Metro

Court Sentences Native Doctor To Death For Kidnapping In Akwa Ibom

Published

1 year ago

June 15, 2024

Andrew, a native doctor from Ikono Local Government Area of the state, was said to have conspired with others, now at large, to commit the offence at Nkemba Street, Uyo on November 29, 2015, and harbored the victims in his shrine at Ikot Enua, Ikono, demanding N50m as ransom.

The convicted native doctor was standing trial with the first defendant, Ibe Francis Emeka, on a six-count charge for conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery, in which he was found guilty, while the Court discharged and acquitted Emeka due to the failure of the prosecution to prove the ingredients of kidnapping, armed robbery, and conspiracy against him.

Emeka, a native of Abia State, stated that he was invited to Uyo by his friend “Papa,” only to be taken to a drinking joint at Nkemba Street in the company of one Ukeme Amos, alias “Bishop,” the leader of the gang, and Jude Ihemekwa, alias “Method,” who is currently undergoing trial for another kidnapping case in Uyo.

He said while at Nkemba Street, the gang saw a black Toyota Corolla car and double-crossed it. Before he knew it, “Bishop” and “Papa” dragged the two brothers out of their car to another car and instructed him to go to the front seat, while “Bishop” and the victims were kept at the back of the car, and “Papa” took the victims’ car away.

In a one-hour judgment on Friday, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Ette, described Ibe Francis Emeka as “an innocent man and a victim who happened to be in the company of the wrong guys in the wrong place and at the wrong time by inadvertence,” adding that “the only difference between him and the other victims was that no ransom was placed on his head.”

“He was, like the main victims, put in the same room with them; that piece of evidence was not debunked. He was precluded from leaving the camp, hence his decision to escape with the victims. If he was a kidnapper, his access and exit would not have been restricted or curtailed, as shown in evidence. The real kidnappers left the camp; he was not allowed freedom of movement. That is why I see him as an innocent victim too,” Justice Ette held.

The Court also noted that “the first defendant initiated the escape plan and the victims in their extra-judicial statements corroborated the fact,” stressing that “if the first defendant came from Aba to Uyo to make money through kidnapping as alleged by the prosecution, why then was he the one who initiated and aided the escape of the victims.”

Justice Ette said, “It is in evidence that the first defendant did not run away upon their escape, but followed the victims to their residence, got refreshed, had his bath, and stayed behind with them till the DSS showed up.”

“Even in the house of the victims and in the presence of the DSS officers, ‘Papa’ texted the first defendant and vowed to kill him for aiding the escape of the victims, and he showed the text to his hosts, who showed it to the DSS officers. If these do not paint a different picture of the person of the first defendant, then it will be a surprise to me. I had the opportunity to watch the demeanor of the first defendant in court; he didn’t come across to me as a hardened criminal. He was sincere in his testimony,” Justice Ette further held.

“He became like Jonathan in the camp of King Saul, his father, who had no reason to die but for filial considerations. The lesson being; do not be found an innocent man in the camp of the wrong men. I advise him to be careful with those he calls friends. Unlike Jonathan, Ibe Francis Emeka won’t die, at least not in my hands. Today, I have the honor of breaking the chains of bondage that held him down for 10 years in the custodial center. I declare him not guilty indeed of the six counts charge and free him accordingly,” the court held.

Metro

Panic In Delta Female School Over False Herdsmen Attack

Published

9 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Fear gripped Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday, as students of Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School fled their classrooms following fears of an alleged herdsmen attack.

The panic reportedly began when students sighted two herdsmen entering the school premises from the rear, prompting a stampede as they ran out of their classrooms, triggering widespread alarm across the community.

A community source said the fear was rooted in earlier rumours circulating over the weekend that herdsmen were seen around the school’s surroundings.

“Everyone is on alert. The truth is that there were rumours that some herdsmen were spotted near the school on Saturday,”

The source said. “Today, as they were learning, two herdsmen entered the school compound from the back.
“Whether they were looking for their cattle, I don’t know.

“There had been information that an attack could happen at any moment due to issues between the herdsmen and the host community.”

The situation quickly escalated as parents trooped to the school to retrieve their children, and online platforms amplified claims of an imminent attack and alleged gunshots — none of which were verified.

But in a swift response, the Delta State Police Command dismissed it as false and misleading, saying it is capable of inciting unnecessary chaos.

According to the Command, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated security response.

The Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe said the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, led a patrol team to the school for on-the-ground verification.

“Interviews with the Vice Principal and the security guard on duty confirmed that no attack occurred. Police said the entire disturbance was triggered by misinformation and students’ fear.

“As part of precautionary checks, adjoining schools in the Kwale axis were also visited by security operatives, who found them calm, safe, and fully engaged in normal academic activities.”

“Parents who rushed to the school were urged to remain calm as authorities confirmed that stability had been restored.”

Metro

Bandits Claim Kebbi, Niger Abductions, Vow More Attacks On Soldiers, Politicians [VIDEO]

Published

10 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

An armed terrorist group has released a new video claiming responsibility for the recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger states, while threatening further attacks on soldiers and political office holders.

The video, which emerged on Monday and has since been circulating on social media, shows an armed man, speaking in Hausa, boasting that the group would soon begin targeting military personnel and politicians, insisting that the government “cannot stop” their operations.

The footage, which shows the individual surrounded by other armed men, has generated widespread speculation online, with citizens questioning the boldness and growing confidence of the terrorists.

The threatening video emerged just a week after the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, where over 300 students and 12 teachers were seized.

The video has intensified public anxiety as communities across the North continue to grapple with escalating attacks by bandits and other armed groups.

Security analysts say the video reflects the deteriorating security landscape and the increasing audacity of terrorists who operate with minimal deterrence.

In comments on X in reaction to the video, many Nigerians expressed outrage and frustration over the country’s worsening insecurity.

“This kind of boast shouldn’t even be possible in a functioning country. How did we get here?” @TaraBlinz said.

Another user, @justkency, stated, “The current state of Nigeria. Criminals are now emboldened enough to issue statements.”

Also reacting, @n95ly wrote, “Government officials should be the ones facing this. Leave innocent citizens out of it.”

Watch video here

Metro

38 Abducted Kwara Church Worshippers Regain Freedom

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2025

Editor

All the 38 persons recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku community of Ekiti Local Government of Kwara have regained freedom.

The state government, through the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this on Sunday.

The statement said the release followed many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives.

Ajakaye said, “The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees.”

He recalled that the president had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” he added.

He, however, conveyed the governor’s appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Nigeria Police, which he said have graciously deployed four new tactical teams on the directive of the President.

“The governor also thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, which was attacked last Tuesday by bandits who killed three, kidnapped 38 and wounded many, on Sunday held its first service since the deadly attack.

The Sunday church service was held amidst a heavy security presence in and around the premises.

Journalists observed heavy deployment of security operatives across Eruku, including soldiers, the Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara Police Command, and local vigilantes.

The deployment was said to have been the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who mandated joint operations to track the attackers and rescue the victims.

Meanwhile, the service, conducted inside the blood-stained auditorium where the attack occurred last Tuesday, was dominated by prayers for the release of the kidnapped worshippers and the repose of the deceased.

It was during the service that the church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, hinted that the abductors had reduced the ransom money from N100 million per head to N20 million.

He also used the service to confirm that 38 persons were abducted, contrary to earlier figures of 60 circulating on social media.

According to him, the church initially compiled 35 names, but later, during a verification exercise, identified three additional non-members who were also kidnapped during the siege.

“Rumours that over 60 people were abducted are not true,” he told Sobi FM. “We have 38 people still in the bush. Three people died, and one is in the hospital receiving treatment. I have their names and phone numbers. We don’t want misinformation,” he clarified.

Agbabiaka further disclosed that the bandits initially demanded N100 million per victim, but the ransom was negotiated down to N20 million each before communication with the abductors broke off on Friday.

He added that despite fear and trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.

“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life and for strengthening us. We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are now patrolling the town and the church,” he told newsmen.

Earlier, the officiating pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the incident as a test of faith and revealed that he received divine assurances regarding the safety of the kidnapped.

He told the congregation that God promised the abducted worshippers would return alive, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites.