Ibrahim Olawale, elder brother of a missing lady, Noimot, shares with GRACE EDEMA how the family tracked her location and uncovered the phone number of a fleeing suspected ritual killer from the hotel manager’s call logs, where she was last seen
How are you related to the missing person?
I’m a brother to Olawale Noimot. She is my parents’ third born. She is 30 years old. I work as a technician at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.
Is she married?
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She is a single mother of one.
What happened on the day she went missing?
On Saturday, 19th of July, around past 2 pm, I received a call from one of her neighbours. They had been trying to reach her on the phone, but someone else picked up and said she had an accident and was taken to a hospital in Ikeja, LASUTH.
On their way to the place, they kept calling her number. It rang, but at the gate of the hospital, it went off. They still went in and spoke with hospital staff. They checked all the emergency centres, wards, and even the mortuary, but she wasn’t there.
What did you do next?
We were told to go back to the general hospital to check again. On the way back, my sister and I decided to go and meet some of her neighbours and friends at their place in Maya, Ikorodu, where she had been staying.
They narrated the story to us. They said on Friday, the 18th of July, she left home with her friend for work. When they got to work, around 8:30 am, my sister said she was stepping out and would be back shortly. She told her friend she was going to Ejigbo to see someone and would return.
Did she return?
No. After a while, her friend called to ask where she was, and my sister repeated that she would soon return, but she never did. Her friend ended up sleeping in the hotel where they worked.
What happened the next morning?
Her friend left the hotel around 7:30 am. Later in the day, around 12 or 1 pm, one of my sister’s neighbours came to their compound and asked about her. She found my sister’s son alone at home.
How old is the son?
He’s nine years old.
So, the boy slept alone without his mother?
Yes, alone. That was the neighbour who called my sister’s number, and someone picked up, saying she had an accident and had been taken to the hospital. That was how they alerted others, and a few neighbours went to check.
Did her friend at work explain further what happened?
Yes, she confirmed again that after arriving at work, my sister said she was stepping out briefly. I asked her where they worked and which department. She said my sister worked in the bar section of a hotel.
Yes, I asked for the number of their manager, Mr Wale Onibudo. She gave me the number. She also said the hotel had no name and was located at Ladega.
What happened when you visited the hotel?
My sister, her friend, her neighbour, and I went together. On the way there, her friend pulled me aside to say, ‘They were doing hookup in the hotel.’
When we got to the hotel, I asked to see the manager. The manager’s name is Mr Rafiu. I also met the owner, Mr Wale Onibudo. I asked the manager what he knew. He said on Friday, both my sister and her friend left the hotel that night and never returned.
But her friend earlier said she slept at the hotel. Don’t you think there is a contradiction there?
Yes, that was the contradiction. Her friend claimed she slept over at the hotel that night, but the manager said both of them left around 9 pm and didn’t return. The owner of the hotel also said he saw both of them before he left around 8 pm. So, I wasn’t satisfied because their explanations were conflicting and complicated.
What was your next action?
We left the hotel and went to where my sister had been living. I collected her house key from a neighbour, and we went inside with her son. The next day, Sunday, the 20th of July, we went to the Sagamu Police Division to file a complaint and gave my statement.
What happened thereafter?
Somebody assisted us to track the number of the person we were searching for, because the MTN line was going on and off. The Airtel line had been switched off completely. But the MTN line was still fluctuating—sometimes it was on, sometimes off.
Who helped you with the tracking?
Someone assisted us with that. The person eventually gave us information that the phone operator was going to call. That was the last trace—just before the phone was switched off.
Is the place close to where she lived, around the hotel?
Yes, it’s about 500 meters away—from the hotel to another hotel nearby.
You mentioned there was another issue?
Yes, there was something else we didn’t like. There was an alleged ritualist known to frequent the area; there was a viral video we saw about an Alfa who butchered someone in his house. It raised concerns that he could be involved, though we’re not yet certain.
What did you do about that?
So, my sister and I went to that area to investigate. We made some inquiries and spoke with some members of the community to gather more information. They confirmed that it was true an Alfa lives in that house but is now at large, and the matter has now been transferred to the police station.
Unfortunately, the number we received—the one belonging to Alfa—showed up on the manager’s phone.
How did that happen?
The case was already transferred to Panti. They had Alfa’s phone and the address. They claimed Alfa had forgotten his phone, and he’d been asking them to bring it to him. Well, Alfa isn’t at Panti. He’s at large.
But the two people arrested—one was his neighbour, the other was his in-law. The neighbour said he heard someone screaming around 2 am, shouting, ‘Don’t kill me, let me be!’ until the voice faded—possibly when the person died.
Why didn’t the neighbour intervene?
He said he and Alfa had issues and weren’t on good terms. Alfa usually had multiple women around—about four or five. So, the neighbour assumed he was just fighting with one of them and didn’t check. He also said that the last time he went outside during a fight some time ago, they had threatened to beat him up. He said he didn’t have airtime on his phone to call anyone that night.
The second person arrested lived with Alfa. But on the night in question, he left to go change his clothes, which raised questions; if you live with someone, why would you need to leave to get new clothes? Eventually, he changed his statement. He claimed Alfa gave him something on Friday evening and told him to return the next day with feedback. He gave multiple, inconsistent stories.
So, how did you get Alfa’s number?
When we tracked the last known location of the missing person, my sister, where the phone was switched off—it matched the area mentioned on social media in connection to the news that one ‘Alfa butchered someone.’
We’re still trying to confirm whether the victim is our missing person.
We went to that area on Saturday for our own investigation, just to see if we could gather any physical evidence or information to report to the police.
At the first station, they told us the case had been transferred to the State CID. We were introduced to an officer who took us there. We met the DCO at the CID. He told us to go to Section D4. That’s where we filed a report.
Did you find any relevant evidence there?
Yes, at the crime scene, they had discovered remains: just flesh, no head, no arms, and no legs. The body was dismembered and unidentifiable. We were advised to work with the CID and D4 so that their investigations could align. Maybe if we interrogate their suspects further, we could determine if the dismembered body was our missing person.
We were given a phone number of Alfa, that later appeared in the call logs of the hotel manager, Mr Rafiu. After the suspects were released from the Division, we found out that they still communicated; the latest call was on the 22nd of July.
We checked the manager’s phone (via IPO’s help) and saw direct communication between the suspects and Alfa. This confirmed that they knew each other well. When asked who ‘Khalifa’ was—the name associated with Alfa—the suspect (manager) initially denied knowing. But after pressure and a slap, he confessed that Khalifa was Alfa and his Area brother.
Eventually, one of the staff said that Alfa came to the hotel on Friday evening to drink and was introduced to the missing woman (Noimot) by her friend, Olaitan, and they left together that evening.
What is the police finding?
The police suspected there was more to this case—something hidden. Because of this, the case was transferred to the homicide division, which handles kidnapping and murder.
However, Wale (the hotel owner) is using money and influence to try to suppress the investigation. One of the female officers visited the hotel again last Tuesday with my sister’s colleague (Olaitan). The woman pointed out where the manager and Alfa sat and confirmed their presence that night.
Did the suspect (your sister’s colleague) give consistent statements?
No, the woman gave over five to six different statements. She even claimed one Ola was the missing person’s boyfriend, but when we asked the manager, he said Ola only comes to drink occasionally.
Why wasn’t the suspect detained?
The manager had told police that she was the one who introduced the missing person to the apartment. That’s why they didn’t detain her, despite suspicions.
What’s your take on the police’s attitude, and what’s your appeal?
The police are not taking us seriously at all. I want to appeal to Nigerians and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to please intervene in this case. We carried out most of the tracking ourselves—privately.
When we asked the police to help, they brought nothing to the table.
We are pleading with the authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter. They must find and arrest the Alfa so we can confirm whether the dismembered body found in his house belongs to our sister.
We’ve spent over N1m trying to get justice—moving from place to place, paying for services, making calls—yet we feel abandoned.
The hotel where she was last seen is still operating.
The Nigerian Air Force has said its airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, including a key commander responsible for facilitating the movement and protection of senior members of the group.
The NAF said the operation was conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the forest.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was deployed to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, leading to the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.
He said following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the aircraft carried out a precision strike on the location.
“The successful operation, conducted on Saturday, 8 August 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities and movement of suspected terrorists within the Sambisa Forest area. Acting on the intelligence, the NAF deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, enabling the identification and tracking of a group of terrorists as they moved towards a suspected hideout.
“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, the NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location. Subsequent battle damage assessment indicated significant effects on the targeted compound, with several terrorists neutralised,” Ejodame said.
He added that further intelligence received after the strike confirmed that nine ISWAP fighters were killed, while several others were wounded.
Among those reportedly killed was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, whom the NAF described as a prominent ISWAP commander responsible for providing special security escorts for the movement of senior members of the terrorist group.
The statement said his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas made his death a significant operational setback for ISWAP.
The NAF further said intelligence indicated that some of the terrorists affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have participated in the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita-Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
It said the latest operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led air operations, particularly the integration of persistent surveillance with precision strike capabilities.
According to the NAF, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves.
The service said it would continue to conduct intelligence-driven and precision air operations in coordination with surface forces to degrade terrorist capabilities, restrict their freedom of movement and improve security for communities in the North-East.
A young man identified simply as Azeez has been beaten to death by suspected cultists following a dispute over a missing phone at Oko-Oba in the Agege area of Lagos State.
A police source told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the incident occurred on Monday, August 3.
According to the source, Azeez was involved in an argument with some of his colleagues over a missing phone after they attended a party.
The source said the argument later degenerated into an assault on Azeez by some of the suspected cultists, said to be his friends.
“We got a report that he passed away as a result of an assault on him by some suspected cultists said to be his friends. The argument was as a result of a missing phone,” the source said.
The source added that Azeez later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault.
Meanwhile, an anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, in a post on Saturday, gave further details of the incident, saying it began on Sunday night, August 2, during a birthday celebration.
According to the platform, a fight broke out at the event, during which one Abela allegedly took a phone and handed it to Azeez.
The platform said trouble started after the owner of the phone began searching for it.
It alleged that when the owner and his friends confronted Azeez after the phone was found in his possession, he told them that Abela had given him the phone to keep.
“Abela, who was sitting there, denied Azeez, even when people saw him. Azeez would never accuse Abela, an NBM leader who is also a boss to him, if it was not true,” the platform claimed.
Naija Confra further alleged that the owner of the phone and his friends, unable to confront Abela, attacked Azeez before leaving the party.
The platform added that Azeez later confronted Abela over his alleged denial of giving him the phone, leading to another argument and subsequent assault.
It alleged that Azeez was taken to another location by suspected members of the Neo-Black Movement, where the attack was carried out on him.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comments as calls made to her telephone lines were not responded to.
A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
President Bola Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano, in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
A statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, said the President recognised the crucial role religious leaders could play in confronting violence, extremism and the misuse of faith to justify destructive acts.
He urged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.
Tinubu said religious leaders should also use their influence to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and the peaceful resolution of grievances.
The statement read, “Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty.
“Your institutions and networks must become stronger in the advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the formation of upright young men and women.
“You must also remind political leaders of justice, responsibility and compassion, while reminding citizens that legitimate grievances must never become permission for lawlessness or violence.
“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred.”
The President said the gathering was taking place at a time when societies around the world were facing conflicts, uncertainty, climate and food shocks, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crimes and the manipulation of identity and religion.
Citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, Tinubu said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025.
He said the scale of the challenges confronting the world has made spiritual leaders increasingly important.
According to him, spiritual leaders “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and address deep-seated hatred and bitterness.
Tinubu said the Tijjaniyya community, with its extensive spiritual networks across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world, could deploy its influence towards reconciliation, countering violent extremism, youth guidance and humanitarian support.
He said the Federal Government recognised the roles of religious and traditional leaders in promoting tolerance, countering misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue.
He said Nigeria’s strategic position at the intersection of West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic world made the country’s peace and stability important to the region.
“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria. It also means that religious communities with deep transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, can be valuable partners in building an architecture of social peace that complements the work of governments and regional institutions,” he said.
Tinubu said such partnerships should promote the ethical values of truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life.
He also assured that his administration would continue to uphold freedom of worship while strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.
The President welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, scholars, spiritual leaders and other guests who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries for the Maulud.
He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition had established deep roots in scholarship, remembrance, service, moral instruction and peaceful community life.
Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, whose foundation played a significant role in organising the Maulud.
He described the late Islamic scholar, who died in November 2025, as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”
The President said preserving Sheikh Dahiru’s legacy of Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for society would be the most enduring tribute to him.
He commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, the Kano State Government, scholars, traditional rulers, security and emergency services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the event.
Tinubu added, “Nigeria is honoured by your presence, and we pray that you return to your homes safely, carrying with you the affection and hospitality of the Nigerian people. May Almighty Allah accept the prayers and acts of devotion offered at this Maulud.”
The call came against the backdrop of renewed debate over the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s political and governance affairs.
On July 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with Tinubu and raised concerns over the country’s security and economic challenges.
Speaking after the meeting, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said some people around the President were presenting a “rosy picture” of the situation in the country.
He also warned that the government appeared determined to win future elections “by all means.”
The remarks triggered public debate over the role of religious leaders in governance and politics, with some members of the Presidency and the Federal Government accusing the cleric of partisanship.
