Business
Cult group, Badoo strikes again, breaks Pastor’s head with Mortar in Ikorodu
A minister with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Wale Solomon, is battling for his life in an undisclosed hospital on the Lagos Island after he was allegedly attacked by some cult members suspected to be Badoo.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the father of three was sleeping with his family in their house on Obayemi Street, First Gate, Ikorodu, when the hoodlums stormed the house around 2am on Saturday.
The men were said to have smashed the mortar on the victim’s head and injured him in different parts of his body.
His wife was reportedly aroused from sleep by the cry of pain of the husband as she ran out of the house to call for help.
Some neighbours reportedly ran to the house and found the victim in a pool of blood, with the mortar by his side.
They were said to have alerted policemen from the Sagamu Road Division.
Anthony was rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, from where he was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, and was further referred to the undisclosed hospital.
A resident, Bola Odunsi, said the incident threw the community into commotion.
She said, “They invaded First Gate on Saturday and entered the man’s house while he was asleep with his wife and kids. They came with a big mortar, which they used to smash the man’s head.
“The noise woke up the wife and on sensing danger, she rushed out and called for help. People came out and saw the man bleeding from different parts of his body. They rushed him to a private hospital in the area from where he was referred to General Hospital, Ikorodu.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that policemen from the Sagamu Road Division, who were alerted by residents, arrived in the area later, but could not find any of the culprits.
A woman, who lived close to the victim’s house, told our correspondent that Solomon was responding to treatment at the hospital where he was taken to.
He said, “He was transferred from the General Hospital, Ikorodu, to LASUTH and from there, he was taken to a specialist hospital on the Lagos Island. I was told he still bleeds from the nose and ears. But the family is hopeful that God will take control.”
Another resident said the pastor’s house was prone to attack because it was uncompleted and without a fence.
“The house is an uncompleted building; he lives there alone with his wife and children. The man has been trying to finish the building, but he appeared not to have the funds.
“I think the family was lucky that the woman ran out to call for help on time, because Badoo members always wipe out the household they attack. They left behind the mortar that they used to break the man’s head,” she added.
PUNCH Metro gathered that a suspected member of the gang was caught on Sunday by some residents.
The suspect was reportedly beaten to a pulp and was about to be lynched when a traditional ruler in the community intervened and begged that he be handed over to the police.
However, some members of a vigilance group, known as Onyabo, reportedly took the suspect away to an unknown place.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the attack, saying the command was investigating the case.
He said, “On Saturday, June 10, 2017, at about 2.10am, we got a report that a man was attacked by suspected cult members at about 2am of the same date. During the attack, he sustained injuries and was rushed to a public hospital for treatment. When we got to the scene of the incident, the hoodlums had taken to their heels. Investigations are ongoing.”
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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