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A-Ibom Village Head, 12 Others Nabbed For Beheading Three Hunters

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The Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended the village head of Utit Antai village in the Unyene community of the Mbo Local Government of the state, one Okon Asuquo Etteokpo, and 12 others for allegedly kidnapping and beheading three marine hunters.

It was gathered that the suspects who allegedly kidnapped their victims beheaded them and buried them in a shadow grave in a forest while getting spiritual strength from the village head.

The state commissioner of police, Joseph Eribo, who briefed journalists in Uyo, on Monday while parading the suspects along with other criminals, said that suspects were arrested following intelligence that revealed that the marine hunters were killed and buried at a shadow grave in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo LGA.

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He said upon the arrest of the suspects, the operatives launched a comprehensive search for the corpses and found them buried in shallow graves with their heads dismembered.

READ ALSO Panic In 11 States As Release Of Water From Lagdo Dam Begins:

“On Thursday, August 29, 2024, following information received on the 18th of August, 2024 that the Marine Hunters abducted and killed were buried in shallow graves within the community, the Command’s operatives, upon getting the information, embarked on a hot chase of a gang of sea pirates/kidnappers led by one Success (other names) unknown who usually terrorise Oron waterways and its environs.

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“The intelligence gathered revealed that they were camping in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo L.G.A. The Command operatives combed the areas and arrested the suspects,” Eribo said

He disclosed that about 15 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, whom he listed to include one Jephter Inwang, Clement Emmanuel, Promise Nkerobia, Anthony Atte, Nkereuwem Edet and Joseph Asuquo

Others include Anietie Tom, Gad Inwang, Emmanuel Otoyo Emmanuel, Daniel Ekpo, Mary Edet Isong and Godswill Jackson, and the village head of Utit Antai village in Unyene community, Okon Asuquo Etteokpo, who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortified.

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Also paraded include one Ukpono Etim Effiong, Samuel Young and Faith Richard for unlawful possession of firearm.

The CP said, “On 05/09/2024, one Abasiama James reported to the Command through a written petition. On the strength of the report, Operatives of the Command swung into action and arrested one Ukpono Etim Effiong and immediately a search was executed in his house and premises.

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“Items recovered from his possession include; one locally made short gun with 19.87mm life ammunition and a four (4) gallon containing raw acid. The suspect will soon be charged in court.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: UNIBEN Students Trapped as Three-storey Building collapses

“Also on 19/08/2024 at about 12:30 pm, operatives of the Command during active stop and search along Ikot Obong road by Mary Slessor in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A intercepted one Samuel Bassey Young and Faith Richard Peter searched and recovered a Beretta pistol and some wraps suspected to be Indian hemp.

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“Suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned other names. Efforts are ongoing to arrest others who are at large.”

Eribo, who called on officers and men of the command to sustain the peace being enjoyed in the state, added that the command would not hesitate to reward any outstanding police officer or officers for doing a good job while at the same time punishing the erring ones.

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Nnamdi Kanu Files Fresh Motion, Asks Court To Strike Out All Charges

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The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release.

In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”

The IPOB leader, who is representing himself, filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

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He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.

READ ALSO:Nnamdi Kanu: Court Summons Wike, Buratai, T. Y Danjuma, Uzodinma, Others As Witnesses

Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.

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Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in FRN v. Kanu (SC/CR/1361/2022), he argued that lower courts are bound to take judicial notice of repealed laws under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, adding that failure to do so renders all proceedings void.

Kanu also contended that the counts against him were allegedly committed in Kenya, in violation of Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the TPPA 2022, which requires validation by a Kenyan court before such acts can be tried in Nigeria. He said this omission nullifies the court’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and breaches Article 7(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

READ ALSO:Drama As Kanu Lists Danjuma, Wike, Sanwo-Olu As Witnesses

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He further maintained that under Sections 1(3) and 36(12) of the Constitution, any law or judicial act inconsistent with the Constitution is void. He cited previous court decisions such as Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) 1 All NLR 400 and FRN v. Ifegwu (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt 842) 113, where convictions based on non-existent laws were nullified.

Kanu urged the court to direct the prosecution to respond to his motion strictly on points of law within three days and to deliver a ruling on or before November 4, 2025.

He stated that his application raises only constitutional and legal questions derived from existing laws and therefore does not require an affidavit.

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16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

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Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

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JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

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A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

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It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Jailed In US Over $6m Inheritance Fraud

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

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He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

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“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

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