Crime
The ‘Rogue’ Cops At Airport Road Lagos
By Felix Oboagwina
Daddy, do you know that on their way back to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, members of my business team who came to my wedding had a horrible encounter with police officers who stationed themselves on Airport Road.*_
Really? What happened? I saw them at the wedding reception and they were many. They all wore white.
_*Yes, they did. One Uber taxi took two of them from the reception at Alimosho to catch their evening flight back to Abuja, and they were stopped for searching by these police.*_
Did the policemen find anything incriminating on them?
_*Nothing of such! Daddy, you saw them, none of them even spotted a “Rasta” or “Dada” hairstyle. These are decent, hardworking gentlemen, doing clean business. The policemen became excited upon seeing that the guys were using iPhones. These policemen seized the phones, scrolled through their bank balance and forced them to transfer money.*_
No way! No policeman, in the first place, has any right to search anybody’s phone. Their Police Public Relations Officers keep hammering this fact on Twitter and all social media platforms where they interact with the public. Even the Commissioners of Police say the same thing.
_*These police on Airport Road did ooo! They delayed the guys and threatened to ensure they missed their flights should those ones refuse to cooperate. Initially, the cops asked for N200,000 per person; but in the end they settled for N100,000 per man.*_
No way, N100,000 –for what exactly?
_*My friends were initially stubborn and refused to pay. But the police ordered their Uber to park, and told my people: “Be speaking English there instead of cooperating.” When those ones saw that time was running and they could miss their flights, they quickly lent themselves sense and negotiated a settlement. They did cash transfer. And Daddy, do you know the painful part of the whole story?*_
What?
_*They boys still ended up missing their flight. When the Uber finally got them to the airport, the plane was rolling onto the tarmac for takeoff. They had to sleep at the airport till the following day.*_
Eeyah! What a pity. Nigerian police are very wicked.
_*When they phoned to report the incident to me, they said this could never have happened in another state, and that is why they could never live in Lagos and detest travelling to Lagos.*_
This is very sad. And do you know that this sort of criminal exploitation triggered the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and led to the disbandment of SARS by President Muhammadu Buhari?
_*Our police will never learn.*_
I know that airport axis very well. Just the other day on Twitter, Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of SaharaREPORTERS defied these same police team. I am sure it was the same team. He was also in a cab and when he got to that spot they told his vehicle to park. Sowore told the driver not to budge. They abused him, before finally removing themselves out of the way for the car to go.
_*That is the best way to treat these bastards.*_
You know quite well that people are on their way to board planes and you have the insensitivity to stop them.
_*It is deliberate. They feel that anyone heading to the airport must be loaded with money. Additionally, such people are passengers hurrying to catch a flight and would pay any amount to not miss their plane.*_
Which police stations are even in that axis self? That would be Mafoluku Oshodi, Aswani Isolo or Airport. DPOs there must be made to answer for this criminality. Even the Lagos State Police Commissioner can’t say he knows nothing about this perfidy. What are they doing along that road? They are up to eight and they would just spread themselves through the service lane, stopping vehicles. They are not interested in whether vehicle particulars are correct. Their mission there is solely to milk wayfarers.
_*This is very satanic. Heads have to roll. Do you know that just to avoid the stress of these Lagos cops, I know someone who moves around with a police escort in his car every single day?*_
But that must cost a hefty sum! How much does he pay to have an armed policeman with him in the car?
_*I have not asked him. But it cannot be less than N20,000.*_
That’s some baddest money! Meaning if he uses a police escort for the entire month, he will pay anything between N400,000 to N600,000.
_*Something in that region, but he feels safer –absolutely zero police harassment. A young IT Engineer driving a powerful car, with a laptop and an iPhone in tow, the guy knows that he fits the jaundiced profiling these cops have fixed on Nigerian youth and he can easily become their target.*_
We will keep writing and pushing until their ogas are forced to pull these rogue cops off that Airport axis. They have no business being there –no business at all, especially since they are using it to exploit people. But your associates really impressed me. Do you mean that the lot came all the way from Abuja just for your wedding?
_*Yes o! They did. They really impressed me too. I was surprised to see so many of them at the reception.*_
See the way they were spraying you with money. Hope they all ate, sha.
_*I already made adequate arrangements for them. I told K to take care of them. They all sat in one place in the hall and I could see from the platform that my orders were implemented to the letter. Their food and drinks were kept separate. I trusted K to deliver and she didn’t disappoint.*_
Can you imagine that after all that beautiful outing, some yeye, God-forsaken, rogue policemen would spoil the joy of that memorable day? God punish them.
By Felix Oboagwina
OBOAGWINA IS AN AUTHOR, JOURNALIST AND PUBLISHER, REACHABLE VIA: foboagwina@gmail.com*_
Saudi Arabia has executed five Ethiopian nationals convicted of smuggling hashish into the kingdom, bringing the number of executions carried out in the country this year to 205.
The Saudi Interior Ministry announced the executions on Thursday, November 5, 2026, saying the five men were found guilty of participating in the smuggling of hashish into the country.
According to a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency, the executions were carried out in the Asir region in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The latest executions bring to 32 the number of Ethiopian nationals put to death in Saudi Arabia in 2026, making Ethiopians the largest foreign nationality among those executed this year.
Five Ethiopians were reportedly executed in June, while another five were put to death in July over similar drug-related offences.
The latest development comes amid growing international concern over Saudi Arabia’s increasing use of capital punishment, particularly against foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offences.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a report published in July, warned that at least 79 Ethiopian nationals remained at imminent risk of execution over similar charges.
The rights organisation also raised concerns about alleged violations of fair trial guarantees, including inadequate access to legal representation and interpretation services for some Ethiopian migrants facing capital punishment.
Saudi Arabia recorded 356 executions in 2025, its highest annual figure on record.
Thousands of Ethiopians live and work in Saudi Arabia, many of whom migrate in search of employment through the dangerous Eastern Route connecting the Horn of Africa to the oil-rich kingdom through Yemen.
The route exposes migrants to serious security and humanitarian risks during their journey.
A 25-year-old amateur boxer, Kehinde Asimiyu, popularly known as KBlaq, has been stabbed to death following a disagreement over transport fare involving a commercial motorcyclist in Oyo State.
The incident occurred at Olodo Garage in Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the killing, announcing the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement that the command received a report of the incident on November 1, 2026.
According to the police, the deceased was allegedly stabbed with a broken bottle by a suspect identified as Taiwo Babarinde during the disagreement.
“Following receipt of the report, police operatives, accompanied by a patrol team, immediately mobilised to the scene, while the victim was rushed to Academy Hospital, Texaco, Iwo Road, Ibadan, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement said.
The police added that the deceased’s remains were subsequently deposited at Adejare Embalming Centre for preservation, while photographs were taken as part of the preliminary investigation.
Two suspects, identified as Taiwo Babarinde, who allegedly inflicted the fatal injury, and Ishola Semiu, who is suspected of involvement in the incident, have been arrested.
“Both suspects are currently in police custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, for comprehensive investigation,” Ayanlade stated.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over suspected links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and awarded them a total of N20 million in compensation after investigations cleared them of the allegations.
The four men described their release as the happiest day of their lives after spending about four years in DSS custody.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, reportedly ordered their release and the payment of N5 million to each of them following their clearance.
The beneficiaries are Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry. They were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
According to Vanguard, a source familiar with the development disclosed that investigations established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
They were allegedly lured by individuals linked to IPOB, who are currently facing trial.
Speaking on behalf of the four men, Emele Uduma Ibe expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership, describing the day of their release as the happiest moment of his life.
He said the experience had taught him valuable lessons which he intended to share with others, while offering prayers for the DSS Director-General and the management of the Service.
Meanwhile, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for its efforts towards national security and respect for human rights.
The law firm particularly praised Ajayi’s approach to human rights issues, describing the level of hygiene and professionalism within the Service as exceptional.
The development is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.
The DSS reportedly reviewed more than 300 cases, with the exercise leading to a reduction in the number of detainees at its facilities to about 100 following investigations. The agency has also reportedly paid over N1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations or affected by operational mistakes.
Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received N20 million after being mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in Plateau State, Chineze Ozoadibe, who was paid N10 million following her wrongful arrest, and Sunday Ifedi, who also received N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was similarly awarded N5 million after investigations absolved him of IPOB-related allegations.
A source disclosed that the four newly released men would also receive psychological and medical support, in addition to assistance with their reintegration into society.
In a recent media interview, Ajayi acknowledged that the DSS, like every human institution, could make mistakes, stressing that such errors must be addressed.
He reportedly maintained that whenever the Service acknowledges wrongdoing, it has a responsibility to provide remedies, including compensation, while improving its operations in line with the rule of law.
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he engaged with claimed they could not abandon their violent activities because they feared being killed if they surrendered or gave up their weapons.
Gumi said the armed men described the persistent attacks as a cycle of revenge, alleging that military operations and killings in their communities had fuelled their resolve to continue attacking.
According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that the bloodshed had become excessive but insisted they felt compelled to sustain the violence in retaliation for attacks against their communities.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.
He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts from the conversation circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.
Explaining the grievances of the armed groups, the cleric said they accused security forces and local vigilantes of killing women and children during operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling.
He said the bandits questioned the killing of civilians in their communities and viewed such incidents as justification for retaliatory attacks.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.
Gumi said the armed men believed the situation had degenerated into a cycle of violence characterised by revenge, attacks and counterattacks.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
The cleric called for negotiations to end the killings, arguing that religious leaders should help create an avenue for dialogue between the parties.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
Asked why the bandits could not abandon their activities, Gumi attributed their reluctance to fears that they would be killed if they surrendered.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.
The cleric also alleged that financial sponsorship and rivalry among armed groups were contributing to the proliferation of sophisticated weapons.
Asked whether individuals were financing the bandits, Gumi said such a possibility could not be ruled out.
“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now,” he said.
He explained that rival groups were acquiring more powerful weapons to outmatch and intimidate one another, creating what he described as an arms race.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.
“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.
On the source of the firearms, Gumi claimed that the armed groups obtained weapons through illegal markets, where buyers could access them if they had the money.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
Gumi further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.
Asked whether foreign countries could be supplying weapons to Nigerian bandits and terrorists, the cleric said it was possible, suggesting that countries with strategic interests in Nigeria could be involved.
“It’s possible,” he replied.
…Ondo State Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Three Bags of Fake Dollar Notes
Men of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected counterfeit United States dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake dollar notes.
The operation followed a complaint by a businessman, Yusuf Nasiru, from Sabo, Okitipupa, who allegedly lost $6,000, equivalent to about N8.6 million, to two men in a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction.
The suspects reportedly approached Nasiru for a currency exchange transaction but allegedly returned counterfeit dollar notes to him.
According to Nasiru, the incident occurred on October 25, 2026, when two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, visited his shop and requested to exchange United States dollars for their naira equivalent.
He said he handed over $6,000 to the men but they later returned the money, claiming they did not have enough funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
Nasiru said he subsequently discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police on October 28.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest and discovery of the suspected printing factory, said detectives immediately commenced an investigation following the complaint.
Jimoh said operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation, while intelligence gathering and technical tracking led them to Kiniso Village, where one of the suspects was traced.
He disclosed that police operatives raided the suspected hideout on October 29 following intelligence provided by members of the community.
However, some occupants reportedly escaped through the perimeter fence during the operation.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box believed to be connected to the alleged illegal printing operation.
The arrested suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, reportedly provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman said the command had ordered an intensified investigation to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network and establish the full extent of its operations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to bringing all those found culpable to justice and warned members of the public against engaging in suspicious foreign exchange transactions with unverified individuals.
Jimoh also advised residents to authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
-
Crime3 days agoEnd Of The Road: Kidnapper Arrested While Collecting ₦200,000 Ransom
-
Politics5 days agoEnugu APC Warns Residents Against NDC’s ‘Alarmism’, Urges Vigilance
-
Politics2 days agoCourt Nullifies Enugu NDC Primary, Orders INEC to Delist Candidate
-
News4 days agoMan arrested for Allegedly Pushing 17-Year-Old Girl From Two-Storey Building in Imo
-
Sports3 days agoSuper Falcons Receive $100,000 Each as Tinubu Fulfils Reward Pledge
-
News1 day agoOPay Explains How Nigerians Can Check Eligibility for FG’s ₦50,000 Monthly Cash Suppor
-
Politics5 days agoNwifuru vs Wike: Gov fights back says No Rainbow Coalition In Ebonyi
-
News4 days ago2027: Ex-Sokoto Deputy Governor Urges Northerners To Support Tinubu’s Re-election