Metro

Benue Killings: Troops Eliminate 40 Insurgents/Herders

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Following the refusal of herders, cultists and insurgents to heed its warning and put a stop to the wanton killings of indigenes of Benue state over issues of farmlands, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have charged through ambushes laid by armed herders and violent extremists in four Local government areas of Benue State, killing a total of 40 armed herders, violent extremists and insurgents after heavy gunfights.

The four local government involved are Apo Local government area, Katsinal Ala Local government area, Ukum Local government area and Ado local government area all in Benue state.

During the encounters, troops on while on patrol were ambushed by suspected violent extremists/armed herders in Apa LGA of Benue State an following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 insurgents and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 117 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 magazines and 4 mobile phones

In a separate operation, troops raided suspected violent extremists hideout and made contact in Katsina-Ala and Ado LGAs of Benue State resulting a fire fight, with troops neutralizing 12 insurgents and arresting 5 suspected cultists. During the operation, troops recovered 10 locally fabricated guns, 2 Dane guns, one fabricated pistol, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 234 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 112 rounds of 9mm ammo, 3 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones.

Similarly, troops while on fighting patrol made contact with violent extremists/insurgents in Ukum LGA of Benue State resulting in a fire fight, with troops liquidating 15 insurgents and recovering 10 AK47 rifles, 2 double barrel guns, Dane guns, one locally made pistol, 78 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo and substance suspected to be cannabis.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba made this known while giving details operations aimed at tackling insecurity in the country adding that troops of operation Whirl Stroke also arrested one suspected violent extremist/impostor in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and recovered military accoutrements and fake military ID cards among others from him.

“Troops with hybrid forces also raided suspected violent extremists/terrorists hideouts in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, made no contact, but recovered 22 rounds of 5.64mm ammo and one vehicle”.

Speaking further on operations in the last one week, Gen Buba said that, troops neutralized 210 terrorists, bandits and kidnappers and arrested 208 of them, including 66 perpetrators of oil theft as well as rescued 46 kidnapped hostages.

“In the Niger Delta, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of two billion, two hundred and eventy five million, four hundred and fifty one thousand and six hundred naira (N2, 275,451,600.00).

“Troops discovered and destroyed 81 illegal refining sites, 100 cooking ovens, 120 storage tanks, 63 dugout pits, 46 boats. 11 pumping machines, 23 vehicles, 2 tricycles, 6 mobile phones, one generator, 3 outboard engines.

“Troops recovered 1,932,245 liters of stolen crude oil, 432,150 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,500 liters of DPK.

“During the several engagements, troops recovered 243 assorted weapons and 5,453 assorted ammunition comprising 2 GPMGs, 3 G3 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, 42 locally fabricated guns, 16 pump action guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, 34 Dane guns, 2 pistols, 3 fabricated revolver gun, 3 automatic single barrel guns, 2 double barrel guns, 2 locally made short guns, 4 hand grenades, 2,699 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,558 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 339 rounds of 9mm ammo, 22 rounds of 5.64mm ammo, 121 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 468 live cartridges, 34 magazines, 5 HH boafeng radios, 18 vehicle, 26 motorcycles and 34 mobile phones amongst other items.
VANGUARD

Metro

Man Arrested In Edo For Alleged Abduction Of 4-year-old

Published

13 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

21-year-old ThankGod Destiny has been arrested by the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, for allegedly kidnapping a four-year-old boy in the state.

Deputy Corps Commander, Operations, of the ESSC, Richard Balogun, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Thursday, said the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Balogun, while disclosing that the incident happened on January 4, 2026 at Ikpoba Hill, Benin, said the arrest of the suspect followed an alarm raised by a commercial bus driver and a female passenger.

The ESSC commander said, “On January 4, 2026, a woman went out with her son at lkpoba Hill in Benin city. A few minutes later, the son disappeared from her sight.
This suspect identified as ThankGod Destiny had allegedly kidnapped the four-year-old boy.

“The little boy was hurriedly taken into a commercial bus going towards kings Square in Benin city.

“The driver of the bus who noticed a great difference in resemblance between the little boy and the man, however questioned where he was heading with the little boy.

“He lied that the boy is ill and he is taking him to the hospital. But later on, a female passenger asked him about his destination with the boy. He replied that he was going to buy the boy shoe.

“The various replies made the driver and the woman raise the alarm. The alarm attracted men of the Edo State Security Corps who were on patrol. The suspect was immediately arrested and the kidnapped little boy rescued unhurt.”

Balogun, who said the victim has been reunited with his family, assured that the Corps will continue to hunt for criminals in the state.

Metro

Imo Police Arrest Man Accused Of Defilement In Viral Video

Published

14 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Imo State Police Command has arrested one 24-year-old man, Wisdom Onyeaju, from Umuekweye, Irete, Owerri-West Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of defilement.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

DSP Henry said the arrest followed credible information received by the Command from the family of the victim, who had earlier drawn public attention to the incident through a viral video circulating on social media.

According to Henry, the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing thorough investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.

The police mouthpiece further said that the suspect would be arraigned in court with the appropriate charges upon the conclusion of investigation.

DSP Henry also disclosed that the Command has also identified and detained the police officers alleged to have been involved in professional misconduct in the course of handling the case.

“An orderly room trial has been scheduled to commence on Monday, 12th January, 2026, to address the misconduct in line with extant police regulations.

“We remain committed to professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Justice will be served in this matter,” the Command assured.

Metro

Edo widow-lawyer Diabolically Blinded Over Contract Seeks Okpebholo’s Intervention

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

…says efforts to meet gov blocked

A blind-widow and mother of four, Barr. Benny Francis, has appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to intervene over what she described as injustice meted on her and her children.

She lamented that after her husband, who was the breadwinner of the family, was knocked down by a bus chased by the then Kelly Okungbowa aka Ebo-Stone-led Edo State Task Force, all her efforts to meet with the governor had proved abortive.

“When the governor heard about the incident, we were told he asked “where is the family of the man?” The governor is actually interested in the case but we are being blocked from gaining access. I have met with the Coordinator of the First Lady, and she was trying to arrange for our meeting with the governor, but in one of my visits to the Office to the Office of the First Lady, I met Ebo-Stone in the office, so I waited at the reception. To my own surprise, the Coordinator didn’t meet with me that day despite the fact that she was the one that asked me to come. Till this moment, no attempt from that end. This is what happens to any highly placed political office holders I met regarding my ordeal. They may attend to me and listen to me initially, but once I meet them with Ebo-Stone, their doors become completely shut against me. I don’t know what they are hiding,” she narrated.

Narrating how her tragic and pathetic story started on Wednesday, she said, until the tragic incident that happened to her that led to her losing her sight, “she was a contractor with the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and was awarded a contract to construct a 10-unit staff quarters in Ughoton Community, Edo State.”

She added that “during the execution of this project, I was diabolically attacked and rendered blind,” stressing that “following this unfortunate incident, EDSOGPADEC assured me that they would compensate me for all my losses, settle my medical bills, and support my recovery. Unfortunately, these promises were never fulfilled.

“The former Secretary to the State Government (Barr. Osarodion Ogie) directed them to provide me with a Prado Jeep and a hilux to assist with my mobility, but after the car was delivered, the former Oil and Gas Chairman ordered its retrieval within 24 hours under the pretext of repairs. Till date, the vehicle has not been returned.

“In pursuit of justice, I took the matter to court, where I initially demanded N1 billion in damages. The government pleaded for a settlement of N300 million, but after court deliberations, it was agreed that I would receive N500 million in compensation. Despite this legal resolution, only N50 million was offered, which I was advised to reject due to the lack of a conclusive agreement. Since then, the government has failed to fulfill their promises, including offering me new contracts as earlier pledged.

“As a result of this ordeal, I lost all my properties, including my home, cars, and valuables to the bank, as I had taken loans to finance the EDSOGPADEC project. My financial situation has deteriorated drastically, leaving me struggling to survive.”

She lamented that “as if my suffering was not enough, tragedy struck again on December 11, 2024. My husband, who had been my only pillar of support, was tragically killed in an accident caused by the Edo State Task Force under the current administration.

“He was struck by a bus driver being pursued by the Task Force, led by a man known as “Able Stone”, and the vehicle crushed his head. He was rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital and later referred to UBTH, where he sadly passed away by 5:00 PM that same day.

“I lost my husband when I was five months pregnant and left to care for four young children, now as a widow, with no means of support. I have made several attempts to meet with His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to personally narrate my plight, but all efforts have been unsuccessful.”

The widow, who debunked Ebo-Stone’s claim that he has compensated her and the children, appealed to the governor to “as a father and a man of compassion, to intervene in my case. I seek the support of the Edo State Government.”

Contacted, Ebo-Stone picked the phone call but hurriedly said “I am in a party,” and ended the call immediately he heard journalist. The SMS sent to his telephone as a follow-up was not responded to as at when filing the report.