A United States cleric has sparked widespread controversy after publicly announcing his marriage to a second wife and declaring that traditional monogamy is not backed by scripture. Pastor Israel Ford, the leader of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, made the disclosure via a video broadcast shared on his official Facebook page. Defending his polygynous marriage, the cleric cited Exodus 21:10 from the King James Version of the Bible, which outlines guidelines for a man taking an additional spouse. In a surprising twist, the pastor`s first wife, Prophetess Lydia Ford, took to the church pulpit to introduce the new co-wife, Minister Shakayla Ford. Prophetess Lydia revealed to the stunned congregation that her husband and the new minister had already been privately married for three years. Addressing the backlash, Pastor Ford stated that he expected the public resistance but refused to compromise on what he termed an unpopular truth. "As a nation, we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical," Ford wrote in an accompanying social media statement. "I understand that this is an unpopular truth that we have gotten away from and many pastors will not preach. I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed." The cleric added that he is at peace with anyone who chooses to cut ties with his ministry over the decision, concluding that the entire congregation can laugh about it in Heaven. The announcement has since gone viral, triggering a massive debate across social media platforms regarding modern Christian doctrines and marital structures.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 40-year-old man, Samson Ekata, for the gruesome murder and mutilation of his pregnant 18-year-old girlfriend in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. The state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, paraded the suspect alongside other criminal elements on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He disclosed that the victim had been cohabiting with Ekata for about a year before her untimely death. According to the police boss, the suspect not only took the life of the young woman but went ahead to mutilate her body, severing her breast and attempting to forcefully extract her unborn child. He subsequently transported the remains in a Toyota Corolla and dumped them by the roadside. Speaking with journalists, Ekata confessed to the horrific crime but claimed he was acting under spiritual manipulation. “I began hearing voices instructing me to kill her, but I initially resisted because she was pregnant," the suspect stated. "The same instruction came to me in a dream about two weeks later, prompting me to commit the crime. After killing her, I severed her breast as the spirit instructed me to do so.” Ekata, however, maintained that this was his first time killing anyone, denying involvement in any previous ritual or homicidal activities. Reacting to the incident, Commissioner Daaor condemned the act as a horrific and deeply saddening crime. He commended the local community, noting that their swift cooperation and intelligence-sharing were instrumental in tracking down and apprehending the suspect. Reassuring the public that Ekata would face the full wrath of the law, Daaor issued a stern warning to parents and young women alike. He urged parents to monitor their children closely to protect them from predators, while advising young women to exercise extreme caution and avoid placing blind trust in relationships at the expense of their personal safety.

A Yobe State High Court sitting in Damaturu has sentenced 45-year-old Abubakar Musa, popularly known as "Daddy," to death by hanging for the murder of his wife, Ammi Mamman. The presiding judge of High Court 1 delivered the landmark verdict on Wednesday, bringing a legal end to a tragic incident that shook the community nearly two years ago. Musa was first arrested by operatives of the Yobe State Police Command on January 4, 2024, following the gruesome killing of his wife at their residence in the New Bra-Bra Housing Estate, Damaturu. According to police reports at the time, the victim was stabbed in the neck while in bed, leading to fatal bleeding. Musa was subsequently arraigned on charges of culpable homicide. Throughout the trial, the defendant maintained a "not guilty" plea. However, in the final judgment, the presiding judge dismissed the plea, ruling that it could not withstand the weight of the credible evidence presented by the prosecution. The court held that the prosecution successfully established all the vital elements of culpable homicide and proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequent upon the conviction, the court pronounced that Musa be executed by hanging. The convict, however, retains the statutory right to appeal the judgment within the legally prescribed timeframe, failing which the death sentence will be fully executed.

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have smashed a child-trafficking syndicate in Ibadan, rescuing a one-month-old baby girl who was allegedly sold by her mother for N2 million. The breakthrough followed a swift tactical intelligence operation that led to the immediate arrest of the infant’s mother and a medical doctor who allegedly facilitated the transaction. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, occurred in the Ido Local Government Area of the state. The suspects currently in police custody have been identified as 23-year-old Cecilia Amos, the biological mother of the rescued baby, and Dr. Adeleke Ebenezer, 40, the owner of Ebepraise Health Centre located in Ido, where the child was delivered. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in an official statement issued to journalists on Friday. According to the police statement, the criminal conspiracy began unfolding on October 15, 2026, at about 6:00 pm, when a complainant, Mary Amos of the Ogunwade area in Ido, lodged a formal report. Mary informed the authorities that her daughter, Cecilia, had given birth to a baby girl on September 6, 2026, at Dr. Ebenezer’s private medical facility but expressed deep worry over the infant`s sudden disappearance. THENEWSCREDIT learned that the grandmother grew highly suspicious after Cecilia vanished with the newborn just seven days after delivery. When later confronted, the young mother could not provide a satisfactory or coherent account of the child’s whereabouts, prompting her mother to approach law enforcement officials out of fear that the infant had been illicitly sold. Acting on the formal complaint, police operatives tracked down and arrested Cecilia for intense questioning. During interrogation, the 23-year-old mother broke down and confessed to the crime, disclosing that Dr. Ebenezer and another suspect, identified as Hassan Oludunni, had lured her into the arrangement and actively facilitated the sale of her newborn daughter to a third party. Detailed police investigations subsequently revealed that the child was sold to a buyer identified as Odunayo Folawewo for a total sum of N2 million. The illicit proceeds were shared among the syndicate, with Cecilia receiving N1 million as the mother`s share, while Dr. Ebenezer and the accomplice, Oludunni, allegedly pocketed N500,000 each for their roles in the transaction. Following the breakthrough in the investigation, police operatives successfully located and rescued the one-month-old baby girl alive, while Dr. Ebenezer was taken into custody. DSP Ayanlade stated that the command has already launched a massive manhunt and intense efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing buyer, Folawewo, alongside other collaborators, to bring them all to justice. Reiterating its stance on child protection, the Oyo State Police Command strongly urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences to security agencies. Citizens can reach the Oyo State Call Response Centre via the toll-free line 615, or contact the Police Command Control Room directly on 08081768614 and 07055495413 for immediate intervention.

A horrifying wave of domestic violence has thrown the Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State into deep mourning, after an aggrieved husband brutally killed his wife and subsequently ended his own life by drinking a lethal chemical substance. The horrific incident, which occurred along Owerri Street in Agbarho, has left the couple’s four children completely orphaned, with the eldest child reported to be just 21 years old. Local sources revealed to reporters that the fatal confrontation was triggered by a bitter, unresolved marital dispute. The deceased husband reportedly reacted with extreme rage following allegations of his wife’s infidelity and the unauthorized sale of his landed property. Residents in the neighborhood noted that the couple’s relationship had deteriorated significantly prior to the tragedy, characterized by a series of intense physical altercations. Speaking on the incident, an elder brother to the deceased husband expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging that while family disputes can stem from various complex situations, the outcome has left the entire family devastated. He, however, declined to publicly disclose the identities of the deceased couple. Efforts to get an official statement from the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report as calls to his line went unanswered. However, a senior police officer attached to the Agbarho Division confirmed the grim event under the condition of anonymity. He stated that police operatives quickly deployed to the scene after receiving distress calls and have evacuated both corpses to the local morgue for a comprehensive autopsy and further investigation. The officer added that while formal complaints have not yet been lodged by either of the affected families, security agents are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide.

In a deeply emotional climax to a bitter and exhausting marital breakdown, an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has brought overwhelming relief to a distressed mother, Mrs. Busola Abere, by granting her full custody of her two beloved children. The heart-wrenching legal battle, which has torn a once-peaceful family apart, ended with a definitive ruling aimed at protecting the innocent young souls caught in the crossfire of their parents` failed union. Presiding Judge, Justice Julius Ajibare, delivered a poignant judgment that prioritized the stability and emotional well-being of the children over all else. After carefully weighing the painful arguments presented by both sides, the judge firmly shut the door on the father’s plea for a shared custody arrangement. In a blunt and passionate assessment, the court described the idea of splitting the children between two hostile environments as completely untenable and harmful. Justice Ajibare stated with absolute conviction that forcing the children into a shared parenting schedule under such toxic circumstances would be deeply absurd. He emphasized that the court has a sacred duty to protect the vulnerable, declaring that the judiciary has no business engaging in or validating an arrangement that would only prolong the children`s emotional distress. With this decisive declaration, the court ordered that the warmth and stability of sole custody be given entirely to Mrs. Busola Abere, allowing her to finally shield her children from the trauma of the broken home. To ensure their dreams are not crushed by the divorce, the court directed the father, Mr. Babatunde Abere, to bear the full weight and financial responsibility of their education until they graduate from tertiary institutions in their chosen fields. Adding a layer of financial security to the emotional victory, the court ordered Mr. Abere to pay a monthly upkeep allowance of N100,000. This sum, meant to provide comfort and daily sustenance for the two children, must be deposited directly into a dedicated bank account set up solely for their welfare and future development. Yet, in a touching nod to the complex bonds of nature, the court refused to completely sever the father`s ties to his flesh and blood. Recognizing the deep biological connection, Justice Ajibare granted Mr. Abere unhindered and unrestricted access to visit his children at reasonable times, ensuring that these fragile reunions happen safely in public places. The painful saga began when a desperate Mr. Babatunde Abere dragged his estranged wife to court through his counsel, Folasade Abiodun, pleading for joint custody. In a moving affidavit, the heartbroken father painted a picture of a home turned into a warzone, claiming he was forced to flee in October 2025 to escape escalating arguments and hostility, and arguing that holding his children again would finally heal his endless anxiety over their safety. However, the mother’s defense, presented by her lawyer, Iyanu Olumuagun, revealed the deep scars and terrifying fears of a protective parent. Mrs. Abere vehemently denied her husband’s claims and pleaded with the court to save her children from what she described as a dangerous environment, tearfully alleging that exposing them to their father’s alleged habits of drunkenness and gambling would permanently shatter their mental health and destroy their future.

Security operatives have uncovered a bizarre plot where a 29-year-old man, Godwin Yahaya, allegedly contracted a gang of kidnappers to assassinate a wealthy farmer and illegally seize his land in Niger State, according to a report by THENEWSCREDIT. The suspect, who has been taken into police custody, reportedly targeted Jonah Isah, a prominent, large-scale farmer residing in Zawudna village within the Munya Local Government Area. According to a statement issued by the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, and reported by THENEWSCREDIT, the horrific scheme dates back to 2024 when Yahaya first approached an accomplice identified as Bashiru—who remains at large—to coordinate the abduction of Isah for ransom. The sinister plot was executed on June 26, 2026. Around midnight, Bashiru and his heavily armed gang stormed the victim’s home, brutally killing the farmer before abducting several members of his family along with three other villagers. The criminal syndicate subsequently extorted N2.1 million in ransom from the grieving family before freeing the remaining hostages. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the tables turned on Yahaya when the recently rescued hostages came forward. The victims implicated him, stating that during their terrifying captivity, the abductors openly identified Yahaya as the mastermind who financed and commissioned the entire operation. Acting on this intelligence, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) tracked down and arrested Yahaya in the Kuchi area on September 27, 2026. He was subsequently handed over to the Sarkin-Pawa Police Division. Police authorities revealed that during interrogation, Yahaya confessed to orchestrating the abduction with Bashiru to share the lucrative ransom money. Furthermore, police investigations proved that immediately following Isah`s murder, Yahaya took full possession of the deceased farmer’s vast agricultural fields for his personal use. The Niger State Police Command confirmed that the suspect is currently undergoing rigorous questioning at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna. A manhunt is actively underway to apprehend Bashiru and all remaining members of the murderous syndicate to fully uncover the conspiracy.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested the son of a prophet for allegedly cloning a prominent cleric`s Facebook profile and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of over N18 million. The suspect, Adewale Arojah, was apprehended by operatives attached to the Ilaro Division following an intense intelligence-led operation. He reportedly utilized the fake identity to swindle victims under the guise of offering prayers and spiritual assistance. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the breakthrough in an official statement on Thursday. According to Babaseyi, the arrest followed a formal complaint lodged on October 3, 2026, by the real cleric, Prophet Dr. Muyiwa Akogun. The prophet had approached the authorities after numerous followers raised alarms over fraudulent financial demands being perpetrated online in his name. Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ilaro Division immediately deployed a team of detective and intelligence operatives to track down the perpetrator. Through advanced technological monitoring and data analysis, investigators successfully traced the suspect’s digital footprint to a remote location in the state. He was ultimately intercepted and taken into custody at a village in Ajegunle, located along the Ilaro-Ibogun axis. During police interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting that he systematically targeted vulnerable individuals seeking spiritual aid on the prophet’s legitimate page. He confessed to delivering fake prophecies and offering fraudulent prayer services to victims. His illicit operations extended beyond local targets, trapping victims both within Nigeria and across the international diaspora. Preliminary investigations revealed that Arojah carefully studied the cleric`s interactions to gain the absolute trust of his targets before demanding various sums of money. Over time, his coordinated identity theft network managed to illicitly extract over N18 million from multiple victims. The police confirmed that the suspect has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for deeper investigation and eventual prosecution. Reacting to the development, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro division operatives for their swift response and tactical precision. He reiterated the command’s unwavering resolve to dismantle cybercrime networks, curb rising identity theft, and make the state inhospitable for digital fraudsters looking to exploit vulnerable citizens. The police boss subsequently advised members of the public to strictly verify the authenticity of social media accounts before engaging religious leaders or public figures online. CP Ojajuni urged the populace to exercise extreme caution when navigating digital spaces and to refrain from transferring money to unverified individuals promising spiritual remedies.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical facility and treating unsuspecting patients for seven years without any medical qualification. The suspect was apprehended by police operatives after a raid on his clinic, where he had been secretly conducting illegal medical consultations. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the development in an official statement released on Wednesday. According to the police, Benjamin was arrested on October 2, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m. by operatives attached to the Command Monitoring Unit at his clinic, Life Is Good Hospital, located in the Olodo area of Ibadan. Ayanlade noted that the successful operation followed credible intelligence received by the command concerning the suspect’s fraudulent activities at the facility. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the monitoring unit monitored the clinic before moving in to disrupt the illegal operations and take the suspect into custody. “The suspect was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly fertility-related treatments, despite not being a certified medical doctor,” the police statement read. Operatives caught the suspect in the middle of a consultation, preventing further unauthorized medical procedures from being performed on vulnerable patients. During the raid, police operatives searched the facility and recovered several medical instruments and supplies used by the suspect. The seized items included four Quantum Magnetic Resonance Body Analysers, two weighing scales, one stethoscope, and a large carton containing assorted medicines and specimen bottles. Preliminary investigations revealed that Benjamin confessed to operating as a quack practitioner for nearly a decade without a licence to practise medicine. According to the police, the suspect also admitted that he chose to specialize in fertility-related treatments, which he heavily promoted and administered to couples seeking reproductive care. The development has raised serious concerns within the command over the potential danger posed to members of the public who may have unknowingly obtained medical treatments from the unqualified practitioner. The police highlighted that dealing with uncertified personnel in sensitive areas such as fertility care carries severe health risks, including permanent medical complications. Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command stated that a full investigation is currently ongoing to determine the entire scope of the suspect’s activities and establish whether other individuals were involved in running the facility. The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, urging residents to always verify the professional qualifications of medical personnel before seeking treatment.

The Yobe State Police Command has taken a nine-year-old boy into custody following a horrific arson attack that claimed the lives of his two stepmothers and two younger brothers. The tragic incident occurred at Rugan Badal, a rural settlement within the Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, throwing the entire community into deep mourning and shock. According to police authorities, the minor intentionally set the family home ablaze as an act of retaliation against his father, Abubakar Idi. The father had severely disciplined the boy the previous day after community members caught him trying to steal and sell a family fowl, subsequently reporting the incident to his parents. Paraded by the police alongside his father in Damaturu, the minor confessed to the crime, detailing how he orchestrated the fatal attack. He disclosed that he purchased ₦50 worth of matches from a neighborhood shop and struck the fire while his stepmothers and younger brothers were fast asleep inside the house, ensuring they were trapped as the flames rapidly spread. In a chilling admission, the suspect revealed that he initially raised an alarm for help to conceal his involvement while the house burned. His role in the tragedy only came to light three days later during a community prayer session for the deceased, where he confessed to his family, leading to his immediate arrest by local police. Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, stressed the gravity of the offense despite the suspect`s tender age. He assured the public that the Command is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arson to determine the appropriate legal and juvenile justice procedures. Meanwhile, the heartbreaking incident has sparked intense national concern over parental discipline and the emotional wellbeing of minors. It has also renewed urgent public debates regarding psychological monitoring for troubled children and the ease with which minors can access potentially dangerous materials like matches and accelerants.