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” I regained freedom after my abductors noticed that I could not be useful for ritual purpose,” Says Gbenga Ajayi
…..Details of how conductor sprayed perfume in the bus and passengers dozed off
A 50-year-old man, Gbenga Maxwell Ajayi, who was abducted on his way to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, on a day he was billed to travel to London has regained his freedom.
The father of four was abducted last Friday inside a commercial vehicle from Ijaye area of Lagos to Oshodi where he planned to take another vehicle to Murtala Muhammed airport and catch his 1.40 pm flight to London. While inside the yellow color bus, he noticed that the driver was spraying perfume. He felt the spray was to reduce odour and he hastily alerted his travelling agent and waited for result. Unfortunately, that was the last time both his agent, members of his family and friends heard from him.
While efforts were being made to trace his whereabout, calls were made to a contact waiting for his arrival in far away London airport but he said his passenger was yet to arrive.
As shock waves gripped his relations, his frenetic wife quickly rushed to Ijaiye police station to lodge a report on Saturday night and after making statement, the police advised her to go and come back on Monday.
Meanwhile, members of his family spread their dragnet and were frantically making calls to everybody they know while at the same time combing the nooks and crannies of Oshodi and environs with a view to either locating his dead body or getting clues as to his whereabout.
Shockingly, the family succeeded in receiving good news on Sunday afternoon after one of their relations living in Ajah, Lagos called to announce that he had resurfaced after escaping from his abductors that wanted to use him for ritual purposes at Epe, a suburb of Lagos.
The victim narrated his heartrending experience and how he regiand freedom to our correspondence.
According to him, I regained freedom after my abductors noticed that I could not be useful for ritual purpose.
Narrating his ordeal to Newsthumb at his Ijaiye residence, Lagos, Gbenga said he boarded a commercial vehicle whose occupants dozed off having inhaled perfume sprayed by the driver in the bus. The victim who was seen with bruises on his leg during our correspondence visit to his residence said, “I can’t give details of what transpired while in the bus but what I noticed was that the driver was spraying perfume immediately the last person entered the bus and closed the door which resulted in us dozing off.
“I initially sent a message to my travel agent that I wanted to order for a Bolt taxi but later, I discharged the rider when he delayed in coming as a result of traffic gridlock.
I, thereafter, joined a public transport heading for Oshodi. Unfortunately, we all dozed off after inhaling the perfume.
“When I woke up, I saw myself and other passengers in an apartment but we all looked dizzy with white stain on our bodies. I heard an old man giving order for my release saying that I cannot be used for ritual purposes. Immediately, the charms placed on my head were removed, my eyes tied and was driven to an area, very close to a construction site which was later identified as Epe by a woman. I saw a woman who told me that I am at Epe. I explained my ordeal to the woman; she urinated on my head and immediately I regained consciousness. She sympathized with me, and gave me N500 and left. I then asked for direction from some headsmen who directed me on how to locate my way to Ajah. I joined lorry vehicle and they dropped me at Awoyaya and I gave them N500 and trekked down to Ajah where I located my brother’s house in Ajah and narrated my story to him.”
The victim’s brother Seyi Ajayi said Gbenga told them that all the passengers were already clothed in black clothes. Then a man placed a calabash on their heads one after the other saying that if the charm worked on that person, he or she would be taken away. According to him, my brother was in a very bad shape physically while narrating his ordeal to me and after that, I quickly made calls to all our people announcing the good news. “For now, we have placed him on intensive treatment and we hope he will regain himself fully soon.”
Meanwhile, another teenager identified as Emmanuel Timilehin has been rescued by the police after he was abandoned by his abductors at Jakande in Ikotun area of Lagos state. Though the circumstances surrounding his abduction is not clear, Lagos state police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin said in his verified tweeter handle that he is under treatment and is still incoherent. “From the little he could mutter, he was abducted in Jakande, Ikotun area on Sunday, November 13, 2022. He has been giving different names and addresses of his parents and any information that will assist in locating his parents would be appreciated,” he stated.
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UPDATED: Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged False Claim as PFIPC Director-General in Osun
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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.
Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.
He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.
His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.
Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.
The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.
Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.
Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.
Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics
The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.
Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.
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Breaking : Nigerian Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Network in Borno
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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.
According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.
He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.
He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.
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BREAKING: Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Oyo Forest Operation
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Eight kidnappers arrested
Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.
According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.
The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.
Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.
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