Metro

Anglican Church Resorts To Prayer Over Missing Archbishop, Driver

Published

10 months ago

December 8, 2024

The sudden disappearance of the retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, has continued to generate tension and anxiety among the Anglican faithful in Nnewi, Anambra State and the entire state.

Okpala and his driver were said to have gone missing since Friday morning after they went on a trip to the Umuchu community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, but failed to arrive at their destination.

It was gathered that despite efforts by the church to establish contact with them, no communication has been received and the whereabouts of the cleric, his driver and their vehicle have remained unknown.

A prayer request issued by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, on Saturday, called for intercessory prayers for the Archbishop’s safe return.

Obi, who confirmed the development when contacted over the telephone on Saturday, however, referred The PUNCH to the church’s communication board, for further details, after simply saying, “Yes, the report is true. However, you will have to contact our information board for further details.”

When contacted, a member of the board, who craved anonymity, simply said, “Yes, it is true, the bishop and his driver went on a trip to somewhere in Umuchu community on Friday morning and till now, their whereabouts have remained unknown.

“We have contacted the relevant authorities and the police are aware of the development, we hope for the safe return of the bishop and his driver.”

But the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said such a report has not been brought before the command. “There is no such report before me,” he said.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.