Crime

Driver arrested over death of US-based Nigerian graduate, Oluwalayomi Fadero

Published

2 months ago

March 25, 2026

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department in the United States has arrested a driver linked to a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a Nigerian graduate, Oluwalayomi Fadero.

According to a report by a local US media outlet, WSMV4, obtained on Tuesday, the incident occurred on Friday after the suspect, Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly stole a vehicle and fled.

The report stated that the owner of the truck tracked it to a location, and upon realising he was being followed, the suspect reversed and rammed into a vehicle behind him.

The police subsequently deployed a helicopter to monitor the situation. However, as the suspect attempted to escape, he reportedly rammed into an unmarked police vehicle, triggering a high-speed chase.

“The intention at that point is to keep an eye on the truck until it finally stops, have ground units move in, and take the man into custody,” the MNPD Public Information Officer, Don Aaron, was quoted as saying.

The pursuit, which lasted about five minutes, reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour along Murfreesboro Pike toward the county line.

It ended around 2:30 p.m. when the suspect drove into oncoming traffic near the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Hickory Woods Drive.

Police said he crashed into a white sedan driven by Fadero, pushing the vehicle approximately 100 yards into a ditch. The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and taken to hospital. He has been charged with criminal homicide.

Authorities said Padgett was on parole at the time of the incident.

“We believe that he was on parole when he stole the truck and set off the chain of events that claimed the life of an innocent Nashville woman who was returning home,” the police said.

Meanwhile, alumni and members of Fisk University, where Fadero graduated, have mourned her death.

“It’s heartbreaking to know she was near her home and close to where she lived,” a Fisk alumna, Jessica Williams, was quoted as saying.

Fadero’s former professor, Janet Walsh, described her as kind and compassionate, noting her commitment to volunteer work.

“These small acts of kindness and consideration truly make the world a better place. I’m honoured to have known her and witnessed her sense of global citizenship,” Walsh said.

A makeshift memorial has since been set up at the crash site along Murfreesboro Pike.

In addition, a GoFundMe account created to support her family with burial expenses had raised over $15,000 as of the time of filing this report.

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Crime

EFCC Declares Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouk Wanted

Published

18 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of abuse of office and the diversion of public funds.

It was reports that the anti-graft agency made the announcement through a notice published on its official platform on Friday.

The commission asked members of the public with information about her location to report to any EFCC office through the contact details provided in the notice.

According to the EFCC, the former minister is 52 years old and comes from Zamfara State. The agency also listed her last known address as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The development followed an earlier ruling by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo on April 16, 2026. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued an arrest warrant against the former minister after she and another defendant failed to appear in court for arraignment.

The court also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry. Both men, alongside Sani Mohammed, are standing trial over a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC.

The charges are connected to alleged breach of trust and abuse of office involving public funds linked to a social intervention programme.

The EFCC claimed that about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million were misappropriated. The commission said part of the money was supposed to be returned to the ministry after payments made under the programme, but was allegedly diverted for personal use.

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Crime

Troops Destroy Suspected IPOB Shrine, Recover Explosives In Enugu

Published

18 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, have destroyed a suspected ritual shrine and recovered improvised explosive devices during an operation in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was reports that the Nigerian Army said the operation targeted alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on May 6 in collaboration with other security agencies following intelligence reports on alleged terrorist collaborators in the community.

The Army said troops on an intelligence-led patrol came under attack from gunmen operating from a building allegedly used as a hideout by IPOB and ESN members.

It said three soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

The statement read, “While troops were advancing on foot to the community, they were attacked from a building, resulting in injuries to three personnel.

“Despite the attack, troops maintained operational dominance, foiled the attack and secured the general area.”

IEDs Detonate During Operation

The Army said improvised explosive devices allegedly stored in the building detonated during the gun battle, causing a fire that destroyed the structure.

It added, “During the exchange of fire, improvised explosive devices stored by the terrorists in the building used as their hideout detonated and triggered a fire outbreak that destroyed the hideout.”

According to the military, troops later recovered additional IEDs, improvised hand grenades, and a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities during a search of the area.

The Army said the shrine was thoroughly searched and destroyed to prevent further criminal use.

One suspected collaborator was also arrested during the operation. The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ezeagu Division, for further investigation.

The military urged residents of the community to remain calm and avoid harbouring criminal elements.

It also warned members and sympathisers of IPOB and ESN to desist from illegal activities or face the consequences.

The statement added, “Security forces remain resolute in their determination to build peace in the region and will continue to dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists any freedom of action.”

Meanwhile, videos circulated online showed several houses engulfed in flames. Some residents claimed that at least seven compounds and about 10 houses were destroyed during the incident.

In one of the videos, residents alleged that an elderly, sick woman was trapped inside one of the burning buildings.

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Crime

Soldiers kill 50 ISWAP terrorists, recover arms in Yobe attack

Published

22 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Troops of the Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised at least 50 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists during a coordinated attack on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the terrorists launched the attack at about 2 am on Thursday from multiple directions targeting the brigade headquarters and the Buni Gari checkpoint.

The army said the attackers first advanced from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later attempted to encircle the troops from the south-western flank.

“The assault, launched under the cover of darkness by a large number of terrorists from multiple axes, was met with devastating firepower, tactical brilliance and resolute determination by troops who held their ground and inflicted catastrophic losses on the attackers.

“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants,” the statement read.

The military said troops deployed indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics to repel the insurgents, forcing them to retreat while evacuating some of their dead and wounded fighters.

It added that no part of the military formation was breached during the attack.

“At no point was any part of the camp breached, as the integrity of the location remained fully intact throughout the engagement.

“Exploitation of the general area confirmed the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity, while human intelligence reports indicate that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes,” he stated.

The army also said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support during the operation, enabling precision air strikes on identified terrorist positions and fleeing insurgents.

“In a synchronised air-land operation, precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, accounting for an additional 20 terrorists neutralised as aircraft pursued retreating insurgents along their escape corridors,” he added.

Recovered items included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.

The military disclosed that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage during the operation, while injured personnel were receiving treatment.

It also confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the encounter.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement added.

The army said troops and volunteer forces had commenced follow-up operations to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping attempts in the area.

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