Crime
JUST IN: Presidency Behind My Ordeal, Wants To Link Me With Terrorism – Freed FirstNews Editor Segun Olatunji reveals

***NGE, NUJ, IPI Nigeria Kicks, threatens to Approach Court
The released Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, has on Thursday linked his abduction and detention by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to his stories published in the course of his journalism job.
Olatunji reveals that one of the stories he published titled, “How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner$30bn, 66 Houses Special Investigator traced to Sabiu”, published on January 29 2024 does not please some persons in the Presidency.
Ohibaba.com read through FirstNews website today and discovered that the story has not been pulled down, despite the controversy it generated.
Olatunji, a former Kaduna Bureau Chief of The PUNCH stated these during an emergency press conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), few hours after his release from underground cell after 14 days.
While in the underground cell, Olatunji said he was stripped and were linking him with alleged terrorism.
Olatunji thanked those who supported him, including the Deputy Editor of The Nation, Yomi Odunuga, who signed the documents which aided his release process and Political Correspondent of Arise News, Friday Olokor, who championed the struggle for his freedom.
“I was at home with my son on Friday, March 15, watching ‘Journalists Hangout,’ when I noticed soldiers outside. My wife and my one year old child were also detained. An officer, who introduced himself as Colonel Lawal, approached me. I inquired about their reason for seeking me. He didn’t provide a clear answer, only stating they were from the military”, Olatunji continued.
He described how his encounter with the military spiraled into a series of events that included being blindfolded, flown to Abuja, and detained without charges.
According to him, after his phones were seized, his abductors took him to the Lagos Airport and waited for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft, blindfolded and flown to Abuja.
The journalist said he found himself handcuffed, both hands and feet, and stripped of his belongings in the nation’s capital.
During his detention, Olatunji said he experienced physical discomfort due to excessively tight handcuffs, which led to numbness in his right hands and legs.
He said that while in detention, interrogations focused on specific stories published by FirstNews, especially those criticizing the Chief of Defense Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President (Femi Gbajabiamila).
“The first story was an accusation against the Chief of Defense Intelligence. I informed them that it was a general story, and they did not say much about it. They also inquired about a story we published regarding the Chief of Staff to the President. This was the major issue. This is why I had mentioned to some people earlier that those responsible for my arrest were individuals in the corridors of power, suggesting that these stories were the reason for my detention.
“It was evident that certain individuals in positions of power were unhappy with the work being done by FirstNews. And they want to link me with alleged terrorism”, he stated.
Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction, described the fear and confusion she felt as armed men took her husband from their home.
While the Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and Olatunji’s colleagues and family endured days of uncertainty, the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) diligently worked to locate Olatunji, confronting various government and security agencies.
Their efforts met with denials until a press statement by the IPI Nigeria and subsequent pressure on military officials led to acceptance by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris that he was with government and eventual release.
“According to the management of FirstNews, Mr. Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organization,” The President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, said.
The leadership of the IPI, NGE, and NUJ criticized the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for its actions, which they deemed anti-democratic and a potential threat to press freedom.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to reprimand those responsible.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, emphasized the importance of a free press.
He said, “If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but is instead subservient to power, it simply serves as an extension of power.”
Uwugiaren added that the media community would remain vigilant and plan to consult on further actions regarding this incident.
He explained that the outcry over Olatunji’s detention underscored ongoing concerns about press freedom and civil-military relations in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
Crime
JUST IN: FBI Releases Video of Charlie Kirk Shooter, Recovers Weapons Nearby (Photos)

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.
The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.
Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.
The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.


“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.
“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”


The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Credit: X| FBISaltLakeCity
Crime
Ghana Court Jails Three Nigerians 96 years for Car Thefts
All three convicts : Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.

Three Nigerians – Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, have been sentenced to a combined jail term of 96 years for their involvement in car theft within the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana.
Ohibaba.com learned that a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police, Godwin Ahianyo, and obtained on Tuesday, said that the Atasemanso Circuit Court sitting in Ghana delivered the sentence.
This is coming amidst a recent protest by Ghanaians over the involvement of Nigerians in alleged criminal activities.
According to Ahianyo, the trio were arrested on June 20 following suspicions that they were involved in targeting and stealing parked vehicles.
The trio were subsequently arraigned before the circuit court on July 22, but only Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges pressed against him.
Ahianyo stated, “On July 22, 2025, the suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze were arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court.“
During proceedings, Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges and was immediately convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour. The other two suspects, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty.
“Subsequently, on July 23, 2025, the cases of Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie were heard at Circuit Court 3, where both were found guilty and each was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment on two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
”He added that the three suspects were further arraigned on additional charges in another court and were each sentenced to 20 years.
“On the same day, Circuit Court 1 also heard additional charges against all three suspects, resulting in 20-year IHL sentences each, also on two counts, and to run concurrently.“
Finally, on July 24, 2025, Russell Ekenze was further convicted at Circuit Court 2, receiving an additional 10-year IHL sentence on two counts, to run concurrently with his existing sentence.
“All three convicts, Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison,” the statement read.
Crime
Bayelsa Viral Assault: Court Orders 21-Day Remand for Three Female Suspects

Three young women linked to a disturbing assault captured in a viral video have been remanded at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. The suspects — identified as Kadi Blessing, Becky, and Miracle — appeared before a Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where they were formally arraigned on multiple serious charges.
The case, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media and across the country, involves allegations of a violent physical attack that was recorded and circulated online, drawing the attention of both the public and law enforcement authorities.
During the court proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested additional time to allow investigators to conduct further inquiries into the incident. Granting the request, the presiding magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody for an initial period of 21 days at the Okaka Correctional Centre.
The three women are currently facing a slew of charges, including assault, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, attempted murder, and other related offenses. Legal experts suggest that the gravity of the allegations could potentially lead to a transfer of the case to a higher court, depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, human rights advocates and child protection groups have called for a thorough and speedy investigation to ensure justice is served, not just for the victim but as a deterrent against similar acts of violence.
Bayelsa State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that all parties involved in the incident are held accountable in accordance with the law.
The court is expected to reconvene after the 21-day remand period to review the findings of the investigation and determine the next phase of legal proceedings.
-
News3 days ago
15 die While Returning from Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention
-
International2 days ago
Trump vows to hunts down killers of Charlie Kirk, global leaders react
-
Business2 days ago
Facebook, Others Pay Nigerian Govt N600bn VAT
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu orders FEC committee to crash food prices
-
News16 hours ago
Hilda Baci Cooking World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Today at Eko Hotel
-
Business3 days ago
FG gazettes new tax reform laws
-
News3 days ago
Nigeria’s National grid collapses plunge 36 cities into darkness
-
Business16 hours ago
Dangote Refinery Mgt Says Workers Union Membership is Personal Choices