By Nick Ibe

For alleged kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old e-hailing driver in Cape Town, South African police have arrested two women and other suspects.

South African Police Service said this in a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday.

“Steenberg police rescued a 25-year-old e-hailing driver after he was raped and held at ransom by two female suspects and three males yesterday,” the statement said.

According to the Police, the victim’s brother alerted them after the suspects contacted him and demanded R4,000 for his release.

“They located the victim through his vehicle tracker and found him at Southampton Road in Heathfield,” the statement added.

Police said the victim had met one of the female suspects the previous week through his e-hailing business.

“They exchanged numbers and communicated throughout the week and eventually made arrangements to meet today.

“When he went to meet her, he was kidnapped by the suspects and the females raped him,” police said.

The two women are aged 23 and 34, while the three males are 16, 42 and 48.

The five arrested suspects, according to the police would appear before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 14.

By Felix Umande

The Benue State Government has issued stern warnings to purveyors of fake news and vandals, vowing prosecution of anyone caught spreading disinformation or destroying public infrastructure across the state.

In two separate statements signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Chief Solomon Iorpev, on Monday, September 14, 2026, the government debunked a viral claim about plans to demolish the CAN Secretariat and announced the commencement of arrests over the wanton destruction of billboards and public utilities.

The government described as “false, baseless, and completely detached from the truth” a social media publication alleging that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration has concluded plans to demolish the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Secretariat in Makurdi.

“We state, without equivocation, that this claim is false,” Iorpev said.

“His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is a proud product of the Church. His administration has consistently demonstrated respect, support, and partnership with religious institutions across Benue State, including CAN.”

He added that “no such plan has ever been conceived, discussed, or contemplated by this government” and that the allegation was “a deliberate fabrication designed to incite disaffection between the government and the church, and to destabilize the peace our State currently enjoys.”

The Commissioner reaffirmed government’s commitment to a “cordial, mutually respectful, and productive relationship” with CAN and other religious bodies.

The government warned that circulating false information to incite public disaffection is a criminal offence under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“The Benue State Government wishes to put mischief-makers, rumor peddlers, and purveyors of disinformation on notice. Individuals found culpable will be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.

“The government will not fold its arms while unscrupulous elements exploit the social media to sow discord and mislead the public.”

In a related development, the government announced it has commenced the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the destruction of public utilities and billboards.

“This reckless and criminal conduct, which has resulted in the loss of valuable public and private investments, will no longer be tolerated under any guise whatsoever,” Iorpev stated.

He said security agencies have been directed to intensify surveillance, and that “several suspects have already been arrested and are currently in police custody, and will be arraigned in court shortly.”

The government declared there will be “no sacred cows,” and that no political, social, or personal affiliation will shield offenders.

“This is a final and unequivocal warning to those with such destructive tendencies to desist immediately,” the Commissioner warned. “Anyone caught, henceforth, will be dealt with decisively and squarely, in accordance with the law.”

Members of the public were urged to report acts of vandalism to the nearest security agency, as “protecting public infrastructure is a collective responsibility.”

By Felix Umande

The Benue State Government has debunked a viral social media claim alleging that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia plans to demolish the Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Makurdi, describing it as “false, baseless, and completely detached from the truth.”

In a statement on Monday, September 14, 2026, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Chief Solomon Iorpev, said the report was a deliberate fabrication aimed at inciting disaffection between the government and the Church.

The government said the allegation was malicious and intended to destabilize the peace currently enjoyed in the state.

“We state, without equivocation, that this claim is false, baseless, and completely detached from the truth,” Iorpev stated.
“His Excellency Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia is a proud product of the Church. His administration has consistently demonstrated respect, support, and partnership with religious institutions across Benue State, including CAN.”

He added: “No such plan, as falsely alleged, has ever been conceived, discussed, or contemplated by this government. Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate fabrication designed to incite disaffection between the government and the Church.”

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Alia administration’s commitment to maintaining a “cordial, mutually respectful, and productive relationship” with CAN and other religious organizations in the state.

He urged members of the public, the media, and residents to disregard the publication, stressing that it does not reflect the position, policy, or intention of the government.

The government also warned that the circulation of false information to incite public disaffection or damage the reputation of government institutions is a criminal offence under Nigerian law, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“The Benue State Government wishes to put mischief-makers, rumour peddlers, and purveyors of disinformation on notice. Individuals found culpable will be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.

“The government will not fold its arms while unscrupulous elements exploit the social media to sow discord and mislead the public.”