Sowore Threatens Mass Protest At NYSC Passing-Out Parade If Raye Is Barred From Completing Service

Published

8 months ago

June 25, 2025

Sowore noted that the Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye NYSC matter.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to lead a mass mobilisation of supporters to the Passing-Out-Parade (POP) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) if the agency fails to clear Ms. Rita Ushie to complete her national service.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Sowore accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of unjustly targeting Ms. Ushie, popularly known as Rita Raye, warning that the matter could escalate if not resolved promptly.

Sowore noted that the Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye NYSC matter.

He said, “This @officialABAT Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps @officialnyscng matter. This is not acceptable, we will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”

Sowore, a vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, has consistently championed issues of injustice and youth rights, particularly as they relate to freedom of expression and civic duty in Nigeria.

Earlier, Ekwutosblog reported that the NYSC had extended Ms. Rita’s service year by two months following her viral criticism of President Tinubu’s administration over the worsening economic hardship.

The corps member, who had one month left in her mandatory national service, drew nationwide attention in March after posting a video lamenting the economic crisis and alleging threats from NYSC officials demanding she delete the content.

The incident was condemned by civil rights groups and many Nigerians who accused the NYSC of attempting to suppress freedom of expression.

The NYSC Local Government Inspector summoned Rita to appear at the Eti-Osa Local Government office.

However, when she arrived with Sowore and her legal representatives, the official who issued the summons was absent.

The matter faded from public attention until last Wednesday, June 18, when Raye was summoned to appear before another disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja NYSC orientation camp in Lagos.

However, despite repeated delays, she was eventually informed that her service year had been extended as a form of punishment.

Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, who has been in contact with Raye’s family, told CrossRiverWatch, “Upon her arrival at Iyana Ipaja last Wednesday without any formal letter, she was met by the Local Government Instructor who spoke to her and asked her to return this week despite the scarce resources she burned to get there.

“She went there eventually, and she faced them, apologising to the staff who felt hurt due to the backlash they received from the public.”

“However, her mother called me moments ago to inform me that she called crying over the phone that her service year has been extended by two months. I have reached out to her, but she is not in a good frame of mind to speak,” Jonathan added.

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

12 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.