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The girl caught everyone’s attention during the flight because of her strange behavior

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Pacific Airlines flight 739 was about to take off from San Francisco to New York. In the terminal, hurried passengers made their final adjustments before boarding. Among them was a 7-year-old girl with blonde hair and curious eyes, holding her father’s hand tightly. She wore a light blue dress, a soft contrast to the bustling airport atmosphere. Her father, a stern-looking man, seemed distant, almost absent, as he typed frantically on his phone…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

 

Inside the plane, flight attendant Daniel was making the final preparations for takeoff. Tall and with a welcoming smile, Daniel was known for his ability to handle any situation on board while always maintaining calm and courtesy.

He walked through the aisles, checking the overhead compartments and ensuring all passengers were comfortable. As he passed row 12, Daniel noticed the girl and her father settling into their seats. The girl looked directly at him, her large eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and something more, perhaps a plea for help. Daniel smiled at her and continued his walk, but the feeling that something was off remained.

The cabin was filled with murmurs and muffled laughter as passengers got comfortable. Daniel returned to the front of the plane to give the safety instructions. He glanced at the girl’s father, who was now more focused on his phone than on his daughter.

The girl, on the other hand, seemed restless, looking around as if searching for an escape or an answer. As the doors closed and the plane began to taxi on the runway, Daniel couldn’t help but think about that girl. He had seen many children on his flights, but there was something different about her, something that intrigued and worried him at the same time.

With takeoff complete and the plane stabilized in the air, Daniel decided he would keep a close eye on row 12. The seemingly routine flight was about to turn into something much more complex and unexpected. The flight attendant, unaware, was at the start of a journey that would change both his life and that of the girl forever.

With the plane cruising, Daniel made his first round through the aisle, handing out drinks and snacks to the passengers. As he approached row 12, he noticed the girl was more agitated. She looked around with wide eyes as if searching for something or someone. Her father remained engrossed in his phone, oblivious to his daughter’s restless behavior. When Daniel offered drinks, the girl took the opportunity to speak to him. She gently tugged on his uniform sleeve and, in a low and urgent voice, said, “Sir, can I talk to you?”

Daniel crouched down to her level and smiled gently. “Of course, how can I help you?”

The girl looked nervously at her father before responding, “I’m scared. I don’t want to be here,” she whispered, her eyes filled with held-back tears. Before Daniel could respond, the father looked up, noticing the interaction. With a cold look, he pulled his daughter back to her seat.

“Don’t bother the flight attendant, Emily,” he said in a firm, controlled voice.

Daniel nodded and moved away, but the concern didn’t leave him. He continued his rounds but kept a watchful eye on row 12. Something was definitely wrong. Determined to understand the situation better, he returned to his station and watched discreetly. Shortly after, Daniel noticed Emily doing something peculiar. With subtle, careful movements, she was making signs with her hands, hiding them from her father. Daniel tried to decipher what she was trying to communicate but couldn’t fully understand. Intrigued and worried, he decided to seek help.

During a break, Daniel went to the galley and called one of his team members, Sarah. “Sarah, I need your opinion on something,” he said quickly, explaining the situation.

Sarah frowned. “Maybe she’s trying to tell you something important. You need to find out what it is without alarming her father.”

With Sarah’s new perspective, Daniel returned to the aisle. He saw that Emily was now more desperate, her signals more intense and urgent. Daniel knew he needed to act quickly but cautiously. He had to figure out what the girl was trying to communicate before it was too late. Determined to help Emily, Daniel planned a discreet approach. He took a notepad and a pen and, pretending to take drink orders, approached row 12 again. When he got close to the girl, he quickly wrote a message: “Are you in danger?” He showed the note to Emily, hiding it from her father with his body. The girl looked at the note, then at Daniel, and gave a slight affirmative nod.

Daniel felt a chill down his spine. He needed to understand more. He continued walking through the aisle, watching from a distance. Emily started making hand signals again, this time more clearly. Daniel realized she was drawing letters in the air.

It took him a few seconds to understand, but he finally deciphered the word “help,” confirming his suspicions. Daniel knew he needed to act quickly. He went back to the galley and asked Sarah to cover for him for a few minutes. Then, he went to the nearby restroom and waited for a moment when Emily could leave her seat without attracting her father’s attention.

After a few minutes, the girl managed to escape and met Daniel in the restroom. Locked in the small space, she finally opened up. “My dad, he did something bad. I don’t want to go with him. I’m scared,” she confessed. Daniel reassured her, promising that she would be safe.

“Emily, I need more details to help you. What exactly did he do?” he asked, keeping his voice calm.

Emily, with tears in her eyes, explained in a low voice, “He took me without my mom’s permission. He said we were moving somewhere else and that I would never see her again. Please, don’t let me go with him.”

Daniel’s heart tightened. He knew the situation was serious and needed immediate attention. He hugged Emily and promised he would do everything in his power to protect her. Returning to the cabin, Daniel discreetly informed the pilot about the situation, who contacted the authorities at the destination. They arranged for the police to be waiting when the plane landed. The girl went back to her seat, and Daniel kept a watchful eye as the flight continued. The mystery was beginning to unfold, and the tension on board was increasing with each passing minute.

As the plane continued its journey, Daniel kept a close watch on row 12. He needed to ensure Emily’s safety until the plane landed. Her father still seemed oblivious to the situation, engrossed in his phone. Daniel, trying to remain calm, began jotting down notes in his pad to appear busy. He quickly wrote a plan of action for the rest of the flight crew, detailing the need to monitor row 12 and keep a close watch on the girl without alerting her father. The tension increased with every moment. The flight seemed endless, and Daniel knew any mistake could put Emily in even more danger. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders but had no intention of failing.

Midway through the flight, the plane encountered unexpected turbulence. The shaking made passengers grip their seats, and Emily looked at Daniel with wide, frightened eyes. He gave a slight, encouraging smile, trying to convey a sense of security. When the turbulence passed, Daniel noticed Emily’s father was observing her more closely, as if he sensed something was wrong. Daniel knew he had to act quickly to prevent the father from becoming suspicious. He approached Sarah and whispered, “We need to keep things calm. The father is starting to get suspicious.”

Sarah nodded and began engaging with nearby passengers, diverting attention from any suspicious movements. Daniel returned to row 12, this time bringing a cup of juice for Emily. “Here you go, to help you feel better,” he said, handing her the cup with a smile. Emily took the juice and gave a small smile in gratitude. As he walked away, Daniel felt momentary relief, but the feeling was brief. He knew he had to be ready for any eventuality. Approaching the cockpit, he informed the pilot once again about the need to be prepared for a quick and discreet disembarkation with the presence of the police.

The following hours were tense. Daniel and the crew worked in perfect coordination to ensure Emily’s safety, disguising their actions with routine tasks. Each minute felt like an eternity, but the plan was in motion. With each step, Daniel felt the hope that everything would end well despite the imminent danger. As the flight neared its destination, Daniel noticed Emily becoming increasingly anxious. Her father, though still focused on his phone, occasionally cast suspicious glances toward her. Daniel knew time was running out. He needed to act carefully. He decided to talk to Sarah again, who was serving coffee at the back of the plane.

“Sarah, we need a plan to get Emily away from her father as soon as we land. We can’t wait for the police to get here; we need to move fast,” Daniel said urgently.

Sarah thought for a moment and suggested, “We can use the disembarkation as a distraction. I’ll make an announcement saying everyone needs to exit quickly due to a technical issue. That should scatter the passengers and give us a chance to separate Emily from him.”

Daniel agreed, recognizing the effectiveness of the plan. He returned to the aisle, keeping a close eye on row 12. As the plane began its descent, he discreetly prepared Emily. “Emily, when we land, we need to leave quickly, okay? I’ll take care of you. Trust me,” he whispered.

Emily nodded, her expression a mix of fear and hope. Daniel returned to his station, anxiously awaiting the moment of landing. When the plane touched down, Daniel felt an immediate sense of relief, followed by a surge of adrenaline. The plan was in motion. Sarah made the announcement, and passengers began moving toward the exit with more urgency than usual. Emily’s father stood up, holding her hand tightly.

Daniel approached quickly and said, “Sir, let me help your daughter disembark. It will be faster and safer for everyone.”

The father hesitated, but the general confusion made him accept the help. Daniel took Emily’s hand and led her toward the front of the plane, his heart racing. He knew every second counted. As they exited, a group of undercover police officers, disguised as airport staff, was waiting. Daniel handed Emily to one of the officers and returned to the father, who was starting to realize what was happening.

“What are you doing?” the father asked, his voice full of suspicion.

Daniel remained calm and responded, “We are ensuring everyone’s safety, sir. Please follow me.”

The police quickly detained Emily’s father, explaining the situation, while Daniel walked away with the girl. Emily looked at him, still scared but relieved to be away from her father. Daniel felt a wave of relief as he watched Emily being taken to a safe place. He knew the hardest part was over, but there was still much to be resolved. The revelation about Emily’s father and his intentions had changed everything. Now it was time to ensure Emily’s safety and that justice was served.

The organized chaos of disembarkation began to dissipate as passengers were directed towards the terminal. Daniel watched closely as the undercover police officers escorted Emily’s father to a secure area. Suddenly, the father realized what was happening and tried to break free, yelling angrily, “You can’t do this! She’s my daughter!”

Emily, hearing her father’s voice, cowered behind Daniel, who maintained a protective stance. “Please stay calm, sir. The authorities will clarify everything,” Daniel said, trying to calm the situation.

But the father was unwilling to cooperate. He struggled and managed to break free from one of the officers, advancing towards Emily with a furious expression. The surrounding passengers began to step back, scared. Without thinking twice, Daniel placed himself between the father and the girl. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“Stop! Don’t make this worse,” he said firmly and authoritatively.

The father hesitated for a moment, but his rage seemed uncontrollable. He tried to push Daniel aside, but before he could advance, the police tackled him to the ground, quickly handcuffing him.

“This is a mistake!” he yelled. “She’s my daughter!”

As the father was taken away, Daniel knelt beside Emily, who was crying silently. “You’re safe now. Everything will be okay,” he said gently and reassuringly.

Emily looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and fear. Daniel hugged her, offering the comfort she desperately needed. He knew she was about to face a whirlwind of emotions and that her life was about to change forever. The police returned to talk to Daniel.

“Thank you for your help. We’ll take care of Emily and ensure her safety. You might need to give a statement about what happened during the flight,” said one of the officers.

Daniel nodded. “Of course, I’ll do whatever is necessary.”

As the police led Emily to a safe area, Daniel felt a mix of relief and exhaustion. The situation had been intense and dangerous, but he knew he had done the right thing. He watched as Emily disappeared with the police, knowing there was still more to be done to ensure her safety and justice. The confrontation had been the most intense moment of his career but also the most rewarding.

Daniel was about to leave the security area when one of the officers called him. “Sir, can you please come with us? We need a bit more information,” the officer said politely but firmly. Daniel agreed and was taken into a room where Emily was sitting with a social worker. The girl looked more relaxed but still showed signs of fatigue and fear. The social worker motioned for Daniel to sit down.

“Emily has told us part of what happened, but we’d like to hear your version as well,” said the social worker.

Daniel nodded and began to recount the events of the flight, from the moment he noticed Emily’s strange behavior to the confrontation with her father. He explained how the girl made signals asking for help and how he and the crew planned to ensure her safety. As he spoke, Emily held the social worker’s hand for comfort. The officer took detailed notes, and the social worker occasionally interrupted with more specific questions.

“Did you notice any other suspicious or dangerous behavior from the father during the flight?” asked the social worker.

Daniel thought for a moment. “He seemed completely disinterested in his daughter, focused only on his phone. But the look he gave her when he realized we were interacting… it was scary. He seemed more irritated than concerned.”

The officer finished his notes and thanked Daniel for his cooperation. He stood to leave, but Emily called to him in a soft voice, “Daniel, thank you.”

Her eyes were filled with gratitude. Daniel smiled at her, feeling a wave of emotion. “You were very brave, Emily. Everything will be okay now.”

As he left the room, Daniel felt the weight of the situation begin to lift. But just as he thought everything was under control, he heard an alarm go off. A commotion began to form in the terminal, with people running and shouting.

“What’s happening?” he asked one of the guards.

“There was an escape attempt. Emily’s father tried to escape custody,” the guard replied, clearly agitated.

Daniel felt his heart race. He ran back to the room where Emily was. When he arrived, he saw the girl was safe with the social worker and two officers. Her father, however, was nowhere in sight.

“We need to reinforce security here. He can’t get near her again,” said Daniel, trying to stay calm. The terminal was in chaos, but the police quickly organized a search. After tense moments and a frantic search, they finally located Emily’s father hiding in a restricted area. He was restrained again, this time with reinforced security. With Emily’s father finally detained and taken away, Daniel returned to the room. Emily ran to him and hugged him, relieved. He returned the hug, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction, knowing she was safe.

The extreme situation had been resolved, and Daniel knew Emily was now in good hands. The sense of duty fulfilled stayed with him as he walked away, certain that despite everything, Emily would be okay. With Emily’s father finally detained and security reinforced, Daniel felt a wave of relief. He returned to the room where Emily was now accompanied by a group of professionals, including social workers and child psychologists.

“Emily, you’re safe now,” said one of the social workers with a warm smile. “We’ll take care of you and make sure everything is all right.”

Emily looked at Daniel, still holding his hand. There was a silent connection between them, a mutual understanding of what they had gone through together.

“Daniel, thank you for everything,” she said, her voice soft but full of sincerity.

Daniel smiled, crouching down to her level. “You were very brave, Emily. Always remember that.”

As Emily was led away, Daniel felt satisfaction but also exhaustion. He knew he had done everything in his power to protect that girl. As he watched the team take Emily, one of the officers approached him.

“You did a great job today, Daniel. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t noticed the signs,” said the officer.

“I just did what anyone would do,” Daniel replied modestly.

Later, in the terminal, Daniel saw a woman approaching quickly, her eyes filled with worry and tears. It was Emily’s mother. When she saw her daughter, she ran to hug her, holding her tightly.

“Emily, my God, are you okay?” she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Emily clung to her mother, crying but this time with tears of relief and joy. “I’m okay, Mom. Daniel helped me.”

The mother looked at Daniel with infinite gratitude. “Thank you. You saved my daughter,” she said emotionally.

Daniel nodded, feeling touched by the moment. “She’s a very special girl. I’m glad I could help.”

As the mother and daughter reunited, Daniel felt a deep sense of accomplishment. He knew Emily was in good hands and that the situation, despite how difficult it had been, was finally resolved. Daniel walked toward the terminal exit, feeling the day’s weight begin to dissipate. The night sky was clear, and he took a deep breath, reflecting on the events that had unfolded. Despite the challenges and dangers, the courage and determination of a little girl and the quick actions of a flight attendant had changed the course of her life. As he left the airport, Daniel knew that this experience would stay with him forever, a reminder that even in the most difficult moments, it’s possible to make a difference and bring safety and hope to those who need it most.

 

 

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The Youngest Grandmother in the World is a 17-Year-old Nigerian

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Who Was Mum-Zi – The Youngest Grandmother in the World?

Mum-Zi was just eight years and four months old when she gave birth to a baby girl in 1884.

From Nigeria, on an island called Akwa Akpa, now known as the city of Calabar, Mum-Zi’s daughter followed her mother’s footsteps, becoming a mother at the age of eight years and eight months thus making Mum-zi the youngest Grandmother in the world.

Over the years, it has not been uncommon to find young parents out there but what is perhaps unusual is to find young teens – as young as 17 – as grandparents…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

In recent times, most people at that age are looking to complete their education or to graduate from high school. The thought of even becoming a parent is rare, thus, having grandchildren is often out of place.

But this was not the situation for Mum-Zi and her daughter, as well as, other young girls in the 19th Century.

According to Lyall Archibald’s 1936 book, The Future of Taboo in These Islands, Mum-Zi was a member of Chief Akkiri’s harem in Akwa Akpa (now Calabar), who would later be the father of her daughter.

Since the 16th Century, Calabar had been a busy international seaport, shipping out goods such as palm oil.

Historical accounts state that during the Atlantic slave trade, it became a major port in the transportation of African slaves, with most slave ships being owned by Bristol and Liverpool.

Some missionaries would later record the challenges of poor water supplies, malaria, and the presence of some tribes who were sometimes not too welcoming to evangelists and other slave traders.

What was common, however, was the fact that chiefs kept a harem of wives and slaves.

The harem is basically a female backyard or household largely reserved for princes and lords of this world.

This private space has traditionally served the purposes of maintaining the modesty, privilege, and protection of women.

In most parts of Africa and elsewhere, a harem, in terms of royal harems of the past, may house a man’s wives and concubines, as well as, their children, unmarried daughters, female domestic workers, and other unmarried female relatives. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Mum-Zi was one of the many women and girls who lived in a harem belonging to Chief Akkiri. After giving birth at 8 years and four months, with the chief being the father, her daughter would also become a mother exactly eight years later. She was reportedly impregnated by the same chief who happens to be her father.

She gave birth at an age slightly older than that of her mother’s, as she was 8 years plus 8 months. Nevertheless, this remains one of the shocking moments in history.

Ever since the 1700s, a number of cases have been highlighted to show how girls and women across the world suffer just because of their gender.

Among these forms of gender-based violence is child marriage, which denies children the right to be children and take away from them the opportunities for education and a better life. It also exposes them to risk of violence at the hands of their usually older and powerful husbands.

A recent report by Girls Not Brides revealed that globally, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children and 17 per cent of them, or 125 million, live in Africa.

It added that about 39 per cent of girls in sub-Saharan Africa are married before the age of 18 and all African countries face the challenge of child marriage.

According to the report, Niger has the highest number of child brides, with three out of four girls married before they are 18.

The Central African Republic follows. There, the legal minimum age for marriage is 18, however, girls can get married at 13 years if it is approved by a court and/or if the girl is pregnant.

In some cases, earlier marriage is allowed if a parent consents to it. At third place is Chad, which has a rate of 67 per cent.

Some of the drivers for child marriage in these countries are poverty, upholding social and religious traditions, as well as, conflict, which forces many parents to consent to child marriage as a way of protecting their girls from violence and sexual assault.

Culled from Face2Face Africa

If you find this story about the youngest grandmother in the world interesting, kindly drop a comment below and share on social media.

 

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How Nzeogwu Killed Ahmadu Bello and His Wife, Hafusatu, During the 1966 Coup

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On the 15th of January, 1966, the first coup in Nigeria was staged by a group of Nigerian soldiers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

The bloody coup which toppled the democratic government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa led to the death of some key political figures including Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa himself, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh (the Finance Minister), Chief Ladoke Akintola (Premier of Western Region), Sir Ahmadu Bello (Premier of Northern Region & the Sardauna of Sokoto) and his first wife, Hafusatu Ahmadu Bello.

Ahmadu Bello
Ahmadu Bello

Ahmadu Bello’s first wife, Goggon Kurya Hafsatu bint Abdulkadir Maccido, was the daughter of the Waziri of Sokoto whom he (Ahmadu) married in 1932…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Gidado Idris, who as at then was the personal secretary to the late Ahmadu Bello recounted his January 15, 1966, coup experience. In an interview with Weekly Trust on his 80th birthday in 2015, he recalled how Kaduna Nzeogwu Killed Ahmadu Bello and his wife during the course of the coup.

The Coup

“On the 14th of January, 1966, the evening before the tragedy, at about 8:00 pm, late Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa called and wanted to speak to the late Premier. He was free, so I put him through. Afterwards, the Premier called me and he said he wanted to know the extent of his indebtedness to shops where we used to collect things, like Kingsway, Bhojsons, et cetera, where we had account.”

“At about noon, he called me and his ADC, Aliyu Kangiwa and asked us to go around to see his new office, so the three of us went. Generally, he was happy with it. Earlier, he had been told that the Premier of the West, Samuel Akintola, was coming to see him but the arrival was still some time away. So, he decided not to go to the airport and went to the mosque for Friday prayers, after sending a minister to receive S. L Akintola. All this was during Ramadan.”

Kaduna Nzeogwu who led the first military coup in Nigeria
Major Kaduna Nzeogwu

“At about 3:00 pm, we were told that Premier of the West had arrived and was on his way to General Usman Hassan Katsina House in Kawo, which was meant to be the Sardauna’s new official residence and office. When he arrived with his entourage, I remember Remi Fani-Kayode was with him, as well as other ministers.”

“Akintola said he had come to see the Premier and to find out from him whether he was aware that the army would take over the government the following day. The Sardauna said he heard about it but has left everything in the hands of God.”

“Akintola then said he had come with a plane, so they could go someplace like neighbouring Niger, where his best friend was then the president. The Premier rejected it and said those who were asking for the government’s removal did not bring it to power in the first place. He said ‘I won’t leave my people in their hour of need to run away and take shelter somewhere else’. He then advised Akintola that since he was certain that it was going happen, to go back to his people and brief them to get prepared to fight. Akintola took the Premier’s advice and returned to Ibadan.”

Idris said after Akintola left, it was too late for Bello to go and play his favourite game, Fives. He then decided to drive around the GRA and Kaduna south before Iftar time (the breaking of Ramadan fast).

“We got into a car, one of the long ones with seats facing each other. It was driven by Alhaji Ali Kwarbai (Ali Sarkin Mota), the Sardauna’s chief driver. He was with his friends and I sat facing them. We were not discussing anything and the driver just drove around and later returned home just in time for the breaking of the fast,” he said.

Idris Gidado
Gidado Idris

“You have to understand the work of the Premier then was a 24-hour affair, no Saturdays or Sundays off. If we left our homes in the mornings, we normally returned after midnight and that is why most of our children at that time didn’t even know who we were. We were out of our houses by 5:00 am because we couldn’t afford to go to the Premier a minute late.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Later That Night

“Later that night, after breaking of the day’s fast, the famous musician, Dan Kwairo, was around till about 10.30 pm, as he had come to entertain the Premier. Of course, we were tired and grumbling but there was nothing we could do. He played till about 11:30 pm when suddenly the late Alhaji Ali Akilu, who was the Secretary to the Northern regional government, then-Commissioner of Police M.D Yusuf and Brigadier-General Samuel Ademulegun, all three of them, came and went straight to the office asking to see the Premier. The Premier, sighting them, left us and decided to go and meet them. They met for about half an hour, then they left.”

“When the Premier came out, Dan Kwairo was still playing but he called it a night and went upstairs to write his Sallah address and go to bed, as we were to go to Sokoto the following morning.  We were chatting and noticed it was getting late and the Premier had still not sent for us, so we decided to go home.”

“When we came out, we were not aware that by then soldiers had already taken position around the compound. I was living at Doka Crescent then and as I left the Sardauna’s house, a siren blared.”

“We used to test it from time to time to see if it was working and I thought that was what was going on. But then I saw the then-deputy Commissioner of Police, an Idoma man whose name escapes me, heading in the direction of the Premier’s house, as did late Haruna Musa, the Principal Secretary’s security detail. But I went home, as I didn’t think there was any problem.”

Ahmadu Bello told Nzeogwu: “I am the one you are looking for.”

“Abubakar Umar, the Sardauna’s Private Secretary, who was on a visit from Kano and was accommodated in the guest wing of the house, heard a loud noise and saw the chaos from his room with soldiers everywhere. He quickly called the Private Secretary to the Premier, Ali Akilu who told him what was happening, that it was perhaps a coup. Akilu quickly dressed up and drove to M.D. Yusuf’s house. Five minutes after he left, soldiers stormed his own house and asked after him but his wife told them he went to Zaria for a meeting, so they left. The telephone call by Umar saved him.”

He said there was nobody else in the house.

“Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu had all of the Premier’s wives, servants and wards brought out and asked them to sit down on the floor. Nzeogwu himself demanded to know who Ahmadu Bello was and there was a resident of the house who looks a little like the late Premier but wasn’t as tall. He came out and said he was the one, but they knew he wasn’t. The soldiers said if they were not told who Ahmadu Bello was in the group, they would shoot everyone.”

Hafusatu Ahmadu Bello
Hafusatu Ahmadu Bello

“The Premier, who was among them, got up and said ‘I’m the one you’re looking for’, prompting his three wives to come to his side, distraught. When the soldiers were about to kill Ahmadu Bello, two of the wives stood up, leaving the first wife who said if they must kill him, then they must kill them together. He was shot, along with her, as they embraced each other. They left the body where we found it.”

“The whole place was deserted. All the ministers had left. We decided that the best thing was to get his body removed to the house of the Sultan of Sokoto in Ungwan Sarki. When we did, it was prepared for burial and that was where he was buried.”

Gidado Idris

Gidado Idris later became a permanent secretary in Kaduna state from 1971 to 1975, secretary of the constitution drafting committee in 1975, secretary of the constituent assembly that produced the 1979 constitution and clerk of the national assembly in 1979.

On October 17, 1995, late Sani Abacha, then head of state, appointed Idris as SGF, a position he held till May 28, 1999 when Nigeria returned to civil rule. He died in December 2017.

 

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The Real Story of Ishola Oyenusi – Nigeria’s Deadliest Armed Robber

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Doctor Ishola Oyenusi tied to the stake

Who Was Dr Ishola Oyenusi?

Ishola Oyenusi, popularly known as Doctor Oyenusi, was a notorious armed robber who terrorized the people of Lagos and other neighbouring cities in the 1970s. Ishola Oyenusi and his gang of six were highly skilled in snatching cars, robbing banks, factories, stores and killing people like chickens.

 

Was Ishola Oyenusi Really A Medical Doctor?

Dr Oyenusi, as he was called, was not a doctor by profession but adopted the title for the fun of it. The evidence lies in a confession he made few minutes before his execution…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

He confessed that his parents were not capable of furthering his secondary school education and that was what forced him into robbery. So without having a secondary school education, Oyenusi by no way could have been a medical doctor.

Oyenusi’s Robbery Exploits

Oyenusi started off his robbery career by snatching a car (whose owner died in the process) just because his (Oyenusi) girlfriend needed some money. It was claimed by some sources that Oyenusi was romantic.

Ishola Oyenusi- Daily Times

He sold the car at the price of N400 and gave the money to his girlfriend. It was also said that Oyenusi was hot-tempered and quite arrogant. During his arrest, he thundered down on a police officer who was ushering him around. He said, “people like you don’t talk to me like that when I’m armed, I gun them down!”

Doctor Ishola Oyenusi came into the limelight after the Nigerian civil war ended in 1970. He robbed banks and people in both daylight and night, and he never let any of his victims live to see another day; he killed them all! This earned him the name “Doctor rob and kill“.

At the height of his horrific reign, Ishola Oyenusi bragged that “the bullet has no power“. He probably forgot that he who live by the sword will surely die by the sword. Oyenusi was so infamous that he was regarded by some people as the “first celebrated armed robber in Nigeria“, and after him was Lawrence Anini, Babatunde Folorunsho (Baba oni lace), Shina Rambo, Buraimo Jimoh and others.

Ishola Oyenusi’s Arrest

However, nothing lasts forever, and as the Yoruba adage says, everyday belongs to the thief while a day belongs to the owner.

On the 27th of March, 1971, Oyenusi was nabbed by the police during one of his robbery operations in which he and his notorious gang killed a police constable named Mr. Nwi and stole $28,000 as at then. Cloud of shame hovered above Doctor Ishola Oyenusi as he was casted before the law and found guilty then sentenced to death by firing squad.

Oyenusi confessed that he was not to die alone because he did not commit the crimes alone.

He vomited the names of other members of the gang which included: Joseph Osamedike, Ambrose Nwokobia, Joel Amamieye, Philip Ogbolumain, Ademola Adegbitan and Stephen Ndubuokwu.

Back then, public execution was the order of the day, so when Oyenusi was ushered to the popular Bar Beach in Lagos where he was to be executed, over 30,000 Nigerians were happily and excitedly waiting to see the man who had terrorized them get riddled by hot bullets. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

It was said that some civil servants even brought a coffin to the execution ground to mock the once mighty robber kingpin who was now nothing but a scapegoat whose breath would be exhausted in any moment.

Doctor Oyenusi execution
Ishola Oyenusi being led to the stake

Ishola Oyenusi’s Execution

Trucks carrying Oyenusi and his executors arrived at the execution ground around 10:am. Doctor Oyenusi, his gang members and one other criminal got down slowly.

People jeered and booed them, especially Oyenusi who they had really trooped out to watch die. Oyenusi donned a dark long-sleeve shirt and had his hands tied behind him.

He was sweating profusely but managed to smile all the way to the stakes. He kept smiling, smiling and smiling but could still not hide the agony and terror written boldly on his face.

Few minutes before he was shot, Oyenusi told journalists that he would not have ventured into armed robbery if his parents were capable of sending him to secondary school.

He also said, “I am dying for the offence I have committed“. Oyenusi and other criminals were fastened to the stakes. The soldiers lined in front of them and aimed their ever-ready guns. Some of the criminals yelled their last words of protest at the cameras. Then a loud voice let out the word “fire”! Oyenusi and other criminals’ bodies were sprayed with bullets.

That was the bitter end of Ishola Oyenusi who lived by the bullets and died by the bullets. The execution of Doctor Ishola Oyenusi sent the streets of Lagos deserted at night. Families locked themselves behind doors for the fear that some of Oyenusi’s boys might retaliate.

Ishola Oyenusi's execution
Doctor Ishola Oyenusi (circled) and his gang’s execution

This fear lasted long that even in 1977, the veteran movie director, Eddie Ugbomah, called for actors to play the role of Oyenusi in a movie he was about to produce titled “The Rise and Fall of Dr Oyenusi”, but no actor was brave enough to step forward to play the role.

They all feared that Oyenusi’s boys might show them pepper. Eddie Ugbomah had no choice than to play the role of Oyenusi himself. In the movie, he revealed the secrets of top Nigerian officials and military men backing Oyenusi and his gang by providing them money and weapons.

As expected, Eddie Ugbomah was threatened and later, his store was looted. He was told in a letter to stop shooting the movie and everything would be returned to him. But Eddie Ugbomah proved not to be a coward by eventually releasing the movie in 1977.

In recent times, a Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, also released a movie (Oyenusi) detailing the life of Ishola Oyenusi, the most notorious Nigerian armed robber.

The name Ishola Oyenusi will forever be remembered in the history of crime in Nigeria.

 

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