The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused an iron smelting company, Abuja Steel Company, of being one of the receivers of stolen manhole covers in Nigeria’s capital territory.

It was reported that some suspected criminals removing sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja had been arrested by security agencies.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications and New Media) to the FCT Minister, in a statement on Sunday, said efforts were being made to apprehend their collaborators, especially buyers of the manhole covers.

However, Lere Olayinka in a statement on Monday accused the recycling company located along Abuja – Kaduna Road of receiving metal stolen from Abuja, stressing that ‘exhibits of interest’ have been recovered from the company and are in custody of the police.

“One iron smelting company, Abuja Steel Company, has been identified as one of the alleged receivers of the stolen manhole covers,” he said.

“Further investigations going on as to the company and others’ involvement in the removal, purchase and melting of the manhole covers,” he added.

He recalled that it was made public on Sunday that arrests and recoveries were made by both the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“The arrested persons are helping the security agencies with useful information about the buyers of the vandalized infrastructure.

“Also, as directed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, replacement of the manhole covers that were removed by the vandals commenced yesterday,” the statement added.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of Uganda’s military and son of President Yoweri Museveni, has threatened to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine.

Kainerugaba, widely regarded as the heir apparent to his father, is no stranger to controversy, frequently making provocative posts on social media.

In 2022, he faced backlash after threatening to invade Kenya, a statement he later apologised for, claiming some posts were intended ironically.

On Sunday evening, Kainerugaba took to X, asserting that his father, whom he called Mzee, was the only one preventing him from acting against Wine.

“Kabobi knows the only person protecting him from me is my father. If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today!” he wrote.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, responded in a post on X that he did not take the threat lightly, saying, “The threat by Museveni’s son (who also heads Uganda’s military) to behead me is not something I take lightly, given that many have been killed by him and his father, and considering their several attempts at my life. I refuse to be intimidated by the cowardly regime. The world is watching.”

Kainerugaba further replied, “Finally! I woke you up? Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you.”

Wine, a popular musician-turned-politician and President Yoweri Museveni’s strongest opponent, has made some serious accusations against the regime.

He accused the government of engaging in ballot stuffing and intimidation tactics during the 2021 presidential election. But Wine isn’t the only one speaking out – human rights groups have also criticized Museveni’s administration for alleged abuses, including torture and arbitrary detention. The government, however, denies these claims.

The 2021 election was marked by several irregularities, including internet shutdown and social media blockage on the day before the election.

Governor Seyi Makinde has again restated the commitment of his government to ensure the prosecution of all the suspects involved in the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.

The stampede occurred during a children funfair organized by Ooni of Ife’s former wife, Naomi Ogunseyi. Olori Naomi, media personality Hamzat Oriyomi. Naomi, Hamzat and the principal of the school have been remanded in prison custody.

On Monday January 6, at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers, Governor Makinde addressed calls for leniency, stating that the rule of law will be upheld in Oyo State. He revealed that some individuals have argued that similar incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not lead to prosecutions, questioning why Oyo State should proceed differently.

“In the outgone year, we faced challenges. 2024 started for us here in Oyo State almost on a tragic note. On 16th January 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. The impact was felt all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.

And then, towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun. 35 innocent souls were lost; may we not see such again in Oyo State.

Quite a number of people have been reaching out to me, saying, ‘Oh, this incident happened in Anambra State. It also occurred in the FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people are going to jail?’ I said, ‘Well, Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.’

The judiciary is here. It’s in their court. If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But for the trial, the people must go on trial.

So, people come to me, and I’ve been saying to them, ‘Oyo State, even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, in Oyo State, we will follow; we will dare to be different.”