Today’s Headlines: Nollywood Actor Diewait Ikpechukwu Dies at 71; C&S Installs New Spiritual Leader

Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu has died at the age of 71. The former footballer reportedly passed away on Thursday following a prolonged illness, according to a family source.

Details surrounding his death remained unclear, while his passing marked another loss for Nigeria’s film industry.

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide installed Elder Gabriel Kassim as its seventh Spiritual Leader during its 86th International Conference and Convention at Galilee Land, Orile-Igbon, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. His appointment was ratified by the church’s conference after he had served as acting leader following the transition of his predecessor, Abiodun Alogbo, in July 2026.

Kassim received the staff of office and certificate before taking the oath of office, pledging to serve in accordance with the church’s constitution and promote unity among members. Church leaders and traditional representatives welcomed his emergence, while convention speakers urged Christians to embrace God’s grace and uphold their faith above worldly interests.

At least three people reportedly died and 14 others were hospitalised after consuming herbal mixtures suspected to contain poisonous substances in the Igede community of Oju Local Government Area, Benue State. The victims allegedly purchased the preparations from three suspected hawkers during a market day, with four of those receiving treatment at Oju General Hospital said to be in critical condition.

Oju Local Government Chairman Jackson Ominyi confirmed the incident and said the suspected sellers had been arrested and transferred to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi. Authorities were yet to establish the exact cause of the deaths, while the police had not officially confirmed the incident. The tragedy followed a similar methanol poisoning incident in Ondo State that reportedly killed at least 48 people in September.

Two Mexican nationals and four Nigerian men have been remanded at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan over their alleged involvement in establishing and operating a methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The six defendants were arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before the Federal High Court in Ibadan on charges including conspiracy, drug trafficking and illegal drug manufacturing.

All six defendants pleaded not guilty, after which Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha ordered their remand and scheduled the trial for January 26–29, 2027. The NDLEA said the suspects were arrested between June and August 2026, while three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians facing similar charges over a laboratory in Ogun State were also remanded in a separate case.

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