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Nigerian Immigration Officers Arrest, Extort Money From Youths Travelling To Visit Nnamdi Kanu, Dump Them In Zamfara

Three Nigerian youths travelling from Kano to Sokoto to visit the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have accused officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service of arresting, detaining and extorting money from them before abandoning them stranded in Zamfara State.

A source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the travellers were intercepted and held for about seven hours during the journey. A source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the travellers were intercepted and held for about seven hours during the journey.

“On our way to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto we were arrested and detained here for 7hrs, extorted and left us stranded in Zamfara state by Nigeria immigration,” the source said.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured moments showing the three youths during their detention by immigration officials.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, one of the victims, who identified himself as Cruise Naija, narrated how the incident unfolded on Sunday.

“On Sunday, while travelling from Kano to Sokoto to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we were stopped by immigration officers at the entrance of Zamfara State. After searching our vehicle, they asked me and my colleague (the shadow dancer) to step down,” he said. According to him, the officers accused them of attempting to travel illegally to Libya despite their explanation that they were heading to Sokoto.

“They accused us of attempting to travel to Libya. We firmly denied this allegation and explained that we were simply on our way to Sokoto. Despite this, they searched our bags and thoroughly examined our phones,” he said.

He added that the situation escalated after officers allegedly discovered photographs of him with activist and politician Omoyele Sowore and other activists on his phone.

“During the search of my phone, they saw photographs of me with Omoyele Sowore and other Nigerian activists. From that moment, they concluded that I am an activist. They immediately seized my phone and refused to allow me access to it,” he said.

The victim alleged that repeated pleas to contact family members or associates were ignored by the officers.

“I pleaded with them to let me make calls so that people would know my whereabouts, but they refused. Instead, they repeatedly warned us about how dangerous the area was,” he added.

He further claimed that the officers demanded large sums of money before allowing them to proceed with their journey.

“We were taken into a room where we met five other people, two young girls and three men. The officers told us that if we wanted to continue our journey, we would have to pay ₦200,000, plus ₦30,000 for transportation to Sokoto,” he said.

According to him, after prolonged arguments, the officers allegedly reduced the demand to ₦50,000, which the travellers still could not afford.

“They continued threatening us, saying bandits could attack at any moment and that the area was unsafe,” he said.

He also alleged that two young female travellers paid ₦230,000 after pressure from the officers.

“I tried to advise them to reconsider… The officers immediately shut me down and warned me not to speak to them. One officer stated that all they cared about was collecting their money, and that whatever happened to the girls afterward was none of their concern,” he alleged.

The victims claimed that the officers later arranged for a truck to transport the girls onward.

Eventually, after continued pressure, the youths said a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator was brought in, and they transferred ₦30,000 before being allowed to leave.

“Shockingly, shortly after leaving the checkpoint, the driver stopped and claimed he had only been given ₦3,000, not ₦30,000. We were left stranded without money and had to start calling people to send us funds so we could continue our journey,” he said.

In January, SaharaReporters reported how the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed an ex parte application filed by the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the application after Kanu’s lawyer announced his withdrawal from the case.

Kanu’s lawyer, Demdoo Asan, a senior legal officer with the Legal Aid Council, at the resumed hearing of the application on Tuesday, informed the court of his decision to step aside from the matter, citing irreconcilable differences between him and the applicant.

Asan told the court that since the last adjourned date, he had maintained regular telephone communication with Kanu’s relatives, who were expected to visit the Legal Aid Council office to depose to the application.

Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Kill Dozens In Coordinated Attacks Across Kebbi Communities


At least 34 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday in a spate of coordinated attacks by suspected Lakurawa terrorists across communities in Arewa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State.

According to security analyst
Bakatsine, on Thursday, the violence, which started in the morning and continued into the afternoon, has left families devastated and forced many residents to flee their homes for safety.

The hardest-hit community was Mamunu, where 16 people were killed. Awashaka lost five youths, while Masama recorded three fatalities. Gorin Dena, Kamzo, Dan Mai Rago, Tungar Bature, and Tungar Tsoho communities each lost two residents in the deadly attacks.

However, by nightfall, fear gripped residents across the wider Kangiwa axis, with many expressing concern over the possibility of further violence.

According to the security analyst, local sources said the assailants appeared highly coordinated, moving swiftly between settlements in what has become one of the deadliest single-day incidents in the area in recent months.

He explained that the attacks highlight the worsening security situation in Kebbi North Senatorial District.

According to the report, residents have voiced frustration over inadequate response from authorities and are calling on the Kebbi State Government and Arewa LGA leadership to implement stronger measures to prevent further loss of life.

When SaharaReporters contacted the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, he said he would respond but had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.

The monarch of Agamọ Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Kehinde Falodun, has reportedly been killed by suspected bandits.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was murdered on Wednesday evening while resisting an attempt by the gunmen to abduct him.

A source in the community said about 10 armed men stormed the palace and attempted to kidnap the monarch, but he resisted them.

According to the source, when the assailants allegedly shot at him several times and the bullets did not penetrate, they reportedly struck his head with a heavy object, leading to his death.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Police Command, Mr Abayomi Jimoh, said an investigation had commenced into the matter.

According to him, efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“The victim was later found a few metres away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the scene.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), alongside tactical teams from the command, promptly mobilised officers in collaboration with local security outfits.

“Atuluse Security, local hunters, and Amotekun operatives also assisted in combing adjoining bushes and surrounding areas in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators. Efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“Monitoring and surveillance activities have been intensified across the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

“The public is assured that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible for the heinous act to justice,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that the incident comes weeks after suspected bandits attacked Ayede Community in the same local government area and abducted a pregnant woman, Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, who was later released after a ransom was reportedly paid.

Days after that incident, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, arrested 12 men suspected of being involved in banditry in the area.

Residents have expressed concern over the growing insecurity in Akure North, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace in the affected communities.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said this on his Facebook wall:

This morning, I was in Gwarinpa with other leaders of our party, the African Democratic Congress ADC), including my brother, H.E. Peter Obi, ahead of the Saturday, February 21 FCT Council elections

We have been speaking with voters about why this election is important and why ADC candidates should be the right choice

This election is very important. It will say a lot about how ready the managers of our elections are to deliver free, fair and credible polls. It will also say a lot about how ready people are to chase the APC out.

I have encouraged voters to come out in large numbers to vote for ADC candidates across all FCT Councils in the elections.

Our party has fielded candidates with competence, capacity and character to offer quality leadership across local councils in Abuja
Voters have the responsibility to defy all forms of intimidation, and make the right choice.

The APC-led Federal Government under Bola Tinubu has failed citizens on many fronts. Ilt has failed to fix the economy. It has failed to fix our education. It has failed to keep our country safe. It has pushed the citizens of a rich nation into deeper poverty. It has allowed criminal elements to hold citizens to ransome

APC must be voted out in the coming elections, and we should start with the FCT elections! -AA[

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the opposition must remain resolute in its efforts to unseat the government of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, following an alleged attempt by security agencies to detain him at an airport.


Addressing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar when he visited him, El-Rufai said the incident strengthened his determination to work toward Tinubu’s removal from office.

“Your Excellency, I assure you that what happened today has further reinforced my belief that we must work hard. We must not sleep between now and March 2027 until we remove this tyrant from office,” he said.


He described the airport episode as “unfortunate, totally unnecessary, and probably criminal,” alleging that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) used operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain him and hand him over to the anti-graft agency without prior invitation.

El-Rufai stated that while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously invited him for questioning, his lawyer informed the commission that he was out of the country and would appear on Monday at 10 a.m. He maintained that he had received no communication from the ICPC before the airport incident.

The former governor further alleged that the ICPC acted on the orders of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, accusing the government of using security agencies for political purposes. He warned that such actions undermine democratic institutions and claimed the administration was attempting to retain power at all costs.

His words: “Your Excellency, I assure you that what happened today has further reinforced my belief that we must work hard, we must not sleep between now and March 2027 until we remove this tyrant from office.

“Your Excellency what happened at the airport today as you correctly observed is quite unfortunate, total unnecessary and probably criminal as well. “This is because agencies have rules of engagement and all I asked for was give me a letter of invitation and I will visit your office.

“But it turned out that it was the ICPC that procured the DSS to abduct me and hand me over to them. The ICPC has never contacted me or sort to invite me up to the point we were at the airport.

“The EFCC had written, inviting me but I was out of the country, my lawyer wrote to them that I will return and be there on Monday at 10am.

“ICPC I have never heard anything from them. We understand that it was the ICPC not EFCC that was responsible for what happened.

ICPC chairman was acting on direct orders from Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security of Adviser. We have reduced security agencies to be arms of a political party and a government that knows its unelectable and wants to remain in power at all cost”.

IkeOnyia:
The Senate a few hours ago passed the amended elecoral act requiring optional transmission of election results either electronically or manually. This is a step in the right direction. Peter Obi and his agents of destabilization planned on holding the nation hostage with the cynical mandatory electronic transmission of results but now their plan have hit the rocks. Nigeria wins again.

IkeOnyia:
What is the difference? It still shows that he is dull.

Residents of Utonkon District in the Ado Local Government Area of Benue State have been left broken and traumatised following the abduction of nine worshippers from Saint John’s Catholic Church, Ojije.

The worshippers were abducted on Sunday night when gunmen stormed the church premises during a vigil, an incident that has deepened fear and despair across the community.

A former councillor who represented Ukwuenyo Ward in the Ado local government legislative council, Emmanuel Udah, confirmed the incident on Monday, according to Channels TV.

He described the situation as a devastating blow to an already traumatised population.

Udah was quoted as saying the attack was “a targeted and planned crime against the Church, when innocent worshippers were at the most sacred ground, a place of worship, a place for peace, and refuge, only to be abducted, while praying, vulnerable and unarmed”.

According to him, the abduction has shattered the sense of security in Utonkon, leaving families devastated and residents living in constant fear.

“The people of Utonkon are living in fear, families are broken, children are traumatised, farmers, traders, worshippers, are all trapped as no one feels safe anymore in our land,” Udah said.

He noted that beyond the immediate victims, the entire community is suffering psychological and emotional distress, as daily activities have been disrupted by fear of further attacks.

Udah lamented what he described as continued neglect of rural communities in Benue State, despite repeated reports of violence and abductions.

“This incident is not isolated; it reflects a growing pattern of insecurity that rural communities in Benue State continue to endure in silence and neglect. We are raising our voices because silence will kill us all,” he stated.

Calling for urgent intervention, the former councillor urged authorities to strengthen security in the area and take decisive steps to prevent further trauma to residents.

He also appealed for the immediate rescue of the nine worshippers abducted from the church and called on religious bodies and the international community to intervene.

“Religious bodies, civil society organisations, human-rights groups, and the international community should speak out and stand with us.

“We are not asking for sympathy alone. We are asking for attention, protection, and justice. Let the world know that Utonkon matters,” he added.

Confirming the abduction, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said nine worshippers were taken during the attack.

She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, had deployed tactical units in collaboration with local vigilantes to track down the abductors and rescue the victims, adding that the police were on the trail of the perpetrators.

At least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, have been reportedly killed following an attack by armed invaders at a rural market in Abande settlement of Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Locals told our correspondent on the telephone that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, was carried out during the Abande market day, when residents were buying and selling goods. A former Supervisory Councillor in Kwande LGA, Akerigba Lawrence, also said the attackers opened fire on traders and residents, killing several people on the spot. He said shops were also looted, with traders alleging that cash and goods worth more than N150 million were taken before the entire market was set ablaze.

Lawrence explained that as of about 11:55pm on Tuesday, bodies of some of the victims had been evacuated to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.

He listed those confirmed dead to include Iornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba Ortswen, Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer who was the unit commander on duty at the time of the attack, among others.

The former local government official noted that several other residents were still missing as of press time.

Lawrence added that the latest attack has heightened fears among residents of Turan and neighbouring communities over what he described as worsening insecurity in the area.
The affected Abande community is close to Anwase, another community where more than 28 people were reportedly killed during attacks on Christmas Day in 2024.

Residents further alleged that since the beginning of the year, repeated attacks in the area have claimed more than 76 lives, including those of security personnel.

The residents said the Abande community and surrounding settlements, which lie close to the Nigeria–Cameroon border, have little visible presence of Nigerian security forces.

Meanwhile, the Police Spokesperson for the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, has confirmed four deaths in the attack.

“On 3rd February, 2026, at about 5:30pm, the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande Community as well as members of the community.

“During the ensuing confrontation while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured.

“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack by the bandits.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order. The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” she said.

Edet added that in response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

Although normal commercial activities resumed on Monday at the Onitsha Main Market, the Indigenous People of Biafra’s Monday sit-at-home order left empty streets in parts of Anambra, with banks, schools, motor parks, and filling stations closed and roads deserted.

The traders at the Onitsha Main Market resumed business activities after a one-week shutdown, following directives from Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

The market has been inactive on Mondays since the Indigenous People of Biafra-directed sit-at-home order began in August 2021. Soludo ordered the closure of the market last Monday after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

However, our correspondent observed that major roads in Onitsha, such as Onitsha-Owerri Road, Upper-Iweka, Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Road, and Onitsha-Oba-Nnewi roads, remained deserted on Monday.

The roads leading to the Ochanja market were also deserted, as residents stayed off the roads, while some gathered at various locations to discuss matters of interest. This was unlike other days, when the roads would be very busy, and trading and other activities would be taking place.

Powerful said, “The Indigenous People of Biafra confirms total and overwhelming compliance with the sit-at-home directive issued across Biafraland. This historic show of unity has once again demonstrated that the deep love, loyalty, and resolve of the Biafran people toward Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot be broken by threats, intimidation, or state-sponsored coercion.

“From Omambala to Onitsha and across the South-East, the people have spoken with one voice. The land of Eri, Nri, Igbo-Ukwu, and Uzo-Igbo has reaffirmed its historic role as the conscience and backbone of the Igbo nation. Our people are born free—and will not submit to fear.

“This peaceful but firm compliance is a clear message: the Biafran people will not be forced to abandon their leader or betray their collective will. The love for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not a weakness to be envied or attacked—it is a strength that binds our people and fuels our lawful demand for justice and freedom.

“IPOB remains committed to order, discipline, and respect for institutions, but we will resist every attempt to intimidate, humiliate, or enslave our people. The continued illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu only reinforces the legitimacy of this resistance.”

Kushites:
I've never seen where a governor rules a state for nearly a decade, completes his term, and flees from the state to live in another state. In this case, Lagos.

It's extraordinary.

My question is this: Is it that Obi is not happy or satisfied with the work he did as governor, such that the idea of living there feels degrading to him?

Or is there something I'm missing?

Why is he running away from his kinsmen?

helinues:
It seems majority of the Igbo's who are insisting on sit at home are mostly abroad based.

Would they also be observing sit at home in their respective foreign countries including those who work with big companies?

I am just curious to know. Because if people did not sit at home, what would happen?

How many mass burials need to be had? How many caskets should be lowered into their graves? How many families need to weep at the hands of pure evil? It is past due time that action is taken. God Bless and God help Nigeria.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Tuesday held “Trump Solidarity Rallies” across parts of the South-East, with demonstrators renewing calls for the immediate and unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a press release issued by its Media and Publicity Directorate, IPOB stated that the rallies and peaceful marches took place simultaneously in Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states, drawing participation from youths, women and elders.

According to the group, the rallies were organised both in solidarity and in remembrance of ‘Biafrans’ (southeasterners) who were killed nine years ago during protests held on the day of former United States President Donald Trump’s first inauguration.

“Youths, women, and elders came out in large numbers to peacefully demonstrate in solidarity and in remembrance of our people who were brutally killed exactly nine years ago during the first inauguration of President Donald Trump,” the statement said. IPOB alleged that the killings occurred when Nigerian soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators.

“Nigerian soldiers, acting under the directives of the then ruling APC-led government, opened fire on unarmed Biafran demonstrators,” the group said.

Despite what it described as persistent insecurity and repression in the region, IPOB said ‘Biafrans’ remained undeterred.

“Despite the ongoing and relentless pogrom in Biafraland, and the atmosphere of intimidation, persecution and insecurity deliberately imposed on the South-East, Biafrans continue to defy fear and oppression,” the statement read. “A people determined to be free cannot be permanently subdued.”

The group said protesters carried placards, banners and photographs of Nnamdi Kanu, whom they described as central to the current tensions in the region.

“Participants renewed their demand for his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that his continued detention remains a major catalyst for tension and instability,” IPOB stated.

The rallying crowd also reportedly called for broader accountability over past and present security issues in the South-East.

“The rallying crowd called for an independent inquiry into the Port Harcourt killings and the wider, worsening insecurity ravaging the South-East,” the statement said, adding that “truth, accountability and justice are indispensable to peace.”

IPOB maintained that its activities are non-violent and lawful, while appealing to security agencies and the international community.

“IPOB reiterates that all our activities remain peaceful and lawful,” the group said.

“We urge the security agencies to respect the fundamental rights of citizens to peaceful assembly.”

The organisation also called on foreign governments and human rights bodies to intervene.

“We call on the international community to take urgent interest in the deteriorating human rights situation in the South-East of Nigeria,” the statement added.

RealEstatePlus:
Repentant terrorists ??
I laugh in 3D