Crime
PHOTOS: Edo State Govt uncovers adoption scam, shuts down illegal orphanage and arrests proprietress
The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has uncovered an alleged adoption scam following the closure of an illegal orphanage, Uwadia Children Home, in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area.
The development also led to the arrest of the proprietress, an elderly woman, Mrs Grace Efe Uwadia who has been handed over to the Aideyan Police Station in Benin City for further investigation and prosecution.
Providing further insight into the case, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development revealed that the incident was triggered by a formal complaint from an alleged victim, Mr Monday Akpaduma who had approached the ministry after encountering irregularities in an adoption process.
According to the Commissioner, the man alleged that he initially applied to adopt a child through the orphanage and paid a sum of N250,000 as a processing fee.
He was subsequently asked to pay an additional N1 million before the child could be released to him.
After prolonged delays, he was allegedly informed that the adoption fee had been increased to N2 million by the ministry, a claim that raised suspicion and prompted him to report directly to the ministry.
The Commissioner explained that an internal investigation was immediately launched, which revealed that all documents presented by Mr. Akpaduma were fraudulent and did not originate from the ministry, despite being issued on an old ministry letterhead.
Further allegations by Mr. Akpadume, pointed to a staff member of the Social Welfare Department in Owan East Local Government Council, Mr Vincent Ogbodo as the source of the documents, suggesting possible collusion with the illegal orphanage in carrying out the alleged illicit activities.
She disclosed that the Local Government staff could not be arrested at the time of the operation, as he was not present in the office.
However, she assured that efforts are ongoing to apprehend him, stressing that all individuals connected to the illegal operation will be brought to justice.
The Commissioner further stated that the ministry has evacuated the children from the orphanage to a safe location, adding that some of them are currently receiving medical treatment.
She emphasized that the Edo State Government has zero tolerance for exploitation, fraud, or any form of illegal practice involving vulnerable children, and reiterated that the ministry does not charge arbitrary or inflated fees for adoption.
She urged members of the public to always verify information directly with the ministry and report any suspicious activities, while assuring that the affected children are now in safe custody and receiving appropriate care.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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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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