Metro
Abuja hotel sealed, staff arrested over death of ex-Minister’s aide
By Francesca Hangeior
The former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fanikayode has confirmed the death of his Special Assistant, Mr. Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who according to reports, slumped and died in an Abuja hotel.
In an announcement posted on his X formerly Twitter handle the former Minister while mourning the death of the man said the police have started investigation into the incident while the hotel has been sealed up and that he will ensure that justice is done and what led to his death unravelled.
According to his statement; “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my devoted Special Assistant, Mr. Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who was with me for no less than 34 years.
He left home at 5.40am on the morning of Sunday 13th October for morning Mass as he was a devoted Catholic and member of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro after which he went to a hotel by the name of Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja.
According to the police he took a room at the hotel and spent some time there with an individual after which he apparently slumped and died in that individual’s presence.
He was taken to Asokoro District Hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival and has since been put in the hospital morgue.
The individual he was with at the time of his death in the hotel is now in police custody and I have insisted on a full criminal investigation of the matter and an autopsy.
The hotel receptionist has also been detained by the police whilst both the manager and the owner of the hotel were invited for questioning earlier this week.
The entire hotel was also sealed up by the police for two days and the room in which he lodged remains sealed till today. I have broken the sad news to his family, I have met with his wife Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark and his Uncle, Mr. Clement Mathias, (who represented his family) and I have also told them of my intention to ensure that, if indeed there is any foul play, justice is done and those behind it are brought to book.
Mark was like a son to me and his passing is a huge blow to me and my entire family. We shared many dreams and aspirations and fought many battles together shoulder to shoulder.
Now he has gone it has left much pain but I give thanks to God for his life and for the 52 years that he spent on earth. I have assured his wife and family of my intention to stand by them at this difficult time and to ensure that they do not lack or want for anything.
I have absolute confidence in the FCT Police Command to get to the bottom of this matter after which we can proceed to bury a man that was my most loyal staff and most trusted aide.
Most important of all is the fact that he was a kind, reliable and compassionate soul who brought joy to many and who was incapable of hurting a fly.
I will never forget him and though he has passed he lives on in our hearts. I thank all those that have found the time to come and mourn with us at this difficult time.
May Ndifreke’s precious soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort his wife and two beautiful young children.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has assured that the Corps will not shield anyone found culpable in the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.
Audi gave the assurance when he paid a condolence and courtesy visit to the Emir of Minna, Umar Bahago, the families of the deceased and the family of the survivor.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NSCDC spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC boss said the Corps would prioritise justice and transparency in its response to the incident.
“The CG strongly condoled with the families and gave a firm assurance that the Corps will not shield anyone found culpable, emphasising that justice and transparency will take precedence,” the statement partly read.
Audi also disclosed that the Federal Government, following a directive from the Presidency, had constituted a high-powered investigative committee to probe the incident.
He said the NSCDC was fully cooperating with the committee, adding that relevant personnel had already been placed in protective custody to make them available for the investigation.
“The CG noted that the Federal Government, under the directive of the Presidency, has constituted a high-powered investigative committee to probe the incident. The NSCDC is fully cooperating with the panel. Relevant personnel have already been placed in protective custody to make them fully available for a transparent investigation process,” he said.
Audi explained that his visit was also to join Muslim faithful in observing the third- and seventh-day prayers for the deceased.
He said the prayers were significant for seeking the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for the bereaved families.
Responding on behalf of the traditional institution and the families, the Emir expressed appreciation to the Commandant General for his visit and the administrative steps taken following the incident.
He also commended the NSCDC for cooperating with the Presidential investigative committee and for personally identifying with the community during the period of mourning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N80 million recovered from a businessman accused of selling a 146-acre property to another businessman without transferring ownership of the land.
In a statement on X on Thursday, the EFCC said the Acting Zonal Director of its Benin Zonal Directorate, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, handed over a draft of the recovered N80 million to 42-year-old businessman, Ifeanyi Innocent Madueke, on Wednesday, September 24, 2026.
The commission said Madueke had purchased 146 acres of land in a community in Delta State from Austine Muanya Okafor for N232.8 million.
However, Madueke was unable to take possession of the property despite completing payment, prompting him to approach Okafor for a refund.
According to the EFCC, Madueke’s efforts to recover his money were unsuccessful, leading him to petition the commission.
The EFCC said investigation established that Madueke transferred the money to the suspect in three tranches.
Presenting the recovered funds, Sa’ad said the commission would continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally and with utmost integrity.
He also warned that fraudsters would not be allowed to benefit from illicit activities.
Receiving the N80 million draft, Madueke expressed appreciation to the EFCC, saying he had almost lost hope before petitioning the commission.
“I am grateful to the Commission for what they have done. I had lost hope before I came to EFCC. I thank the management and staff for the good work they are doing,” he said.
The EFCC said the recovery formed part of its efforts to investigate financial crimes and recover proceeds of fraudulent transactions.
The Nasarawa State Police Command on Thursday said the the command had recorded another significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of four suspected abductors who allegedly planned to abduct and subsequently kill their intended victim after collecting ransom.
The command also arrested two suspects in connection with a cult-related killing in Lafia.
The development was contained in a statement signed by SP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer and available newsmen in Lafia the Nasarawa State capital.
He said that a credible intelligence information received by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Lafia, concerning criminal conspiracy and an attempt to commit an offence, the Command commenced discreet investigations into the planned operation and made an arrest.
The investigation led to the arrest of four suspects, namely Yahaya Musa ‘m’, Likita Adamu ‘m’, Riga Abdullahi ‘m’, and Saidu Alhaji Gari ‘m’, all residents of Adudu District, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The statement explained that the preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspects had allegedly planned to abduct one Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as Alhaji Na’iye, the plan was however uncovered before it could be executed.
They operatives of the SID arrested two of the suspects on 19 September 2026, while the third suspect was arrested on 22 September 2026 and the fourth on 23 September 2026.
“During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the planned abduction and further disclosed that they had planned to kill the victim after collecting ransom.
“The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement further added that the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Muhammad, has directed that the investigations be conducted diligently and professionally, with all they suspects if found culpable brought to justice in accordance with the law.
CP Shetima calls on members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.
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