Metro

100,000 May Stall Investigation Of Murdered Enugu House Help– Group

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2023

Editor

Indications have emerged that investigations may be stalled in the case of Precious Korshima, a 9-year-old house girl beaten to death in Enugu, if the deceased’s father, James Achikpi Korshima, fails to pay N100,000 demanded by the police for medical examination.

There was earlier report of the arrest of an Enugu traditional ruler for burning the corpse of Precious.

Precious was allegedly murdered by one Mrs Ujunwa Ugwoke of Fidelity Estate, Enugu, who reportedly admitted that she beat her to death and later dumped her corpse along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. The villagers, in turn, burned the decomposing body.

However, a rights group, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, CRRAN, has revealed that the sum of N100,000 was demanded to conduct a test on the bones, which the deceased’s father has no means to provide.

This was contained in a statement signed by the President of the group, Olu Omotayo Esq.

Recall that the rights group had petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State on behalf of Mr James Achikpi Korshima (Jerry B) from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, over the death of his 9-year-old daughter Precious Korshima who was beaten to death.

CRRAN appealed to the state government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist and ensure justice for the family of Precious.

The statement partly read: “We commend the state Commissioner of Police for ordering the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal and Investigation Department for a proper and thorough investigation.

“Korshima said he and the Police investigators and a medical expert later went back to recover the bones so that the medical expert could confirm whether the bones were actually that of a human being/his child.

“He consequently reported that his main problem is that he has no means to provide the N100,000 needed to conduct the test on the bones.

“The confirmation of whether the bones are that of a human being or not is vital to a successful investigation, and we submit that it is the duty of the Government to provide funds for this type of medical examination in a criminal trial.

“We, therefore, appeal to the state government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist and ensure justice for the family of the deceased.

“Though it is good as Police told Mr Korshima that they are ready to charge the matter to Court, but it will be untidy if the medical examination on the bones is not conducted so that Korshima could also have the remains for burial.”

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

Metro

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

Metro

Retired Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.