Couple Sentenced To Five Years In Prison Each For Attempting To Sell One-Year-Old So
A Nigerian couple have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each for attempting to sell their one-year-old son for exploitation in Cross River State.
The couple, identified as 28-year-old Emmanuel Okechukwu Ogbodo and 22-year-old Peace Ufeabuchi Nnamonu, were convicted by the Federal High Court in Calabar after pleading guilty to conspiracy and attempted child trafficking.
The convicts were sentenced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, after they were arraigned on November 3, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and attempted child trafficking.
The charges were brought under Sections 27 and 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie sentenced each defendant to five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and two and a half years for attempted child trafficking.
However, the court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, meaning the couple will each spend a total of five years in prison rather than serve the sentences consecutively.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which announced the conviction in statements shared on its Facebook and X accounts, said the prison terms would take effect from the date of the couple’s arrest.
NAPTIP condemned the couple’s actions and reiterated its commitment to prosecuting human trafficking offences and protecting vulnerable persons, particularly children.
The agency also urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking to the appropriate authorities.

Security agencies have launched a manhunt for two convicted inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Okene, Kogi State.

The Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed the incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 8, 2026, saying efforts were underway in collaboration with other security agencies to recapture the fleeing inmates.

The Service’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Jane Osuji, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Osuji, the Controller-General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the escape and identify any possible security breaches.

She explained that the investigation would examine potential lapses in the facility’s security arrangements and determine appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.

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The correctional authorities assured members of the public that all necessary steps were being taken to track down the escapees and return them to custody.

The Service also pledged to provide further updates as verified information emerges from the ongoing investigation.

The incident comes weeks after an awaiting-trial inmate escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Auchi, Edo State, where he was being held over allegations of conspiracy and stealing.

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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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