On Saturday night, armed bandits disguised in hijabs launched an attack on the Runka community in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, abducting at least 25 villagers, primarily women and children.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers went from house to house, forcibly taking residents and leading them into a nearby forest.

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During the chaos, one person was injured while attempting to escape and is now hospitalized.

Local authorities believe the attack was aided by informants within the community. Sani Abdullahi, Chairman of Safana Local Government Area, confirmed the abductions and stated that a rescue operation is currently in progress.

Although the Katsina State Police Command has not yet released an official statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Safana has deployed a team to assist in the rescue efforts.

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On Saturday, grief enveloped the Okwuta Ibeku community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State as mourners gathered to bid farewell to Cadet Airforce Officer Emmanuel Onyeomereneche.

The 20-year-old, who tragically drowned in a hotel swimming pool, was laid to rest amid tears and heartfelt tributes.

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Onyeomereneche, who was on the verge of graduating from the National Defence Academy, had visited the hotel with friends when the incident occurred. On April 9, 2024, at approximately 6:37 pm, he decided to swim in the pool but tragically drowned.

His body was not recovered until nearly three hours later, at 9:58 pm, due to a delayed and difficult rescue operation.

The Abia State Police Command confirmed the tragic event.

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Police Public Relations Officer ASP Maureen Chinaka stated on Friday, “the attention of CPS was called to it, and an investigation is ongoing.”

Reports indicate that the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ohafia and the Navy formation in the state are also aware of the incident.

The community and mourners are calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Onyeomereneche’s death, demanding justice and accountability for the young cadet’s untimely demise.

The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has issued a stern warning to Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, to refrain from making disparaging remarks about Kanu.

This warning follows Ayodele’s recent prophecy suggesting that Kanu should beg the federal government for his release or face dying in jail.

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During the launch of his 30th “Warning to the Nations” in Lagos, Ayodele stated, “Kanu should beg the government before he is released, or else he will die in jail.”

This statement sparked strong reactions from Kanu’s family, who accused the cleric of making provocative comments under the guise of prophecy.

Kanunta Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s immediate younger brother, responded on Sunday by advising Primate Ayodele to “stop deceiving gullible minds with purported prophecies that have nothing to do with God.”

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He urged the cleric to focus on his religious duties and stop seeking relevance through controversial statements about the IPOB leader.

Kanunta reminded Ayodele that “God, whose mouthpiece he claims to be, is a God of justice who does not punish the innocent.”

He warned prophets like Ayodele to keep their visions to themselves and stop using Kanu’s name to gain public attention.

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Kanunta challenged Ayodele to speak out about the violent invasion of their family home, which resulted in the deaths of their parents and 28 other innocent visitors.

He added, “the righteous God I know cannot count the masterminds of this atrocity guiltless and hold their victims accountable.”

The family maintained that Nnamdi Kanu has committed no crime and was unjustly incarcerated for demanding justice and fair treatment for the Biafra people.

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They expressed disappointment in individuals like Ayodele, who they accuse of masquerading as God’s mouthpiece and spreading false prophecies instead of speaking truth to power.

The family further criticized religious figures who, according to them, contribute to Nigeria’s spiritual turmoil by making ungodly prophecies.

They emphasized that Kanu has endured enough suffering and does not need any additional distractions at this stage.

Instead, they called on Ayodele and others to pray for Nigerian leaders to uphold justice and equity.

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In a pointed reminder, they compared Kanu’s struggles to those of historical liberators and freedom fighters such as George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, all of whom faced persecution before achieving their goals.

They also noted that even Jesus Christ was crucified to free humanity from sin.

The family concluded by urging Ayodele and his followers to limit their prophecies to their own congregations and to offer genuine counsel to Nigerian leaders.

Mikah Suleiman, the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, has been released by the bandits who kidnapped him two weeks ago.

The news of Suleiman’s release was shared in a statement on Sunday, July 7, 2024, by Pascal Salifu, the Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.

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“We are overjoyed to announce the safe release of Fr. Mikah Suleiman, who was kidnapped on June 22, 2024,” the statement read.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for His protection and to everyone who offered prayers and support during this challenging time. Our thanks also go to the authorities and all involved in securing Fr. Mikah’s release. He is currently receiving the necessary care and support.”

Salifu also urged the public to keep Suleiman in their prayers as he begins his recovery.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the abduction, stating, “the incident happened early this morning; the Reverend Father was kidnapped at his residence. We were not informed immediately when the incident occurred, but we have deployed our tactical squad to pursue the kidnappers and aim to rescue the victim unharmed.”

Additionally, the acting Chancellor of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Nuhu Iliya, had called on the Christian community to pray for the swift and safe release of the priest, stating, “We equally commend him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors.”

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This incident follows the abduction of Gabriel Ukeh, the presiding priest of St. Thomas Parish in Zaman Dabo Community, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in early June 2024.

Ukeh was taken from the rectory in the early hours of the morning, as confirmed by Emmanuel Kazah, the Vicar General (Pastoral), in a press statement.

The Enugu State Police Command has issued a clarification regarding a viral video that sparked rumors of organ harvesting at a hotel within the state.

The video, which surfaced on social media platform X.com on Sunday, depicted a dramatic rescue of two women from a hotel room, amidst allegations that they were being targeted for organ theft.

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One of the women claimed that armed men were involved in the incident, and she was rescued after attempting to escape through a window while the suspects were temporarily absent.

In response, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, released a press statement via X.com on Monday, categorically debunking the allegations.

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According to Ndukwe, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was not an attempted murder or organ harvesting but rather a case of extortion and fraud.

“The Enugu State Police Command has addressed a viral video showing two women purportedly rescued from a hotel room in Enugu, where they were allegedly tied up with the intent to harvest their organs by two young men,” the statement clarified.

Contrary to the misleading narrative, the police investigation disclosed that the women, who were reportedly commercial sex workers, had encountered the suspects at a hotel on Agbani Road, Enugu, on July 3rd.

“The following day, the women returned to the same hotel where they were threatened, assaulted, and restrained by the suspects,” the statement continued.

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“At the hotel, the suspects forcefully took the women’s phones, obtained their account details and PINs under duress, and confined them within the hotel room’s toilet.”

The suspects managed to leave the hotel discreetly before the victims were eventually rescued, as depicted in the circulating video.

“They subsequently withdrew a total of one hundred and twenty thousand naira (₦120,000.00) from the victims’ bank accounts,” the statement added.

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The police recovered a bag containing two kitchen knives and sportswear left behind by the suspects at the scene. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the suspects, who fled the scene.

In light of this incident, the police have advised hotel owners and managers to enhance security measures significantly, ensuring thorough screening of lodgers and collection of verifiable details before accommodation is granted.

Furthermore, young women have been cautioned against socializing with unfamiliar individuals, especially males, to prevent falling victim to similar criminal schemes.