Clerics Arraigned for Assaulting Minors; Kidnappers Arrested

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arraigned two Islamic clerics, Adebodun Muideen (30) and Oladejo Musiliu (35), for the brutal assault of minors in Ondo State. They were charged with three counts of inflicting grievous bodily injury on two minors, following a complaint lodged by the Child Right Advocacy Group.

The alleged physical abuse, which resulted in visible injuries, was reported on January 28, 2026. The magistrate's family court in Akur has ordered the clerics to be remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending bail conditions, with the next court date set for April 9, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command arrested two suspected kidnappers, Simpli Okoti Michael and another unidentified suspect, recovering a single-barrel rifle and eighteen live cartridges during an operation on February 12, 2026. Police Commissioner Adebowal Lawal commended the operation, emphasizing the need for strategic police reforms to tackle violent crime.