The Senate has expressed serious concern over the increasing use of harmful chemicals, especially calcium carbide, by fruit vendors to artificially ripen fruits.

The lawmakers have resolved to amend existing laws to make such practices criminal offences.

Describing the use of hazardous substances for ripening fruits as a significant public health threat to consumers nationwide, the Senate called for deeper investigations into the alarming practice.

The decision came after a motion sponsored by Senator Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), who urged urgent action from relevant regulatory bodies.

The Senate resolved to empower the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) alongside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to investigate the rising cases of this dangerous practice.

Senator Ani emphasized that the use of toxic chemicals for ripening fruits has resulted in severe health issues such as cancer, kidney failure, and other life-threatening diseases.

He warned that continuous exposure to these chemicals could have extensive negative impacts on public health.

To deter offenders and protect Nigerians’ health, the Senate recommended harsher penalties.

The motion has been referred to the Senate Committees on Health and Agriculture for further legislative review and action.

Tension gripped parts of Ibadan on Tuesday following the death of 14-year-old Taiwo Alade, who was reportedly killed by a stray bullet fired by a police officer chasing a fleeing vehicle near the Alakia area.

Eyewitnesses said the officer opened fire along the Gbagi Market Road in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

One of the bullets allegedly struck Taiwo, who was seated in his father’s car with his twin brother.

He was rushed to Welfare Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A security officer who witnessed the chaos said, “At about 7:30 am today, Tuesday, May 20, a boy whose identity could not be ascertained was hit by a stray bullet from an officer of the Nigeria Police Force at the airport junction.”

“The embattled officer ran into Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport for safety. This led to a crowd at the airport gate, protesting and demanding justice as they said the boy died in a hospital.”

Distraught sympathisers, including traders, carried Taiwo’s body to the Governor’s Office at Agodi, demanding justice and an audience with Governor Seyi Makinde.

Narrating the tragic moment, the boy’s father, Mr. Odunayo Alade, said: “I was conveying Taiwo and his brother to school when my vehicle was hit from behind. While trying to reverse in confusion, a police officer at the area suddenly shot at my vehicle. The bullet hit Taiwo.”

“His brother called my attention to the fact that blood was gushing out of his body. We rushed him to the hospital, but the bullet penetrated his stomach and came out from the other side.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, he added: “Who did I offend? What did I do? I have been taking care of this boy and his brothers alone.”

The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd), appealed for calm and assured that “justice would be served.”

Taiwo’s body was eventually moved to a mortuary.

Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to messages as of press time.

At a Federal High Court sitting on Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) firmly denied any involvement in the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Kenya.

This was revealed during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness known only as BBB, a DSS intelligence operative.

Kanu is currently facing terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.

Prior to the cross-examination, defense lead counsel Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), took a moment to address a series of media reports that had been attributed to the defense team.

“We are not part of those negative reports,” Agabi clarified. In response, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), lead prosecutor, expressed agreement and disclosed that he had sent a formal complaint to the defense on the matter.

He urged the court to issue directives to curb such reports.

“It is important we caution ourselves, especially those of us who are lawyers. This is a sensitive national matter, and professionalism must guide our conduct,” Awomolo noted.

Justice Omotoso, presiding over the case, also cautioned against media sensationalism and unethical conduct by legal practitioners.

“Lawyers must not be involved in leaking court proceedings or confidential communication to generate traffic or sympathy,” he warned.

“We must act in the interest of justice, not personal popularity. We must refrain from using the life of parties to promote traffic on our social media platforms.”

During his testimony, the DSS operative acknowledged he had not personally monitored Radio Biafra but said other intelligence officers had done so and that their reports were deemed reliable.

When questioned about the legality of Kanu’s arrest in Kenya, the witness stated unequivocally: “We are a domestic intelligence agency. We do not operate outside Nigeria. If he were arrested in Kenya, we are not responsible.”

Pressed further on Kanu’s allegation that he was abducted and forcibly repatriated, the officer responded that such claims were outside his investigative scope.

The defense submitted certified court judgments from Abia, Umuahia, and Enugu declaring Kanu’s arrest and home invasion illegal. These were admitted into evidence without objection.

Erokoro also challenged the classification of Kanu’s advocacy for self-determination as terrorism.

“Not all agitators are terrorists,” the DSS officer conceded, but maintained that Kanu’s actions involved incitement to violence.

The defense raised the issue of inconsistent treatment of similar security groups such as Amotekun, questioning whether IPOB was being singled out.

On the impact of Kanu’s detention on national security, the witness admitted that while violence linked to IPOB had not stopped entirely, incidents had decreased.

A sharp exchange arose when the defense requested a pause in proceedings to secure a video exhibit. The prosecution opposed, accusing the defense of delaying tactics.

Justice Omotoso allowed the adjournment “in the interest of justice” and rescheduled the matter to May 22, cautioning the defense that it must conclude its case on that date or risk closure.

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has dismissed preliminary objections filed by Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in a ₦1 billion defamation suit brought by Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, rapper Folarin Falana (Falz). Justice Fimisola Azeez ruled that the objections lacked merit and ordered VDM to pay ₦100,000 each to the claimants as costs.

The case stems from a video posted on VDM’s Instagram page on September 24, 2024, which the Falana family claims was defamatory and injurious to their reputation.

They are seeking ₦500 million each, a public apology on social media and national newspapers, and an injunction against future defamatory publications.

VDM had argued that the Lagos court lacked jurisdiction because the alleged offense occurred outside its territory.

However, the court upheld the Falanas’ counter-affidavit and directed VDM to file his defense to the substantive claims.

VDM was not present at the hearing but was represented by his lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe. Femi Falana appeared through his legal team, while Falz was present in person.

This comes after an earlier suit before Justice Mathias Dawodu, which was struck out for being academic due to the pending main suit now being heard by Justice Azeez.

The court adjourned the matter to July 8 for mention and for VDM to submit his statement of defense.

In a major breakthrough against violent crime, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, have rescued 28 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 male suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other incriminating exhibits in multiple coordinated operations across the state.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working in synergy with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, rescued two male and two female victims on May 18, 2025, around 6:30 pm.

The victims had been kidnapped along the Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area and were rescued following a tactical bush-combing operation.

“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” Ndukwe stated.

On the same day, around 6:34 p.m., operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded swiftly to a distress call and rescued a male suspect from a violent mob.

According to the statement, the suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman who raised an alarm, causing the suspects to abandon her and flee.

The rearrested suspect, who sustained injuries from the mob beating, was taken to a hospital for treatment and is under investigation.

In a related development, operatives from the Okpuje Police Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, conducted a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.

During the operation, two men were intercepted with ₦150,000.00 and ₦70,000.00 respectively, allegedly meant for ransom payments.

They were also found with loaves of bread and drinks, reportedly demanded by the kidnappers.

As the operation progressed, the team encountered armed resistance but overpowered the kidnappers with superior firepower.

The assailants fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning their captives, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

The victims were rescued unhurt, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30 am, operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, working with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu, Kogi State.

The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, were abducted on May 10 along the Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

Five suspects were arrested following credible intelligence, and three firearms were recovered.

A minibus and four motorcycles used by the victims were also recovered from the scene.

In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 pm, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The victim’s Toyota Camry was recovered, alongside a white Toyota Corolla (registration number ENU 703 LP) used by the suspects, and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu. Manhunt operations for the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

CP Giwa commended the police operatives, supporting security agencies, and law-abiding community members for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of these operations.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to making Enugu State safer by rooting out violent criminals and their operations, urging residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of law enforcement agencies.