The Kwara high court in Ilorin has sentenced Ajiboye Olayinka, the general overseer of the Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, to life imprisonment for raping three minors in his church premises.

On Wednesday, Hammed Gegele, the trial judge, convicted Olayinka of multiple offences bordering on unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to Punch, Gegele described the pastor as a “paedophile and philanderer”, who took advantage of religion to manipulate and sexually abuse underage girls in his care.

The trial judge said the pastor repeatedly impregnated some of the victims and forced them to terminate the pregnancies while threatening them not to report.

The judge said the victims were asked to swear oaths of secrecy with the Bible under threats of death should they disclose the incidents to anyone.

Gegele recalled how one of the victims told the court how the pastor raped her inside the generator house, while using anointing oil as a lubricant.

The trial judge said the victim told the court that the pastor often woke her up from sleep after vigils to have sexual intercourse with her.

“The convict turned his victims into sex machines, abusing them physically and mentally,” the judge said.

“One of the victims narrated how the defendant took her to a generator house where he forcefully had sexual intercourse with her after applying anointing oil as lubricant.”

Gegele sentenced the defendant to three separate life imprisonment sentences for offences relating to unlawful sexual intercourse with minors.

The trial judge sentenced Olayinka to 14 years imprisonment for carrying out illegal abortions for his victims.

Gegele ordered that the pump-action gun recovered from the convict be forfeited to the federal government.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is pleased to announce the 9th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival, scheduled to hold from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, at GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This year’s theme, “Everything Food and Drink,” captures the expansive nature of the Festival experience. It reflects not only the variety of cuisines on display but also the depth of stories behind them. Over the years, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival has grown far beyond a seasonal celebration to become a culturally significant platform where food and drink serve as a meeting point for storytelling, innovation, and opportunity. The Festival will feature 204 free retail stalls, showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of our food culture; from time-honoured traditional dishes preserved across generations, to bold contemporary interpretations of global cuisine, creating space for every flavour, every technique, and every craving to find expression.

Visitors can expect a rich programme featuring interactive masterclasses, live culinary demonstrations, food and wine tastings, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing small and medium-scale food businesses alongside established culinary brands. In addition to its wide range of food and drink offerings, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, with a well-equipped play area and a variety of engaging activities for children, ensuring an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 edition, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Segun Agbaje, emphasised the Festival’s continued evolution as both a cultural and economic enabler: “The GTCO Food and Drink Festival has, over the years, become a living expression of what we stand for as an institution: innovation, opportunity, and enterprise that is accessible to all. What makes this platform special is not just its scale, but its humanity. It brings together people from different walks of life around something universal—food and drink—and in doing so, it breaks barriers and builds connections that extend far beyond the event itself.”

Since its inception, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most prominent culinary gatherings, attracting participation from across Nigeria and increasingly from the wider continent and diaspora.

Admission remains free and open to all, reaffirming the Festival’s commitment to accessibility as a consumer-focused event that brings people together through food, drink, culture, and enterprise.

For more information on the event, please visit: https://foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com

Terrorists are planning attacks on key infrastructure in Abuja and Niger state, according to a memo by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The Associated Press, which obtained the memo, reported that the planned targets include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and a prison facility in Abuja, as well as a military detention centre in neighbouring Niger state.

The report said Nigeria’s security forces are on high alert over the threat.

The NCS warned that the plan is similar to an attack in Niamey, the capital of the Niger Republic, in January, when terrorists attacked an air force base, wounding four soldiers and damaging an aircraft.

“They intend to release detained terrorists and inflict significant damage on critical aviation infrastructure.

“An analysis of the report reveals a concerning correlation between the potential targeting of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja and recent large-scale attacks on aviation facilities in the Niger Republic, notably in Niamey and Tahoua,” the publication said.

“This suggests a possible intent by terrorists to replicate the attack patterns within Nigeria.”

The memo comes days after the US State Department, in a travel advisory, authorised non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave its embassy in Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

However, the federal government said the recent travel advisory issued by the US government is a “precautionary measure based on internal protocols”.

Source: AP News