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14 Miners Still Trapped Under Niger Rock – Police

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No fewer than 14 miners are still trapped under the rumbles of a collapsed mining pit in Galkogo community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the Police Command said on Wednesday.

The mining site said to belong to ‘African Minerals and Logistics Limited’ caved in after a heavy downpour during which 50 workers got trapped inside the rubble.

The PUNCH learnt that the mine collapsed on Sunday evening during which one of the miners lost his life in the accident while six others were seriously injured. Six of the miners were said to have escaped unhurt.

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A team of Police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, visited the collapsed mining site to join in the rescue operation.

READ ALSO: Niger Releases Names Of Trapped Miners

The Commissioner of Homeland Security, Bello Mohammed, and Commissioner of Minerals Resources, Garba Yahaya, were also at the site.

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Contacted, the spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said 20 people initially got trapped inside the rubble but six were rescued.

“The commissioner of Police visits the mining site incident, along with the Commissioner of homeland security, and Commissioner of minerals resources.

“They arrived at the scene at about 1200hrs and the engineer in the site confirmed that 20 persons were trapped under the rock but 6 persons were rescued out of the 20 persons. 14 persons are still trapped under the rock. Efforts are still ongoing by the site engineers and rescue team to rescue the rest of the victims.

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READ ALSO: JUST IN: Passengers Stranded As Abuja-Kaduna Train Derails Again

“The district head Mall. Aliyu Umar was also present where he also confirmed the number of persons trapped. He appreciated the CP, Area Commander Shiroro, and the DPO Shiroro for their bravery since the incident.

“The Commissioner of minerals resources told the district head and the villagers that they came on behalf of the Government and that the Government is not happy about the incident. The team condoled with the people of the community.

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“The CP also reminded them that mining activities have been banned by the Government in the State, but people still go about the activities of mining. He warned the community to desist from such acts,” Abiodun stated.

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Retired Principal kidnapped In Edo, Abductors Demand N70m

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Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have reportedly kidnapped a retired headmaster identified as Mr. Eliaser Olorunloju near a Fulani settlement in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The incident was said to have occurred between Sasaro and Ayetoro, along the dilapidated Igarra- Uneme-Nekhua – Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

Olorunloiu was said to be going back to Ugboshi-ele from Igarra, the headquarters of the local government where he was said to have gone to make photocopies of documents ahead of his son’s resumption at a tertiary institution.

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READ ALSO:Edo Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Gun Duel

It was gathered on Monday that his abductors have reportedly contacted the family and were demanding N70 million.

Confirming the incident, the Director of Operations and Strategy, Concerned Minds Initiative of Akoko-Edo (CMIA), Comrade Victor Arogunyo said “The incident occurred around Aiyetoro–Somorika Junction, close to a Fulani settlement on the Ibillo–Uneme–Nekhua–Igarra Road. This is another sad reminder that Akoko-Edo is under siege.

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“In the last few months, this is about the fight kidnapping that is taking place on the same spot, close to that camp which is less than five minutes trekking away from there. The government must do something about this. I called his traditional ruler and he said they called on Sunday evening demanding N70 million.”

READ ALSO:Residents Abandon Homes, Stay Indoors Early As Kidnapping Surge Hits Nasarawa

He identified bad roads, criminal herders, poor funding of security, low morale among vigilantes and hunters, and weak prosecution of arrested suspects as key factors fueling insecurity across the entire Edo North axis.

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The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu could not be reached as at the time of this report.

 

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Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate In Rivers, Rescue Babies

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The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have busted a child trafficking syndicate that manipulates young mothers and vulnerable pregnant women, steals their babies, and sells them to waiting buyers.

The police said the four-member syndicate is led by an ex-convict identified as Blessing Jack, who had previously been arrested, tried, and imprisoned in Calabar, Cross River State, for a similar offence.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday and sent to newsmen.

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Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said Blessing, aged 54, was arrested by men of the Command’s C4i Intelligence Unit on October 9 in Igwuruta, near Port Harcourt, following a discreet probe into the activities of the syndicate.

READ ALSO:How I Survived Kidnap, Assassination Attempt – Rivers Speaker

She said Blessing’s arrest led to the location of her other three female partners, who were consequently taken into custody.

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The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its investigation into the activities of a child trafficking syndicate in the state, with the arrest of several suspects.

“The syndicate, allegedly led by one Blessing Jack, a 54-year-old female resident of Timber Road, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, exploits vulnerable young mothers, stealing and selling their newborn babies for significant financial gains.

“On October 9, 2025, at about 1500hrs, operatives of the Command attached to the C4i Intelligence Unit, through technically aided policing, arrested Blessing Jack at Igwuruta in Port Harcourt.

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READ ALSO:Man Arrested For Defiling 12-year-old Girl In Rivers

“A conversation between Blessing Jack and one Marley Oburu ‘m’ revealed the syndicate’s modus operandi. She discussed a recent incident where her associate had taken a woman’s baby, claiming the baby had died, but had been paid the sum of ₦2,000,000 for the transaction.”

She continued, “The transaction suggested that Blessing and her associates use fake scans and manipulate vulnerable pregnant women to obtain their babies.

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“Other suspects arrested include: Chinonso Raymond, a 30-year-old male of Igwuruta, Port Harcourt; Chinyere Okorie, a 32-year-old female of Pipeline, Rumuoholu, Port Harcourt; and Nkechi Nwankwo, a 50-year-old female of Pipeline, Rumuoholu, Port Harcourt.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that Blessing Jack had previously been imprisoned in Calabar for three years for child trafficking, highlighting her long-standing involvement in the illicit business.”

READ ALSO: Truck Crushes Man Rushing For Jumu’ah Prayers In Rivers

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The state police image maker said all the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime, detailing their individual roles.

Suspects are currently in police custody, while an in-depth investigation has been launched to arrest other members of the syndicate and dismantle the network,” Iringe-Koko stated further.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their diligence in investigating and apprehending the suspects, saying the Command will continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and combat human trafficking in the state.

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READ ALSO:NUPENG Tanker Drivers Announce Strike Over CNG Trucks Dispute

CP Adepoju appealed to members of the public to report any information that may aid in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases, saying, “Together, we can build a safer and more secure society for all.”

Rivers State Police Command, in September, said its operatives have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed two of their victims after collecting a total ransom of N10.4m.

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Earlier in August, the Command said its men busted an armed robbery/kidnapping syndicate terrorising residents of Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of the state, and its environs.

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BREAKING: Lagos Re-arraigns Kidnapper Evans Over Police Officers’ Killing

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Lagos State Government on Monday re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.

The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja is hearing the case of the murder of two police officers by the billionaire kidnapper.

READ ALSO: Billionaire Kidnapper Evans Seeks Plea Bargain, Says He Now Teaches Prisoners

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He and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were arraigned before Justice A. O. Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Details later…

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