Metro

Court Remands Osun Monarch, Four Others For Alleged Arson

Published

2 years ago

September 28, 2024

The Elegbedi of Egbedi in Osun State, Oba Muideen Azeez, and four other defendants, standing trial for alleged arson and malicious damage of a farm in Iloba town, were on Thursday remanded in the Ile-Ife Custodial Centre following their inability to perfect the bail granted them by the court.

Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye were the other defendants standing trial alongside the monarch before an Osun State High Court, sitting in Ede on 29 counts.

The PUNCH had reported that the five defendants were arraigned on June 27, 2024, on 29 counts of arson, destruction of farmland, illegal possession of firearms and robbery.

The details of the offences allegedly committed by the defendants as contained in the sheet partly read, “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.K.A Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.K.A. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on or about September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at about N10m, and at, or immediately before or immediately after the time of the robbery did use personal violence to the said Wasilatu Akinola and other women with her.

“Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.k.a Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.k.a. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba within Ede Judicial Division willingly and unlawfully set the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Oloba of Iloba and other buildings in Iloba town on fire.”

The offences committed were said to be contrary to Sections 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), and 249(1) of the State Criminal Law 2002.

At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, Justice Kudirat Akano granted the bail application of the defendants in the sum of N5m with two sureties each.

The judge also said one of the two sureties must be a level 16 civil servant who has landed properties within the court jurisdiction adding that the other must be a part-two monarch.

The defendants were however unable to meet the conditions, and the vehicle of the correctional centre was observed driving them out of the court premises around 2:10 pm.

At the commencement of the day’s proceedings, Mr Abiodun Badiora, from the state Ministry of Justice, had announced an appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Bukola Atobatele appeared for the defendants.

A prosecution witness, Mustafa Waheed, while being led by his counsel, said Elegbedi assaulted him after he (Waheed) brought policemen to arrest the monarch for destroying a farm belonging to him.

Justice Akano subsequently adjourned the matter till October 16 for the continuation of the hearing.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 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.