Suspected kidnappers have shot a tomato farmer, Daniel Adesida, and abducted his wife during an attack at their residence along Oda Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said officers responded promptly to the incident after receiving a distress call.
“Upon receiving the distress call, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, ensured the injured victim was rescued at the police clinic for medical attention, and secured the area,” Jimoh said.
READ ALSO: ‘There Will Be No Sacred Cows,’ IGP Disu Tells Police Officers
He stated that the commissioner of police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered an immediate manhunt for the suspects.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered intensified patrols, bush combing operations, and intelligence gathering within the affected area and adjoining communities with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Jimoh assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted woman and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He asked members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest police station.
How Incident Happened
Sources told Channels Television that the assailants stormed the residence and attempted to abduct Adesida’s wife.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the federal government’s ongoing tax reforms are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and reduce the burden on small businesses and low-income earners, rather than impoverish them.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast held at the State House to mark the observances of Ramadan and Lent.
According to the vice president, the tax reforms are aimed at eliminating multiple levies and charges that have long burdened small businesses and ordinary Nigerians.
He said the policies were carefully designed to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty, contrary to claims by critics of the administration.
“The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise further and pauperise the poor are far from the truth, but we have to go out and tell the truth to the people.
“We have to educate them. We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth,” Shettima said.
READ ALSO: New Tax Laws Don’t Impose 25% Levy On Building Materials, Others — Presidential Committee
He urged senior government officials to serve as advocates of the administration’s reforms by communicating the policies and their benefits to citizens across the country.
The vice president also highlighted some outcomes of the government’s broader economic reforms, including improved foreign exchange reserves, the streamlining of exchange rates, and the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy.
Shettima commended President Tinubu for what he described as the courage to address structural economic challenges that previous administrations had avoided.
The former Borno State governor said that although the removal of the fuel subsidy was not initially mentioned in the President’s 2023 inaugural speech, the decision became necessary because the subsidy regime was draining national resources needed for development.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” he said.
The vice president also expressed appreciation to government officials for their continued support of the administration’s policies.
“On behalf of the president, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support, and partnership,” he added.
Tax Reforms
Taiwo Oyedele’s team masterminded Nigeria’s new tax laws. Photo: X@aonanuga1956
Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Reform Acts, which took effect January 1, 2026, aim to simplify tax administration, remove nuisance taxes, and shift the burden from low-income earners to high-income individuals and large corporations.
It was signed into law last year after months of controversy and heated debates by Nigerians, especially the opposition members and civil society organisations.
The four bills – the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill – were passed by the National Assembly last year after months of extensive debates.
With the tax laws, lower-income earners benefit from higher income tax thresholds, while small businesses with lower turnover may receive exemptions.
Corporate tax is reduced to 25%, and a 4% development levy plus a 15% minimum tax for large multinationals is introduced. Essential goods like food and healthcare are zero-rated for VAT.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service has been renamed the Nigeria Revenue Service to serve as the central tax agency.
Arsenal and England forward Chloe Kelly has been transformed into a Barbie doll as part of a special series to mark International Women’s Day.
Two-time European Championship winner Kelly, 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams and India cricketer Smriti Mandhana are among the sporting figures included by Mattel in its first ever “Barbie Dream Team”, which it says “honours women who led the way in their industries”.
“To be a Barbie role model is so special,” said Kelly, 28. “To have my very own one-of-a-kind doll – I’m very proud of that.
“You don’t really believe these things could happen. You always look for the trophies and the wins on the pitch but, off the pitch, this is a massive win.”
She added: “As a young girl, you dreamed of having these moments but they never seemed to be the case that they could come true.”
Kelly was a key member of the England squads that won the past two European Championships.
She scored the Lionesses’ extra-time winner at Wembley that secured victory over Germany in the 2022 final, then netted the winning penalty in a shootout against Spain that retained the trophy in Switzerland last summer.
Kelly was also involved as England reached the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
It’s been 579 days since Rhys McClenaghan produced the best pommel horse routine of his life and achieved his lifelong dream of becoming the Olympic champion.
That glorious moment needed to be enjoyed and savoured.
What the 26 year-old didn’t know was that he’d get too much time on the sidelines.
A shoulder injury, that required surgery, has meant McClenaghan hasn’t competed since winning gold in Paris.
Now he is preparing for his much anticipated return to action at the Apparatus World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan (March 5-8) – and even the Olympic champion is admitting he’ll be nervous.
“Oh, most certainly,” McClenaghan told BBC Sport NI.
“I don’t think I’ve had this much of a break from competition, so I’m sure I’ll be nervous.
“I’m nervous at every competition I do, but that’s all part of the fun.
Getty Images
McClenaghan will compete at four World Cups ahead of a big summer with three major events – the Commonwealth Games, European and World Championships.
The Los Angeles Olympics are now just two years away, honing into view very quickly, and the world of gymnastics didn’t stop while McClenaghan was out of action.
As with every Olympic cycle some athletes retire or take time off, and there are always new kids on the block looking to move the sport forward – even old faces like two-time Olympic champion Max Whitlock announcing his return to the sport.
McClenaghan may have the Grand Slam of Olympic champion, two World titles, three European titles and a Commonwealth Games gold tucked away, but the Newtownards gymnast knows the biggest challenges lie ahead.
“I know that there’s a tough challenge ahead of me in any competition I go to,” McClenaghan added.
“In this sport there’s definitely no room to be content with previous results. There’s these younger guys coming from junior into senior, and they’re so good on pommel horse.
“It’s like a new generation of pommel horse workers, but I’m certainly up for the challenge. I can see pathways of beating each and every one of them, and I look forward to figuring that out like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
“I feel like the last year I was pretty content and rightfully so, but it was a struggle of a year where I was injured constantly.
It’s been 579 days since Rhys McClenaghan produced the best pommel horse routine of his life and achieved his dream of becoming the Olympic champion.
That glorious moment needed to be enjoyed and savoured.
What the 26 year-old didn’t know was that he’d get too much time on the sidelines.
A shoulder injury, that required surgery, has meant McClenaghan hasn’t competed since winning gold in Paris.
Now he is preparing for his much anticipated return to action at the Apparatus World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan (March 5-8) – and even the Olympic champion is admitting he’ll be nervous.
“Oh, most certainly,” McClenaghan told BBC Sport NI.
“I don’t think I’ve had this much of a break from competition, so I’m sure I’ll be nervous.
“I’m nervous at every competition I do, but that’s all part of the fun.
Getty Images
McClenaghan will compete at four World Cups ahead of a big summer with three major events – the Commonwealth Games, European and World Championships.
The Los Angeles Olympics are now just two years away, honing into view very quickly, and the world of gymnastics didn’t stop while McClenaghan was out of action.
As with every Olympic cycle some athletes retire or take time off, and there are always new kids on the block looking to move the sport forward – even old faces like two-time Olympic champion Max Whitlock announcing his return to the sport.
McClenaghan may have the Grand Slam of Olympic champion, two World titles, three European titles and a Commonwealth Games gold tucked away, but the Newtownards gymnast knows the biggest challenges lie ahead.
“I know that there’s a tough challenge ahead of me in any competition I go to,” McClenaghan added.
“In this sport there’s definitely no room to be content with previous results. There’s these younger guys coming from junior into senior, and they’re so good on pommel horse.
“It’s like a new generation of pommel horse workers, but I’m certainly up for the challenge. I can see pathways of beating each and every one of them, and I look forward to figuring that out like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
“I feel like the last year I was pretty content and rightfully so, but it was a struggle of a year where I was injured constantly.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters he wants de-escalation of the Iran attacks but said he couldn’t rule out his country’s military participation. He was speaking alongside Australia’s prime minister during a visit to Canberra.
