Metro

19-year-old Delivery Man Remanded Over Stolen Bike Dies In Prison

Published

3 years ago

May 26, 2022

Editor

A 19-year-old delivery man with a company, Errand360NG, Chidera (Ezekiel) Uzoma, has died in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre where he was remanded over the loss of a bike belonging to his employers.

PUNCH Metro gathered that after Chidera reported the loss to the company, he was arrested and charged to court.

A Twitter user, Oluchi @General_Oluchi, in a series of tweets on Monday, said the victim had been in remand since March 2022, adding that his elder brother, Samuel, had been calling for his release.

She tweeted, “Can we talk about this case? 20-year-old Chidera Uzoma started working for @errand360HQ as a delivery guy and one morning, he discovered that the work bike he parked in front of his apartment was missing. He informed the company and they arrested and charged him in court but promised to drop the case if he replaces the bike. Chidera replaced the bike, but @errand360HQ refused to drop the case. In March, he was remanded in Ikoyi prison and was found dead on April 24. Since then, his brother @justice4ezekiel has been tweeting about it.

“Ikoyi Prison said Chidera was sick for a while before he died. His family needs closure because the circumstances surrounding his death are mysterious.”

The victim’s brother, Samuel, said he went to the mortuary to retrieve his body on May 23.

He tweeted, “Yesterday, I was at the mortuary for the 2nd time. I was telling my brother, ‘bro bushman don come Lag o, come teach me how to drag bus. He couldn’t even look at me. He laid there like a log of wood. Nigerians help me ask @errand360HQ. What happened to chidera, #justiceforchidera?

“Some days later, specifically on February 19, some persons broke into the company’s maintenance building. The security personnel at the facility on the day identified Ezekiel as one of those who broke in. While investigating, we were informed that the police visited Ezekiel’s residence where some of the company’s bicycle parts were found.

“Based on this, the police arrested him and took him into custody for investigation and arraignment.”

Errand360NG stated that he was arraigned before a magistrate’s court and from then on, every due process was followed.

“On April 4, a replacement for the missing bicycle was provided. The company went to court and attempted an early withdrawal of the case, despite the next date of hearing being June 8. However, Ezekiel’s presence was required in court but authorities could not provide him before the court.

“We value the well-being of all our riders and employees and are deeply saddened by Mr Ezekiel’s passing. The company followed due process by escalating the matter to the police for appropriate investigation and arraignment.”

The spokesperson for the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Rotimi Oladokun, said records of the matter were not readily available.

“I am not in a position to deny or confirm this incident now, but I will go through the records and if there is any information regarding this matter, it will be made available to you.”

Metro

Gunmen Abduct Chief Imam In Edo, Demand N30m Ransom

Published

58 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Muhammad, who is also the
President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, was said to have been kidnapped at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, around 2 p.m. on Thursday

Eyewitness accounts revealed that Muhammad had stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after observing one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), while confirming the incident on Sunday to newsmen, condemned the act and called for the immediate release of the Islamic leader.

“I am hearing that they are asking for a very large amount of money, and we don’t have such.

“Even if you have it, if you pay, you are encouraging them,” he said.

The chairman urged the Edo State government to intensify efforts to protect ordinary citizens.

“They are the ones with the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure the Imam is released unconditionally and unharmed.

“Government should also make every effort to ensure that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

A family source disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the victim’s dual role as a revered religious leader and youth development advocate.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the report, saying: “It was reported to us on 10/7/2025. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and track down the culprits.”

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs In Factory-fitted Lipsticks At Lagos Airport

Published

9 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of illicit substances concealed in factory-fitted female lipsticks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The discovery, which marks the second of such in less than a week, was announced by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

“Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now,” Babafemi warned.

“With yet another consignment of factory-fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after NDLEA officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

He urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be cautious when purchasing or accepting cosmetic products, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious online sources.

The NDLEA has yet to reveal the identity of the suspect(s) behind the latest smuggling attempt, but investigations are said to be ongoing.

Metro

50-year-old Bandit, Two Informants Arrested

Published

9 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Zamfara State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected criminals, including a 50-year-old bandit and two informants, as part of ongoing operations to dislodge criminal elements across the state.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed these successes during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Gusau.

Abubakar stated that the arrested individuals include Ibrahim Mohammed, a 50-year-old suspected bandit from Maru Local Government Area of the state, two bandit informants, a gun runner, and five other suspects.

He credited the arrests to credible intelligence received from members of the public.

Items recovered during the operations include assorted rifles, a stolen ATM card, leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, among other items.

The arrests are part of the Zamfara State Police Command’s sustained efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities plaguing the state.