Man Arrested While Fleeing Country After Allegedly Killing Friend Over N9m Land Deal. George Idumangi, the man accused of murdering his friend Richard Ekpebu, an estate agent over a disputed N9 million land deal, has been arrested by police while attempting to flee the country. Authorities confirmed on Thursday that Idumangi was apprehended in Lagos and has since been transferred to Bayelsa State, where he will face trial for the alleged crimes. According to police investigations, the incident stemmed from a land transaction in which Ekpebu, acting as an agent, introduced Idumangi to buyers who paid N9 million for a piece of property. However, after receiving the payment, Idumangi reportedly refused to hand over the land documents. When Ekpebu pressed him to release the documents, insisting on honouring the agreement, Idumangi allegedly conspired with his girlfriend, Victory Bernard Henry, to lure him to a remote bush location where he was killed. Reports further indicate that Victory Bernard Henry was given N1 million from the proceeds of the deal. Following the murder, Idumangi attempted to escape Nigeria but was intercepted by law enforcement in Lagos at the last moment. Bayelsa State Police say the suspect will face the full weight of the law, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of his and his accomplice’s involvement.

Stop Playing Victim – Naira Marley Issues Stern Warning Amid Mohbad Controversy Popular Nigerian singer Naira Marley has issued a stern warning to a certain artiste, urging them to “stop playing victim” in the ongoing drama surrounding the late Mohbad. Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, also came to Marley’s defense, commending him for his thorough documentation of his relationship with Mohbad. "I wouldn’t have believed Naira Marley if he hadn’t documented everything so thoroughly – messages, calls, videos, and dates. Those who wrongly accused him owe him an apology," Ahmad stated. The statement comes after Marley released a detailed video narrating his side of the story. He denied involvement in Mohbad’s tragic death, stressing that he was outside the country when the incident occurred and had fully cooperated with police investigations. Marley acknowledged that he and Mohbad had their differences but insisted they reconciled before his death. He expressed shock that despite his transparency, fingers were still pointed at him, leading to widespread public backlash. The Marlian Music boss emphasized that he had made peace with the late singer, stressing that their bond went beyond past misunderstandings.

Ekiti resident arrested for killing man over N4,000. The Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended a man following the death of another during a violent altercation over N4,000 in Ado-Ekiti. The incident, which occurred on Friday, August 15, at Uso community along the Ado-Afao Road, involved two men identified as Michael, whose surname and age are yet to be confirmed, and 26-year-old John Dindul Selbol from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State. Eyewitnesses disclosed that the disagreement escalated into a heated fight around 10:30 p.m., during which both men sustained severe injuries. Michael was later rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Ado-Ekiti, where doctors confirmed him dead. His body has been deposited in the hospital’s morgue for autopsy, while photographs of the crime scene were also taken as part of police investigations. Selbol, who was also injured in the fracas, is currently receiving treatment under police custody in a hospital. The Ekiti Police Command confirmed that investigations into the circumstances leading to the death are ongoing.

Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Wasiu Oloyede, Nabbed In Ogun State. The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a notorious kidnap gang leader, Wasiu Oloyede, in the Odo Pako area of Ota. Oloyede and his gang had reportedly abducted a soldier in Alagbado, Lagos, on Friday, dispossessing him of his uniform, ID card, ATM cards, and mobile phone. The soldier, however, managed to escape from captivity. In a brazen attempt to impersonate military personnel, Oloyede donned the stolen uniform and tried to overpower a local vigilante member, aiming to seize his dane gun. His plan was thwarted, and he was promptly apprehended. Police investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of his criminal network.

PMAN CRISIS: Police probe exonerates Pretty Okafor of financial misconduct. The police investigation into allegations of financial misconduct against Pretty Okafor, President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria,PMAN, has found no evidence of wrongdoing. Speaking at a press conference during the week, Okafor denied the allegations, stating that they were part of a plot to topple his leadership. The PMAN National Working Committee,NWC, had suspended Okafor in 2024 over alleged financial misconduct, appointing Sunny Neji as acting president. In a swift reaction, the National Executive Committee,NEC, later suspended Neji, Ruggedman, Zaaki Azzay, and JFO Baba Ojonorgua for undermining the association’s integrity.

Wike Disputes NEMA Report, Says Abuja Explosion Was Not Suicide Bombing The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that the recent explosion at the Mogadishu Army Cantonment along the Abuja-Keffi Road was a suicide bombing. Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects across the FCT, Wike clarified that the blast, which occurred on Monday, resulted from an explosive device stolen from a quarry by an uninformed individual. According to the minister, the device detonated en route, and there is no indication that it was a planned suicide attack. “Abuja remains the safest city in Nigeria,” Wike affirmed, adding that his administration remains committed to sustaining peace and security in the nation’s capital. His account directly contradicts an earlier report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which attributed the explosion to a suicide bomber wearing an improvised explosive device (IED) in an alleged attempt to infiltrate the army barracks. The explosion, which took place near a bus stop along the Mararaba-Nyanya Expressway, left one person injured. The police have since launched a comprehensive investigation, including forensic analysis, to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the incident. In its Tuesday statement, NEMA claimed that the agency was alerted to the explosion at 1:47 p.m. and that preliminary findings pointed to a suicide bomber who attempted to breach security at the Mogadishu Barracks. “The bomber died instantly when the IED exploded during his attempt to gain entry,” NEMA stated. “One passerby sustained injuries and was evacuated to the National Hospital by the Nigeria Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.” The scene was secured by security operatives, and the operation concluded by 5:29 p.m. Agencies present included NEMA, the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). As conflicting accounts of the incident continue to circulate, the outcome of the police investigation is expected to provide clarity on what truly transpired. #Wike #AbujaExplosion #NEMA #FCTNews