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Quham Babatunde Killed By Chest Stab, Coroner Confirms
Inquest into death of asylum applicant from Nigeria after attack on Dublin’s South Anne adjourned due to ongoing criminal proceedings
A 34-year-old asylum seeker who was fatally injured in an altercation during a night out in Dublin city centre died from a stab wound to the chest, an inquest has heard.
Quham Babatunde died in the early hours of February 15th last on South Anne Street. He had earlier attended a nearby nightclub.
Mr Babatunde, originally from Nigeria, was living at the Ballyogan International Protection Accommodation Service centre in south Dublin after applying for asylum in Ireland.
A brief sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard on Monday that Mr Babatunde was identified by a friend and by analysing fingerprints taken during the International Protection process.
Faith Akpobome, who met Mr Babatunde last year, told coroner Dr Clare Keane that she was contacted by gardaí following his death.
After making arrangements with Mr Babatunde’s family, who remain in Nigeria, she identified Mr Babatunde’s body at Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall.
An analysis report from Forensic Science Ireland confirmed that Mr Babatunde’s fingerprints matched those of a set taken in November 2023 by an International Protection officer.
Dr Keane noted that a forensic postmortem found that Mr Babatunde died from a stab wound to the chest.
Det Insp Katherina Joyce requested an adjournment under Section 25 (2) of the Coroner’s Act as criminal proceedings have been initiated in relation to Mr Babatunde’s death.
Det Insp Joyce confirmed that Mr Babatunde’s family in Nigeria is aware of the proceedings through a family liaison officer.
Dr Keane granted the adjournment and asked that the condolences of the court be shared with Mr Babatunde’s family on his “tragic death”.
Nine men have been arrested and charged to date in relation to the investigation, including Ryan Ndede, who was charged with Mr Babatunde’s murder.
The 23-year-old, from Boroimhe Birches, Swords, Co Dublin, was arrested in Northern Ireland by police on board a ferry due to travel from Belfast to Birkenhead, England, on the day after Mr Babatunde’s death.
Others have been charged with assault causing harm, violent disorder and brandishing a knife.
Irishtimes.com
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja.
Naija News reports that the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) is responsible for conducting research and development in technology and for operating a nuclear research facility.
According to a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also appointed Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the Managing Director/CEO of the Board of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Other Board members of NEMSA appointed by the President include: Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez (Executive Director, Technical); Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East); Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris (Member); Igba Elizabeth (Member-North Central); Sani Alhaji Shehu (Member–North East); Adeyemi Adetunji (Member–South West); Engr Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (Member–South South) and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).
Similarly, the President nominated Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi, and Abdullahi Muktar, representing Kaduna, as Commissioners to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Onanuga added that the President has sent the names of the two nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Details of Nigeria’s military collaboration with the United States have emerged, following heightened coordination after former US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) last October.
The move came amid allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, which the federal government has consistently denied.
Trump later threatened to deploy troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate terrorists targeting Christians, prompting President Bola Tinubu to send a high-level delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Hegseth assured us that the department is working aggressively with Nigeria to combat terrorism, but the details of engagement were not disclosed at the time,” a source familiar with the meeting said.
Days after the high-level talks, the US began intelligence-gathering flights over Nigerian territory using contractor-operated aircraft originating from Accra, Ghana,
Punch reported. On Christmas Day, the US launched strikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the “precision hits” were the result of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination under international and bilateral agreements.
Communities in Sokoto and Kwara states reported explosions, later identified as debris from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) fired by the US.
Officials revealed that the US requested a station in Nigeria to refuel drones after missions from Ghana, initially suggesting Lagos or Abuja, but the federal government proposed a north-eastern state hosting Nigeria’s drone operations.
An official said: “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. They will support Nigeria in equipment, intelligence, or advisory capacity, including training. This is not a combat operation.”
The station is expected to enhance logistical support and coordination between the two countries’ military forces
General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed the deployment of a “small team” to Nigeria, sparking public interest.
As reported by TheCable: “AFRICOM has always collaborated with Nigeria. US troops have been present, but the scope of their assignment has changed to support intelligence and training initiatives.”
Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of Defence, explained that the personnel are not combat troops but a small advisory team assisting in intelligence gathering and training.
An official also noted that the team played a key role in coordinating the Christmas Day strikes.
Kogi State Government temporarily closes markets and motor parks to enhance security operations against criminals The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the closure affects seven local government areas, targeting logistics and movement of supplies for criminal elements Fanwo assures closure is temporary, to be lifted after successful completion of security operations
Lokoja, Kogi State – The Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in seven local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the markets and motor parts are being shut down to intensify and coordinate security operations in the affected areas.
Fanwo said the development is to help flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state. As reported by Daily Trust, he made this known while briefing journalists on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lokoja.
He said the affected markets and motor parks are located in Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Yagba West, and Yagba East local government areas of the state’s western district.
“The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state. “The measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies in Kogi State.”
According to Fanwo, the temporary closure is to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables, and deny criminal elements. The commissioner also denied their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise. He disclosed that the closure was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the security operations in the affected areas.
Recall that the Kogi state government shut schools in the state to enhance security for students amid rising threats. The state government emphasised proactive measures rather than reactive responses to avoid potential crises. The development comes amid calls for police decentralisation to empower local governments in tackling insecurity.
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