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Protesters paid by Yahaya Bello block highway over plots to arrest ex-Gov. Bello
Some youths in Kogi State have accused the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, of witch hunting former Governor Yahaya Bello urging it to shelve its plot to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
The youths, who gathered in their numbers for a protest, barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road on Tuesday, causing gridlock on the highway.
The protesters under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice, accused the anti-graft agency of blackmailing and victimizing the former governor.
They were seen carrying banners with various inscriptions, “Nigeria is not a banana republic”, “President Tinubu, Call EFCC to Order”, “EFCC Stop Witch Hunting”, “Yahaya Bello remains a responsible citizen”, “EFCC Obey Court Order Now” and many more.
The groups called for caution and adherence to the rule of law during Bello’s trial.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the Convener, Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, Richard Otitoleke, said the groups are on the ground in defence of the rule of law and democratic governance.
“We are here this morning to express our opinion on the fracas between EFCC and the former Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
It has been in the news for some days on the travail of the former governor. We want to say very clearly that the operation of the EFCC is an establishment of an act of parliament and the law of Nigeria.
“We are saying confidently again that its operations must be based on the established extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The rule of law is the hallmark of a democratic society.
We are saying there is a court order, an interim restraining order of the court of competent jurisdiction that stated clearly that the former Governor of Kogi State should not be invited, arrested, or prosecuted pending the determination of the issue before it concerning his human rights.
“It is not a big thing for EFCC to comply with it. Nigeria is not a banana republic. Disobedience to court order is worse than corruption itself, except if we want to drive this country into anarchy. I am not sure Mr. President is interested in lawlessness. Mr. President is not interested in witch hunting, ” he stated.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, examine the activities of EFCC to ensure that their operations are professional by the extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are not saying former Governor Bello is above the law. We are saying that the law must take its course. We are not saying the Ex-Governor should submit himself when there is a subsisting court order. EFCC must comply with the rule of law” he added.
Adding their voices, Comrade Ajibade Olamilekan David and Comrade Oluwa Kayode who are members of the groups protesting both accused the EFCC of engaging in a media trial on the former Governor of Kogi State.
Their words, “It is uncalled for, for EFCC to come against what the Court has said. We are saying that we will not bow down to such illegality. We heard that they are busy saying the sitting governor in Kogi State Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo whisked away his predecessor in Abuja. It is a lie.
“The Governor only paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor. We are saying the EFCC should obey the court order. We call on the President to call the EFCC to order so that the right thing can be done.
“We are saying no to victimization. We are saying no to the threat. We are saying no to anyone who thinks he can suppress the voice of the people’s mandate.
We are out to say no to EFCC because, in the face of the law, you can’t disobey the court to enforce the law. It has never happened, and it will not happen. In any attempt for anybody to go against that, we will not take it lightly.
“EFCC is not above the law, so they must respect the law of the land. Going against the law of the land is more satanic than corruption. That means the nation is in jeopardy. The EFCC should stop the victimization of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
There is something they are not taking into cognizance. Yahaya Bello is a youth. He is a Man that cut across the nation. He is a man who has worked tirelessly for this state for eight years.
“The man is supposed to be resting, but they are now victimizing him, using EFCC. We are seeing the hands of Monkey in this matter. How can EFCC use the lawyer of an opposition party to be the lawyer that will try former Governor Bello in court? It is uncalled for, unheard of, and highly condemnable. We want EFCC to trade with caution.
“We will be going around each state across the federation to protest if EFCC fails to obey Court order. This victimization must stop because an injury to one is an injury to all. So we are saying that their satanic and evil victimization must stop. Yahaya Bello is not the person they will use to do their drama. ”
All 13 passengers abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have been successfully rescued.
The victims were reportedly freed in the early hours of Sunday, following what sources described as a coordinated effort.
Meanwhile, official confirmation and operational details are still being awaited at the time of filing this report.
The abduction had earlier raised concerns among residents and commuters along the busy Makurdi–Otukpo axis, a route that has witnessed sporadic security challenges in recent times.
Security agencies are yet to issue a formal statement on the circumstances surrounding both the abduction and the subsequent rescue.
It also remains unclear whether any arrests were made or if ransom was involved.
Local sources, however, expressed relief over the safe return of the victims, describing the development as a significant breakthrough amid ongoing security concerns in the area.
The spokesperson of the Benue state Police command, DSP Udeme Edet could not be reached to confirm the story as at the time of filing this report.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced the arrest of two candidates and a parent for allegedly falsifying the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results using Artificial Intelligence and other electronic tools.
The announcement was made on Friday as the board released the results of 632,788 candidates who sat for the examination on Thursday, April 16.
In a statement issued by JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the suspects were apprehended for tampering with official SMS result notifications to alter or fabricate scores with the intention of deceiving others, including parents and guardians.
“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” the statement said.
Benjamin emphasized that such actions constitute serious criminal offences and warned that the board would ensure that all those involved are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He further cautioned candidates against interfering with result messages sent through JAMB’s official SMS platforms, 55019 and 66019.
Candidates who took the examination on Thursday can check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number linked to their registration. Printing of official result slips is not yet available but will be enabled later.
The 2026 UTME commenced on April 16 and is scheduled to run until April 22 across examination centres nationwide. Results will continue to be released in batches as the exercise progresses.
News
How NDLEA operatives uncovered cocaine, loud in food flasks, snacks, nabs fashion designer, others(Photos)
. Raids Edo, Cross River forests, destroys over 17,000kg skunk; recovers large consignments in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna operations
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 12 large parcels of cocaine concealed in false bottom of food flasks heading to the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic Airline flight from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
The cocaine consignment with a gross weight of 2.80 kilograms was intercepted on Thursday 9th April 2026 by NDLEA operatives attached to the export shed of the Lagos airport while two cargo agents involved in the export bid: Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were swiftly arrested. Further investigation revealed a 52-year-old freight and forwarding agent Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola as the sender of the consignment and he was arrested in a follow-up operation.
In a similar operation, NDLEA officers at the import shed of the Lagos airport on Wednesday 8th April intercepted a consignment of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a gross weight of 2.90 kilograms and concealed in snack food packs, which arrived from the United States of America aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
Two cargo clearing agents: Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was nabbed in a follow-up operation at 3 Oba Ogunji road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday 13th April.
In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kaduna-Zaria highway by Gwargwaje Zaria on Monday 13th April intercepted a trailer conveying cement heading to Hadeja in Jigawa state. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 847 kilograms. The truck driver Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
A 53-year-old female suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested on Thursday 16th April when NDLEA officers supported by soldiers raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA, Cross River state, where 15,000 kilograms of skunk on six hectares of farmland were destroyed and 119kg of same substance recovered.
Another cannabis farm was raided on Tuesday 14th April at Saboro camp, Ovia North East LGA, Edo state where NDLEA operatives destroyed 2,281.43kg of same psychoactive substance, while three suspects: Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45, were arrested, with the duo of Christopher and Monday caught with 38.5kg cannabis and its seeds. Two suspects: Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39, were nabbed with 87.838kg skunk and seeds at Powerline area of Okwo, Delta state on Friday 17th April.
In Lagos, two suspects: Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu were arrested on Wednesday 15th April at Mile 2, Lagos/Badagry expressway while conveying 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection in a truck to Ghana. Same day, NDLEA operatives raided a two-storey building at Petti, Lagos Island, where a total of 95.8kg skunk was recovered.
With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Alfurgan Islamic School, Paiko, Niger state;
Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River; Heritage Model School, Ankpa, Kogi; Government Day Junior and Senior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina; Government Senior Secondary School, Rano, Kano, and De Ambassador Secondary School, Epe, Lagos state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, and Lagos Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo.
All 13 kidnapped Otukpo passengers, successfully rescued
Board cautions candidates after arrest of suspects over doctored UTME scores
How NDLEA operatives uncovered cocaine, loud in food flasks, snacks, nabs fashion designer, others(Photos)
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