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Shock as videos, photos link gunrunner to govt officials •Nigerians demand probe

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Alhaji Bashir Hadejia

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The arrest of Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by security operatives has sparked outrage.

Some Nigerians, who reacted to the development, demanded answers from the authorities after videos and photos indicated that the suspect was connected to top government functionaries and politicians.

Hadejia, who was a special adviser to Matawalle when he was the Governor of Zamfara State, was arrested on Monday.

A search warrant issued to the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, dated August 12, 2024, showed that the suspect was accused of “treason and subversion against the state”.

Shortly after his arrest became public, photos and videos of the suspect with prominent politicians and celebrities emerged on social media.

Gold bar merchant

A particular video clip on X (formerly Twitter) showed Hadejia displaying what appeared to be a gold bar with the image of a former Libyan leader, Muammar Ghadaffi.

In the 14-second video, he was heard saying, “One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box we have 50kg; in total we have one tonne.”

There were about 13 boxes filled with the gold bars on the table. The boxes were labelled, “Central Bank of Libya”.

In a photo that has been trending since the arrest was made public, Hadejia accompanied Matawalle to present some gold bars to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020.

Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also shared photos showing Hadejia appearing to assist Matawalle in presenting the gold to the president.

The post read, “President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia. Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State. Describe the visuals.”

He was also seen in another picture having a handshake with President Bola Tinubu.

The villa boy

It was gathered that Hadejia was nicknamed ‘Villa boy’ because of his close connection to the Villa.

In pictures seen online, Hadejia was standing side-by-side with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.

He was also seen in several photos facilitating a meeting between the Arewa Consultative Forum and northern politicians with President Tinubu.

A popular Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Kwam 1 in his Timeless album dedicated a track to extol Hadejia.

In the track, KI described Hadejia as his friend and that of former governor of Jigawa and now Minister of Defence, Badaru.

“I am going to the North, from Jigawa to Abuja. I am going there to see a distinguished personality, Alhaji Bashir Hadejia is the husband of Aisha, the child of Mohammed Ali, a very big man. He is K1 de ultimate’s friend. He is an ally of Jigawa State calculator, friend to governor Badaru,” Ayinde sang.

Tweeps query Matawalle’s connection

Reacting to the arrest, a tweep, Alade Ayeniromo, wondered why security operatives were not giving the public adequate information on the arrest.

He wrote, “Why is Bashir Hadeija so confidential? Why can’t we have access to the full story, there’s no time names of terrorist financiers have been fully published and they get punished. Omor, Vagabond movie explain so many things around political environment.”

Another X user, A.Y. Rafindadi, said if the arrest had taken place outside the country, there would have been follow-up arrests and confessions.

“In a sane country, Bashir Hadeija’s arrest may just be one of the biggest arrests of the decade. Given how connected he is to past and serving government officials, the likes of Bello Matawalle, who employed him some years back as an assistant,” he stated.

But a journalist based in New York, USA, Franklin Ude, claimed that Hadejia was being persecuted by his former boss.

Ude, who posted copies of the arrest warrant, explained that Hadejia was abducted from his Abuja home on Monday on the orders of Matawalle.

“He is also being accused of enlisting me in his plot to remove the government. The military officials who abducted Hadejia on Monday sprayed powdered substance suspected to be powdered teargas on his face, causing him to become unconscious before he was whisked away to an unknown destination,” he wrote.

According to him, Hadejia is also accused of possessing bars of gold believed to have been stolen from the Libyan Central Bank.

“It is not a case of treason, terrorism or stolen Gold bars. This is just a war of two former friends with one who is in government using his position to intimidate the other,” he added.

Ude, when contacted by our correspondent, declined comment on the matter.

However, a tweep, Abbas Nagwari, said the arrest should not be connected to Matawalle.

He said, “Nobody is claiming that Bashir Hadeja was not a former aide to Matawalle. But why are you avoiding new facts? Matawalle sacked him because of his criminal behavior; and it is the same @Bellomatawalle1 that ensured his arrest. People should think before they speak.”

A Twitter poll showed that increasing number of Nigerians wanted the government to probe associates of the suspect.

More than 93 per cent of responders demanded that the Federal Government share more information on the arrest and links of Hadejia to senior government officials.

When contacted, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh referred our correspondent to the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.

The Force spokesperson confirmed the suspect’s arrest.

“He is in custody,” he added.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to Badaru, Mati Ali, did not take his calls and had yet to respond to a message sent to him on the matter.

Aide defends minister

Meanwhile, an aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Suleiman Shuaibu, has denied any connection between his principal and the suspect.

Shuaibu stated that he has “never met Hadejia and does not know him personally” while expressing concern over the linking of his principal to him.

He noted that Hadejia had also been “photographed with other high-profile individuals, including President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, but their names are not being mentioned.”

Shuaibu emphasised that Matawalle had nothing to do with Hadejia and that relating them is “uncalled for.”

“If Hadejia is found guilty, he should face the law,” he added.

Northern forum demands probe

A spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, expressed deep concern over the arrest of Hadejia, describing the revelations as “appalling” and a threat to Nigeria’s stability.

According to him, the alleged activities uncovered ranging from gun-running and treason to cross-border crimes posed a significant danger to the nation’s sovereignty.

He said, “We have not discussed the matter at the Northern Elders Forum level. But as a Nigerian with conscience, I can competently say that the revelations surrounding the arrest of Bashir Hadejia is appalling and the nefarious activities reportedly uncovered by the arrest pose a severe threat not only to the sovereignty of our great nation but also to the very fabric of our society.

Suleiman commended the Nigerian security agencies for apprehending Hadejia, noting that their success in unraveling such a complex criminal network is praiseworthy.

However, he cautioned that this arrest was just the beginning, emphasising the need for deeper action. “The roots of this menace run deep, and Nigerian authorities must act decisively,” he stated.

He expressed alarm over Hadejia’s reported links to international criminal syndicates, which include smuggling stolen gold from Libya and supporting terrorism. Suleiman described these activities as “an affront to our sovereignty and an invasion of our peace,” warning that criminal networks like these do not respect borders.

Particularly troubling, he noted, was Hadejia’s alleged role in sponsoring protests like #EndBadGovernance, which led to violence in the North. Suleiman decried how criminal elements exploited legitimate grievances, leading to instability. “It is shocking to learn that anyone connected to the devastations of recent protests in northern Nigeria had ulterior motives,” he said.

He also highlighted the disturbing connections between Hadejia and powerful political figures, including a former DSS director, urging the government to act decisively.

The President-General of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, commended security operatives for the arrest.

In an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna on Friday, Shettima described the arrest as a positive development in the fight against terrorism, emphasising the need for thorough investigation and prosecution to serve as a deterrent.

He said, “Well, for us, we look at it in a positive way. Even though he still remains a suspect by the Nigeria law.

“They should do the needful to investigate properly and be sure so that at the end of the day, if he is found wanting, he should serve as a deterrent so that others should know that we are not in Banana Republic.

“We are in a country where law and order prevail. So that those young element or whoever that thinks can do things and get away with all impunity will also realise that there is always bad days.

“They were not even together when he’s the minister. We see his pictures everywhere in the Aso Rock Villa. In fact, he has a nickname called ‘Villa Boy’.”

Shettima also addressed Hadejia’s link to Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, stating that association with personalities did not imply complicity.

He emphasized that Hadejia should face the music alone, and if collaborators were found, they should be brought to book.

The National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro said it was a sensitive issue.

“The case should be investigated and the true situation ascertained,” he added.

Source: Saturday PUNCH

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Kidnappers torture 20 corps members, demand N5m each NYSC

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Oyo adopts Oriire abduction template, engages Imo, security agencies

The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by gunmen in Imo State have allegedly been subjected to physical assault by their captors, including the female victims, as the kidnappers reduced their ransom demand to N5 million per victim.

The development came as the deadline reportedly given by the abductors for payment of the ransom approached, heightening anxiety among the victims’ families.

One of the affected relatives, Alhaja Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister, Kehinde Akande, is among the abducted graduates, said the victims had allegedly been beaten since Saturday.

She described the situation as “horrible, scary and overwhelming,” while appealing to the government to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.

Akande said the kidnappers had reduced their initial demand from N50 million per victim to N5 million each.

“They are still demanding N5 million. They have come down to N5 million each,” she said.

Asked whether the N5 million was being demanded for each of the 20 victims, she replied: “Yes.”

She said she could not confirm how much had been raised towards the ransom, explaining that she was not privy to arrangements between the abductors and other families.

“I cannot say because I do not know how much they have told those people that they have,” she said.

According to Akande, her sister told her that the abductors had started beating the victims.

“Sir, we appeal to the government to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place. When I spoke to my sister, they started beating them since yesterday,” she said.

Asked whether the female victims were also being assaulted, she said: “They are not sparing anybody. They are beating all of them.”

Akande also said one of the abducted corps members had been allowed to communicate with his father, alleging that the kidnappers monitored the calls as part of their efforts to assess the family’s ability to raise the ransom.

She said the abductors would alert the victim whenever his father called and allow him to speak to him.

She added that the families had been relying on assurances from the police while efforts continued to raise the ransom.

“The police are telling us to still be buying time. We are still looking for the money. Depending, they will see them rescued,” she said.

Akande confirmed that her family was directly affected by the incident, identifying her abducted sister as Kehinde, 25.

Oyo engages Imo, security agencies

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government said it was maintaining contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies as efforts intensified to secure the release of the abducted graduates.

The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the government was actively involved in efforts to rescue the victims despite the abduction occurring outside Oyo State.

Oyelade said the government was drawing on its experience from the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area in its engagement with the Imo authorities.

“We are in close contacts at government-to-government level and actively with the security apparatus in Oyo and Imo states,” he said.

“We are volunteering our template and experiences garnered during the Oriire kidnapping, and the report of the Judicial Inquiry just submitted last week by the Hon. Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade Panel is coming in handy in our bilateral discussions on the matter.”

He explained that the government would not disclose all aspects of its strategy because of the sensitive nature of the operation.

“Governments all over the world are not in the habit of disclosing all they are planning in delicate situations like this,” Oyelade said.

The commissioner, however, said the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should provide answers on the broader national security response to the incident.

“The pushback should be on the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who are in charge of national security, on what they have done in 72 hours,” he said.

Oyelade also referred to Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent intervention over the abduction of students in Borno State, noting that the Borno incident occurred on the same day as the Oriire abduction.

He said Makinde had appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the rescue of the abducted Borno students.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to the victims, Oyelade said the fact that the graduates were abducted in Imo did not absolve the Oyo Government of its responsibility to its citizens.

“Oyo State Government had not and will not abandon its citizens. We will continue to work endlessly and desperately to secure the release of our children,” he said.

How the graduates were abducted

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday while travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in two buses.

The vehicles were reportedly attacked by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while the graduates were travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The incident triggered concern among the affected families, particularly after the parents said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim — N1 billion in total — and gave them a 24-hour ultimatum to raise the money.

The parents subsequently sought the intervention of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during a visit to his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.

They were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.

The parents appealed to the monarch to intervene, saying they could not raise the N1 billion ransom demanded.

“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request,” the parents had said.

“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”

Responding, Ladoja assured the families that efforts were being made to secure the victims’ release.

“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you,” he said.

“The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children.”

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola, also said he had remained in contact with his Imo counterpart since the incident.

“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” Abimbola said.z

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Eight Zamfara lawmakers dump APC over insecurity, unpaid salaries

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing insecurity, injustice and other issues affecting the wellbeing of the people.

The lawmakers, including an ally of former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, said they could no longer remain in a political party which they said had failed to provide adequate security for citizens.

In a statement announcing their decision, the lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the party’s inability to address challenges confronting the state, particularly the worsening security situation.

The lawmakers who resigned are Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Hon. Ibrahim Tukur Bakura (Bakura), Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun I), Hon. Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Hon. Muktaru Nasiru Kaura (Kaura North), Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Hon. Bashar Bello (Bungudu West), and Hon. Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).

Their resignation adds to the growing political developments within Zamfara APC, where internal disagreements and realignments have continued to shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers did not immediately disclose their next political destination.

When contacted, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party was yet to be officially notified.

“We are still waiting for their correspondence from their respective political wards after reaching their local government executives, which would later be forwarded to us,” Danmadamin said.

He added that the party had only seen the resignation letters on social media.“We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand,” he said.

Responding to whether the development was linked to internal crisis, Danmadamin said the APC was not aware of any grievances until it saw the letters online.

On their part, the resigned lawmakers accused Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration of failing to give adequate attention to insecurity affecting rural communities.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Kagara said they decided to leave the APC because the party had failed to properly address insecurity and had allegedly reneged on earlier agreements.

“What we are challenging Governor Lawal’s administration about is even worse now compared to previous times, so we have seen no reason to continue remaining in the APC. Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” Kagara said.

He also alleged that the lawmakers had gone for 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

“This is our 32 months without salary, allowances and other entitlements as honourable members, and the people of Zamfara; the ball is in their court,” he said.

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Parents of abducted corps members beg Olubadan: We can’t raise N1bn ransom

Published

8 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Parents of the 20 abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps members, PCMs, were thrown into profound sadness, yesterday, leading them to appeal to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to assist in rescuing their children from the kidnappers’ den.

The distraught parents, who visited Ladoja at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, along with the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, said the kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if they did not pay the N1 billion ransom within 24 hours.

This came on a day when the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue of the PCMs and other abducted passengers.

Last Thursday, gunmen attacked the 20 PCMs, who had travelled from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while on their way to NYSC orientation camps in different vehicles.

Accusation

Some of their parents accused the transport company that conveyed them from Ibadan of allegedly withholding vital passenger information when they approached its office for assistance.

The parents alleged that when they visited Eduak King Transport Company in Samonda, Ibadan, in a desperate search for information that could help them contact other affected families, the company refused to provide the list of next of kin of passengers aboard the ill-fated vehicle.

One of the affected mothers, Mrs Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Akande, was among the abducted graduates, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the government to investigate the transport operator and ensure that those found culpable were held accountable.

She said: “Please, our government and the Inspector-General of Police should help us investigate the transport company, Eduak King, located at Samonda, and put fear into them. Call them to order. “Yesterday morning at their office, we were asking for the next-of-kin list so we could contact other parents, but they refused to present it or assist us. They must be held accountable.”

Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, whose daughter was also among the victims, expressed concern over what he described as the company’s continued transport operations despite the abduction and the distress the incident had caused the affected families.

According to him, the parents were surprised to find the company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises to seek information and assistance.

He said: “We went to Samonda, to Eduak King. Surprisingly, they were already loading another vehicle. People are complaining. The company should be held liable.”

Plea to Olubadan

But speaking at the Olubadan’s residence, yesterday, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, who spoke on behalf of the families, said the kidnappers had been calling since Friday, demanding N50 million for each victim.

“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”

They appealed to the Olubadan and the police commissioner to intervene urgently, expressing fears that the lives of their children could be in danger if the abductors carried out their threats.

Responding to the appeal, Oba Ladoja assured the families that concerted efforts were being made by security agencies to rescue the abducted graduates alive and unhurt.

He said: “I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you. The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children.”

Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, disclosed that he had been in constant communication with his counterpart in Imo State since the incident occurred, expressing confidence that the victims would be rescued safely.

“I had already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.

However, the police commissioner did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid by the families or provide specific details of the ongoing rescue operations.

Deployment

Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, in a statement, yesterday, said IGP Disu had deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.

Iniedu said the DIG arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.

He said the DIG also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and operational assets, and provided further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.

Iniedu added: “The police are working in close coordination with sister security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and the apprehension of the perpetrators. The DIG Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, assured members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded.

“He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant and encouraged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to promptly contact the police or the nearest security formation. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality. Further updates will be issued as the operation progresses.”