By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nigerian national Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, wanted in the United States on multiple fraud charges.

Adediran, 56, is accused of bank fraud, identity document fraud, and credit card fraud linked to crimes allegedly committed in Illinois as far back as 2001.

Investigators said he used stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open fraudulent bank and credit accounts and attempted to cash counterfeit checks.

He fled the Central District of Illinois in December 2001, just before his federal trial was to begin.

A warrant was issued on January 2, 2002, for violating conditions of release.

The FBI said Adediran has ties to South Florida and remains at large. He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

He is also known to use aliases including Kevin Olumide Adediran, Eric O. Williams, Maxo Alexandre, Olumide Adkins, and Edward N. Anderson.

The bureau is urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the FBI or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

By Huldah Shado

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command on Monday confirmed the arrest of four suspected members of a notorious robbery gang linked to the killing of popular disc jockey, Bashir Dauda, popularly known as DJ Bash, during an attack in Abuja.

In a statement shared on X, the command said the arrests followed a series of coordinated operations carried out between September 3 and 19 across the FCT and Niger State.

Those arrested include: Ibrahim Shaibu, 28, alias Baba Godes, from Zaria, Kaduna State, Yusuf Salihu, 40, from Kagini, FCT, Awulu Nuhu, 25, alias Zabi, from Keita LGA, Katsina State and Usman Yerima, 28, alias Dangrugru, from Jimeta LGA, Adamawa State.

They were tracked down and apprehended in Kagini, FCT, and Madalla, Niger State.

Items recovered during the operations include two English-made pistols, 49 rounds of live 9mm ammunition, a gray 2012 Toyota Corolla, and 10 Android phones suspected to be stolen.

According to the police, the suspects confessed to involvement in several violent crimes, including the armed robbery of one Umar Y. Gowa at Hillside Estate, Dawaki, and the raid on Volcano Peak Court Hotel, Gwarinpa, where DJ Bash was shot dead and guests were dispossessed of valuables.

Investigations further revealed that the gang had terrorised Dawaki and Gwarinpa residents with repeated assaults, some of which were captured on CCTV cameras.

The command added that the suspects had provided useful information to help trace other members of the syndicate still at large, assuring that efforts were ongoing to apprehend all those connected to the crimes.

By Onilede Titi Faith

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its plan to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, setting December 2025 as the deadline for the reform.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Creating Hope Through Action.”

Globally observed on September 10, WSPD seeks to raise awareness on suicide prevention.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 720,000 people die from suicide annually, making it the third leading cause of death among people aged 15-29.

About 73 per cent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

In Nigeria, suicide survivors are still prosecuted under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes. Experts argue that this punitive framework discourages help-seeking and deepens stigma.

To address the challenge, the government inaugurated a National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in October 2024, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe.

The task force was mandated to guide Nigeria’s transition from punishment to a health-oriented approach.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Prof. Pate noted that significant milestones had been achieved, including a government white paper on decriminalisation and a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021.

The proposed National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025 seeks to repeal punitive provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes, explicitly decriminalise attempted suicide, bar prosecution of survivors, and ensure access to care and support.

“The draft has been adopted as the ministry’s official position and has undergone consultations with the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“Next, I will be presenting a memo to the Federal Executive Council for an Executive Bill on decriminalisation,” Pate said.

Mental health advocates have long argued that criminalising attempted suicide worsens stigma and prevents survivors from accessing care.

The government’s commitment signals a major shift towards a compassionate, health-based approach to suicide prevention in Nigeria.