Two Remaining Kidnapped Cocoa Farmers Regain Freedom, Suspects Arrested

The efforts of security agents, vigilantes, and community leaders have yielded results as the two remaining Cocoa farmers abducted from the Cocos Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) have regained freedom.

It was learnt that a combined security team’s coordinated approach helped secure the release of the remaining two farmers who were kidnapped during a visit to the CRIN in Ibadan on Saturday.

It was also learnt that police were able to secure the arrest of the three suspected kidnappers in connection with the incident, barely 24 hours after.

It was not clear if any ransom was paid for their release, but reports have it that their abductors made demands.

READ ALSO: Two Remaining Kidnapped Cocoa Farmers Regain Freedom, Suspects Arrested

However, the Chairman of the Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, who actively assisted in the search, confirmed in a telephone conversation that all the victims have been released.

He added that their release was made possible through the concerted efforts of the combined team of the police, the Directorate of State Services, Western Security Network, code named Amotekun, and Oluyole local vigilance group.

He stated that the rescue team had handed over the victims to the police.

Olatunji added that the team was coordinated by the Security Adviser to the Oyo state governor, CP Fatai Owoseni (retd).

The local government boss thanked the team for their concerted efforts, even as he assured residents of the area of his willingness to always collaborate with the relevant security agencies.

NYSC Mourns Ogun Corps Member, Confirms Arrest Of Employee

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has mourned a female corps member who died in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from complications linked to an alleged abortion.

In a statement on Saturday, the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, confirmed that a staff member was under investigation in connection with the incident.

She said the agency was “deeply saddened by the loss of a Corps Member… under circumstances that are currently being investigated.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the peaceful repose of her soul,” the NYSC said.

READ ALSO: Ogun Police Arrest NYSC Official Over Death Of Female Corps Member

It added that “the matter is currently under investigation by relevant security agencies, and the individual concerned has been taken into custody.

“We wish to use this medium to reiterate that the NYSC maintains a strict code of conduct for its staff and corps members and will not condone any act of misconduct or abuse of office,” it added.

The NYSC said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure that the truth is established and justice served.

It also urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course.

“In the meantime, management wishes to state, once again, that the welfare, safety, and dignity of our corps members remain paramount to the scheme,” the statement added.

Police Arrest NYSC Official

Meanwhile, the police authorities in Ogun State have arrested the Abeokuta South local government inspector of the NYSC in connection with the death of a female youth corps member.

The Command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspect, identified as Abbas Olalekan, was taken in following the death of the lady on Tuesday.

“I can confirm to you that the man has been arrested and investigations are ongoing to unravel both the remote and immediate causes of the death,” he said.

Sources alleged that the LGI and the deceased were in a relationship, which eventually led to the pregnancy.

Power Outage Hits Lagos Communities After Gas Tanker Explosion

A power outage has hit some Lagos communities following a gas tanker explosion that occurred on the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Saturday.

The affected areas are Medallion Company, Sangotedo, Majek, Awoyaya, Eputu, Lakowe, Lasoro, Fidiso to Kolajo, and Elemoro Police Station.

READ ALSO: Two Killed, Goods Damaged As Gas Tanker Explodes In Lagos — LASG Fire Service

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company confirmed this in a statement on Saturday.

It explained that the resulting fire led to significant damage to the Ibeju and Medallion 33kV feeders.

The Disco also noted that critical conductors and overhead line equipment were affected, disrupting power supply in the affected areas.

“Please be informed that the current power outage was caused by a fire incident that occurred last night following a vehicle collision with a stationary gas tanker. The resulting fire led to significant damage to the Ibeju and Medallion 33kV feeders, including critical conductors and overhead line equipment.

“This unexpected incident has disrupted power supply in the affected areas. Our technical team is working diligently to replace the damaged components and restore power supply as quickly and safely as possible.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen incident and thank you,” the EKEDC stated on its X handle.

Massive Explosion

Properties worth thousands of naira while two people were reportedly burnt beyond recognition when a gas tanker and a tipper truck collided on the expressway, resulting in a massive explosion on Saturday.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said that the accident occurred at 02:36 a.m.

It was reported that an oncoming speeding 20-tonne tipper truck from Epe end rammed from behind into a stationary 30-tonne gas truck that failed to pull over from the highway.

It led to a fire spreading to three adjoining warehouses and 10 roadside shops, including a gym and generator house, before it was eventually put out.

Although the fire service said the incident was later brought under control, it disclosed that three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla car, and a forklift parked within the aforementioned properties were recovered.

Court Restrains Parties In Ex-Gov’s Estate Dispute, Orders Accelerated Hearing

An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining parties in the ongoing dispute over the estate of the late former governor of Oyo State, Christopher Alao-Akala, from selling, disposing of, or entering into any form of transaction on the contested properties pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The order followed an application filed by Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, who approached the court as claimant/applicant in Suit No. I/443/2024, seeking judicial intervention over the administration of the estate of the deceased politician.

Joined as defendants/respondents in the suit are Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, listed in the court processes as executors and administrators of the estate of the late former governor.

Ruling on the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction, the court granted the relief sought by the claimant, thereby restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, assigns, privies or any person acting through them from selling or continuing to sell, disposing of, or entering into joint venture agreements in respect of properties belonging to the late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

The application was brought pursuant to Order 48, Rules 4 and 6, and Order 49 of the High Court of Oyo State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

READ ALSO: Court Restrains Sowore, Sahara Reporters From Publishing Content On IGP Egbetokun, Family

In granting the application, the court also ordered accelerated hearing of the case in order to ensure speedy dispensation of the matter.

The claimant had told the court that she has a legal and equitable interest in the estate and properties of the late politician, being his first daughter.

She further alleged that some assets belonging to the estate had been sold without her consent, agreement or knowledge, while steps were allegedly being taken to dispose of other properties or enter into joint venture arrangements involving assets of the deceased.

According to the application, the claimant argued that there was an urgent need for the court to halt further transactions relating to the properties in order to protect her rights, interests and entitlements in the estate.

The claimant also contended that failure to grant the injunction could result in continued sale or disposal of the assets, which she said might cause irreversible damage to her interest in the estate of the late former governor.

With the interlocutory injunction now in force and accelerated hearing ordered by the court, further proceedings in the case are expected to focus on the substantive issues surrounding the administration and ownership of properties forming part of the late politician’s estate.

Meanwhile, during proceedings in the matter, an additional application seeking that DNA tests be conducted among the siblings connected to the dispute was also moved before the court.

Following arguments on the application, the court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, for ruling on the request for DNA testing.

Welbeck Scores Twice As Brighton Dent Liverpool’s Top-Five Hopes

Danny Welbeck scored twice as Brighton beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday to deal a major blow to the Reds’ push for a Champions League spot next season.

READ ALSO: Liverpool Suffer Salah Blow In Chase For Champions League

Arne Slot’s men came into the match on the sunny south coast in buoyant mood after hammering Galatasaray 4-0 in midweek to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

But a goal in each half from the evergreen Welbeck gave the home team a fourth win in five Premier League matches, keeping alive their own hopes of European football next season.

Liverpool were missing both goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Mohamed Salah at the Amex Stadium.

And they suffered a further injury blow early in the game when top scorer Hugo Ekitike hobbled off with an apparent dead leg after a firm challenge from former Liverpool stalwart James Milner.

The champions found themselves behind when Welbeck scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season in the 14th minute, nodding home from close range after Diego Gomez headed a cross-field pass back across the goal.

That made the 35-year-old former Manchester United and Arsenal forward the top English goalscorer in the league this season.

Liverpool found some rhythm after falling behind, and Alexis Mac Allister went close to an equaliser in the 22nd minute, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen got down smartly low to his left to claw the ball away.

However, the visitors were level in the 30th minute after some clever opportunism from left-back Milos Kerkez, capitalising on an error from Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, who paid the price for heading a high ball back to his goalkeeper without looking behind him.

Hungary defender Kerkez nipped in and produced a composed finish, flicking the ball over the stranded Verbruggen.

Brighton started the second half brightly and were back in front in the 56th minute, with Welbeck again on the scoresheet.

Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on March 21, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Yankuba Minteh’s pinpoint cross was played into Welbeck’s path by Jack Hinshelwood and he finished confidently, with the goal confirmed following a VAR check.

Welbeck, who made his Premier League debut for United in 2008, is enjoying his highest-scoring season in the league.

Slot threw on teenager Rio Ngumoha, Andy Robertson, and Federico Chiesa in a desperate search for an equaliser, but it was Brighton who remained the more threatening team.

Defeat leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa and one ahead of Chelsea, with the top five almost certain to qualify for the Champions League next season.

The club’s Premier League title defence collapsed earlier in the season, but they remain alive in the Champions League and face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals early next month.

Liverpool’s Brazilian international goalkeeper Alisson posted on social media that he would be “out of action for a while”.

US Military Claims Iran Threat To Hormuz ‘Degraded’

The US military said on Saturday that Iran’s ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz has been “degraded” by the bombing this week of an underground facility where it stored cruise missiles and other weaponry.

READ ALSO: Far From War, Global Fuel Frustrations Mount

With Iran mostly closing off the Strait, the gateway for one-fifth of the world’s oil, the US military has brought out some of the heaviest bombs in its arsenal to penetrate adjacent missile sites.

Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, said multiple 5,000-pound bombs had been dropped on a “hardened” underground facility located along Iran’s coast that it used to store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers, and other equipment.

“We not only took out the facility, but also destroyed intelligence support sites and missile radar relays that were used to monitor ship movements,” Cooper said in a video message posted on X.

“Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result, and we will not stop pursuing these targets,” he added.

CENTCOM had revealed its use of the bunker-busting bombs on Tuesday, but in his message on Saturday, Cooper elaborated on their impact — as Washington comes under growing pressure to address the repercussions of the war on Iran on oil prices and global commerce.

The standoff in the Strait has sent crude oil prices soaring, with a barrel of North Sea Brent crude up more than 50 percent over the past month and now more than $105 a barrel.

On Friday, Trump slammed NATO allies as “cowards” and called on them to secure the Strait.

He also said that the United States was close to meeting its military objectives and considering “winding down” its military efforts in the Middle East.

Cooper said that the US military has so far struck over 8,000 military targets, including 130 Iranian vessels, in the past three weeks.

The 5,000-pound (2,268-kg) bombs — which, according to an Air Force Times report in 2022, cost an estimated $288,000 each — are less powerful than the 30,000-pound (13,600-kg) bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites last year.