ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday evening arrived in Luanda, the capital of Angola, for the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The summit is taking place between August 29 and 30, 2026.

Senator Shettima, who arrived at 4th February International Airport, Luanda, at about 4: 45 pm local time, was received by the country’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Esmeralda Medonca and other senior government officials.

The Nigerian officials who welcomed the Vice President were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires, Amb. Mazy Ogbede, Minister of Interior, Mr. Tunji Ojo, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fag emi, SAN, Chairman and CEO, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabrri-Erewa, among other government officials.

The 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union with the theme: “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa,” is aimed at deepening dialogue among member states and reinforcing African responses to peace and security challenges.

Upon arrival, Vice President Shettima, who is representing President Bola Tinubu at the Summit, received a briefing from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and other experts from the Nigerian Embassy.

As part of the preparations of the 26th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, foreign ministers and experts in foreign relations held a meeting earlier on Saturday.

The Executive Council provides a platform for political consultations among AU member states on conflict prevention and the promotion of peace and stability.

The Angolan Summit is expected to provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of existing instruments and to discuss more coordinated responses to conflicts on the continent.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

A young Nigerian, Samuel Ezekiel, has narrated how his friend allegedly deceived him into undergoing kidney removal and later spent part of the money he received on electronic gadgets.

Ezekiel made the disclosure while speaking to journalists during the parade of suspects linked to an alleged organ-harvesting syndicate operating in Abuja and Nasarawa State.

According to him, his friend, Emmanuel Odeh, initially told him they were going to a hospital, and he followed because he trusted him.

“It’s my friend that deceived me. His name is Emmanuel Udeh,” Ezekiel said.

He explained that Odeh later connected him with another man, David, who took him to an agent identified as Ben for medical tests.

Ezekiel said his first test did not match the intended kidney recipient, but the agent later informed him that another recipient had been found and that his kidney was a match.

He alleged that he was subsequently told to assume the name “Hassan Abubakar” and was taken to the Federal High Court, where an affidavit was prepared before they proceeded to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja.

“Then he now said that they are going to change my name, that I will be bearing Hassan Abubakar,” he said.

Ezekiel said documents were signed at the hospital before he was taken into the theatre. He added that he was given money in dollars around 10pm or 11pm before the procedure.

He said he handed the money to Odeh for safekeeping before entering the theatre.

“After they give us the money, then when I wanted to enter the theatre, I gave Emmanuel the money to hold it,” he said.

However, Ezekiel alleged that when he came out of the theatre, Odeh had exchanged the money and used part of it to purchase two phones, two power banks and two Wi-Fi devices.

“He bought two phones, two power banks, and two Wi-Fi. Then he now gave me one and held one,” he said.

The victim said he remained at the hospital for about a week before being discharged and taken by Odeh to a hotel, where they spent two days.

He said they later travelled to Cross River State and stayed there for about three months.

According to Ezekiel, when he eventually asked Odeh about the money he had received, his friend told him it had been spent.

He added that Odeh later claimed they had no money for transportation back to Abuja and sold his phone to raise the fare.

Ezekiel said he knew a kidney-related procedure was involved but claimed that Odeh reassured him that it would not negatively affect his health.

“He just told me that it’s something that they will just convert it, that there’s not any issue in there,” he said.

He confirmed that he consented to the procedure, which he said took place at Wellington Hospital on April 24. He recalled receiving several $100 notes and a $50 note but said he could not state the exact amount.

The allegations emerged as the Nigeria Police Force intensified its investigation into an alleged organ-harvesting network operating in Abuja and Nasarawa.

The police on Friday paraded several suspects, including two doctors and alleged recruiters, following a sting operation in the Auta Balefi area of Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.

Those paraded included Dr Benjamin Oyime, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital; Dr Daniel Otukpa, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; David Idoko; and Odeh.

The police alleged that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young people and facilitated illegal kidney removals using forged documents and false representations.

The Force said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged network.

The case became public after activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, said a young man approached his NGO with medical evidence indicating that his left kidney was missing.

The police subsequently commenced investigations, leading to the arrest and parade of the suspects.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory, urging him to protect the lives and property of all residents as the state moves beyond the election.

Oyebamiji, while addressing APC leaders, members and supporters in Osogbo on Saturday, said he congratulated Adeleke “in the spirit of democracy” following the declaration of the election result by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He also called on the governor, as the chief security officer of the state, to exercise his constitutional responsibility to safeguard citizens, particularly during the sensitive post-election period.

“At the same time, I call on Mr. Governor, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to do everything within his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens, particularly during this sensitive post-election period,” Oyebamiji said.

The APC candidate urged an end to violence, harassment and intimidation allegedly targeting members and supporters of his party.

Oyebamiji particularly called for an investigation into the deaths of former Irewole Local Government chairman, Remi Abass; APC chairman in Atakumosa Local Government Area, Gbenga Ogbara; Mr. Dele Ayegbo, nephew of Wole Oke and Director-General of his 2026 Governorship Campaign Council; and more than 35 other victims.

He urged the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, while expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives to political violence.

“The senseless killings, harassment and intimidation of members and supporters of our party must therefore stop forthwith,” he said, adding that attacks on innocent citizens and their businesses “must not be allowed to continue.”

Oyebamiji also raised concerns over reports of attacks on small and medium-sized businesses based on the perceived political affiliations or non-allegiance of their owners to the Accord Party.

He described such attacks as “clearly condemnable and unacceptable,” stressing that security and a conducive environment for businesses were essential to Osun’s economic growth, investment and employment prospects.

On the outcome of the election, Oyebamiji said the APC remained committed to pursuing justice and fairness through lawful and constitutional means in relation to the electoral process.

He, however, urged his supporters not to be discouraged, calling on them to sustain their faith in democracy and confidence in institutions established to protect democratic rights.

The APC candidate subsequently directed the attention of party members towards the 2027 general elections, urging them to close ranks, strengthen party structures and commence mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates.

“We must close ranks, strengthen our structures and work tirelessly to secure incontrovertible victories for Mr. President and all our candidates in Osun State,” he said.

Oyebamiji also thanked Tinubu for his support before, during and after the governorship election, while commending former governor Bisi Akande and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for their contributions to his campaign and the repositioning of the APC in the state.

The APC candidate’s remark comes 14 days after INEC declared Adeleke as the winner of the election.

INEC said that the incumbent, who is the candidate of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes while Oyebamiji came second with a total vote count of 444,815.