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A 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, Abdullai Muhammadu, has been linked to a kidnapping investigation after police reportedly recovered a bag used for ransom delivery from his kitchen in Ogun State.

The suspect was arrested alongside one of his sons by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command during an ongoing investigation into a series of kidnappings across Ijebu Ode and nearby communities, including Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and Okun Owa.

According to police sources, intelligence-led operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, headed by SP Bamidele Shittu, traced several kidnapping incidents to the suspect’s family, particularly his son, Bala Muhammadu, who was recently released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for kidnapping.

The source disclosed that the situation worsened after Bala allegedly returned to criminal activities following his release, with some of his brothers also suspected to be involved. However, the suspects reportedly escaped through nearby bush paths after receiving information about the arrival of security operatives.

One of the major discoveries during the investigation was a bag allegedly used in the delivery of ransom payments, which was recovered from the Seriki’s kitchen, raising further suspicion around the household.

Despite the allegations, Abdullai Muhammadu denied any involvement in criminal activities, insisting that he knew nothing about the bag and had no connection to his son’s actions. He stated that he had lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years, raising children from his four wives while engaging in cattle rearing and farming.

He acknowledged being aware of Bala’s previous conviction and said he had tried to help him after his release by taking him for medical treatment because he believed he had changed.

“I know my son was once involved in kidnapping and was jailed. I took him to the hospital when he came out because he was sick and I believed he had changed,” he said, while denying knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity.

An elder son, Bello Muhammadu, who was also arrested, denied involvement in kidnapping, saying he was on the farm when police arrived at their residence.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the operation, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating in the state.

Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said the success of the operation was achieved through intelligence-led policing and the support of the Inspector General of Police and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police.

He added that investigations were continuing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and ensure the complete dismantling of the criminal network.

The command assured residents of its commitment to ridding the state of kidnappers and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and useful intelligence.

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Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor , has confirmed the end of his marriage to Halima Kazaure, bringing closure to a union that lasted six years.

The couple, who got married in October 2020, held a high-profile wedding ceremony attended by prominent political and traditional leaders.

Nwakaego is of Fulani and Igbo ancestry.

Bashir disclosed the divorce through his X account during a question-and-answer session with followers, shortly after attracting attention for a post in which he publicly admired another woman during the Eid al-Kabir period.

He had earlier reposted a photograph of @oheems on X with the caption: “I want a baby girl by September. Keep doing slay queen here.”

The post generated reactions from social media users who noted that he was still believed to be married, prompting him to clarify his marital status.

Responding to the criticism, Bashir stated that his marriage to Halima had already ended and added that the woman referenced in the post is now his fiancée.

Explaining the reason for the divorce, he said he chose to leave the marriage due to what he described as challenges arising from generational differences, adding that he was no longer willing to continue under those circumstances.

He also spoke positively about his current relationship, saying his experience with his fiancée’s cultural background differs from what he experienced in his previous marriage.

Bashir further shared his views on relationships, claiming that he rarely initiates romantic advances.

According to him, women usually make the first move, and he said this has been the pattern throughout most of his relationships, including his former marriage.

He stated that Halima was the one who approached him and later proposed marriage, which eventually led to their wedding in 2020.

He also maintained that he has never relied on money to attract romantic partners, insisting that he often discovers much later that someone has feelings for him.

In his words, he wrote:
“I’m not married yet. I am divorced. Yes, she’s from Bida, and yes, I divorced my first wife (I have no time for Gen Z wahala).
“The difference is clear, I had no clue Nupe women treat their husbands like emperors. Loving it.

“I don’t toast, babes. Never have. It’s not even about bragging rights or pride. Neither have I ever used money to buy companionship. Sometimes it’s even years later that I discover one babe or another likes me.

“I can’t tell. They make the first move. I also never asked a girl to marry me. Even in my first marriage, she was the one who proposed. Not to impress anyone, but that’s the fact.”

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National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Barr. Dan Nwanyanwu, has emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, pledging to unite Nigeria and tackle insecurity, corruption, poor power supply and unemployment.

Nwanyanwu was endorsed by delegates and stakeholders of the party at its presidential convention held in Abuja on Saturday.

In his acceptance speech, the veteran politician outlined an ambitious agenda focused on national unity, security, anti-corruption reforms, energy development, industrialisation and youth empowerment.

“Specifically and practically, my government will solve the problem of insecurity in Nigeria and make corruption a thing of the past,” he declared.

The ZLP flag bearer accused successive governments of tolerating corruption and criticized what he described as a culture in which politically exposed persons accused of corruption are welcomed into ruling parties and shielded from accountability.

“A situation in our country where political leaders encourage corrupt political and public office holders to join the ruling party in order to be forgiven their sins of corruption is not only unacceptable but also scandalous,” he said.

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He promised that his administration would operate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and strengthen existing anti-graft institutions through legislative reforms.

According to him, the laws establishing anti-corruption agencies would be reviewed to make them more proactive, effective and capable of preventing corruption before it occurs.

Nwanyanwu further pledged to conduct comprehensive audits of properties and bank deposits across the country to determine the legality of acquired wealth and identify illicit financial flows.

He argued that Nigeria loses enormous resources through leakages in public institutions, corporations, agencies and parastatals, adding that a thorough audit of government establishments since the return to democratic rule in 1999 could help recover substantial public funds.

The recovered resources, he said, would be invested transparently in healthcare, education, infrastructure and other critical sectors.

On electricity, Nwanyanwu described the energy sector as one of the most poorly managed areas of the Nigerian economy and vowed to implement sweeping reforms.

He promised to review the national grid system, encourage private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution, and expand investments in renewable energy.

The presidential candidate also pledged to explore Nigeria’s vast coal reserves in states such as Enugu and Kogi as part of a broader strategy to boost power generation and support industrial growth.

Addressing economic development, Nwanyanwu said his administration would prioritize industrialisation by improving the ease of doing business, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage investors, and providing infrastructure needed to support businesses.

He promised easier access to credit for young entrepreneurs through financial institutions and special intervention programmes aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.

“My government will encourage young entrepreneurs not to wait for opportunities but provide the enabling environment for them to create opportunities through innovation and productivity,” he said.

The ZLP candidate also advocated greater devolution of powers to states and local governments, particularly in the management of education and other social services, in line with the principles of federalism.

He pledged to pursue constitutional reforms, strengthen literacy programmes, improve transportation and healthcare services, and implement policies that protect the rights and welfare of citizens.

Nwanyanwu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the details of his manifesto would be made public in the coming days, expressing confidence that the country could overcome its challenges through accountable leadership, transparency and national unity.

His emergence formally positions the Zenith Labour Party in the race for the 2027 presidential election as political parties intensify preparations ahead of the next general polls.