that if the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, did not stop military operations against bandits, his entire family in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, would be eliminated.

The filing further identified the Facebook accounts allegedly used to publish the statement, including the usernames and partial phone details associated with George Udom and Bello Isiaka. Sheikh Gumi told the court that his photograph was attached to the post, leading many social media users to believe that he authored the statement. He said he received numerous calls from people who assumed he had issued the threat against the defence minister.

Sheikh Gumi argued that the publication falsely portrayed him as someone who threatened a public servant, specifically the Minister of Defence, whose constitutional responsibility includes maintaining peace and security across Nigeria, including Kaduna State. He maintained that the post not only damaged his reputation but also posed serious security implications by linking him to a potential act of violence.

Describing himself as an Islamic scholar widely known for preaching peace in Nigeria and beyond, Sheikh Gumi stated that the publication painted him as a troublemaker capable of inciting unrest and disrupting the fragile peace in Kaduna State. He further warned that the post positioned him as a prime suspect should any attack occur against the defence minister’s family or in Southern Kaduna, thereby exposing him to possible danger and state scrutiny.

According to the court filing, the alleged actions of the defendants violate several provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017, including sections relating to criminal conspiracy, attempted public disturbance, and criminal defamation. Sheikh Gumi’s legal team argued that the publication was not only defamatory but also capable of inciting fear, unrest, and public disorder.

The application, dated December 24, 2025, was signed by Sheikh Gumi’s lawyers from the firm of Suleiman D. Lere & Co., Kaduna. The legal team includes Suleiman Danlami Lere Esq., Ibrahim Ahmad Esq., I.H. Yahya Esq., and Saratu Nura Hassan Esq.

As of the time of reporting, the Chief Magistrate Court has not fixed a date for the hearing of the application or for the issuance of the criminal summons. The case adds to ongoing debates around misinformation, misuse of social media, and the legal consequences of publishing unverified and potentially dangerous content in Nigeria.

The development also comes amid heightened national sensitivity over security operations, online hate speech, and the spread of false information capable of inflaming tensions or undermining public confidence in security institutions.

BREAKING: Shock In Kano As Two State Assembly Lawmakers, Aminu Saad Ungogo And Sarki Aliyu Daneji, Die Within Hours Of Each Other

Tragedy has struck the Kano State House of Assembly following the sudden deaths of two serving lawmakers, Hon. Aminu Saad Ungogo and Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who passed away just hours apart on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The development has thrown the state’s political landscape into mourning and raised concerns over the loss of key legislative voices within a single day.
Hon. Aminu Saad Ungogo represented the Ungogo State Constituency, while Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji served as the lawmaker for Kano Municipal Constituency. Their deaths were officially confirmed by senior government officials, including the Special Adviser on Information to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Ibrahim Adam, who announced the sad news via a Facebook post, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of both lawmakers in one evening.
Further confirmation came from the Director of Media at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. He disclosed that Hon. Ungogo died after a brief illness and was scheduled to be buried later the same day in his hometown of Ungogo, in line with Islamic rites. An hour after Ungogo’s death, news broke that Hon. Daneji had also passed away, compounding the grief within the Assembly and across the state.
The near-simultaneous deaths of the two legislators have sent shockwaves through Kano’s political community, with colleagues, government officials, and residents expressing condolences and prayers for their families. Both lawmakers were described as committed public servants who played active roles in representing their constituencies at the state legislature.
As Kano mourns the loss of the two lawmakers, tributes continue to pour in from political leaders and citizens alike, while the State House of Assembly is expected to formally announce mourning activities and possible arrangements for filling the vacant seats in accordance with the law.

Kaduna Trader Arrested After Facebook Post Criticising Governor Uba Sani’s Handling of Presidential VIP Security Order

A Kaduna trader, Abubakar Idris (Comrade Danhabu), has been arrested after criticising Governor Uba Sani on Facebook for allegedly failing to enforce President Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection duties. Danhabu was arrested two days after the post, interrogated by the Kaduna Commissioner of Police, and remanded in prison by a magistrate until January 13, 2026. His family alleges political influence behind the arrest, noting that he is married with two children and cares for an ailing mother. In the post that triggered the detention, he accused top Kaduna officials of still moving around with police escorts despite the presidential order.


#HumanRights #Kaduna #UbaSani

Blogger Plans Sunday Visit to Pastor Jerry Eze’s Church, Calls Him a “Businessman Who Knows How to Cry”

SEO and arbitrage blogger Okejiri Emmanuel has stirred controversy after announcing plans to attend Pastor Jerry Eze’s church in Port Harcourt to “study” how the popular cleric runs his ministry. In a Facebook post, Emmanuel described Pastor Jerry as a skilled content creator whose emotional preaching style—especially his signature crying—boosts engagement and revenue. He labeled some modern pastors as businessmen benefiting from Nigeria’s hardships, adding that he wants to learn the techniques behind Jerry Eze’s massive livestream success. His remarks sparked heavy backlash from Nigerians who accused him of disrespecting the NSPPD founder and misunderstanding the global reach of his ministry.

"Christians also kill herdsmen"- Again, Gumi rejects genocide claims.

Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed reports of a targeted genocide against Christians in Nigeria, insisting that violent clashes between herders and farming communities involve casualties on both sides.

Gumi made the remarks in a Facebook post on Sunday, arguing that the narrative portraying Fulani herdsmen as sole aggressors does not reflect the full picture of the conflict.

According to him, communities involved in recurring clashes “attack and counterattack,” resulting in losses for both herders and residents.

“The Christians at fault-line communities in conflict with herdsmen also attack and counterattack. They kill and they are also killed,” he wrote.

He claimed he had travelled through several parts of the country in recent days and did not witness any targeted violence against Christians.

“There is no Christian genocide anywhere in Nigeria. I was in Kano, Lagos and Ibadan in the last two days. Christians are going about their business. They are in power, economy and security outfits,” he added.

Gumi warned against calls for foreign military intervention, saying such action could worsen the situation and embolden armed groups.

“The only option left is to use our national resources equitably to educate, develop and protect all Nigerians, herdsmen included,” he said, emphasising the need for local solutions to insecurity.

His comments come amid heightened concerns over attacks in parts of the North, where dozens of students have been abducted in recent incidents in Kebbi and Niger states.

“Justice Must Prevail” — Sowore Visits Sheikh Abduljabbar in Kuje Prison, Condemns Politically Motivated Conviction


Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has paid a solidarity visit to imprisoned Islamic cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara at Kuje Prison, Abuja.

Sowore revealed the visit in a Facebook post where he shared photos, noting that he was accompanied by Barrister Hamza Nuhu Dantani.

He recounted that Sheikh Abduljabbar was sentenced to death in Kano during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, following allegations of blasphemy — a case Sowore insists was politically engineered.

The activist expressed shock after discovering how individuals close to the cleric “worked together to ensure he ended up in prison.”

Despite his situation, Sowore said the sheikh remained hopeful and spiritually strong.

“He told us that God is protecting him and that he will continue to uphold his teachings until the end of his life.”

Sowore emphasized that no human being deserves injustice, insisting that Sheikh Abduljabbar's case must be revisited and justice served.

He further called for an end to what he described as the political manipulation of religion by corrupt leaders, stating that such practices continue to endanger innocent lives across the country.

Anambra governorship election: “You’ll suffer” — AAC’s Ifemeludike alleges in new video as she warns Anambra residents against re-electing Governor Soludo.

African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Chioma Ifemeludike, has cautioned Anambra residents and alleged that they will “suffer” if they reelect Governor Chukwuma Soludo instead of voting for her in the November 8 election.

The Nollywood actress and producer criticized Soludo over the poor condition of roads in Awka, particularly Uche Ekwunife Crescent, which she described as “totally dilapidated.” She accused the governor of neglecting basic infrastructure while constructing a new Government House with “wide, paved roads for himself and his generations.”

Ifemeludike said Soludo’s administration has failed to deliver good governance or quality social amenities, claiming he is only interested in showmanship. “If you miss out, you will suffer for it because Soludo is not ready to provide real leadership,” she said.

In a Facebook post directed at the governor, she asked, “@ccsoludo, why are you afraid to repair the capital city’s bad roads? Awka shouldn’t look so rural and undeveloped. With FAAC, local allocations, and IGR, we should have Dubai/Taiwan-style infrastructure.”

She urged voters not to be deceived but to come out en masse to make a better choice on election day. “On November 8, you have a choice — and that choice is Chioma for governor 2025,” she declared.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 16 political parties will participate in the Anambra governorship election.

She wasn’t like this – Senator Nwoko finally opens up, accuses Regina Daniels of drug abuse.

Senator Ned Nwoko has accused his actress wife, Regina Daniels, of engaging in drug and alcohol abuse, alleging that her actions have led to violence and destruction in their home.

The lawmaker made the claims in a Facebook post on Sunday titled “REGINA’S UNPROVOKED CARNAGE AND RAMPAGE IN MY HOUSE AND IN MY ABSENCE.”

According to Nwoko, Regina’s alleged struggle with substance abuse is the root of their marital problems.

He stated that she must continue her rehabilitation program either in Asokoro or abroad, particularly in Jordan, where he believes she would not have access to drugs.

The senator expressed fear for her safety if she failed to continue treatment, saying her current environment allows “unrestricted access to drugs.”

Nwoko further alleged that Regina had recently assaulted three members of his staff and destroyed property, including vehicles and windows, without provocation.

He claimed that while he took their son, Moon, to the hospital, chaos erupted at home, allegedly instigated by one of Regina’s supposed drug suppliers. He also accused her of threatening to kill a resident nurse for revealing her drug use.

The post read: “REGINA’S UNPROVOKED CARNAGE AND RAMPAGE IN MY HOUSE AND IN MY ABSENCE,” Nwoko said: “Regina was not always like this. Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem. She must continue her rehabilitation program, or I fear for her life and safety. Now she has moved to a place where she will have unrestricted access to drugs. I have other wives, and none will ever accuse me of violence. Regina is the violent one here, slapping and hitting 3 staff in the past 48 hours and destroying property, including cars and windows, for no just cause. The truth is, I have set a clear condition for her to accept rehab in Asokoro or outside Nigeria especially Jordan where she will not have access to drugs. A clear headed regina would have taken moon to the hospital but instead she even threatened to kill our resident nurse(for exposing her drugs abuse). While I took Moon to the hospital, a scene of chaos unfolded at home, orchestrated by Sammy, Regina’s main drug supplier. Another known supplier of drugs to Regina is the tiny evil devil called Ann.”

Shehu Sani Mocks Labour Party Over Outrage at Governor Mbah’s Defection: “You Left Africa to Syria, They Left to Spain”


Former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani, has taken a swipe at critics of Governor Peter Mbah’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—especially those from the Labour Party (LP)—accusing them of hypocrisy and selective outrage.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Sani reacted to comments made by Peter Obi, who had downplayed the political impact of Mbah’s defection but criticized the trend of cross-party movement among politicians.

Sani questioned why members of the Labour Party should be angry over a PDP member joining the APC, pointing out that many within the LP themselves were originally from the PDP.

Using his trademark humor, Sani drew a colorful analogy:

“You left Africa to Syria, and they left Africa to Spain. You are angry because they didn’t follow your route. You saw the vision and left; they only trailed your footsteps. The defectors only divorced the wife you once divorced.”


The former lawmaker argued that political migration has long been part of Nigeria’s political culture, and it was inconsistent for politicians to condemn defections when they had once done the same.

Sani’s remarks came after Obi clarified that Governor Mbah’s defection does not represent a regional political takeover, insisting that good governance—not party affiliation—should determine political support.

However, Sani’s post reframed the conversation, suggesting that Nigeria’s political class is caught in a revolving door of defections, where party switches are more about personal ambition than ideology.

His witty metaphor quickly went viral, reigniting debates about loyalty, integrity, and the fluid nature of political alliances in the country.

Cameroon Opposition Leader Claims Election Victory Ahead of Official Results.

Cameroon’s opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared himself the winner of Sunday’s presidential election a bold move coming days before the country’s electoral authority is expected to release official results.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tchiroma asserted that “our victory is clear and must be respected,” urging the government to “accept the truth of the ballot box” or risk “plunging the country into turmoil.” He also vowed to publish detailed regional results soon, maintaining that “the people have chosen.”

Although tally sheets from polling stations can be made public, only the Constitutional Council is legally empowered to proclaim final results a restriction the government has warned remains a “red line that must not be crossed.”

Tchiroma’s declaration echoes that of Maurice Kamto in 2018, when he similarly announced victory against longtime ruler Paul Biya before official results were out. Kamto was later arrested, and his supporters’ rallies were violently dispersed.

President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for 43 years and remains the world’s oldest sitting head of state, is seeking yet another term. However, Tchiroma, a former employment minister, has drawn surprising enthusiasm from younger voters, turning the race into one of the most closely watched in years.

As both camps circulate tally sheets and blackboard results on social media, each side continues to claim victory setting the stage for possible post-election tension in the Central African nation.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has renewed his call for the Federal Government to initiate peace talks with bandits, insisting that dialogue remains the most effective route to achieving lasting security in Nigeria.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Gumi referenced the recent peace deal between Israel and Hamas as proof that even long-standing conflicts can be resolved through negotiation.

According to him, if the United States could broker peace between Israel and Hamas—two groups once at bitter odds, then Nigeria should also be able to engage its own armed groups in dialogue.

“Peace between Israel and Hamas, whom they call terrorists, was brokered by the USA. Who says peace can’t be made with terrorists? Make peace with bandits and let us have peace,” Gumi wrote.

The Kaduna-based cleric, who has long advocated for engagement with non-state armed groups, reiterated that meaningful dialogue is key to ending the violence that has plagued many parts of northern Nigeria.

Tunisian Man Sentenced to Death Over Facebook Posts Criticising President.

A Tunisian court has sentenced a 56-year-old man to death for allegedly insulting President Kais Saied and undermining state security through Facebook posts, his lawyer and the Tunisian League for Human Rights confirmed on Friday.

The ruling has been described as unprecedented in the North African country, where restrictions on free speech have tightened since Saied assumed sweeping powers in 2021.

The defendant, Saber Chouchane, a day labourer with limited education, was arrested last year after publishing online criticism of the president. 

His lawyer, Oussama Bouthalja, said: “The judge in the Nabeul court sentenced the man to death over Facebook posts. It is a shocking and unprecedented ruling.” He added that an appeal has already been lodged.

Although Tunisian courts occasionally issue death sentences, the country has not carried out an execution in more than three decades.

Chouchane’s brother, Jamal, expressed disbelief, telling Reuters: “We can’t believe it. We are a family suffering from poverty, and now oppression and injustice have been added to poverty.”

The judgement has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with activists and citizens accusing authorities of attempting to silence critics through fear. Observers warn the ruling could intensify political tensions and further erode freedom of expression.

Since dissolving parliament and ruling by decree, Saied has faced mounting criticism from rights groups and opposition leaders, many of whom are imprisoned on various charges after being labelled “traitors” by the president.

Insecurity: Gunmen Kidnap Prominent Lawyer in Niger State on Independence Day.

Heavily armed terrorists have attacked Ibeto town in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting a prominent lawyer, Barrister Isyaku Muhammed Danjuma, along with several residents in a daring daylight raid.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, coinciding with Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebrations.

A family source revealed that the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, wielding sophisticated weapons.

“A lot of them armed with dangerous weapons and guns even bigger than what the security operatives would carry entered our town today (early morning). They were targeting prominent people to abduct. So that was how they came for Barrister Isyaku Muhammed Danjuma. He is currently with them. They have taken him away into the bush. These bandits operated openly for hours without any police or army to rescue them,” the source said.

Checks showed that Barrister Isyaku had posted about the terrorists’ invasion on his Facebook page shortly before his abduction.
He wrote:

“Independence Day but bandits are here in Ibeto running riot.”

Moments later, his fears became reality.

The abduction was further confirmed by his associate, Mohd Gbedako Ndatsu, who reacted under the lawyer’s Facebook post.

“Please when you come across this post, pray for him because I just received a devastating news now that the poster has been kidnapped,” Ndatsu wrote.

This latest abduction follows a similar incident last week, when another young lawyer, Barrister Onyesom Peace Udoka, was kidnapped alongside her sister while returning home from her Call to Bar ceremony. The two were later freed after spending several days in captivity.

Udoka’s abduction occurred around Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, September 27, 2025, just days after she was officially called to the bar in Abuja on September 23.

Kidnapped Lawyer, Sister Released In Edo.

A newly called-to-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom Udoka, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were kidnapped while returning from the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, have been released and are currently at a village near Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State.

This was disclosed by activist Harrison Gwamnishu in his Facebook post on Tuesday.

The sisters were abducted along the Abuja-Benin route, around Lokoja, Kogi State, on September 26, 2025.

The highway is known for frequent kidnappings.

Udoka, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, was last in contact with her family around 12 p.m. on Friday.

The kidnappers had demanded a N40m ransom for their release, later reducing it to N20m per person.

The release of the sisters comes after intense pressure and appeals from their family, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and activists like Harrison Gwamnishu, who had called on the Edo State Governor and security agencies to intervene.

Also, her release coincides with her birthday, according to the activist.

“FREEDOM ON HER BIRTHDAY. Peace Onyesom Udoka and Gift Onyesom kidnapped while returning from Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja have just been released to us at a village near Okpella.
It’s a tough journey. Details later today or tomorrow morning,” he posted.

Portable Is More Reliable With Secrets Than Wike” Deji Adeyanju Says Ex-Governor Lacks Intergrity.

Nigerian lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a series of Facebook posts on Thursday.

Adeyanju sparked reactions after comparing controversial street-hop artist Portable to Wike, claiming the singer is more trustworthy and better at keeping secrets.

“Portable keeps secrets more than Wike and has more integrity. Whoever does anything with Wike is doing so at a market square. Tinubu’s day is coming,” he wrote.

In another post, Adeyanju described Wike as unfit for leadership, calling him a “bloody clown” who “always sounds drunk.”

He argued that only in Nigeria could someone like Wike hold public office, contrasting the situation with the United States where citizens openly criticise leaders like Donald Trump.

“It’s only in a country like Nigeria that clowns like Wike can hold public office. American citizens call Trump different names everyday. Wike is a bloody clown who always sound drunk ,” Adeyanju said.

His comments came in reaction to a statement by activist Omoyele Sowore, who alleged that Wike had suggested President Bola Tinubu should have had him assassinated for calling him a criminal.

Sowore wrote: “I heard that the FCT’s drunkard–murderer Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – CON, GSSRS, said Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should have assassinated me for calling him a criminal.