Metro

Court Sentences Two Suspects To 30 Years In Prison For Kidnapping In Ekiti

Published

2 months ago

May 22, 2025

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two persons, Ojo Babajide (31) and Olajide Nathaniel (35), to fifteen years imprisonment each for conspiracy and kidnapping.

The convicts were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 19th July 2022.

The offenses, according to the charge, contravene Sections 280 and 279 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The charge reads “That the convicts on 23/3/22 at Oye Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to kidnap one Atana Emmanuel”.

In his statement to the police, the victim said, “I was a student of Federal University of Oye (FUOYE), and I was also operating a salon. I was in the shop around 7:00 p.m., and I saw the defendants in my shop; they moved towards me and ordered me to enter a waiting car. I initially refused, but I was forced to enter. I was first taken to an unknown destination in Oye Ekiti, and I later found myself in a hotel along Ikere Road in Ado Ekiti.

“I even paid for the room in the hotel through mobile transfer. They asked me to call my relatives to pay a ransom of One Million Naira for my release. Through phone calls, I was able to raise N101, 000, when they knew the money was not forthcoming, I was ordered to remove all my clothes and they started flogging me with horsewhip, I sustained serious bruises all over my body before I was later released”,

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Kunle-shina Adeyemo, called one witness and tendered the victim and defendants’ statements and bond to release as exhibits. The defendants spoke through their lawyer, Akinola Abon, who pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy.

He noted that the defendants, who called three witnesses, are fresh graduates preparing for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

In his ruling, Justice Familoni said, “The incidents of kidnapping in our communities appear unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts being made to curb the vice. The defendants willingly but unwisely choose to join this vice train. Therefore, they cannot escape the consequences.

“In this vein, they deserve more than a slap on the wrist as the penal sanction for their misdeed to serve as a deterrent to others. Consequently, they are both sentenced to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and Ten years imprisonment each for kidnapping without answering the option of a fine.

“The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from 21st May, 2025”.

Metro

BREAKING: Scores Feared Dead As Suspected IPOB Members Unleash Terror On Imo Community

Published

1 hour ago

July 25, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have attacked Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma and Ndiakuwata Uno communities in Arondizuogu and Ideato North local government areas of Imo State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred Friday morning when the assailants invaded the communities.

DSP Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, over seven persons were killed in the attack while several others were critically injured.

Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aboki Danjuma condemned the incident, assuring that the perpetrators will be brought to book.

“The senseless assault, which claimed the lives of over seven persons and left several others critically injured, was described by the CP as barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable.

“He assured the public that the Command has deployed adequate operational and intelligence assets to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Consequently, the CP has led a tactical unit for intense combing of the affected areas and affirmed that the situation is now under control, and proactive security measures have been taken to forestall further attacks and restore lasting peace in the region,” the statement added.

Metro

JUST IN: Pandemonium At Benin Abattoir As Gunmen Attempt To Arrest Butchers Union President

Published

2 hours ago

July 25, 2025

Editor

There was pandemonium on Friday morning at the Benin Abattoir when some uniformed gunmen allegedly led by one SP Anetor attempted to arrest Chief Sunny Omokaro, the National President of the Butchers Union of Nigeria.

Most Butchers had resumed work early as usual and were about to commence their daily tasks when they noticed an unregistered black Hilux van and a Toyota Hiace bus with Edo task force covering the plate number carrying heavily armed men stationed nearby.

According to eyewitnesses, some of the armed men alighted from the vehicle and claimed they had “orders from above” to arrest Chief Sunny Omokaro.

It was gathered that when the head of the team, Anetor was asked for an ID or warrant of arrest, he could not produce any.

The move sparked outrage among the butchers, who immediately resisted the attempt and demanded that the armed men arrest all of them instead if they must arrest their leader.

Some said since the men could not disclose who sent them and their purpose, they were resisted and forced to leave the slaughter premises.

Unable to execute the arrest due to the butchers’ stiff resistance and loud protests, the gunmen were eventually forced to retreat, driving away in their vehicles, which included the Toyota Hilux van and the Hiace bus bearing a plate cover with “Edo State Task Force” inscription.

Metro

BREAKING: Gunmen Strike Again, Kill 14 Passengers On Their Way From Plateau Market

Published

4 hours ago

July 25, 2025

Editor

It was another dark day on Thursday, July 24, 2025, after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits ambushed a vehicle coming back from the popular Bokkos market in Plateau State, killing 14 passengers, including women and babies.

Eyewitnesses who narrated the incident to DAILY POST said the victims were on their way home from the weekly market after they had conducted their businesses when they were attacked and killed along Chirang Road in Mangor District of the LGA.

One of the eyewitnesses, who did not want his name mentioned, said the heavily armed men blocked the road when the vehicle approached and opened fire sporadically, killing the victims and injuring many others.

Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), Farmasum Fuddang, who also confirmed the incident in a statement seen by DAILY POST on Friday, said it was shocking that despite several peace and reconciliation meetings and efforts to broker peace between farming and herding communities in the council, some bandits would still go ahead to kill innocent people.

“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies,” Fuddang said in the statement.

“This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts,” the chairman said.

Fuddang, who did not mince words in accusing Fulani militias of launching the attack, said the fact was clear that they were the culprits, insisting that their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognized as the potato headquarters of Nigeria.