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Abductors Demand N700m Ransom To Release Bayelsa SSG’s Mother, Night Club Owner

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Kidnappers of 80-year-old Madam Betinah Benson, mother of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Dr Kombowei Benson, have demanded a ransom of N500m for her release.

Another group of kidnappers also demanded N200m for the release of Tari Ajanami, the owner of a popular Club 64.

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It was gathered investigators into the two abductions were already looking at the possibility both were planned by one group.

READ ALSO: Mother Of Bayelsa SSG Abducted In Yenagoa

While both abductions happened few days from the other, the ransom demand also occurred few hours apart.

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A member of the family of the abducted club owner, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the family had been contacted by the kidnappers who demanded a ransom of N200m.

“I was shocked when they demanded N200m. I hope and pray that they release our brother unhurt,” the family source said.

Bayelsa SSG’s mother was kidnapped for the second time in eight years last month at her residence in the Old Assembly Quarters, Yenagoa.

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Her abductors were reportedly dressed in military uniforms.

READ ALSO: Gov Diri Imposes Dusk-to-dawn Curfew On Bayelsa Communities

Ajanami, an indigene of Ayamasa town in Ekeremor area of the state, was abducted at his project site along Otiotio Road in the state capital.

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Attempts to get confirmation on the kidnappers’ demands from the Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, were unsuccessful as his mobile phone did not connect.

(NATION)

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Metro

Three Killed In Lagos Masquerader Festival Clash

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At least three persons were brutally murdered during a masquerader festival that began on Sunday in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

While the exact cause of the killings remains unclear, reports indicated that some members of the family involved in the festival, who are also believed to belong to various cult groups in Lagos, hijacked the event and turned it into a supremacy battle.

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A resident of the community who craved anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the situation descended into chaos shortly after the festival ended.

We had just finished the festival when a fight broke out among some boys suspected to be cultists. And before we knew it, they had started throwing bottles at one another while also wielding some dangerous weapons. Nobody could even wait to calm the situation other than to run for cover,” the resident narrated.

READ ALSO:Lagos Enforces Ban, Seizes Single-use Plastics From Supermarkets

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Videos of the violence, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, showed heavy gunfire as suspected cultists chased one another along Lagos Street.

In one of the clips, at least five gunshots were heard, while no fewer than 10 assailants were seen gang-beating a victim.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Kazeem said the clash lasted for hours, causing panic among residents.

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The fight started in the evening and continued till midnight. Some of us could not sleep due to the intensity of the violence and loud noise from their voices and the destruction,” he said.

Naija Confra, an account known for showcasing cult-related violence in Nigeria, further highlighted the chaos.

READ ALSO:Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

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It stated, “We received reports of a clash in Lagos Island that has been going on since Sunday, following a masquerade festival. The fight involved street gangs whose members are mostly cultists.”

In response to the clashes, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday, announced tightened security across Lekki, Ajah, and surrounding areas, including Ogombo and Elemoro.

The measures, according to the command, were aimed at safeguarding lives and property while securing private and public investments.

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The statement, signed by the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, read, “As part of these measures, the Command has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers in the affected area, to bring new impetus towards curtailing crime and criminalities in the area and also improve on the operational efficiency and a proactive response to distress situations.

RES ALSO:Lagos Task Force Arrests 32 Drug Suspects In Midnight Raid

To further reinforce the security, the Eko Strike Force, a specialized intervention unit, has been deployed to Lekki and Ajah to address all forms of crime and criminality in the Lekki area and its environs.

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“The Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team to ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for all.”

Hundeyin further disclosed that the command had launched a discreet investigation into the killings.

The command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a discreet investigation into the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday in Lekki Phase 1, where an inter-cult clash resulted in the death of three cultists.

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READ ALSO:Lagos Skit Maker Hacked To Death By Suspected Cultists

“The clash occurred at a security duty post in an uninhabited open land space around Wole Olateju Street, involving members of rival cult groups at about 0500hrs. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally mobilised to the scene with joint police teams to attend to the situation and ensure swift action.

“The recently established Anti-Cultism Team and other Tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command were immediately deployed to Lekki Phase 1, and several arrests of suspects linked to the crime were made in connection with the incident.”

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According to Hundeyin, raids were carried out on several criminal hideouts in Lekki, leading to the arrest of 23 suspects.

Those arrested include: Frank Okpara (27), Friday Ebuka (27), Babatunde Mufutau (24), Suleiman Muri (25), Olamide Malik (24), Nwaka Lucky (34), Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Ibrahim Abdul (22), Ibrahim Aminu (37), Nasiru Musa (27), Friday Nwafor (51), Ahmed Fatai (26), Aro Abiola a.k.a. Zino (25), Tijani Shehu a.k.a. Abana (26), Gift Igedi (31), Ugochukwu Chike (30), Ridwan Alex (37), Happiness Otigbo (27), Abiodun Adegun (37), Adedayo Adeoti (27), and Afeez Ahmed (31).

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JUST IN: Ex-soldiers Resume Protest Over Unpaid Benefits

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A group of discharged Nigerian soldiers on Thursday resumed protests in Abuja, demanding the payment of their entitlements.

The ex-soldiers called off their protest on August 4, after a meeting with officials of the Ministries of Defence and Finance, who assured them that their outstanding entitlements would be paid by August 10.

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The ex-servicemen, who converged on the Ministry of Finance headquarters in the nation’s capital, accused the authorities of neglect and failure to honour promises made after their meeting last month.

One of the protesters, identified as Mama G, said they were forced to return to the streets after previous assurances yielded no results.

READ ALSO: Ex-soldiers Protest In Abuja, Demand Outstanding Entitlements

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“We are here because the promises made to us were never fulfilled. We had no choice but to return to the streets. This time around, the protest will be massive”, Mama G said.

This is not the first time the group has demonstrated. In recent years, retired soldiers have repeatedly taken to the streets in Abuja and other cities over what they describe as unfair treatment and neglect.

The Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters and Military Pension Board have yet to issue an official response as of the time of filing this report.

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Details later…

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20-year-old Mother Buries Newborn Alive

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Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old mother, Maryam Atiku, for allegedly attempting to kill her newborn baby girl by burying her alive in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

According to a police statement, made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the command spokesman, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, “the incident occurred on June 25, 2025, when Maryam allegedly tied the baby’s neck with wrappers, covered her mouth, and buried her in a shallow grave at Malam Yaro bush.

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“The following day, June 26, a farmer, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, while working on his farm near the area, discovered a patch of disturbed soil resembling a fresh grave.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Police Rescue Man Who Attempted Suicide On High-tension Pole In Anambra

He raised an alarm and, with the help of nearby residents, exhumed the baby, who was found alive. The infant was rushed to General Hospital, Kamba, where doctors confirmed her condition as stable after receiving medical attention”

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The statement said police detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department promptly arrested Maryam, who confessed to the crime during interrogation.

Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Sani, described the act as “inhuman and unacceptable,” reiterating the Command’s zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and gender-based violence.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Suspected Fake Lawyer In Ogun

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”He urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to protect children under their care and not compromise their future due to poverty or other pressures.

“The Police Commissioner commended the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, for supporting the welfare of the rescued baby and praised Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad for his timely intervention.

“The suspect will be arraigned in court, where she will face prosecution aimed at serving as a deterrent to others.”

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