Metro

Bandits Abduct Newly-weds, Islamic Cleric, Others In Kaduna

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2023

Some bandits have raided the Dan-Honu community in the Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped a new-wedded couple, Muslim leader and scores of others on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the hoodlums decked in dark dresses and wielding AK47 rifles in large numbers stormed the area around 9pm.

A source who is also a resident of the area told our correspondent that the bandits took away no fewer than eight residents of the community including the couple, the Imam and others.

However, the source added that the Imam and one other escaped while they were being led out of the community into the bush.

He said, “The bandits suspected to be kidnappers came on Tuesday night, attacked Dan-Honu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnappied eight persons.

“Among those abducted were a new couple who got married last Saturday, Imam of the community mosque, his wife and three children, including a 10-month-old baby.

“The bandits who stormed the community around 8:50pm numbering about 10, with AK47 rifles and other weapons, were in black, with one of them masked.

“We escaped being abducted. The bandits started by picking the Imam and his family who they met outside the community Juma’at Mosque before proceeding to other houses where they abducted the newly-wedded.

“I was inside my apartment when the bandits stormed our compound. At first, when they started banging the new couple’s door, because they went to their apartment straight, I thought they were security people who came to arrest my neighbour.”

He added, “They started banging his door and shouting ‘Dan Iska ba za ka fito ba?’, meaning ‘idiot, will you not come out? That was when I realiaed that they were kidnappers. So, when they could not force the door open, they broke his window and broke the burglary proof.

“On gaining entrance into the apartment, the bandits tried to open the door, they could not open it. So, they brought the couple out through the broken window. They injured the husband and blood was dripping from his body.

“They attempted to enter my apartment too. They broke the glass window, but as they were busy hitting the burglary proof to break into my apartment, one of the vigilantes in the community fired a shot into the air. On hearing the gunshot, the bandits became uncomfortable and left our compound.

“The new bride was also abandoned in the bush by the bandits when she could not cope with the pace of the movement. The Imam’s wife was freed when her baby’s cry almost exposed the bandits to vigilantes around Kakura area.

“The bandits were able to go with the new groom and two children of the Imam .They were yet to establish contact with the family.”

Meanwhile, the Imam, who escaped from the bandits, while narrating his ordeal, told newsmen that two out of the seven bandits that attacked the community were armed with AK47 rifles with chains of bullets.

“They beat the 10-month-old baby because he was crying. They even threatened to kill him because his cry was disturbing them. But I thank Almighty Allah my wife and the baby later escaped after I had escaped but the bandits went away with my two sons,” he said.

While confirming the incident, the Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, told our correspondent on the telephone that operatives of the command repelled the bandits and rescued the victims.

“What we know was that as they entered, police repelled the attackers and rescued those that were kidnapped,” he said.

Metro

Why Killers Of Anambra Siblings Have Not Been Unraveled 7 Months After — Police

Published

3 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command,CP Ikioye Orutugu, has given reasons why the killers of three siblings in the state have not been unmasked seven months after the incident happened in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the command headquarters in Awka, on Monday, Orutugu, said though investigation into the killing is still ongoing, it has been slow down by forensic challenges.

The three siblings namely Chikaima Ejezie, female (nine); Chimdirim Ejezie, male (five); and Chimziterem Ejezie, female, (eight) were reportedly killed and their lifeless bodies found inside a freezer in their apartment on February 1.

It was reportedly gathered that the killers invaded their apartment while the children were inside, killed them and inserted their lifeless bodies into the freezer in one of the rooms.

However, fielding questions from newsmen on why no suspects have been unmasked ,the CP said while the police are working hard to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act, it is noteworthy for people to know that homicide crime takes longer time to conclude due to the extensive investigations involved in the exercise.

He said, ‘On the case of the three siblings that were killed in Nnewichi, it was a case of homicide and homicide crime takes longer time to unravel because it requires extensive investigations and piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime. Gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“There are also forensic challenges, an autopsy has been conducted and the result is helping with investigations that are still ongoing, we are not relenting in unravelling the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Homicide is the act of killing another human being. It can be classified into different categories, including murder – intentional and unlawful killing, often with malice aforethought.

“It comes with extensive investigations such as proving intent, establishing the perpetrator’s state of mind or intentions, piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime, identifying suspects, gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“But we will ensure that perpetrators are brought to book no matter how long it takes’’

The CP also highlighted achievements recorded by the command in the last six months of his assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command.

He said, “Upon assumption of office, we made a firm commitment to restore public confidence in policing, strengthen collaboration with sister agencies, and ensure that Anambra remains a safe and secure state for all residents and visitors.

“I was confronted with several pressing security concerns, including the disturbing case of a suspect who had escaped custody after being implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, as well as other related security issues.’’

He noted that one of the notable successes of the command in the last six months was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of the member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.

“This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes

“We began by engaging and visiting key security stakeholders to improve cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, and enhance operational support for the Police and other security agencies. This partnership has enhanced intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and timely crime reporting

“In a decisive move to combat kidnapping, violent crimes, and other criminal activities, the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched Operation Zero Kidnapping. This joint operation has significantly disrupted the activities of criminal gangs and brought the rate of kidnapping in the state to zero.

“In the past six months, the Command has recorded significant achievements, including recovery of over 300 arms, 20 explosives, more than 1,000 ammunition, and more than 30 vehicles. Destruction of more than five criminal camps.

Arrest of over 200 suspects, including cultists, separatist agitators, and armed robbers.

“One of the notable successes was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka. This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.

“The Command has explored the use of Alternative dispute resolution to resolve so many communal crises, including the boundary dispute between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri and others

“While challenges remain, our results so far reaffirm that with sustained collaboration, professionalism, and community trust, we can keep Anambra safe. I commend the command’s officers and men, our sister agencies, and the good people of Anambra State for their support,” the CP added.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Army Arrests Notorious IPOB Commander In Imo

Published

4 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Okorienta was captured in his hideout at Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, during a joint operation conducted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with other security agencies.

A statement by the Nigerian Army said the raid led to the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.

Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the site.

In related operations, troops carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 12 kidnapped victims. Five persons were freed in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, another five in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina, while two others were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Separately, operatives of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised eight fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Borno State. Several others with gunshot wounds were arrested.

According to a military statement, the encounter occurred in the early hours of Monday after terrorists laid an ambush near Garin Giwa along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route.

“During the exchange of fire, eight ISWAP fighters were neutralised, including two Munzirs and one Qaid,” the statement added.

Metro

Edo Agency Rescues 27-year-old Uwoghiren Poisoned In Burkina Faso

Published

4 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

…victim paralysed, unconscious

Edo State Migration Agency has rescued 27-year-old Godstime Uwoghiren who was allegedly poisoned by his friends for buying a motorbike in Burkina Faso.

Uwoghiren touched ground at the Benin Airport on Wednesday at about 1:00PM alongside the Director-General of the agency, Lucky Agazuma and other staff, paralysed and unconscious.

The victim was hurriedly picked up by a waiting ambulance and rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin, for emergency medical attention.

Addressing journalists at the airport, the agency DG said the state government was informed of an Edo indigene that was poisoned by his friends for envy of buying a motorbike in Burkina Faso, stressing that Governor Monday Okpehbolo immediately directed the agency to repatriate the victim.

Agazuma lamented that all efforts to get necessary information about the victim were frustrated by his immediate family, saying “after a good four months, our efforts yielded results and here we are with Godstime.”

He added: “When they reached out to Mr. Governor that Mr. Godstime is sick, paralysed, and that he was poisoned in Burkina Faso for the fact that he bought a bike, the only contact person we were given was his sister. We asked her to lead us to the family but she refused for good four months. Today, she is crying profusely. We are taking her to our office for further investigation.

“And to our surprise, at the early stage of this rescue mission, the family rejected, but Governor Okpehbolo insisted that we must go and rescue him, and we succeeded,” he said.

Agazuma, who thanked the governor for providing all the necessary resources needed, stated: “Governor Monday Okpehbolo is not for provision of infrastructure alone, he is concerned about humanity, this he has been exhibiting.”

He urged parents to warn their children that “not all the glitters is gold,” adding “many Nigerians are suffering over there.”

Mother of the victim, Mrs. Susan Uwoghiren, while thanking Okpehbolo for coming to the victim’s rescue, narrated: “He came to Benin from the village to learn how to drive truck, but suddenly he called his father that we was traveling out, we asked him how, he said we shouldn’t worry, the next time we heard from him was when he called that he was in Burkina Faso. We were talking regulularly not until recently that we didn’t hear from him, and when we carried out our investigation, we were told he was seriously sick, so I told my pastor about it and we started praying. Thank God he is back.”