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72-year-old Arraigned For Alleged Kidnapping In Ondo

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The Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun arraigned a 72-year-old, Mohammadu Basiru, on Thursday, before a state Magistrates’ Court for kidnapping.

The corps said the defendant was arrested for allegedly committing the offence at Upenmen Forest, Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state in November.

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The state prosecutor, Mr O.F Akeredolu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 17, 2023, at around 6 pm, at Upenmen Forest, Owo, Owo LGA.

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Mohammadu, who was a security man on a farm in the community, and others still at large conspired to kidnap two persons including his boss.

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He was also said to have belonged to a kidnapping syndicate in the area.

The charge reads in part “That you, Mohammadu Basiru, and others now at large, on or about  November 17, 2023, at about 6 pm, at Upenmen Forest, Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, within the Criminal Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire with others still at large to kidnap Nelson Adeyemi and Olaoye Olaniyi.”

READ ALSO: Peter Obi, Oladips, Others Make 2023 Google Most Searched Persons In Nigeria

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According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes Section 2 and Section 6 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.

Based on the nature of the offence committed, Akeredolu urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the issuance of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions

However, the defence counsel, Kehinde Osadugba, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable his client to reply to the application.

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The magistrate, Mr Damilola Sekoni, adjourned the case till December 27, 2023, for a reply and ruling on the application.

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BREAKING: Emir’s Palace, NDLEA Office Set Ablaze As Protest Rocks Kwara

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Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets on Monday in protest against what they described as worsening insecurity in their communities, including repeated cases of terrorism, kidnapping and killings.

The protesters, predominantly youths from the area, voiced frustration over what they termed government inaction in the face of continued violence.

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They were seen in a video clip chanting solidarity songs and waving placards, demanding urgent intervention to curb the bloodshed and abductions disrupting daily life.

READ ALSO: Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

The irate youths set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, office in Lafiagi and vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, smashing windows and damaging parts of the building.

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We have been crying and dying in silence,” a resident said in the video clip. “People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore, and nobody, neither the governor, the chairman, nor even the Emir, is doing anything about it.”

The protest, sources said, was triggered by accumulated anger over persistent attacks and lack of effective response from local and state authorities.

READ ALSO: Six Kwara SUBEB Officials In Court For Alleged N96m Fraud

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The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government,” a source stated. “The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”

The unrest reportedly escalated as protesters moved toward key government buildings, including security agency offices. According to eyewitnesses, the NDLEA facility was set ablaze during the demonstration.

Lafiagi and neighbouring communities have experienced several abductions in recent weeks, with multiple residents still being held captive.

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Families of the victims have reportedly paid substantial ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.

DAILY POST reports that three Fulani women were abducted in the area on Sunday.

 

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Abducted Benue Travellers Released After One Week In Captivity

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The remaining 10 passengers of the State Government owned Benue Links Transport Company, who were a week ago abducted by armed men along the Eke-Elengbecho axis of Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, Sunday afternoon regained their freedom.

The victims who ran into an ambush and were taken away by the armed men on Sunday, June 22, were travelling from Abeokuta en route to Makurdi at the time of the incident.

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Confirming the release of the passengers in a statement, Johnson Daniel, the Information Officer of the company, said it was a relief for Benue Links to confirm the safe release of the passengers.

READ ALSO:Again, Armed Herders Invade Benue Community, Kill 4 Police Officers

He pointed out that “the passengers, who were initially 12 at the point of abduction, with two earlier rescued, had been held against their will by unidentified individuals but have now regained their freedom.

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“We are deeply grateful that they have returned safely and are in stable condition. Appropriate medical evaluations and counselling are currently ongoing to support their well-being after this distressing ordeal.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the relevant security agencies, community leaders, and all those who played a critical role in facilitating the release of the passengers. Their coordinated efforts and dedicated commitment to the safety of citizens have been invaluable during this challenging time.

READ ALSO:Benue Killings: ‘This Is Genocide, Not A Dispute’, Tor Tiv Tells Tinubu

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“Benue Links Nigeria Limited remains steadfast in our commitment to the safety and security of all our passengers and staff.

“We will continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement authorities to ensure that justice is served and to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Enhanced security measures are also being implemented across all our routes to further safeguard our operations.”

Contacted, the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive details of the development.

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Again, Armed Herders Invade Benue Community, Kill 4 Police Officers

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At least four Mobile Policemen were feared dead in a fresh Sunday afternoon armed herders attack on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

Udei community is less than 15 15-minute drive from the Yelewata community that was equally invaded over two weeks ago by armed bandits.

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It was gathered that the marauders who launched the attacks at about 11 am also attempted to storm neighbouring Daudu but were repelled by a combined team of security agencies and the youths of the area.

They were said to have invaded the Asha community, where they shot sporadically, chasing people away from their farms, and it eventually escalated to Ortese, which is home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

READ ALSO:What Tinubu Told Me And Akume At Private Meeting – Benue Gov

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The source disclosed that the quick intervention of the military personnel stationed in the area who engaged the marauders in the bush halted their move into Ortese, and no resident was killed in the renewed attack.

Contacted a community leader in the area and former acting Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Matthew Mnyan, who confirmed the development, disclosed that “the attack started at about 11 am at Asha, which is very close to Ortese. They began pursuing people from their farms, and it escalated to Ortese.

“It got to the point that the soldiers there moved in with their armoured truck, and when it became intense, they moved in another armoured truck, and they engaged them for up to one hour in the bush.

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“And before you knew it, they started moving and shooting at Dudu, which is before Daudu.

READ ALSO:Benue Killings: I Expect Arrests, Tinubu Directs Security Chiefs

“When I got the information, I immediately called the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who took his men there to repel them.

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“In what looked like a coordinated attack, they also attacked Udei at about 2 pm, and four Mobile Policemen were killed in the shootout.

“I was told that they are still around even now. They have reappeared at Ortese this evening. As we speak, people are in fear.

READ ALSO: 53 Suspects Arrested Over Benue, Plateau Wedding Killings —  IGP Egbetokun

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“When I called the Area Commander he said he has mobilised to Udei and I learnt they went in their numbers but it is getting dark and people are entertaining fear. Even the IDPs in Ortese are all in fear and calling that they need more security.”

This latest wave of attacks came about 16 days after a similar attack on the neighbouring Yelewata community claimed over 200 lives, with many hospitalised and many others displaced.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Udeme Edet were unsuccessful. She did not pick up her calls and also did not reply to her text messages.

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