STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions. His passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.

His Holiness served the Church and the Master of the Church until the end. In 2013, he stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten.

He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations.

He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity. In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor.

He was a steadfast advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions.

His encyclicals were not only doctrinal and seminal but also timely and relevant. Through his pastoral letters, the Pope offered spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world. He charted a path of renewal for all humanity through his words and deeds.

In my 2025 Easter Message, I joined the Christian faithful in thanksgiving for the convalescing Pontiff. I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Alas, the Lord called him home a day after, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change. May the good Lord, whom he served with all his might, receive him into His eternal bosom.

As we mourn the late Pontiff, let us also celebrate his legacy. Let us honour him not with words alone but with action: by lifting those who are down, healing our communities, and defending the dignity of every person.

On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, I extend condolences to the Catholic Church, the global Catholic community, and the Christian faithful.

May God Almighty grant His beloved servant eternal rest.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU,
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
ABUJA

April 21, 2025

The police, yesterday, said they have successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Nnayereugo, better known as Killaboi, from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria.

The fugitive, who had been on the run for the alleged murder of Miss Augusta Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025, through the coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, NCB, Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said: ‘’The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives dated September 29, 2024. The matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja for investigation. Investigations revealed that the suspect, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, murdered Miss Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old First Class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence located at 24A, Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on July 13, 2023.

“After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts. ýFollowing his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, on October 13, 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.

“He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October, 20, 2023, under the false identity Kanu Princeton Samuel, but escaped custody during a prison break on November 26, 2023, in Feeetown. ýFurther intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on January 24, 2025.

“At Doha, he was Operating under the alias Toure Abdoulaye with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity. ýThrough robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025.

“An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria. ýIGP Kayode Egbetokun while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja and extended sincere appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return. The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, to fast-track the prosecution of the suspect

Falana also thanked the Federal Government for collaborating with Falana and Falana’s Chambers in his successful extradition.

He said: “We are particularly indebted to the mother of the deceased, Mrs Okonye Nneji, who furnished us with vital information on the movements of the suspect since he escaped from Nigeria two years ago. This is a challenge to all Nigerians to always pursue the cause of justice in order to end impunity in the country. Having confirmed that the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department has completed an investigation into the cold murder of Miss Onuwabhagbe, we hereby call on the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to fast-track the prosecution of the suspect.”

An explosion rocked the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri on Sunday night, April 20, 2025, around 9 pm, sparking a fire in the solitary confinement cell where Charles Okah, a prominent detainee, has been held since mid-March.

Initial reports from within the prison indicate that an object, likely a bomb, was lobbed into Okah’s cell through the open window bars.

Eyewitnesses report heavy smoke billowing from the cell, where Okah has been confined since March 16, 2025. The incident follows Okah’s open letter to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi-Ojo, in which he exposed widespread judicial and official corruption in two custodial centres in Maiduguri.

According to accounts from the scene, Okah was heard coughing and choking amidst the growing smoke, with his screams echoing throughout the compound. He reportedly shouted that the explosive device had been thrown into his cell, sparking the fire that has engulfed his quarters.

At the time of reporting, no rescue efforts were underway. Sources inside the prison have revealed that prison security regulations require a lengthy bureaucratic process before a cell can be opened after hours, leaving Okah’s fate uncertain as the fire rages on.

“Shockingly, not a single fire extinguisher could be found anywhere within the prison compound,” a source said.