Crime
PHOTOS: UK court sentences Nigerian man to life imprisonment for k!lling ex-girlfriend
A Nigerian man who m8rdered a woman he worked with after she ended their brief “controlling relationship” has been given a life sentence in the United Kingdom.
LIB reported that Adedapo Adegbola, 40, fatally st@bbed Stephanie Irons, 23, in the neck, at her home in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, on the evening of 21 October, 2025.
Adegbola relocated to the UK in 2022.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Adegbola, a social worker, “had become obsessed” with Irons and planned to kill her.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Adegbola was told at the same court he would spend a minimum term of 25 years in prison following his guilty plea last month.
Speaking in court, Irons’s mother said: “I have no words to say how broken I am to have lost her in such a horrific way.
Adegbola sobbed as the mother described her daughter’s “compassionate and caring” nature.
“She lit up the room and could make even the saddest person smile,” she said.
“That’s because she wanted to make a happy and kinder world.”
Sentencing Adegbola Judge Nirmal Shant KC said: “You had been in a brief relationship with Stephanie Irons after you met as work colleagues.
“Your controlling behavior led her to end the relationship. What is plain is that you were not prepared to accept that.
The court heard Adegbola had purchased two knives and travelled by taxi to Irons’s home in Westdale Lane West, unknown to her, after they finished work on 21 October.
He arrived about 20 minutes later than her and after she appeared to take her bins out, he entered, leaving an hour and 50 minutes later.
Prosecuting, Peter Joyce KC told the court Adegbola had sent a number of screenshots of sexually explicit messages from Irons’s phone to colleagues “probably after he had k!lled [her]”.
Concerned for Irons, two colleagues visited her home in Mapperley but when there was no answer, they called the police.
Officers were eventually able to get into the flat through a rear window.
The court heard Irons was found lying on her back on the floor, surrounded by blood.
Joyce said: “It is the prosecution’s case that he has become obsessed with this woman and could or would not accept that the relationship was over.
Before Adebola m8rdered Irons, the court heard colleagues had become concerned by his behaviour towards her.
On 15 October, he purchased two knives “in order to k!ll” Irons.
Days later, he went to her home armed with a knife and inflicted a number of cuts to her as well as the fatal blow to the front of her neck.
The court heard after attacking her, Adegbola sat on the sofa “as she lay d3ad, or dying”
He then left taking with him her phone and her keys, locking her inside before fleeing and disposing of his shirt, trousers and the m8rder weapon on his way.
What you did on that day was to take the life of a young girl who was compassionate and accomplished and whose only fault was to love you at one time,” the judge said.
Adegbola handed himself into the police on 22 October, after feeling to Hull, and later pleaded guilty to murder in January.
Det Insp Stuart Barson, the senior investigating officer in the case, said Irons’s family had shown “incredible strength and bravery” throughout the investigation.
In a statement read out on the family’s behalf he said: “We have lost our beautiful daughter and shining light.
“No-one will ever take away the pain that’s been caused the this senseless act.
“She was the kindest, sweetest person anyone could meet and our lives will never be the same.
“She touched so many lives with her personality and kind soul.
“While justice will be done, time will never heal our loss.”
A number of police officers were in court on Thursday, at the request of Irons’s mother – a former officer – so she could thank them.
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Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms during coordinated raids carried out across identified criminal hideouts and black spots in different parts of the state.
A statement by the command said the operation, which was conducted on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, PSC, MNIPS, followed credible intelligence on plans by rival cult groups to engage in violence linked to the July 7 (7/7) cult celebration and initiation.
The coordinated raids were carried out by Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to the police, the operation was aimed at preventing cult-related violence and other criminal activities across the state.
During the exercise, officers arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 firearms.
Other items recovered included 16 dangerous weapons, comprising cutlasses, battle axes, daggers and knives, cult insignia, assorted charms, 11 bottles of different alcoholic brands, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, as well as six mobile phones.
“The operation followed intelligence indicating plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks and engage in other criminal activities,” the statement said.
The Command added that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the criminal gangs who are still at large.
It also stated that the suspects currently in custody would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal gangs, while the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement noted.
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Delta State security outfit, SafeCity Security Service, in collaboration with operatives of the state police command, has arrested a notorious wanted bandit, Abubakar Usman.
The arrest followed the kidnapping of one Mrs Blessing Chiedu, a native of Umunede Kingdom, who was abducted on 2nd July, 2026, along the Ani-Ifekide Farm Road, Ubulu-Uku. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million from her family.
Spokesperson for the SafeCity Security Service, Harrison Gwamnishu, made the disclosure in a post on X on Wednesday
According to Gwamnishu, upon receiving the information, he escalated the matter, and the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Asaba, led by CSP Osakpolor, swung into action.
He said using their Hydra Tech Surveillance System, a coordinated rescue operation was launched, Mrs Blessing Chiedu, a native of Umunede, was successfully rescued alive and unharmed along the Ubulu-Unor/Ashama Road.
After her rescue, he said the team immediately launched a manhunt for the fleeing kidnappers until the early hours of Wednesday when their surveillance system located the gang to their hideout in the Ogwashi-Uku/Adonta Forest of the state.
“A gun battle ensued, during which our combined team overpowered the criminals. One of the most wanted suspects, Abubakar Usman, was successfully captured, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest with their firearms.
“Investigations reveal that Abubakar Usman and his gang have been responsible for several kidnapping operations across Igbodo, Umunede, and surrounding communities, where they have extorted millions of naira in ransom from innocent families,” he said.
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Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested three suspected drug peddlers allegedly supplying illicit substances to terrorists and other criminal elements in Katsina State.
The joint operation was conducted at about 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi deployed at Kafur, alongside operatives of the NDLEA Area Command, Malumfashi.
The operation targeted Kagara village in Kafur Local Government Area, where the security team raided suspected drug distribution points.
According to security sources, three suspects identified as Mohammed Lawan, 34, Muhawiya Haruna, 40, and Junadata Usman, 40, were arrested during the operation.
Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, quantities of tramadol capsules, pregabalin, diazepam, Extol-5 tablets, rubber solution, and “Suck and Die” spirit.
The sources said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other intoxicating substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur and neighbouring communities.
The arrested suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, have been handed over to the NDLEA Area Command in Malumfashi for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt the logistics and supply networks supporting terrorism and other forms of criminality across Katsina State.
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