News

UK launches global hunt for man after killing wife, daughters and fleeing to Zimbabwe

British police have launched an international manhunt for a 42-year-old man suspected of murdering his wife and two daughters before fleeing the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe. According to Punch, Bedfordshire Police identified the suspect as Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, also known as Mark, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage. Investigators believe he left the UK through Heathrow Airport on Saturday using his British passport. The bodies of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were discovered on Monday after officers forced entry into the family’s home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire. Police said a murder investigation was launched after the three victims were found. Although formal identification is still pending, investigators believe the deceased are Tshuma’s wife and children. Bedfordshire Police released CCTV footage showing the suspect at Heathrow Airport before his departure and confirmed they are working with national and international law enforcement agencies to locate him. Detective Inspector Lee Martin appealed directly to Tshuma to surrender to authorities, saying the investigation “knows no borders” and urging him to hand himself in to local police in Zimbabwe. Martin said the deaths had caused “unthinkable harm” and left the victims’ relatives and friends devastated. Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy described the case as a deeply distressing incident under Operation Snowdrift. He said police had committed all necessary resources to establish exactly what happened and bring the suspect to justice. Murphy added that while officers believe the suspect knew the victims, there is currently no indication of a wider threat to the public. Police presence has nevertheless been increased in Great Denham to reassure residents. Neighbours gathered outside the family home to leave flowers and pay tribute to the victims. One resident described the mother as “such a gracious mother”, while others expressed shock that the tragedy occurred in what they considered a safe neighbourhood. Bedfordshire Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity on Carnoustie Drive on Friday or Saturday, or anyone with relevant information, to contact investigators and quote Operation Snowdrift.

Defence Minister Christopher Musa, represented at a security summit in Abuja, announcing plans to embed journalists with military units during selected operations.

Oyo pupils abduction: Bandits threatened to kill captives, defence minister says

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a rescue operation. Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central, shared ahead of its full broadcast on Friday, Musa said the kidnappers were using the children as bargaining chips to demand the release of their commanders currently in military custody. According to the minister, the armed group warned security forces against moving closer to their hideout, threatening to execute all the abducted children if troops launched an assault. “They are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they believe taking these children hostage will force us to release them,” Musa said. The comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15. Musa also called for tougher penalties against bandits and kidnappers, backing the introduction of the death penalty for those convicted of such crimes. He argued that existing laws were too lenient and had failed to deter criminal activities. “I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he said.

Damaged homes and public buildings after a destructive windstorm in Jigawa State.

Windstorm kills seven, affects over 5,400 residents across Jigawa

At least seven people have died and 5,403 others have been affected after powerful windstorms swept through 120 communities across 13 local government areas of Jigawa State. The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed the figures while briefing journalists in Dutse on Wednesday. Yakubu said the windstorms struck at the beginning of the rainy season, causing widespread destruction to homes and public infrastructure across the state. According to him, about 50 schools and health facilities, as well as two police stations, were damaged, describing the windstorms as the most significant disaster currently facing the state. Although widespread flooding has not yet occurred, he said the windstorms alone had caused extensive damage across several local government areas. SEMA is working with the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts. Yakubu appealed to the Federal Government, local government councils, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies and individuals to support affected communities. He also revealed that the Jigawa State Government had approved more than ₦800 million for emergency preparedness ahead of the rainy season, with relief materials already being stockpiled for rapid response. The affected local government areas are Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Sule Tankarkar, Miga and Buji. Ringim recorded the highest number of affected persons with 1,182 victims, followed by Dutse (792), Babura (650), Kirikasamma (605) and Birnin Kudu (539). Yakubu also confirmed an isolated flooding incident in Miga Local Government Area, where more than 70 hectares of farmland were destroyed. He said the incident could not yet be classified as part of the annual flooding season because major rivers had not overflowed. He assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen disaster preparedness and provide relief to affected communities.

Court orders EFCC to apologise, pay ex-power minister Agunloye ₦10m for defamation

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay ₦10 million in damages to former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye, after ruling that the agency defamed him through a publication on its official website and X account. Justice Peter Kekemeke delivered the judgment on Wednesday in a suit filed by Agunloye, holding that the EFCC’s publication titled “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6bn fraud” was false and defamatory. According to Punch, the former minister argued that the publication wrongly portrayed him as corrupt and fraudulent, damaging his reputation. He instituted the suit after the report appeared on the anti-graft agency’s official platforms. In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the publication contained all the essential elements of defamation, noting that it was published permanently and clearly identified Agunloye. The court further observed that the EFCC’s witness, Assistant Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida, initially denied knowledge of the publication but later admitted during trial that it originated from the commission’s media department. Justice Kekemeke stated that a review of the criminal charge against Agunloye showed there was no allegation of fraud, contrary to the EFCC’s publication. “The issue of fraud is not in any of the exhibits tendered before the court. The EFCC failed to prove the truth of the publication,” the judge held. The court emphasised that while the EFCC has statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, it was aware that Agunloye was not standing trial for a $6 billion fraud. Consequently, the court declared the publication false and defamatory, ordered the EFCC to retract it, and directed the commission to publish a public apology on its website and in two national newspapers. It also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the agency from making further defamatory publications against the former minister. Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), said the commission would appeal the ruling, arguing that Agunloye’s underlying criminal case is still pending before the court.