Metro

Abducted Kaduna Priest Found Dead, CAN Reacts

Published

3 years ago

July 19, 2022

LThe Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has described the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum by terrorists as a dangerous terrain for Christian leaders.

Recall that Fr. John Mark was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Parish YadinGaru, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was brutally killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction, Friday, 15 July, 2022.

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, CAN state chairman in Kaduna expressed sadness while reacting to the killing of one of the priests, Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, who until his death, was the CAN Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area of the state, as well as coordinator of CAN in Southern Kaduna.

According to Rev. Hayab, “Kaduna State is a dangerous place to travel through and not safe, particularly for Christian leaders.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, confirmed the murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.

The statement announced that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas, who was also kidnapped by the terrorists, escaped from their abductors.

The statement explained, “Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us.”

It added, “However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the bishop, clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announced the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.”

According to the statement titled, “Re: Kidnapped priests of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan”, the statement further explained that his corpse was later discovered decomposing on Tuesday, July 15, 2022.”

It explained that until his demise, he was the CAN Chairman, Jama’a LGA as well as the Coordinating Chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna, stressing that Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum was the Dean of Kwoi Deanery, Director of Communications in the Diocese of Kafanchan and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori, Jama’a local government area of Kaduna State.

The Diocese has, however, declared a two-day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 46 Suspects, Seizes 40,000 KG Of Drugs

Published

9 minutes ago

August 11, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested 46 suspects, while seizing over 39,977 kilograms of assorted drugs in the month of July 2025.

The agency also destroyed seven cannabis plantations spanning 15.85 hectares across two local government areas.

Speaking in Benin City while presenting the command’s July operations report, the Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the raids were carried out in Ihama Road and other known drug hotspots across Edo State.

“The July result reflects the ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations in the state. We apprehended 46 drug suspects, comprising 38 males and 8 females. A total of seven cannabis farms measuring 15.85 hectares across Oke Forest in Uhunmwonde and Ewere Forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Areas, were destroyed.

“In all, we successfully took 39,983.294 kg of narcotic drugs out of illicit circulation. The breakdown of the drugs is as follows: cannabis, 39,977.644 kg; psychotropic substances, 5.5753 kg; methamphetamine, 0.26 grammes; cocaine, 0.0598 grammes; and 5.8 litres of codeine syrup,” he stated.

Ofoyeju added that the agency’s operations throughout July were driven by intelligence, which enabled the successful dismantling of several drug hubs and the arrest of high-profile traffickers.

“Among those apprehended was 49-year-old Alaba Monday, a suspected drug baron and long-wanted cannabis cultivator from Owan West. He was found at one of the illicit farms with eleven bags of processed cannabis weighing 115 kg.

“In a separate operation, 40-year-old Yusuf Isuku from Etsako West was intercepted along Wareke Road, Auchi, with 22 parcels of skunk—a potent cannabis strain—hidden in black Bacco bags filled with garri. The drugs weighed a total of 10.265 kg.

“Another arrest was made along the Igara-Auchi Road in Igara, where 48-year-old Josiah Friday from Akoko Edo was caught transporting five bags of cannabis weighing 36 kg concealed in black polythene sacks.

“Also taken into custody was Izunna Nwankwo, 26, from Ishielu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State. He was nabbed along Benin-Auchi Road with a large cache of psychotropic substances including 15,400 capsules of tramadol, 200 tablets of swinol, 357 tablets of molly, and 54 bottles of codeine syrup.”

“The NDLEA has also focused on dismantling local drug markets, particularly along Ihama Road in Benin City’s GRA. Arrested during the crackdown were Emmanuel Onaji, 29, from Ogbadibo in Benue State, found in possession of molly; Joshua Paul, 21, from Ovia North East, Edo State, caught with Loud; Prosper Titus, 20, from Gboko, Benue State, also caught with Loud; Andy Obioma, 28, from Kana in Rivers State; and 23-year-old Agu Emmanuel from Kachia, Kaduna State, likewise found with Loud.”

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA also made strides in drug demand reduction.

According to the agency, 32 individuals received brief intervention counselling, while eleven persons are undergoing rehabilitation at the command’s facility.

Several public sensitisation campaigns were held throughout the month, reaching an estimated audience of over 8,000 people.

Reiterating the agency’s resolve, Ofoyeju declared: “The command remains resolute in its mandate to eradicate drug trafficking in Edo State.

“We will ensure the prosecution of all those arrested and continue our efforts to dismantle the drug cartels threatening the social fabric of our communities.”

Metro

BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Fraud

Published

1 hour ago

August 11, 2025

Editor

Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State, is currently being quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja.

The Cable reports that Tambuwal, a former governor and currently a serving senator, is in detention over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of N189 billion.

The development comes after the African Democratic Congress, ADC, alleged that EFCC was carrying out selective investigations targeting opposition politicians.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party claimed that recent EFCC summons to senior members of the opposition coalition were politically motivated and linked to their political affiliations.

According to ADC, some of the cases being pursued are not based on new evidence but involve reopening files from past years.

Metro

EFCC Raids Obasanjo’s Hotel, Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudsters At Pool Party

Published

23 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have reportedly stormed the Green Legacy Hotel, located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and arrested some youths suspected to be internet fraudsters.

The PUNCH gathered that EFCC operatives carried out the raid in the early hours of Sunday during a pool party at the premises of the library.

This came barely five days after operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the commission arrested a suspected internet fraudster with two locally-made pistols in a raid at K-Hotel in Itori, Ewekoro area of the state.

The suspect, according to the anti-graft agency, was among the 55 others arrested during the raid carried out on Wednesday.

A viral video of the Sunday raid at the Obasanjo Library showed youths scampering for safety as the sound of gunshots filled the air.

The operatives reportedly arrested a number of youths and seized “more than 20 luxury cars and other valuable items.”

Sources said the operation was carried out by the EFCC operatives from the Lagos Directorate.

An X user, A.Ayomide, in a post said, “Literally left my house past midnight to go to OOPL, got there and the crowd was too much. I don’t like the settings, my guy doesn’t like the settings, so we were just at the car park.

“Left around 1:30, 20 minutes later I get home and I’m getting calls that EFCC is raiding OOPL.”

The Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, Vitalis Ortese, confirmed the incident, but he did not provide details.

“Yes, they did. There was an incident this morning. We will find out and we will let you know,” he told our correspondent.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos zonal command of EFCC, Ayo Oyewole, said he was not aware of the operation but promised to get back to our correspondent.

Also contacted, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, promised to confirm and get back to our correspondent.