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Dismissed Soldier Nabbed For Internet Fraud In Ondo
A dismissed soldier, Ayobami Onigbinde, who was laid off for using fake credentials to get an appointment into the military has been arrested in Ondo State for defrauding unsuspecting businessmen through internet banking to the tune of over N600,000 within a month.
The dismissed soldier was paraded alongside an accomplice, Aroyeun Oladayo, and 15 other suspected criminals terrorising the people of the state.
Also paraded were two notorious cult members including an ex-convict who reportedly abducted two young girls, locked them in the house of one of their members and gang-raped them for two days.
The rapists include Tunde Akinwumi 20, and Tunde Akinboyewa, 25, said to be an ex-convict.
Suspects paraded were alleged to have been involved in armed robberies, serial raping of under aged girls, cult activities, kidnapping and stealing of motorcycles at gun point.
The dismissed soldiers, according to the state police commissioner, Udie Adie, usually pose to their victims as soldiers who just returned from the Boko Haram zone in Maiduguri, Borno State and were stranded.
Parading the suspected internet fraudsters, the state police commissioner said the suspects do complain of not having cash to their victims and they collect goods and generate fake electronic money transfer alert on their own phones. This, according to him, is shown to the victims as proof that they have paid for what they collected.
In an interview, the dismissed soldier, Ayobami said: “I was dismissed from the military because I used fake credentials to get an appointment into the military”.
“It was when I wanted to do my passing out parade that the military intelligence caught me. They detected that I used a fake state of origin. I was born in Kwara State. But my state of origin is Osun State.
“I got the apps of the bank. I usually tell the people that I am a soldier from Maiduguri fighting Boko Haram and that I wanted to do a bank transfer.
“I use any bank apps. I will send a bank alert to the person. It was one of the persons I sent fake bank alert to that tracked my number and I was arrested. I made N600.000 in one month of doing the business.
However, the commissioner of police said: “a team of detectives from the anti-cultism squad, Akure acting on a tipoff, arrested one Ayobami, 28 and Oladayo, 22.
“In perpetrating their act, the duo will present themselves as army officers and proceed to obtain either goods or money from their unsuspecting victims and generate fake electronic money transfer alert on their own phones which they show to the victims as proof that they have paid for what they collected.
“The victims are then deceived to believe that they will soon receive their credit alert as delays are often due to network problems. Upon interrogation, they confessed to have so defrauded one Eze Patrick and 18 others.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene