Metro

43 Houses Destroyed, 300 Displaced As Thugs Invade Ebonyi Community Over Land Dispute

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2023

It was a moment of grief for the victims and a field day for their thugs, who went into Ndiefi-Ishieke village of Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, to cause mayhem.

It was gathered that hoodlums numbering over 50 went into 43 compounds situated within a communal land, shot some villagers and destroyed their buildings.

Vanguard investigation revealed that 11 persons were injured and 300 persons displaced in the affected community.

Confirming the incident, a key stakeholder of Ndiefi-Ishieke village, Dr Nwoba Benjamin, lamented over the attack unleashed on the villagers by some hired thugs.

He alleged that what caused the incident was because a particular family was laying claim to the communal land.

The claim, according to sources, was what caused agitation among the villagers, who insisted that the communal land doesn’t belong to a particular family, but to every indigene of the affected village.

Benjamin alleged that some key stakeholders of said kindred were behind the attack on the innocent villagers.

He added that the villagers stressed that the communal land was not meant for a particular family, as many people from the village had over the years got a fair share of the communal land.

He further alleged that the thugs were led by a council Chairman, Chinedu Uburu, and that none of the hoodlums had been arrested.

However, in a quick reaction, the Chairman of Ebonyi LGA, Mr. Chinedu Uburu, denied any involvement, saying the allegation was directed at tarnishing his image.

“Nobody has officially reported to me that there was any destruction in the affected community.

“I am hearing about it for the first time. The day of the burial, the police were on ground. If any body is pointing accusing fingers at me, it’s just cheap blackmail.

“Surely, I will visit the place and alert some security agencies to swing into action,” the council boss said.

But according to Benjamin, the thugs from nowhere, between Tuesday and Wednesday last week, unleashed mayhem on the villagers that opposed the ownership of the land to a particular family

“The thugs were hired and were shooting sporadically. About 100 buildings were destroyed.

“There’s a communal land in the village, which the community usually share to indigenes of the village, when you grow and get married.

“But a particular family claimed that it is their land. One of them died and was buried in the community land even as the community refused such development.

“At about 3a.m. of the fateful day, the thugs started destroying people’s properties. I was reliably informed that SWAT saw them and didn’t do anything.

“Thugs were going from one building to the other causing mayhem and stabbing people.

“One military man was also involved in the act. The police saw things for themselves but didn’t do anything.

“The destruction went on for three days. The land is for the community. 43 compounds were destroyed and 11 persons were injured as more than 300 hundred persons are now displaced,” Benjamin narrated.

The embattled Village Head of Ndiefi-Ishieke village in Ebonyi LGA, Eze Sunday, called on the state government not to take side with any clan in the affected village but to play a fatherly role by providing unity, peace and oneness among the people of Ndiefi-Ishieke village.

He said: “We want the state government to know what is happening. They should not victimize a particular clan but carry everybody along.

“They should allow those displaced to come back to their compounds.

“The compound of the family that said the communal land belonged to them is from Igbogima. The hoodlums should be brought to book.

“Our incoming governor should assist us in maintaining peace in the village. He should not look at the kindred dichotomy.

“The State Government should look into the matter. We are very sad over the development. I am the complaint but they are turning me into the accused.”

The victims, Nwodom Alibasa and Romanus Njoku, who spoke to Vanguard, lamented how their compounds were destroyed and lives were threatened, following the ugly episode that took place in their Village.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, stated that the Command was not aware of the incident.

Metro

FCT Police Arrest Man Over Death Of 3-year-old Boy Who Drowned In Uncovered Septic Tank

Published

17 seconds ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Police operatives from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters under the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a man, identified as Philip Jallo, following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank in Durumi 2, Abuja.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., when the toddler, reportedly playing within the residential compound, accidentally slipped and fell into the exposed soakaway filled with human waste.

In a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspect was accused of gross negligence, having allegedly ignored repeated warnings and pleas from neighbors to secure the hazardous septic tank.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the uncovered soakaway had long posed a danger to residents in the area,” Adeh said. “Several warnings and pleas were reportedly made by concerned neighbours to the suspect, who failed to take the necessary action.”

The child was eventually pulled out of the tank and rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

Jallo is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to issue a strong advisory to residents, urging them to prioritize environmental safety and ensure potential hazards in their surroundings are properly managed.

“Parents and guardians must be vigilant and ensure their wards are properly monitored at all times to prevent such needless loss of life,” he stated.

The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability in matters that endanger public safety.

Metro

Amotekun Foiled Five Kidnap Attempts In Two Weeks Across Ondo

Published

16 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The Western Nigeria Security Network, code-named Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, has foiled five kidnap attempts in two weeks in the state.

The State Commander, Amotekun Corps, Mr Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure while addressing newsmen.

Adeleye said no ransom was paid in the five cases, while the latest attempt took place on Monday, when a chief in a community close to Akure was kidnapped.

He explained that the distress line was contacted, and with the joint efforts of the local hunters and Amotekun Corps personnel, the kidnappers were pursued overnight.

“We were able to retrieve the chief and the Okada rider who were kidnapped without the payment of any ransom. Also in Akoko axis, some kidnappers ravaged farms, raped the women and took some victims between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m. along Ajegunle Road.

“Within 48 hours, the people were released, and three of the suspects who had been identified as part of the gang were arrested. We have them here, both the victim and the suspects. The same thing goes for the Central senatorial district, where some kidnapped suspects were arrested again by Amotekun and were equally identified by the victims.

“Today, we have a total of 17 suspects: eight under breaking of law and order, three for kidnapping, and six involved in robbery and rape,” he said.

The commander assured that the Amotekun Corps was prepared to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the sustenance of the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed in the state.

Adeleye also said farmers/herders clashes in the state had reduced drastically and urged Ondo residents to support the corps with timely information.
NAN

Metro

How AAUA Undergraduates Were Raped, Killed, Corpses Disposed Of By Killers – Police

Published

20 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

Police detectives in Ondo state have arrested five suspected killers of two students of the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba- Akoko, AAUA.

The victims, Abah John Friday, 25-year-old and his 19-year-old friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, were abducted, robbed, raped, and ultimately murdered in cold blood.

They were declared missing by their colleagues in the institution on June 20, 2025, a development which sparked outrage and concern among students and Akungba-Akoko, the host community.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the state capital, the state police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, said that the five suspects arrested included the landlord of one of the victims.

Lawal said “Following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of one Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo State, the Command launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction of his younger brother, one Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, 19, both students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko—who went missing on June 20, 2025.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from the Anti-kidnapping swung into action. Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38.

”Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently affected in Aramoko-Ekiti. A Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.

“Under interrogation, Ojo Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims.

“He further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim—who allegedly engaged him and another accomplice (identified as “Kola”, currently at large) to carry out the crime.

” Investigations revealed that the sum of ₦800,000 was transferred from the victim’s account during their captivity.

“Michael also admitted to raping the female victim. Upon recognizing him and unmasking his identity, she was executed along with her friend to prevent them from exposing the perpetrators.

“Their bodies were subsequently disposed of at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.

“Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large.

“This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed.

”The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood.”

Lawal assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect at large, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and bring all responsible parties to justice.

Meanwhile, the police command has also, uncovered a case of ritual-related abduction involving a 100-level student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), who was lured and held captive by suspected cultists, including a fellow student of the institution.

Four suspected ritualist abductors, according to the state police commissioner, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Lawal said a 17-year-old Orowole Laughter, daughter of Hon. Orowole Akinwale Adamson of Ayeka, Okitipupa, was declared missing after she left home on June 25, 2025, and could no longer be reached.

According to him “following a diligent and technology-driven investigation, it was discovered that the victim was in Akure on the same day she left home, later travelled to Ilesha, Osun State on 29th June, and returned to Akure on 30th June 2025.

“Surveillance was immediately mounted at a commercial bank in Alagbaka, Akure.

“Acting on a well-coordinated plan and with the cooperation of the victim’s family, a certain amount of money was strategically paid into her account to prompt a withdrawal.

“This intelligent move led to the arrest of one Ayomide Emmanuel Luli ‘m’ aged 25 at the scene on 7th July 2025, when the victim, under instruction from her captors, attempted to withdraw the money.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Iretomiwa Festus ‘m’, 23, also a student of OAUSTECH, who lured the victim under false pretences.

” Three incision marks were discovered on the victim’s left hand, indicating ritual activity. The suspects confessed to taking the girl to an Ogboni cultist in Ilesha for initiation.

“The said cultist, one Chief Awe Akinyemi ‘m’ aged 42, was arrested on 9th July 2025. He admitted that the ritual was performed by one Apena, now at large.

“A white cloth used during the initiation was recovered during a search of his residence. The victim is currently receiving medical care and psychological support.

“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The arrested individuals will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

“This case underscores the importance and effectiveness of timely cooperation and collaboration between the police and the public in ensuring that justice is not only served, but also seen to be served.”
(Vanguard)