Primate Ayodele Calls for Immediate Execution of Convicted Kidnappers and Terrorists
The leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Nigerian government to adopt tougher measures against terrorism and kidnapping, arguing that individuals confirmed to be involved in such crimes should not be prosecuted through the courts but should instead face immediate execution.
Speaking in a statement issued on Sunday through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric said the current judicial process was inadequate to deter terrorists and kidnappers, insisting that swift punishment would significantly reduce the country’s security challenges.
“There should be no court for kidnappers and terrorists; once they have been arrested and confirmed as terrorists, they should be killed immediately. There is no need charging them to court because they won’t get the deserved punishment.
“Such crimes should attract the immediate death penalty, and those talking to them and paying ransom should also be arrested; this is how terrorism can end,” Ayodele said.
The cleric also argued that individuals involved in negotiating with kidnappers or paying ransom should face arrest, maintaining that such actions encourage criminal activities.
While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts against insecurity, Ayodele specifically praised the Minister of Defence’s reported shoot-at-sight directive against terrorists.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to recognize the sacrifices of soldiers and senior military officers by conferring national honours on them.
“The Nigerian army can do better; there are people who want to destroy the government with insecurity. Kudos to the Minister of Defence on the shoot-at-sight for terrorists; if they have done it before, terrorism will come to an end.
“I urge President Tinubu to give national honours to our soldiers and top officers. They have done very well and should be appreciated for their good jobs.”
Ayodele also cautioned against the proliferation of privately owned security outfits, warning that poorly funded organizations could eventually become security threats.
“If there are too many personal security agencies and not adequately funded, they can amount to terrorists. Transform local hunters and let them have their bases inside bushes,” he added.
The cleric further appealed to the government to ensure the protection of Plateau-based cleric Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, warning that any attack on him could generate serious national concern.
“Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo must be protected by all means; the government must ensure he is well protected because if anything happens to him, it will be seen as the highest form of Christian genocide,” he said.
Founding Nigerian Academy of Letters President, Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Dies at 94
Renowned Nigerian linguist and founding President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Professor Ayo Bamgbose, has died at the age of 94.
The distinguished scholar reportedly passed away in the early hours of Saturday.
Professor Bamgbose was widely regarded as one of Africa’s foremost linguists and spent decades contributing to the advancement of language studies and higher education in Nigeria.
He served for many years as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan before retiring from active academic service.
During his career, he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ibadan between 1971 and 1973.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, confirmed the eminent scholar’s death in a statement.
“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, on behalf of the University of Ibadan Community, has commiserated with the family, friends and the intellectual community he left behind,” the statement read.
Professor Bamgbose is remembered for his immense contributions to linguistics, African languages and academic scholarship, leaving behind a legacy that influenced generations of researchers and students.
NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Worth Over ₦10 Billion, Recovers Military-Grade Ammunition
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the seizure of illicit drugs valued at more than ₦10 billion in a series of coordinated operations across Nigeria, while also recovering 401 rounds of military-grade ammunition concealed in containers of palm oil.
The agency disclosed the operations in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives arrested a 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a clothing dealer at Balogun Market in Lagos Island, for allegedly attempting to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside cartons of food items destined for the United Kingdom.
The cocaine shipment was intercepted at the export section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, July 22.
Investigators initially arrested three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim—before further investigations led to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment for shipment.
Subsequent investigations identified Onuigbo as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.
He was arrested on Thursday, July 23, while allegedly attempting to ship another cocaine consignment to the United Kingdom.
In another operation, NDLEA officers arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo at her residence in Surulere, Lagos, after intercepting a 2.80-kilogram consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which had arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.
The agency also seized 2.24 million tablets of Tapentadol 250mg valued at more than ₦2.2 billion during a joint examination of cargo imported from India on an Air Maroc flight at Lagos airport on Friday, July 24.
Officials said the operation followed actionable intelligence received by the agency.
Another shipment containing tramadol concealed inside containers of black soap intended for export to the United Kingdom was intercepted at a Lagos courier company on July 22.
At the Apapa Seaport, NDLEA operatives uncovered three vehicles used to conceal 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5 kilograms and valued at more than ₦7.1 billion.
The discovery was made during a joint cargo examination conducted on July 20.
In Katsina State, operatives arrested 30-year-old Mustapha Sani during a patrol in Baure, Safana Local Government Area.
He was allegedly found in possession of 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 123 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition.
Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, also 30, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway after officers allegedly discovered 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside kegs of red palm oil.
Both suspects have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers raided a warehouse in Ilushi, Esan South-East Local Government Area, recovering 1,286 kilograms of cannabis and an additional 86 kilograms of cannabis seeds.
Two other suspects, Ojore Onweze, 45, and George Agwumede, 30, were separately arrested with 60 kilograms and 13 kilograms of skunk respectively.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
Awareness programmes were conducted at Government Day Secondary School in Sabon Wuse, Niger State; Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara, Kano State; and Otto Primary School in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation as well as commands in Lagos, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina for the successful operations.
He encouraged personnel nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of enforcement, prevention and public education in combating drug abuse and trafficking.
Al-Ittihad Submit €10.5 Million Bid for Wilfred Ndidi
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad have reportedly submitted an offer to sign Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi from Turkish side Beşiktaş.
According to Turkish newspaper Milliyet, Al-Ittihad have offered €10.5 million for the Super Eagles midfielder, with the deal potentially rising to €12.5 million through performance-related bonuses.
Beşiktaş are reportedly evaluating the proposal and are yet to make a final decision.
The club’s management is expected to consult head coach Vincenzo Italiano before determining whether to approve the transfer.
Ndidi’s future is expected to depend largely on the Italian manager’s technical assessment and plans for the upcoming season.
The 29-year-old joined Beşiktaş from Leicester City last summer and enjoyed a solid debut campaign in Turkey.
During the 2025–26 Turkish Super Lig season, Ndidi made 31 league appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
His performances have attracted interest from clubs outside Europe, with Al-Ittihad now emerging as one of the leading contenders for his signature.
A decision on the midfielder’s future is expected after Beşiktaş complete their internal review of the Saudi club’s offer.
