Details emerged on Monday on how a man died in a fire incident which occurred at Lafia Hotel, in Ilorin, last Thursday. The fire outbreak occurred at about 23:38 hours at the hotel along Coca-Cola road in the state capital, in an apartment used for short-let purposes. The unidentified man was burnt beyond recognition according to graphic pictures on the incident. Details of the incident indicated that the man allegedly lodged in the room of one of the female occupants engaged in commercial sex to probably pass the night. Findings by THENEWSCREDIT revealed that before the fire outbreak, the lady who went out to buy some items, locked the man inside the room as it was against the rules of the hotel management for women to keep men overnight in the facility. Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have commenced investigation into the incident, as all the sex workers have deserted the facility. The fire incident which was reportedly triggered by power surge involved a building comprising two flats with three bedrooms each, all of which were affected by the fire. The entire building was heavily engulfed in smoke, making escape extremely difficult for occupants. According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was attributed to a power surge, as the outbreak reportedly occurred immediately after power supply was restored, leading to rapid fire spread across the building. “Firefighters arrived promptly and brought the fire under control at about 23:51hrs.”

The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday announced the arrest of six men who allegedly posed as pastors and defrauded unsuspecting residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state through staged “miracles.” In a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, the suspects were identified simply as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola. The police stated that the arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted on February 16, 2026, by operatives of the command’s tactical teams in collaboration with Community Safety Officers. “On 16th February, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with the Community Safety Officers, carried out a well-coordinated operation following credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and its environs,” the statement read. “The operation led to the arrest of six suspects alleged to have organised and executed fraudulent schemes targeted at unsuspecting members of the public. Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to gain the confidence and trust of their victims.” According to the police, the suspects allegedly exploited the faith and vulnerabilities of residents by promising divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges and other personal problems, only to defraud them through false pretences and related scams. The spokesperson added that investigations showed the suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to members of the group to create what he described as a convincing and structured façade of legitimacy. “Further investigations are ongoing to ascertain the total number of victims, determine the financial magnitude of the fraud, and identify other collaborators who may still be at large,” the statement added. The police said the suspects remain in custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command urged members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence, warning residents against individuals who use religion, spirituality or claims of miracles as a cover for criminal activities.

TEDE, OYO STATE – A wave of grief has swept through the farming community of Tede in Atisbo Local Government Area following the brutal murder of Mr. Abel Oyedokun Atilola, a 67-year-old retired teacher turned farmer. The incident occurred on Monday, February 23, 2026, along Irawo Road, where Mr. Atilola was reportedly ambushed and gunned down by suspected bandits while tending to his farm. Key Details of the Incident: Victim: Mr. Abel Oyedokun Atilola (67), a respected retired educator and local farmer. Location: Irawo Road, Tede, Atisbo LGA, Oyo State. Preliminary reports suggest a 12-member bandit gang operating in the axis was responsible for the ambush. This tragedy follows a series of recent clashes in the area. On February 16, 2026, the Oyo State Police Command successfully foiled a planned attack at nearby Elebe Village, neutralizing two members of a similar armed group. Local residents have called for an increased security presence to protect farming communities. The police have launched an investigation to track down the fleeing suspects. The Oyo State Police continue to urge residents in the Atisbo and Oriire axes to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals, particularly those with unexplained gunshot wounds, to the nearest station.

A 30-year-old woman identified as Abigail Adebayo has allegedly killed herself after her fiancee’s family disapproved of their marriage in the Ijebu Ode area of Ogun State. THENEWSCREDIT gathered that Abigail had been in a relationship with one Oniga Abiola since September 2025, with plans to marry. It was learnt that Abiola had taken her home to see his mother about two weeks ago. But his family rejected the marriage after discovering that Abigail had three children from a previous relationship. She was later found motionless in her room after allegedly taking sniper insecticide. Abiola was said to have reported the incident to the Atan Ijebu Division of the Ogun State Police Command. The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to THENEWSCREDIT on Tuesday, saying Abigail was rushed to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival. Babaseyi stated that detectives immediately visited the scene and the hospital, where photographs were taken but no visible marks of violence were found on the body. The police spokesperson assured that investigation was ongoing to unravel all incidents surrounding Abigail’s death. The police spokesperson said, “On 12/02/2026 Thursday, it was reported that one Abigail Adebayo ‘F’, 30 years, allegedly ingested Sniper insecticide following a family disagreement over their intended marriage. “She was immediately rushed to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. “Detectives visited the scene and the hospital, photographs were taken and no visible marks of violence were found on the body. Investigation is ongoing.”

OGBOMOSO – A pall of gloom has descended upon the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) following a horrific motor accident that claimed the lives of at least six final-year nursing students. Contrary to earlier reports of the Ilorin-Ogbomoso road, the forum stated the accident occurred on the Suleja-Abuja expressway on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The victims, who were 500-level students enrolled in the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Bachelor of Nursing Science programme, were reportedly traveling to Ogbomoso to sit for their final examinations. This final academic hurdle was meant to be the culmination of years of balancing rigorous professional duties with higher education. Tragically, among the deceased was a student who was heavily pregnant, a detail that has intensified the emotional devastation felt by the university community. The victims were already practicing nurses seeking to upgrade their qualifications. Colleagues have described them as resilient and dedicated professionals who juggled hospital shifts and family responsibilities to advance their careers. "They were so close to the finish line," one grief-stricken classmate remarked. "To lose them now, when we were all preparing to reunite in the exam hall, is simply heartbreaking." The bodies of the students have been deposited at a mortuary for autopsy. As of the time of this report, the LAUTECH management has yet to release a formal statement regarding the incident. Furthermore, neither the Oyo State Police Command nor the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has provided a public briefing on the specific cause of the crash or confirmed if there were other casualties. The university campus remains in a state of mourning as students and faculty struggle to process the sudden loss of six frontline healthcare workers on the verge of their academic graduation.

A bitter dispute has erupted between the widow of late Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun “Success” Olanrewaju and his family over donations and assets following his tragic death in Ghana last year, with accusations from the family hinting that the widow, Adebusola, is to blame for his demise, THENEWSCREDIT reports. Adebusola told our correspondent that funds paid by the Ghana Boxing Authority were completely withheld from her and their two children by her late partner’s relatives. “All the money the NBBofC helped me recover from the GBA, Segun’s family took everything,” Adebusola said. “We didn’t get anything that would help us with our basic needs, and my parents have been the ones helping me. I can’t work a serious job since my children are still very young.” She revealed that when Ghana paid $3,000 following the incident, $1,000 (approximately N1.5m) was taken by the family, while the children got $2,000 (approximately N3m), but with severe restrictions. “Initially, when the accident happened, they paid $3,000 from Ghana, so $1,000 was given to the family, but the $2,000 was given to me with the condition that there will be no access to it until my children turn 18 years, which is in 16 years,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. “I don’t understand where and how they want me to feed the children and raise them till they turn 18.” Adebusola also alleged that the family sold her late partner’s commercial bus without giving her any proceeds. “They sold Segun’s bus, and they did not give me any money from it,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. However, Olanrewaju’s family has vehemently denied the allegations. Our correspondent’s attempts to reach them via calls and text messages proved abortive, but two videos posted on the boxer’s sister’s TikTok account (@queenimoleaj) presented a starkly different account. In one video, the boxer’s mother, Mrs Agnes Olanrewaju, speaking in Yoruba, accused Adebusola of cursing her son before his fatal trip to Ghana. “She cursed her husband after he went to Ghana. She said, ‘Segun, the way he went to Ghana and didn’t tell me, he won’t come back.’ And truly, my child did not come back,” Mrs Olanrewaju said. “Help me beg her not to destroy the life of my family. And they should not let her kill my children.” On the financial allegations, the mother insisted she rejected the money from Ghana, saying, “I didn’t take the $3,000 they brought. It would be sad for me to take money from my child’s death. How much is the money? It can’t become my child. Nothing they can do can become my son, that I would now say I want to take the money.” The boxer’s sister, Anuoluwapo Olanrewaju, challenged Adebusola’s status as a wife, claiming no traditional or legal marriage took place. “My aunty wanted to make passports for Adebusola and my brother so they can travel out of the country. Adebusola said she cannot use ‘Olanrewaju’, but her father’s surname,” Anuoluwapo said. “Secondly, we wanted to pay her bride price. Her father said we shouldn’t pay, that she’s still in university, and the family was wondering how paying her bride price would hinder her studies. “You know that we didn’t pay your bride price, how do you want us to recognise you as a wife? We have learned people in Nigeria here. You are not married legally, so you are not a wife, you are a baby mama.” Regarding the bus, Anuoluwapo questioned Adebusola’s claim to it. “In one video I saw, she said we sold the bus. Who are you to make a decision for the family? You are not married legally, so you have no say on my brother’s remains. If you were friendly with the family from day one, we would give you many entitlements without paying your bride price.” She also accused Adebusola of not loving her brother while he was alive. “You also did tattoo after my brother died. If the love was there, you would have done it when he was alive. Someone you did not give rest of mind, and you are calling yourself Olanrewaju and saying that because we called you baby mama is why you dropped the surname. Stop lying. Stop painting the family black,” she added. Anuoluwapo insisted the family treated Adebusola with respect. “My younger siblings, who are older than you, don’t call you by name. We call you ‘sugar’, address you with respect because we love you, but the bad attitude in you makes you who you are, and you are out there painting my family black,” she said. Adebusola confirmed they were not legally married, explaining, “We are not legally married yet, just living together as one family because my parents said when I finish my education, we can get married.” She alleged the family’s treatment went beyond financial disputes. “I had to block Anuoluwapo on TikTok because she was threatening me and insulting my dad and mum. What they did to me is very painful. They even called my children bastards. They said I’m the one who killed my husband, that they don’t want the Ghanaians to know that I’m responsible for his death. That is why they did not say it out at first. They made me suffer and cry every day,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. “They said I had left his house before he died, which is a lie. I only went to my dad’s place to read for my JAMB exam, and before I left, I took permission from my husband, which he agreed to.” Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” collapsed in the ring during a fight with Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu on March 29, 2025, at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Bukoum, Accra. He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. His remains were repatriated to Nigeria after 81 days, with the burial taking place on June 18, 2025, at Atan Cemetery, Ogun State. The dispute leaves Olanrewaju’s two children, three-year-old Irenitemi Success and two-year-old Oluwatobiloba, caught in the crossfire between their mother and paternal family. With Adebusola unable to access the bulk of the funds donated for their upkeep until Irenitemi turns 18, the children’s immediate welfare remains uncertain as the family feud intensifies, leaving them without the financial security their father had hoped to provide through his final fight in Ghana.

‘MY pastor-husband deserted home, refused to call, visit me, our child, who has sickle cell (SS), when in town’ Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled on a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Ifeoluwa, against her husband, Gabriel, whom she accused of lack of love, irresponsibility and abandonment. Ifeoluwa stated that Gabriel, a prophet, left home for Lagos when their child was two months old with the excuse that he wanted to carry out his ministerial work there. According to Ifeoluwa, Gabriel was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but that he later stopped coming home or getting in touch with her. The plaintiff added that the defendant refused to pay her and their child, who is a sickle cell (SS) patient visits whenever he travelled to town for their church programme. She added that he snubbed her when they once met at a function. Ifeoluwa further said that Gabriel sent only N2,000 to their child since he deserted home four years ago. She stated that she wanted to put her marriage to Gabriel behind and start life afresh. She, therefore, entreated the court to rule that they are no longer husband and wife. The plaintiff pleaded for custody of their child and begged the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for his welfare, giving priority to his feeding, education, and health care. Gabriel refused to make an appearance in court even though he was served court summonses. Ifeoluwa, in her evidence said: “My husband is a prophet. We met, courted, and got married in April 2022. “Our child was just two months old when he announced to me that he was relocating to Lagos for his ministerial work. “Although I was not happy with his decision, he still left. My husband was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but he suddenly stopped coming home. “He abandoned me and our child, who is sickle cell patient and stopped communicating with me. “He cared less about how our child and I were surviving. “Even though he sometimes travelled down to Ibadan to attend programmes in his church, he never checked on us. “I once met my husband at a function and he snubbed me. “He was not bothered about our child’s welfare despite being aware of his health challenge. “My husband sent N2, 000 only for our child’s upkeep since he left home four years ago. “My lord, it is glaring that my husband no longer loves me. Neither is he still interested in our marriage. I can see that he is no longer interested in our marriage. “I, therefore, pray that this honourable court put an end to our relationship. “I plead for our child’s custody so that I can give him adequate attention. “I further plead that the court orders my husband to be responsible for his upkeep, giving feeding, education, and health care a priority. “I, hereby, demand for the sum of N100,000 for the maintenance of our child being a sickle cell patient.” The president of the court, Mrs O. E. Owoseni, gave her judgment, stating that there was no subsisting marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was contracted, and the bride price was not paid. Owoseni further said that since Gabriel deserted home, and refused to communicate with her even when he saw her at a function, this according to her indicates that he is also no longer interested in their marriage. She consequently ordered both parties to go their different ways. Owoseni mandated the defendant to give their child N50,000 per month for his upkeep, considering the state of his health which requires utmost care. She directed the defendant to pay adequate attention to their child’s feeding and education also

Operatives of the Oyo State Fire Service were brutally attacked by hoodlums on Sunday, February 15, 2026, while responding to a high-risk tanker emergency in the capital city. The incident, which occurred at Atari-Agbon in the Oki area of Olodo, Lagelu Local Government Area, left several firefighters injured, with one officer fighting for his life following a severe head injury. The emergency team, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) Bamidele Samsudeen, was dispatched following a distress call regarding a MACK trailer tanker (Registration No. KSH329XA). The vehicle, loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had swerved and blocked the road, posing an immediate threat of a catastrophic explosion. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,Firefighters successfully managed to neutralise the flammability of the fuel using chemical foam compounds. However, as the team began packing their equipment, a mob of suspected looters—intent on stealing valuables at the scene—launched a violent assault using stones, broken bottles, and cutlasses. The Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, described the scene as "chaotic," noting that it took nearly an hour to rescue the critically injured officer due to the hostility of the hoodlums. Our correspondent reports ,says, In a disturbing turn of events, the first hospital the team reached refused to admit the injured officer, fearing that the mob might follow and vandalise their facilities. The officer has since been moved to a second medical facility where he is reportedly responding to treatment. The Oyo State Police Command has intervened, with the incident officially reported at the Iyana Ofa Police Station. Several suspects have already been taken into custody. Investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend remaining members of the mob. Akinwande condemned the attack as a "threat to public safety," emphasizing that such violence against first responders hinders critical life-saving operations.

A man identified as Nwalozie Chiwendu has reportedly killed his family brother, Chidiebere Isaiah, over allegations of witchcraft. The incident happened at Ofeh Community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday evening. It was gathered that the suspect, Chiwendu had accused his brother, Isaiah of being behind his stagnation in life and that he used a machete to butcher him to death over the allegation. It was gathered that when the victim fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood that Chiwendu, the suspect, realised what he had done and fled the scene. Speaking on the development, the Youth President of Ofeh Community, Mr Chinonso Chima, described the incident as unfortunate. Chima narrated: “Yesterday evening, I got a call from some people in my community telling me about the sad incident that happened between two brothers of the same compound. “The story is that the younger one carried cutlass butchered his elder brother like meat before people who were around came to hold him, he ran after carrying out the devilish act. “So when I was called, I told them to quickly rush him to the hospital and I was running down from town to see how we can attend to the matter. On their way to the hospital the man (Nwalozie) died.” Chima said the matter has been duly reported to the Police, adding that the culprit has took to his heels. “We have reported to the Police Division within us here, notifying them of what happened and Police have taken note of it. “The boy that committed the crime is on the run. The community is searching for him everywhere to get him to face the full wrath of the law.” PSC over alleged vengeful prosecution of widow Chima revealed that the remains was later deposited in the mortuary with the permission of Police, even as he called for calm. He said: “Let us not cause more panic in the community. We have done all of that and we are still talking with critical stakeholders of the community. For now everywhere is calm.” However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, noting that investigation is ongoing. She said: “Information at my disposal indicates that the suspect used cutlass to machete the victim to death after accusing him (victim) of witchcraft that made him (suspect) not to prosper. “The victim’s corpse has been retrieved and deposited in the mortuary. Investigation is ongoing and I can tell you that a manhunt has already been launched with a view to apprehend the suspect and make him face the law.”

PORT HARCOURT—The leader of a vigilante group and two other members of the body have been arrested for torturing a man to death in Rivers State. The incident happened at Okogbe Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the chairman of the vigilante group, simply identified as Joshua and another member of the outfit, Friday Silas as well as motorcyclist, Obed Godlove, have been arrested in connection with the killing. They were arrested by the youths of the community and a Joint Task Force team in Ukpeliede Community on Sunday, when the trio were attempting to dispose off the remains of their victim. It was alleged that the suspects had on Saturday arrested their victim identified as Ghadafi after accusing him of stealing palm fruits from Okogbe. The suspects, who arrested Ghadafi had allegedly tortured him to death and were making efforts to dump his remains in a secluded place before they were arrested. It was gathered that when security operatives accosted the suspects, that the hands and legs of the deceased were still tied with ropes. When the security queried the suspects upon their arrest, Joshua claimed that the victim has been terrorising the community and they had to apprehend him with a view to banish him from the community when he unfortunately died in the process. Speaking, Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede Community, Mr. Osiga King, said the community youths noticed some suspicious moves and quickly contacted security agents in their area. King said the quick intervention of the security formations in their area led to arrest of the suspects, adding that the suspects entered their community to dump remains of their victim. The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development, saying: “The suspect was involved in various cases of stealing and also attempted to rape an NYSC member in 2023. He was assaulted by community youths, which led to his death.”