Police Rescue 20 Prospective NYSC Corps Members Abducted in Imo

IMO STATE — The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued 20 prospective NYSC corps members who were abducted in Imo State on October 1, 2026.

The victims were rescued on Wednesday, October 7, at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following sustained search-and-rescue operations.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the rescued victims have been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.

The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, while coordinated operations involving the police and other security agencies continue across the area.

The Force said the operations are aimed at bringing all persons found culpable in the abduction to justice.

The Nigeria Police Force also appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and support, reiterating its commitment to protecting lives and property, responding promptly to security threats and collaborating with other security agencies.

27 Killed in Two Mass Shootings in South Africa Within Hours

At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa within hours of each other, as police continue a search for those responsible.

The first attack occurred on Saturday night at a tavern in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, where 17 people were killed and 15 others injured.

Police said eight gunmen, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, opened fire on customers outside the tavern before continuing the attack inside. Two vehicles were also set on fire before the suspects fled.

Thirteen men and four women were among those killed, according to police.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said people from Ethiopia and Lesotho were among those caught up in the attack, although most of the victims were South African.

Police have not established a definitive motive. Mthombeni said robbery was one line of investigation after personal belongings were reportedly taken, while authorities were also examining a possible connection to conflicts involving illegal mining groups.

Deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana also said investigators were considering whether the shooting could have been a retaliation for an earlier incident in which one person was killed and another wounded.

Police said they had photographs and, in some cases, names of people they were seeking in connection with the attack.

Hours later, another shooting occurred in Lwandle, near Cape Town, in the early hours of Sunday.

Ten people were killed and 11 others injured after gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue. Five victims died at the scene, while another five later died in hospital.

No arrests had been announced in either shooting at the time of reporting, while police continued investigations into both attacks.

The two attacks came only days after another mass shooting near Durban in which 11 people were killed when gunmen reportedly stormed a house in the KwaMakhutha township.

South Africa has long struggled with high levels of violent crime and gun violence. Recent mass shootings have also raised concerns about violence linked to organised crime, gangs, drug trafficking and illegal mining.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described organised crime as a major threat to South Africa and has backed increased security operations in areas experiencing high levels of violent crime.

The latest shootings have renewed concerns about the country’s struggle to contain firearm-related violence, with investigations into the latest attacks still ongoing.

EFCC Warns Lawyers Against Charging Clients in Foreign Currencies

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned legal practitioners across Nigeria against charging clients in foreign currencies, describing the practice as illegal and unethical.

The warning was issued on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Lagos by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo.

Kaltungo spoke when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola, during a courtesy visit to his office.

He expressed concern over what he described as illegal and unethical practices involving some legal practitioners and said the Commission would prosecute lawyers found culpable.

According to Kaltungo, the Directorate is currently handling two cases involving lawyers who allegedly charged their clients in foreign currencies.

“We have two cases of lawyers who were found to have charged fees in dollars. This is unethical and illegal, as the Naira is the country’s legal tender,” he said.

He added that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute any lawyer found culpable of charging clients in foreign currencies.

Kaltungo also cautioned lawyers against invoking the name of the EFCC to impose excessive charges on their clients.

He acknowledged that lawyers have the right to determine their professional fees but said they should not falsely claim that fees demanded from clients were required by the EFCC.

Earlier, Abiola commended the EFCC over the recent prosecution and conviction of a person described as a fake lawyer, describing the process as swift and reassuring.

He said the NBA Task Force was handling several cases involving alleged malpractice by legal practitioners and called for stronger collaboration with the EFCC to ensure that lawyers found culpable of criminal conduct face prosecution.

Also speaking during the meeting, ACE I Orhieoghene Adewunmi of the EFCC’s Department of Legal and Prosecution urged the NBA to make appropriate publications concerning lawyers found culpable of unethical practices.

She said such publicity would help members of the public identify practitioners who had been sanctioned for professional misconduct and avoid engaging their services.

ACE II Henry Anasoh, also of the Department of Legal and Prosecution, raised concerns about alleged instances where some lawyers assist suspects in obstructing investigations or frustrating the administration of justice.

He cited alleged cases involving the presentation of forged documents for bail applications, including purported medical records.

The EFCC and the NBA Task Force said stronger cooperation between both organisations would help address illegal legal practice and criminal conduct within the profession.

Adeleke Proscribes NURTW Activities in Osun After Ajagungbade Emir’s Killing

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered the immediate suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, across motor parks in the state following the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Ajagungbade Emir.

Oyeyemi was reportedly shot dead on Sunday in Ile-Ife during a clash involving groups disputing control of a motor park in the ancient city. The killing has heightened tension around the state’s motor parks.

In a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest those involved in the killing and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The governor also ordered warring factions to immediately vacate all motor parks and directed security agencies to restore normalcy and maintain law and order across the parks.

As part of measures to prevent further violence, Adeleke announced the reintroduction of a Park Management System across Osun State.

According to the governor, an Executive Order will be issued to provide legal backing for the new system.

The latest directive comes against the background of an ongoing dispute involving rival factions within the NURTW over control of motor parks in Osun. The state government had previously taken measures to halt NURTW activities in motor parks amid similar tensions.

The governor’s latest measures are aimed at restoring order in the parks and preventing further clashes following the death of Ajagungbade Emir.

Outrage as Video Appears to Show Adults Giving Alcohol to Schoolboys

A viral video appearing to show adults giving alcohol to schoolboys has triggered calls for an investigation in Kenya.

A viral video appearing to show adults giving an alcoholic drink to schoolboys in uniform has sparked outrage and calls for an investigation in Kenya.

The 25-second video, which has circulated widely on social media, shows a group of schoolboys gathered in what appears to be a residential area, surrounded by several adults.

In the footage, an adult man wearing a white jersey and grey trousers appears to pass a bottle containing an alcoholic drink to one of the boys. The pupil, who is wearing a school uniform, is seen taking a drink from the bottle while several adults watch.

Another man wearing a red polo shirt is also seen nearby as the interaction takes place.

Some of the adults can be heard speaking to the children in Kiswahili. One man appears to encourage the boy to swallow the drink, while another is heard discouraging the interaction.

At another point, a man appears to warn the boys against telling others about what happened.

The footage has prompted widespread criticism online, with social media users calling for the individuals involved to be identified and investigated by Kenyan authorities.

The video was reportedly first shared on Instagram by an account identified as @eganz.a. The account has since reportedly been deleted.

Following the circulation of the footage, social media users tagged Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and National Police Service, urging authorities to establish where the incident occurred and identify those involved.

The incident has also renewed concerns about the exposure of children to alcohol and the responsibility of adults to protect minors from harmful substances.

What Kenyan law says

Kenya's Children Act, 2022, contains specific provisions protecting children from exposure to alcohol and other harmful substances.

Section 24 of the Act provides that no person shall subject a child to the use of alcohol, tobacco products, narcotics, psychotropic drugs or other substances declared harmful by the relevant authorities. A person who contravenes the provision may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of not less than KSh500,000, or both.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act also prohibits knowingly selling, supplying or providing an alcoholic drink to a person under 18. Section 28 provides for a fine of up to KSh150,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, subject to the conditions set out in the law.

The circumstances shown in the video could therefore raise child-protection and alcohol-control concerns if the footage is verified and the individuals involved are identified.

As of publication, Shemariah Media has not independently verified the location of the incident, the identities of the individuals shown, or whether Kenyan authorities have opened a formal investigation.

The video has nevertheless generated significant public concern, with many Kenyans calling for authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the footage and take appropriate action if any offences are confirmed.

Police Arrest Woman After Vigilante Member Dies Following Sexual Encounter in Osun

 

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a vigilante member in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a woman following the death of a vigilante member identified as Sunday, popularly known as Apetu, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Odi-Olokun area of Ile-Ife, shortly after the man had a sexual encounter with the woman.

A video circulating on social media shows the man in visible distress at Ooni Ilare Street, where he was heard pleading with the woman to give him urine.

According to a situation report attributed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Apetu was reportedly gasping, screaming and pleading with the woman while displaying signs of severe physical distress after the encounter.

The woman was subsequently taken into custody at the Moore Police Division, according to reports.

The man later died, and his remains were deposited at the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.

The circumstances surrounding his death have generated speculation among residents, with some attributing it to what they described as a “thunderbolt.” However, authorities have not confirmed the claim, and the cause of death has not been officially established.

The traditional belief surrounding “thunderbolt” involves claims that a person affected by a supposed spiritual force could harm another person through sexual contact. There is currently no established medical or scientific evidence presented in the report to support this explanation for Apetu's death.

A senior officer of the Osun State Police Command said the command was aware of reports circulating on social media and cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm while investigations and medical examinations are conducted to determine the circumstances and actual cause of the man's death.

Former Catholic Knight Arrested Over Alleged Ritual Cleansing Exercise in Nnewi

A former Catholic Knight of St John International, Sir James Louis Okoye, has reportedly been arrested by vigilantes in Nnewi, Anambra State, after he was allegedly seen carrying out what he described as a cleansing exercise on the streets of the town.

Okoye reportedly attracted attention on Saturday after he was seen dressed in red, carrying a bell and walking through parts of Nnewi with fresh palm fronds in his mouth.

According to reports, Okoye told those who questioned him that he was carrying out a cleansing exercise because he believed the land and community had been desecrated.

A short video circulating online showed Okoye sitting on the floor while being questioned at what appeared to be a vigilante office.

During the interrogation, he reportedly maintained that he had done nothing wrong and insisted that the exercise was intended for the good of Nnewi.

Okoye had previously made headlines in January 2026 during the official opening and consecration of Our Lady of Assumpta Catholic Church in Nnewi.

At the event, he reportedly protested what he described as the failure to recognise the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contribution to the construction of the church.

Okoye, who was then a member of the Catholic knighthood, was captured in a video removing his shoes and knighthood hat as he walked out of the church.

He was heard shouting “Ifeanyi Ubah ndo” before dusting his shoes as he left the premises and saying “Akachaam”, which he appeared to use as a declaration that he was no longer associated with Christianity.

His actions at the time generated significant attention on social media, particularly because of his position as a Catholic knight.

Okoye subsequently became less visible in public until his reported arrest over the weekend.

In the latest video, he appeared to explain that his actions were part of an effort to cleanse Nnewi land, maintaining that he was acting in the interest of the community.

The circumstances surrounding his arrest and whether any formal charges have been filed against him were not immediately clear.

The incident has since generated mixed reactions online, with some social-media users expressing concern about his behaviour and others debating the cultural and religious implications of the alleged cleansing exercise.

Some commenters have also speculated about Okoye’s mental state, although such claims have not been medically established and should not be treated as a confirmed diagnosis.

The development comes months after Okoye’s dramatic departure from the Catholic Church attracted widespread attention and renewed discussions about the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to projects in Nnewi.

Further details about the circumstances of his arrest and the next steps by the relevant authorities are expected to emerge.

22-Year-Old South African Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Raping His Mother

A 22-year-old man in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping his 42-year-old biological mother at their home in Carnarvon.

The Carnarvon Regional Court handed down the sentence on Friday, August 28, 2026, following the man’s conviction for the November 2025 assault.

The incident occurred on November 23, 2025, while the victim and her life partner were asleep at home. Court proceedings revealed that the accused had returned from a friend’s house after consuming alcohol before sexually assaulting his sleeping mother without her consent.

The woman woke up during the incident and realised that her attacker was her son. She confronted him, prompting him to stop and flee the house.

She subsequently told her partner what had happened and reported the incident to the police, leading to an investigation by Detective Constable Leevirne Nathalie Raaf of the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

The investigation later produced DNA evidence linking the accused to the offence. Although he initially denied the allegation, prosecutors said the evidence, together with the victim’s testimony, eventually led him to plead guilty to rape.

The court also heard about the lasting emotional impact of the assault on the victim. She told the court that she had raised her son as a single parent and felt deeply hurt and betrayed by his actions.

She continues to receive counselling and has reportedly experienced ongoing trauma and difficulty sleeping since the incident.

The prosecution further informed the court that the accused had recently been released on parole after serving a sentence for a dishonesty-related offence. Prosecutors argued that his subsequent conduct demonstrated a serious disregard for the law and the opportunity for rehabilitation.

In sentencing the accused to 20 years’ direct imprisonment, the court also ordered that his name be entered into South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority described the incident as a serious violation of the victim’s dignity, bodily integrity and the fundamental trust between a parent and child.

Police authorities commended Detective Constable Raaf for her investigative work, while the prosecution encouraged victims and survivors of sexual offences to report such crimes and make use of available support services.

32-Year-Old Bank of America vice president killed in Times Square Stabbing

 

A 32-year-old Bank of America vice president has been killed after being stabbed in what police described as a random and unprovoked attack in New York City’s Times Square.

The victim, identified as Erin Piacenti of Chester, New Jersey, was attacked on Monday afternoon, August 31, near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, close to Bank of America’s New York office.

Police said the incident began at about 4:24 p.m. when a woman carrying two knives in a shopping bag allegedly approached a 68-year-old man and stabbed him. She then attacked Piacenti, who was also stabbed in the abdomen.

Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. Piacenti later died from her injuries, while the 68-year-old man remained hospitalised in stable condition. Police said there was no apparent connection between the attacker and either victim.

Authorities identified the suspect as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens. Police said Cisneros fled the area after the attacks and was later confronted by officers several blocks away.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, officers spent about four minutes ordering Cisneros to drop the knives. Police said she refused and threatened the officers before waving the weapons and advancing towards them.

Officers deployed Tasers, but they were unsuccessful in stopping her. Two officers then fired their service weapons, striking Cisneros. She was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead.

Police said Cisneros had previous mental-health-related encounters with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019 but had no arrest history with the department. Authorities have also said there is no indication that the attack was terrorism-related. 

Piacenti was a lawyer who worked as a vice president in Bank of America’s business selection and conflicts division. She had earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021.

Her death has drawn a strong reaction from Bank of America, which expressed shock and sadness over the loss of its employee and described her as a valued colleague.

Fordham Law School also expressed grief over Piacenti’s death.

According to reports, Piacenti had recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with her husband, Frank Piacenti, who is also a lawyer. The couple had also recently purchased their first home in Chester, New Jersey.

The attack occurred in one of New York City’s busiest tourist areas, just steps away from a police substation and near Bank of America’s office tower.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked the officers who responded to the incident, while the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is reviewing the police shooting. Body-camera footage from the confrontation is expected to be released at a later date.

The incident has renewed concerns about public safety in Times Square, although authorities have described the stabbing as an isolated, random attack rather than a coordinated or terror-related incident.

Sowore Accuses EFCC of “Hunting Down” Citizens Over Alleged Cyberbullying

AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the detention and arraignment of two people accused of cyberbullying the agency.

Sowore said he attended two separate court proceedings involving the defendants before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he alleged that both individuals had spent close to 30 days in detention before being brought before the court.

According to him, rather than being allowed to return home while their cases continue, both defendants were remanded in prison custody.

Sowore identified one of the defendants as Maryam Isa Shehu, a final-year student of Bayero University Kano (BUK). He said she was remanded at Suleja Prison, while the other defendant was sent to Kuje Prison.

He said both defendants are expected to remain in custody until August 31.

Sowore described Maryam’s situation as particularly concerning because she is expected to begin her final university examinations on Saturday.

“What makes Maryam’s situation even more disturbing is that she is a final-year university student who is due to begin her final examinations this Saturday,” Sowore said.

“None of that appeared to matter.”

The AAC candidate accused the EFCC, under its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of going beyond its anti-corruption mandate by pursuing citizens over criticism and alleged cyberbullying.

“The @officialEFCC under Ola Olukoyede is inherently evil,” Sowore said.

He questioned why an agency established to fight financial crimes would be involved in the detention and prosecution of citizens over alleged cyberbullying.

“An anti-corruption agency should be fighting corruption, not turning itself into an institution for hunting down, detaining and prosecuting citizens over criticism or alleged ‘cyberbullying,’” he said.

Sowore further questioned the decision to keep the defendants in prison after they had already spent nearly a month in detention before their arraignment.

“What kind of institution detains a university student for nearly a month, arraigns her for allegedly cyberbullying the agency, and then seeks to keep her behind bars while her final examinations are about to begin?” he asked.

The comments come as the EFCC continues to pursue cases involving alleged online offences, while concerns over the use of criminal proceedings in response to criticism and social media activity continue to generate public debate.

Sowore’s comments are his account of the court proceedings and the circumstances surrounding the defendants’ detention. The allegations against the defendants remain before the court.

NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartel, Arrests Socialite KC Luxury at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel that allegedly used Nigeria as a transit hub for moving illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia.

The agency also arrested the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the syndicate, identified as Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” as he attempted to leave the country.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Marwa described the operation as one of the most significant narcotics investigations undertaken by the agency in recent times, saying it resulted in the largest cocaine seizure made through a courier company in Nigeria.

According to him, the investigation began after NDLEA operatives intercepted 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a consignment destined for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.

Following the scale of the seizure, Marwa said he directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to trace the entire network behind the shipment, including the couriers, intermediaries and alleged masterminds.

The cartel was reportedly hoping to make as much as N39 billion from the consignment through its international distribution network.

Working with the management of the courier company involved, NDLEA operatives reportedly uncovered a network of intermediary companies and individuals allegedly used to process the shipment.

The investigation led to the arrest of two key suspects, among others. One of the suspects, Lawal Mujab Kehinde, was identified as a staff member of the logistics company through which the cocaine was processed.

According to the NDLEA, investigations established that Kehinde had a direct and sustained relationship with the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator and allegedly packaged and processed consignments for the syndicate before routing them to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia in exchange for cash payments.

The second suspect, Atolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” was identified by investigators as the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the cartel.

The NDLEA said Michael presented himself publicly as a social media influencer and businessman involved in gold, jewellery and luxury goods, but allegedly used the image to conceal a criminal enterprise involved in moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to international destinations.

Marwa said the alleged cartel leader was arrested on the night of August 13, 2026, after the agency received intelligence that he planned to flee Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.

“On the night of 13th August 2026, upon credible intelligence that he intended to flee the country on a business-class flight to Paris, our operatives moved decisively and apprehended him at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” Marwa said.

According to the NDLEA chairman, the suspect was found in possession of €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 in cash, as well as expensive jewellery.

A subsequent search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, according to the agency.

Marwa said investigations further revealed that the cartel allegedly used false identities to conceal the real consignors of its shipments and relied on financial facilitators who moved billions of naira on its behalf.

He added that the syndicate maintained criminal contacts in the United Kingdom, some of whom had reportedly been arrested by British authorities in connection with the same network.

The NDLEA chairman linked the latest operation to a series of recent investigations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks, including the dismantling of the Switzerland-based Simon Amadi drug cartel, which the agency said laundered millions of dollars through dark web marketplaces.

He also referenced the recent takedown of two Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicates allegedly operating clandestine laboratories in forests in Ogun and Oyo states.

“These operations send an unmistakable signal that this Agency’s reach extends into the ports, the forests, the luxury apartments, and the departure lounges alike, and that no sanctuary exists anywhere in Nigeria for those who traffic in poison,” Marwa said.

He also warned that drug trafficking organisations were increasingly moving away from traditional routes such as seaports and airports, where security scrutiny has intensified, and turning to courier and logistics companies.

According to Marwa, traffickers wrongly assume that courier companies provide softer and less monitored channels for transporting narcotics across international borders.

He said the successful investigation demonstrated the agency’s ability to identify and disrupt drug networks regardless of where they operate.

“The dismantling of this cartel, from the interception of the consignment at a courier logistics channel right through to the arrest of its Nigerian arrowhead, is a clear demonstration that this Agency has both the capacity and the capability to fish out traffickers wherever they choose to hide,” he said.

Marwa described the operation as an example of successful international cooperation, particularly following the near-simultaneous arrests of suspected members of the syndicate in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He commended the agency’s international partners and members of the Special Investigation Team, coordinated by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, for their role in tracing and dismantling the alleged network.

The NDLEA said investigations into the cartel are ongoing.