Metro

Celestial Church Members Mob PUNCHman, Police Probe Attack

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2022

A security guard, identified simply as Rotimi, alongside worshippers of the Celestial Church of Christ, Sharon Parish, have brutalised a PUNCHman, Deji Lambo, on the church premises on Mobolaji Benson Street, Lowa, Igbooluwo, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Deji had visited the church to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death of an electrician, Taiwo Akinlotan, who got electrocuted while fixing some electrical appliances in the church on Friday, November 5, 2022.

Upon getting to the front gate of the church, the reporter approached a young lady, asked for the head of the church, and was directed to a church member, one Mr Lambo, who after hearing the reason for the visit, took him into the church’s premises and introduced him to some colleagues.

A senior member of the church, who was among the colleagues, while attending to PUNCHman, called the Chairman of the church, Adeleke Oduwole, and handed his phone to him (PUNCHman) to explain the reason for the visit.

During the deliberation, the reporter told Oduwole that he wanted to speak with a church spokesman on the events that led to Akinlotan’s death.

Oduwole, thereafter, said he and some church members were with the deceased’s family members at the Ikorodu General Hospital to retrieve his corpse for burial.

Upon hearing this, Deji asked to speak to the victim’s family members in a bid to reflect their views in the report.

He told Oduwole that he would hang up the call so he could use his personal number to call the cleric back.

Shortly after hanging up, the spokesperson for the church, Akin Adesanya, called and while speaking with Deji, said he was informed that the reporter said the family petitioned PUNCH on the tragedy.

He, however, noted that the deceased’s family refuted the claim, adding that policemen were on their way to the church to arrest the reporter.

Afterwards, some church members, numbering about 30, descended on the reporter, pinned him down, seized his phones and demanded his means of identification.

Delta mob kills phone snatcher
Deji brought out his ID card but the church members seized it, pounced on him, as the security guard slapped him and labelled him a thief.

The church members, led by a woman identified simply as Iya Ibeji, also used their mobile phones to film the reporter during the assault.

The church members circled our reporter and interrogated him on his mission in the church as they alleged that he planned to destroy the church’s image.

Adesanya, who had yet to get to the church, later called another PUNCHman, Johnny Edwards, who confirmed his identity.

The spokesman thereafter drove to the church and rescued the reporter while being mobbed by the worshippers.

He subsequently drove PUNCHman out of the premises to his office, where he apologised for the assault.

However, the matter was reported at the Owutu Police Station.

Reacting to the development, Adesanya said the attack was caused by a gap in communication.

He said, “It is never in our character to take laws into our hands. The unfortunate incident negates everything we preach. The security officer in question has been relieved of his role immediately and handed over to the police for further questioning.

“The two parishioners that took out their mobile phones to record the incident have also been reprimanded. Upon going through their phones, we are happy to inform you that there was no recording of any sort found in them; one took pictures and the pictures were immediately deleted.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said investigations were ongoing into the matter.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.