Headlines
Police rescue two-year-old girl kidnapped in MFM

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued a two-year-old girl, Esther Ojo, who was kidnapped during a Sunday service at a Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries church at Pen Cinema, in the Agege area of the state.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Esther went missing when she went to use the toilet during the church service.
Efforts by her mother, Bola, relatives and friends to locate her proved abortive.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, in a statement on Monday, said the suspected kidnappers, Nwaigbo Magnus and Sixtus Egwim, had demanded a ransom from the victim’s parents and the church.
He added that operatives of the command, while acting on intelligence traced them to their hideouts, where they were rounded up.
The police spokesman stated that Esther had been reunited with her parents.
Elkana said, “On Monday, May 6, 2019, around 8am, the Divisional Police Officer, Igando Police Station, CSP Taiwo Kasumu, while acting on credible intelligence, led plain-clothes surveillance men on the trail of suspected kidnappers, who abducted two-year-old Esther Ojo from the MFM regional headquarters, Agege, on Sunday, March 24, 2019, around 12.30pm.
“The kidnappers, Nwaigbo Magnus and Sixtus Egwim, had demanded ransom of an undisclosed amount from the parents of the child and the church. The kidnappers continued to change the location for the collection of the ransom within Igando area for over four hours until they were arrested by the police.
“The child was recovered from a den and reunited with the parents, Mr and Mrs Ojo, as they cried for joy.”
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Mu’azu, had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, to charge the suspects to court.
Headlines
Senate Confirms Amupitan As Substantive INEC Chairman

The Senate, on Thursday, approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmation of Amupitan followed a screening session by lawmakers in the Senate Chamber during a Committee of the Whole.
Lawmakers asked many questions during the session, which Amupitan responded to.
After the screening exercise, the nominee was permitted to take a bow and exited the Senate chambers with a promise that the decision of the lawmakers would be conveyed to him.
After the exit of the INEC Chairman-designate and entourage, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to restore all floor privileges earlier suspended.
The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader and approved by the lawmakers when it was put to voice vote.
Thereafter, Senate President Akpabio approved nomination of Amupitan for appointment as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when it was put to voice vote.
“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Akpabio said.
During the screening session, Amupitan promised: “No voter will be left behind,” adding: “We will invest in logistics and technology — and where necessary, deploy drones with adequate safeguards — to ensure election materials and personnel reach every part of Nigeria safely and on time.”
Amupitan, a Professor of Law and former university administrator, said he is determined to modernise operational framework to ensure inclusivity and efficiency.
He assured lawmakers that his administration would work closely with the Joint Committee on Election Security to address threats that hinder smooth electoral operations, particularly in hard-to-reach or conflict-prone areas.
Beyond technology, Amupitan emphasised voter and civic education as the cornerstone of credible elections. He said INEC under his watch would embark on an extensive national enlightenment campaign to improve understanding of democratic processes among citizens.
“We will embark on aggressive civic and voter education across the country,” he said. “INEC will build the capacity not only of its staff but also of all election stakeholders — including political parties, their members, civil society organisations, and the electorate.”
He said the Commission would perform this role as mandated by Section 2 of the Electoral Act, which assigns INEC the responsibility of educating citizens on electoral procedures and democracy.
According to him, strengthening stakeholder knowledge would help reduce election-day irregularities and foster citizens’ confidence in the process.
“When people understand the process, they are less likely to be manipulated or discouraged. Our goal is to build an informed electorate that participates fully and freely,” he noted.
Amupitan also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability, adding that INEC would strictly comply with existing financial and procurement laws to ensure judicious use of public funds.
“We will enforce all financial laws to the letter,” he said. “Every kobo released to the Commission will be used for the purpose for which it is appropriated.”
Headlines
Kenya Opposition Leader, Raila Odinga, Dies at 80

Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80 during a health visit to India, local police said Wednesday — a political earthquake that could transform politics in the East African nation.
Odinga was the perennial opposition figure of Kenyan politics, running unsuccessfully for the presidency on five occasions, most recently in 2022.
He remained a dominant force, able to rally huge numbers, particularly from his native western Kenya.
Indian police told AFP he was walking with his sister, daughter, and a personal doctor “when he suddenly collapsed”.
“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” the police source said.
Odinga’s death was also confirmed to AFP by a member of his political team, but they requested anonymity while awaiting an official announcement from the party.
Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga spent his early years in politics either in jail or in exile, fighting for democracy during the autocratic rule of President Daniel arap Moi.
A member of the Luo tribe, he entered parliament in 1992 and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, claiming to have been cheated of victory in the last four elections.
He cast himself as an anti-establishment firebrand despite belonging to one of Kenya’s top political dynasties — his father serving as the country’s first vice president after independence in 1963.
His death leaves a leadership vacuum within the opposition, and it is far from clear if anyone will have the same ability to mobilise opposition forces as the country heads into a potentially volatile campaign period ahead of elections in 2027.
Kenya’s former chief justice, and current presidential candidate, David Maraga, said he was “shocked” by news of the death.
Odinga was “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a democrat and a leader who made significant contributions to democracy in Kenya and in Africa,” Maraga wrote on X.
“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country. Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security, and development. The world has lost a great leader,” he added.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was among the first to react, posting on X:
“On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”
A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala, India, also confirmed the death.
“He experienced some breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was provided CPR on the spot, and having seen some sign of recovery, he was rushed to the nearest modern hospital. Despite repeated efforts by the medics, his condition deteriorated and the doctors were unable to save him,” the spokesman said.
AFP
Headlines
Bayelsa Governor Diri, 23 Lawmakers Dump PDP, Set to Join APC

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending months of speculation about his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Diri’s resignation was confirmed on Wednesday, by his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah.
The governor’s decision came alongside that of 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who also announced their exit from the PDP.
According to reports, all is now set for Governor Diri and the lawmakers to officially pitch their tent with the APC.