Crime
PHOTOS: Court sentences three men to d3ath by hanging for ritual k!lling of Osun widow
An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo on Thursday sentenced three men to d3ath by hanging over the m8rder a 53-year-old woman, Asiata Yekeen, for money ritual in Ile-Ogbo community.
The convicts—Muideen Tunji, Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai, were found guilty of conspiracy, m8rder and unlawful possession of human parts.
LIB reported that Yekeen was reported missing after efforts to reach her failed, prompting Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman to alert the police and the Osun Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo.
The three men were subsequently arrested and arraigned on three counts bordering on conspiracy, m3rder and unlawful possession of human parts, offences contrary to Sections 324, 319(a) and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
They were first arraigned before Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2023, in Suit No. HIW/IC/2023, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecution counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, told the court that Tunji owed the deceased some money and lured her to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the pretext of refunding the debt.
Akintayo said when Yekeen arrived at Tunji’s house, she met Muslim and Fatai, adding that the defendants forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.
He further told the court that the defendants later strangled Yekeen to d3ath, dismembered her body, removed some vital parts and buried her remains in a shallow grave near Tunji’s residence.
According to the prosecution, residents who saw the deceased entering Tunji’s house raised an alarm when news of her disappearance spread within the community.
Akintayo also told the court that Tunji fled when he suspected that security operatives were closing in on the suspects, adding that he hid at Muslim’s residence, while Fatai kept some parts of the deceased’s body.
The prosecution called six witnesses, tendered 13 exhibits and presented the defendants’ confessional statements, urging the court to apply the full weight of the law against them
However, counsel for the defendants —J.D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan and Bayo Alade argued in their respective submissions that the evidence against their clients was largely hearsay and insufficient to secure a conviction.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sodamade held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and found the defendants guilty on all three counts.
She sentenced the convicts to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit m8rder, five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of human parts, and d3ath by hanging for m8rder.
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Crime
PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over alleged ritual desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bashir Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on 14th August 2026, said the suspect was arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.
According to the PPRO, on August 9, 2026, Musa and two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, allegedly dug a pit and buried a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, d3ad animals, and other fetish items.
The police spokesperson said the act was allegedly intended to make Rabi’u Tela’s wife Zarau Hassan more submissive to him.
“The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance,” the statement read.
“The incident occurred on 9th August 2026, at about 1900hrs, at Zango Area, Zuru. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with two others; Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, both now at large, to dig a pit inside Zarau Hassan’s room and bury therein a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals, and other fetish items.
“The act was allegedly intended to make Zarau Hassan more submissive to her husband, Rabi’u Tela, and was carried out in circumstances capable of provoking a breach of the peace among the Muslim faithful in the community.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while Abubakar Musa remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, strongly condemns the alleged act and warns that the Command will deal decisively, within the law, with individuals whose actions threaten religious harmony, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities to the Police through 09039911876 or 07081074395. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026 when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with punch on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said five of the victims have so far been rescued.
According to the PPRO, the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.
Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026,” the statement read
“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.
According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
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