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 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.”

By Philip Nyam, Abuja

The Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Hon. Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of elder statesman, businessman and politician, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, CON, who died Saturday in Abuja at the age of 90.

Hon. Namdas, who is also the Deputy Coordinator of Arewa for Tinubu described the late Tukur as “A towering figure in Nigeria’s political and economic history whose service to the nation spanned more than six decades.”

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a patriot, a mentor, and a bridge-builder. From his time as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, to Governor of the old Gongola State, Minister of Industries, and later as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, dedicated his life to nation building,” Hon. Namdas said.

Hon. Namdas noted that the late Tafidan Adamawa was also a renowned businessman who founded the DADDO Group of Companies, and served with distinction as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

“His wisdom, humility, and commitment to unity will be sorely missed not only by the people of Adamawa, but by all Nigerians. He lived a life of service, and his legacy will continue to inspire present and future generations,” Hon. Namdas added.

The BCDA boss extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, Governor Adamu Fintiri, the government and people of Adamawa State and the entire nation. He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Aljannah Firdaus.

“On behalf of my family and constituents, I stand with the Tukur family in this moment of grief. May Allah grant us the fortitude to bear this great loss,” the statement concluded.