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‘𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗱 600 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿’, 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝗶 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has lashed out at those calling for his arrest over his continued commentary on banditry and national security.

The Islamic cleric has for years positioned himself as an intermediary between the government and bandit groups, a role that has drawn both support and condemnation from the public.

Some of his critics have accused him of shielding bandits and terrorists by asking the government to negotiate with them instead of resorting to full force.

In a statement shared via Facebook on Sunday, the cleric defended his dealings with the gunmen, describing his opponents as “spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people” who prefer outrage to truth.

Gumi condemned the rising calls for his arrest, insisting that he has committed no crime by engaging with bandits in an attempt to secure peace.

He said the loudest voices demanding that he be picked up by security agencies are driven by bigotry, ignorance and intolerance for differing viewpoints.

“ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” he wrote, arguing that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than reflect on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Gumi recalled a major intervention he led in January 2021 in Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to him, he was escorted by the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector-General of Police on the mission.

He said the meeting, attended by more than 600 armed bandits and their commanders, was part of a broader peace initiative aimed at persuading criminal elements to surrender their weapons, embrace dialogue and stop attacks on local communities.

“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police… This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he said.

The cleric insisted that the negotiation was transparent, legitimate and conducted with the approval and knowledge of the authorities.

He stressed that the conditions presented by the bandits, provision of basic amenities, protection from arbitrary arrests and assurances of safety, were never honoured by the government, leading to the collapse of the peace window.

He expressed frustration that instead of interrogating why the authorities failed to implement agreed conditions, some Nigerians prefer to target him personally.

“The purpose of the meeting was an effort to de-escalate violence by having bandits surrender their weapons and embrace peace.

“The outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions to the government… None fulfilled”, he said.

Gumi questioned why his mediation efforts, which he said were undertaken in the national interest, should provoke calls for his arrest.

“So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?” he asked.

He further ridiculed what he described as the hypocrisy of his detractors, insisting that free speech remains a constitutional right and that differing opinions must not be criminalised.

“Is free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?” he queried.

The cleric urged Nigerians to rise above what he called emotional reactions and consider practical approaches to ending the banditry crisis, warning that hate-driven narratives only worsen insecurity.

According to him, silencing voices that advocate dialogue does nothing to address the deep-rooted socioeconomic and security failures fueling insurgency and rural banditry.

Gumi concluded with a prayer for national unity, describing bigotry and intolerance as major threats to peace.

“May Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubborn and complete intolerance of contrary views and opinions,” he wrote.

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Sowore Demands Arrest Of Senator Ned Nwoko Over Alleged Human Rights Abuses

Published

11 minutes ago

November 16, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of the Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, over allegations ranging from cross-border sex trafficking to unlawful detention and misuse of state security agencies.

Sowore made the demand in a video posted on his 𝕏 account on Sunday, insisting that the controversy extended far beyond the alleged illegal detention of Regina Daniels’ brother, Samuel Ojeogwu, popularly known as Sammy West.

He said, “The outcry surrounding Senator Ned Nwoko goes far beyond the unlawful detention of his now-estranged wife, Regina Daniels’ brother, Sammy West. What we are witnessing is part of a larger, troubling pattern involving the exploitation of underage girls across borders and the misuse of state power.”

Sowore alleged that Nwoko had a long-standing history of human rights abuses aided by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, whom he described as “now-disgraced” officers acting as the lawmaker’s “private enforcers.”

According to him, “This so-called billionaire was just throwing people in prison. When we got to prison, we found nine people who had been put in prison by the same Ned Nwoko from his village.”

Sowore further claimed that Nwoko once “hijacked” a woman’s father following a dispute, adding that several families had publicly accused the Senator of using the police to oppress them.

He warned, “Anybody who is a public figure, who is in political office, our duty, first and foremost, is to hold them to account, no matter how powerful they are.”

The activist also accused the Senator of being involved in “international sex trafficking crimes,” alleging that he brought underage girls from Morocco and other countries into Nigeria.

He clarified that his intervention was not about defending Regina Daniels but about confronting what he described as systematic abuse of political and police power.

Sowore said, “I’m not fighting for Regina Daniels. I’m fighting against the abuse of office by a Nigerian Senator who is colluding with the Nigerian police and has had a history of using the police to oppress people.”

He cited the arrest of TikToker Timothy Gabriel (Turmar), who was detained after making claims about Regina Daniels’ children.

He alleged, “The Senator procured the Nigerian police, got Turmar arrested and sent him to prison. When he came out, he had been battered so badly and was forced to apologize.”

He also recounted his own experience in 2021, when he met nine detainees allegedly jailed at Nwoko’s behest over a land dispute related to the Senator’s Sports University project.

Sowore criticised the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly enabling Nwoko’s actions.

He said, “Ned has got a huge amount of support from the Nigerian police. They go to his house to eat every day. Shame on the Nigerian police for selling the police force for free.”

The activist noted that his call for accountability stemmed from a broader struggle against impunity and human rights violations entrenched in Nigeria’s political and security institutions.

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Lagos AG Debunks Claim That Baba Ijesha Was Cleared

Published

17 minutes ago

November 16, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has dismissed claims circulating online that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was freed after being “cleared” by the Court of Appeal.

Pedro, who spoke with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, described the reports — originally shared by actor Yomi Fabiyi and later reproduced by an online medium as “false, misleading and irresponsible.”

He said the claims amounted to a distortion of judicial records and were capable of misleading the public

Pedro clarified that, contrary to social media insinuations, the Court of Appeal did not exonerate Baba Ijesha of the sexual offences for which he was convicted in 2022.

He said, “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”

The Attorney-General noted that the clarification followed Fabiyi’s assertion that the appellate court had declared the entire case a “charade.”

Pedro outlined the complete judicial trail of the case, July 14, 2022: The Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021. He received sentences of five years and three years, to run concurrently.

June 28, 2024: The Court of Appeal set aside convictions related to alleged offences from 2013–2014, but upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault.

May 29, 2025: Baba Ijesha’s appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out for incompetence.

October 9, 2025: His motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment intact.

Pedro emphasised that the actor’s release was solely due to completing his term of imprisonment, not from any acquittal.

He criticised Yomi Fabiyi and others spreading the misinformation, warning that such actions could cause unnecessary fear and public confusion.

He said the Office of the Attorney-General would not hesitate to prosecute the publication of false news intended to alarm the public, citing Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and emphasised the state’s unwavering commitment to child protection and proper enforcement of criminal convictions.

Pedro reiterated that Lagos would continue to safeguard minors and ensure that judicial outcomes are accurately represented.

He added that no individual or platform should trivialise offences against children by circulating unverified claims.

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‘You Are Forgiven’ – Obasanjo Ends Rifts With Fayose

Published

24 minutes ago

November 16, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has publicly declared that he has forgiven former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, effectively drawing a line under their long-standing political feud.

It was reports that Obasanjo made the remarks on Saturday at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration held in Lagos.

The former president’s comments, captured in a viral video, drew loud applause from guests at the event.

Obasanjo said the event provided an opportunity for “celebration, reflection and correction,” before recalling the circumstances under which he agreed to attend.

The former President of Nigeria said, “You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”

The former president revealed that Fayose did not reach out to him directly but sent former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka to “sound him out.”

Obasanjo recounted, “When Osita, who also is a political child, came, I said, ‘Well, if he (Fayose) has sent you and you have delivered the message, then tell him that you have delivered the message.’”

He added that Fayose had privately sought forgiveness.

“So, you have asked for forgiveness, and as far as I’m concerned, you are forgiven. But the right lessons must be learnt,” Obasanjo said.

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