Metro

Anambra Shoe Dealers’ Market Boils As Thugs Brutalize Traders

Published

5 months ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Thugs stormed the Onitsha Shoe Dealers’ Market on Monday, causing chaos in the area.

According to DAILY POST, several traders were severely brutalized during the attack.

Concerned traders, under the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association, have condemned the invasion, describing it as barbaric.

A video currently in circulation could show some of the traders battered by the thugs allegedly acting under the instruction of a former chairman of the Association, one Nwabueze Umeh.

One of the traders, who spoke under anonymity, alleged that Umeh had been instigating troubles in the market ever since his tenure ended many years ago.

According to him, he fought his immediate successor to a standstill and had continued to unleash the same treatment on the current chairman, Okwudili Anigbogu, whose election was said to have been supervised by the authorities of the Onitsha South LGA

The source said trouble started after Ume claimed that the election had been annulled by Governor Charles Soludo, through the governor’s PA on Markets.

“Meanwhile, there was no formal communication from the government to prove that such an order was given by the governor.

“The next thing we saw was that they stormed the market with thugs and some members of the state security operatives, known as SASA, and started brutalizing our members.

“The thugs, under the supervision of those that brought them, also left with the wares of some of the victims.

“The group has been notorious for arresting and detaining people for days without handing over to the police.

“In this instance, when they came to the market, Nwabueze Umeh prevented people from recording the assault, and confiscated phones belonging to some of the traders. The phones were destroyed there and then.”

When asked what could have led to the developments, the trader said the former chairman was doing everything to block a probe into his land deals when he was in office.

“What happened was that the government gave the traders land for an expansion of the market.

“However, Umeh hijacked the land and started selling the portions off as personal property.

“His successor took the matter to court in order to recover the land; that’s why he has been fighting since then, as the incumbent chairman also vowed to pursue the matter in court,” he further alleged.

The traders appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene in the matter in order to avoid a total breakdown of law and order as well as shedding of blood.

It was also gathered that the incumbent chairman and some others who were brutalized during the invasion are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.

Efforts to obtain reaction from Umeh were not successful as of the time of filing this report as he neither answered calls nor responded to text message sent to him.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.