crime

Sex worker brothel death sparks police investigation after violent ₦15,000 dispute

Published

1 year ago

July 1, 2025

Sex worker brothel death in Akure triggers investigation after a violent ₦15,000 dispute. Police confirm arrests and promise justice in tragic incident

Sex worker brothel death has sparked a police investigation in Akure, Ondo State, following a violent altercation that ended in tragedy. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Cathedral area of the state capital.

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According to multiple sources, the altercation began after a male customer demanded a refund of ₦15,000 from a sex worker, citing dissatisfaction with the service.

The man reportedly claimed that the woman had complained of weakness during intercourse, prompting him to seek reimbursement.

Eyewitnesses said the disagreement quickly escalated into a heated exchange. Tempers flared as the two engaged in a verbal and physical confrontation inside the brothel.

Although the manager of the brothel attempted to defuse the situation and urged both parties to calm down, the customer left the premises, only to return minutes later with a group of men believed to be his associates.

The group reportedly tried to forcibly retrieve the money, creating panic among other occupants of the building. Fearing further escalation, the brothel manager alerted the police.

Officers from the ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force responded swiftly, arriving on the scene and arresting three suspects while the others managed to flee.

During the chaos, the health of the sex worker deteriorated. She was rushed to a nearby hospital in the Lafe area of Akure and later transferred to the police hospital in the city, but she was confirmed dead on arrival. The circumstances surrounding her collapse remain unclear.

Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the incident in a statement to reporters on Monday. He revealed that three men had been taken into custody and that efforts were ongoing to track down two others who remain at large.

“The names of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation,” Olayinka said. “The victim’s body has been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue for a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.”

He further disclosed that Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The move is aimed at ensuring a thorough and professional probe into the incident, with emphasis on securing justice for the deceased.

“This is a serious case, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves,” Olayinka noted. “The public can rest assured that no stone will be left unturned. We call on anyone with information that could aid the investigation to come forward.”

The brothel remains under police watch as detectives continue to gather evidence. Neighbours and workers within the facility have been interviewed, and the local community is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

The sex worker brothel death has reignited concerns over the safety of women in informal occupations and the broader issue of violence against vulnerable persons in urban centres.

Advocacy groups in Akure have begun calling for more regulation of establishments where such incidents occur, as well as stronger protections for women working in high-risk environments.

While the police have not yet released the official cause of death, the autopsy report is expected to play a critical role in determining the next steps in the legal process.

Also read: Police IG Orders Probe into Pension Row after Viral Video

For now, residents of the Cathedral area remain shocked by the tragic events, and attention turns to the authorities to deliver justice and ensure similar incidents are prevented in the future.

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crime

EFCC Uncovers Illegal Industrial Complex in Ogun, Arrests Foreigners

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a sprawling illegal industrial complex in Ogere, Ogun State, allegedly involved in petroleum refining, lithium processing, illegal mining and other unauthorised industrial activities.

The operation, led by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reportedly resulted in the arrest of foreign nationals, police officers and other Nigerians suspected of involvement in activities at the facility.

The discovery was disclosed on Saturday, November 7, following an inspection of the complex by the commission’s chairman and other officials.

According to the findings, the facility, allegedly operated by foreign nationals believed to be Chinese, contained several industrial installations, including a petroleum processing plant, a lithium processing factory, a specialised wood-processing facility and a power generation plant.

Investigators also reportedly discovered warehouses stocked with motorcycles, satellite communication equipment and thousands of power banks.

The commission said the complex was allegedly being used for large-scale illegal mining of precious stones and the processing of petroleum products without the required authorisations.

It also uncovered suspected production of unwholesome alcoholic beverages at the site.

The latest findings came days after the EFCC announced the discovery of an illegal oil refinery in Ogere, where operatives found underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The earlier operation was conducted on October 31 by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance of suspected illegal refining activities.

According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations indicated that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State before transporting it to Ogere for processing.

The commission said the operators subjected the material to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, for sale in the Nigerian market.

Two underground tanks inspected during the operation contained substances suspected to be AGO.

The refinery was deserted when operatives initially arrived, while security personnel at the premises reportedly told investigators that the alleged Chinese operators had never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation.

However, the subsequent inspection led by Olukoyede revealed that the location housed a much wider range of industrial activities than the petroleum processing operation initially uncovered.

The EFCC has described the activities as a serious threat to the country’s economy, particularly because of their alleged implications for legitimate businesses, government revenue and regulatory compliance.

The discovery has also raised concerns about the activities of foreign operators allegedly engaging in unauthorised industrial and extractive operations in Nigeria.

The commission is expected to establish the identities of the operators, determine the ownership structure of the complex and investigate the extent of the alleged economic and environmental violations.

The arrests of foreign nationals, police officers and other Nigerians also suggest that investigators are examining possible local involvement and support for the operations.

The EFCC has yet to disclose the full identities of those arrested or the exact financial value of the industrial installations and materials recovered.

The investigation is expected to determine those responsible for the alleged activities and establish the extent of losses arising from the operations.