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We Were Assured By Soldiers That We Will Not Be Caught – Suspected Vandals

Published

10 years ago

June 22, 2016

The police has arrested a group of suspected vandals for engaging in oil bunkering around the creeks in the Festac Town area of Lagos State.

The suspects – Johnson Igadu, 25, Daniel Poku, 25, and 26-year-old Sterling Longlife – told Punch Metro that they carried out the operation after allegedly getting assurances from some military officers that nothing would go wrong.

The suspects, who were paraded on Tuesday at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’, Lagos State Command headquarters in Ikeja, said their kingpin, identified as Soji, was still at large.

They alleged that the soldiers colluded with them in the operation.

Punch Metro gathered that Soji had on May 21, 2016 engaged the suspects to convey 10 barrels of fuel in a boat from 7th Avenue, Festac Town, to a place called Ghana village, saying he had “settled” the military men monitoring the waterways in the area.

It was learnt that the gang had scaled through with the fuel at two checkpoints reportedly manned by soldiers before luck ran out on them.

Igadu, who hails from Warri, Delta State, said he could not tell why the operation went wrong as his friend, Poku, had allegedly spoken with a soldier on the phone who assured them of safety.

He said, “I came to Lagos two months ago. Soji called us to bring 10 barrels of fuel from a creek on 7th Avenue, Festac Town. We went there to carry the fuel to Ghana village. We knew there were soldiers in the area, but he said he had already paid them and that we should not be afraid.

“He sent Poku’s number to one of the soldiers to call us when it was safe to get the fuel. The soldier called Poku and said we should come to carry the fuel. That was why we got the confidence to move.

“We carried the fuel around 12.30am and left in their presence. We passed the first two checkpoints. The soldiers there checked the fuel and told us to go.

“When we got to the third checkpoint, we heard gunshots. We fled the boat and escaped through the waterways. We ran to a man and begged him to allow us pass the night at his house. But he alerted the vigilantes around the area who handed us over to the police. The police handed us over to the army and we were later transferred to the NSCDC.”

Twenty-five-year-old Poku, an indigene of Delta State, said he had declined to embark on the deal but Soji persuaded him.

“I am a businessman. I came to Lagos to hustle. I later met Soji. He engaged the three of us to carry the fuel to Ghana village and promised to give us N10,000 each. I told him soldiers were around the area and he said he had settled them.

“The soldiers at the checkpoints knew we were carrying fuel but they did not stop us. It was at the third checkpoint that some of them started shooting. Maybe Soji didn’t settle those soldiers,” he said.

Ondo State-born Longlife, a mechanic, confirmed the statements of the other two suspects.

“I decided to do the job on that day because I did not have money. I have realised the errand he sent us was wrong. I beg the government to forgive me,” he added.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the 81 Division, Lt.-Col. Kingsley Samuel, refuted the suspects’ allegations, saying they could have mistaken the officers of other forces for soldiers.

He said, “That is an allegation from suspects; it is spurious. Can they identify the soldiers? The Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Navy wear the same camouflage. There is uniformity in the camouflage, so you can’t tell who is a soldier, an air force officer or a naval officer.

“Operation MESSA is not made up of soldiers alone. We cannot speak on the allegation now because we don’t know those paraded and we were not informed of the parade.”

The Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Tajudeen Balogun, said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation, adding that the corps would continue to track down pipeline vandals sabotaging the country’s economy.

He said, “About 2,500 litres of petrol was recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing. We will charge them to court at the end of our investigation.”

Punch

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Buratai Celebrates Tinubu’s Bold Move: A New Dawn for North East Roads.

Published

5 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Buratai Celebrates Tinubu’s Bold Move: A New Dawn for North East Roads.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), CFR, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the N1.245 trillion Gombe-Biu dualization project, describing it as one of the most significant infrastructure interventions in Nigeria’s North East since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Buratai expressed appreciation to the President for reviving the strategic highway, originally constructed in 1962, noting that the project aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving critical infrastructure across the country.

According to the retired army chief, the dualization of the 139-kilometre road will stimulate economic activities, facilitate trade and transportation, and strengthen regional integration among states in the North East.

Buratai also praised the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, as well as the Governors of Gombe and Borno states, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and Babagana Umara Zulum, for their collaboration and support toward the actualisation of the project.

He stressed that beyond its economic benefits, the highway would play a strategic role in enhancing national security by serving as a major military logistics corridor.

“The road will significantly improve the movement of troops, deployment of military equipment, and reinforcement of supply chains across the North East, thereby strengthening ongoing counter-insurgency operations and contributing to lasting peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Buratai described the project as a transformative investment capable of unlocking the economic potential of the region while reinforcing the government’s commitment to security, development, and national integration.

He urged residents and stakeholders to support the successful execution of the project, expressing confidence that it would deliver lasting socio-economic and security benefits to the people of the North East and the country at large.

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Akintunde Ogundare Records Another Feat, Graduates with Distinction from University of Guelph-Humber

Published

19 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Akintunde Ogundare Bags Distinction in Canada, Extends Academic Excellence Streak

A Nigerian scholar, Akintunde Ogundare, has once again demonstrated his commitment to academic excellence by graduating with Distinction from the University of Guelph-Humber, Canada, adding another prestigious qualification to an already impressive educational record.

Ogundare earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Community Social Services with Distinction, a feat that underscores years of dedication, resilience and an unwavering pursuit of knowledge.

The convocation ceremony is slated for June 15, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre, North Building, Etobicoke, Ontario, where family members, friends and associates are expected to celebrate the milestone.

The latest achievement extends Ogundare’s remarkable streak of academic success across institutions in Nigeria and Canada.
Before obtaining his latest degree, he graduated with Distinction from George Brown College, Canada, where he earned a Diploma in Social Service Work. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Second Class Upper Division from Joseph Ayo Babalola University and a Higher National Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning with Upper Credit from Lagos State Polytechnic.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Ogundare is also known for his commitment to humanitarian service and community development. He serves as Secretary of the Allmen Progressive Association, where he has played an active role in promoting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of members and supporting community-based causes. Associates describe him as a selfless leader whose passion for humanity and dedication to service have earned him widespread respect.

Colleagues and admirers have described Ogundare as a lifelong learner whose determination to excel has remained consistent despite the challenges of balancing academic pursuits with personal and professional responsibilities.

His achievements have also been hailed as an inspiration to young Nigerians seeking opportunities for academic and professional advancement, proving that discipline, perseverance and continuous self-development can yield exceptional results.

As he joins the graduating Class of 2026, Ogundare’s story stands as a testament to the value of hard work and the transformative power of education, reinforcing the belief that excellence is built through consistency and dedication.

The latest distinction not only adds another feather to his cap but also cements his reputation as a scholar and community leader committed to lifelong learning, humanitarian service and the advancement of society.

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The Unfinished Conversation: Five Years of Missing T.B. Joshua BY FEMI OYEWALE

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Unfinished Conversation: Five Years of Missing T.B. Joshua BY FEMI OYEWALE

”In life we meet to part, we part to meet, but parting is the sweetest sorrow.”

Five years have vanished like a vapor, yet the echoes of his voice remain as vivid as a morning sunrise. June 5th marks the anniversary of the transition of a man who was not merely a global religious icon, but a father, a mentor, and a beacon of profound simplicity in a complex world. As I pen this, I find myself still navigating the shores of denial. How does one write a tribute to a man whose influence was as vast as the oceans, yet whose heart remained as humble as the desert sands?

The Last Assignment

Time truly flies, but some moments are frozen in the amber of memory. I recall with poignant nostalgia that I was among the final few with whom he spoke before stepping out for his last assignment on the pulpit on June 5,2021. Unknown to many, we shared an uncommon bond—a father-son relationship that stood the test of time.

Just an hour before that glorious, final ministration, my phone rang. We discussed the fulfillment of prophecies and my planned assignment to South Africa, an assignment he promised to single-handedly finance. By God’s grace, I have traveled the globe, and ninety percent of those journeys were bankrolled by him. Before ending the call, he spoke with finality: “Femi, go and watch it.” I never knew it was a parting shot. I never knew those words would be the threshold of eternity. Perhaps that is why, despite being part of his burial media committee, I lacked the courage to write until today.

From Fear to Faith: The Beginning

My journey to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) was written in the stars of fate. Then a reporter for Encomium Weekly, under the tutelage of the legendary Mr. Kunle Bakare, I was recommended to handle media work for a “prominent client.” When the name “T.B. Joshua” was mentioned, my heart sank.

Having cut my journalistic teeth under titans like Mr. Femi Adeshina and Mr. Dele Alake, I had heard the tales, stories of monsters, of shape-shifters, of dark magic. As I drove to Ikotun, I recited every Psalm I could muster and texted my parents my destination, unsure if I would return. I arrived expecting a beast; I was introduced to a brother. I met a man so profoundly simple, so devastatingly ordinary in his humility, that if not for his presence on Emmanuel TV, I would have sworn I was meeting an impostor. That was the day the fear died, and a lifelong relationship began.

The Man Behind the Mantle

I am not here to validate a legend; I am here to honor a human. I have been privileged to stand in his office, his personal room, his private altar, and his prayer house. What did I find? Not a demigod, but a man who lived for others.

A Heart of Forgiveness: Like the father in Luke 15, no matter the depth of the offense, a sincere “I am sorry” was all it took to be welcomed back into his fold.

The Weight of Misunderstanding: I remember the pain of the building collapse. He asked me, with tears that shattered my heart, “Femi, can you believe they said I used these people for rituals?” That was the first time I saw the iron man break.

A Channel of Healing: I recall a man brought to the prayer line who had previously declared, “Even if T.B. Joshua is the devil, if he can take this pain away, I am ready.” The moment those words left his lips, the Prophet walked over, touched him, and the healing was instantaneous.

He was a comedian, a teacher, a preacher, and above all, a man who loved his family and his ministry with every fiber of his being. If most clergy possessed even half the global influence he wielded, they would have long ago become arrogant demigods. T.B. Joshua remained, to his last breath, a servant.

A Legacy Enduring

It has been five years, yet it feels like yesterday. Many of those who cast stones in the shadows often came seeking his light in secret. Today, as we remember him, I see that legacy thriving. Prophetess Evelyn Joshua is truly holding the torch, preserving the foundation with grace and strength.

Good morning, Prophet T.B. Joshua. You live on in the lives you changed, the doors you opened, and the heart of your many disciples who will never forget the man who taught them that true greatness is found in the simplicity of love.

”He was a man globally misunderstood, yet a man whose name alone opened doors globally. He lived for others, and in doing so, he became immortal.”