Metro

DSS Raids Terrorists’ Negotiator’s Kaduna Residence, Office

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2022

A team of the Department of State Service raided the residence of Malam Tukur Mamu, the Publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald and Media Consultant to controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who withdrew as one of the negotiators between the terrorists that attacked the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna bound AK-9 train passengers.

A source familiar with the matter told one of our correspondents that the heavily armed DSS personnel stormed Mamu’s residence and the office of the Desert Herald Newspaper at about 12:30 am on Thursday.

It was gathered that the officers ransacked every nook and cranny of the house and carted away laptops, phones and documents.

The sources, however, said nothing incriminating was found in both the residence as well as the office.

According to him, no fewer than 50 heavily armed operatives in Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander as well as military vehicles raided both the residence and office.

He added that the two wives of the ex-negotiator that were with him when he was arrested, were brought back to the house, but his two sons “are still with him in detention.”

He said, “The heavily armed operatives came and they searched everywhere both at the residence and his office but nothing suspicious was found during the operation that started at about 12.30am

“Over 50 of them came in, fully armed with sophisticated weapons in Army vehicles, Toyota Hilux, and Toyota Highlander.

“Two wives that were with him (Mamu) were returned but his two sons, Faisal and Ibrahim are still with him in detention.

“They seized our phones and laptops computers.”

Recall that Mamu was arrested in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, on Tuesday.

The terrorists’ negotiator was said to have been arrested in Egypt alongside his family members.

Mamu was said to be on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj when he was detained at the Cairo International Airport.

Confirming the arrest, the Management of the Desert Herald Newspaper, said the arrest was an attempt to intimidate its publisher.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Head, Special Projects, Ibrahim Mada, the management accused the Federal government of contriving the arrest, deportation of Mamu from Egypt to Nigeria.

The statement read, “His patriotic mission to ensure the safety of the hapless passengers made him a target of blackmail by unscrupulous elements in the government who are hell bent in punishing him for this noble but dangerous sacrifice for the fatherland. Such threats and intimidations have forced him to reveal on a number of times that his life was under serious threat.

“Due to numerous threats to his life and conspiracy from the side of security agents to frame him, he withdrew from the said negotiations but from his latest sojourn, it appears that those who are desperately praying for his head are still hell-bent in carrying out their odious dastardly plans.

“But it is our fervent hope that the evil machination of these desperate elements will be nixed by the fact that Allah is always by the side of the oppressed. This evil machination like the ones before it, shall also come to pass,” the statement read in part

The PUNCH reports that some blood-thirsty terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March 28, and abducted some passengers.

The terrorists planted explosive devices along the rail track and when the train approached the point, the device exploded, causing the train to derail, leading to the death of eight passengers.

A day after the attack, another passenger who suffered from a gunshot wound died, making it nine, the total number of those killed in the attack.

From the manifest received by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 398 passengers bought tickets but 362 were validated as having bought tickets. Over 60 passengers are still in the kidnappers’ den and have spent over 50 days in captivity.

After the abduction, the bandits threatened to commence the killing of abducted passengers in their custody if the Federal Government failed to meet their demands within seven days.

Parts of the demands were the unconditional release of their detained children held in an orphanage home in Adamawa State under the strict supervision of the Nigerian Army as well as the release of their detained comrades at arm.

The terrorists also disclosed that the suspended train service by the Nigerian Railway Corporation slated for May 23 on the Abuja-Kaduna route was a result of their threat to the government.

According to the bandits, the government is not sincere with the negotiation, warning that unless their detained children, forcefully taken away by security operatives from their wives in Nasarawa State and detained in Adamawa State, are released, none of the kidnapped passengers will come out alive.

Metro

Amotekun Foiled Five Kidnap Attempts In Two Weeks Across Ondo

Published

10 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The Western Nigeria Security Network, code-named Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, has foiled five kidnap attempts in two weeks in the state.

The State Commander, Amotekun Corps, Mr Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure while addressing newsmen.

Adeleye said no ransom was paid in the five cases, while the latest attempt took place on Monday, when a chief in a community close to Akure was kidnapped.

He explained that the distress line was contacted, and with the joint efforts of the local hunters and Amotekun Corps personnel, the kidnappers were pursued overnight.

“We were able to retrieve the chief and the Okada rider who were kidnapped without the payment of any ransom. Also in Akoko axis, some kidnappers ravaged farms, raped the women and took some victims between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m. along Ajegunle Road.

“Within 48 hours, the people were released, and three of the suspects who had been identified as part of the gang were arrested. We have them here, both the victim and the suspects. The same thing goes for the Central senatorial district, where some kidnapped suspects were arrested again by Amotekun and were equally identified by the victims.

“Today, we have a total of 17 suspects: eight under breaking of law and order, three for kidnapping, and six involved in robbery and rape,” he said.

The commander assured that the Amotekun Corps was prepared to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the sustenance of the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed in the state.

Adeleye also said farmers/herders clashes in the state had reduced drastically and urged Ondo residents to support the corps with timely information.
NAN

Metro

How AAUA Undergraduates Were Raped, Killed, Corpses Disposed Of By Killers – Police

Published

14 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

Police detectives in Ondo state have arrested five suspected killers of two students of the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba- Akoko, AAUA.

The victims, Abah John Friday, 25-year-old and his 19-year-old friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, were abducted, robbed, raped, and ultimately murdered in cold blood.

They were declared missing by their colleagues in the institution on June 20, 2025, a development which sparked outrage and concern among students and Akungba-Akoko, the host community.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the state capital, the state police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, said that the five suspects arrested included the landlord of one of the victims.

Lawal said “Following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of one Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo State, the Command launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction of his younger brother, one Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, 19, both students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko—who went missing on June 20, 2025.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from the Anti-kidnapping swung into action. Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38.

”Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently affected in Aramoko-Ekiti. A Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.

“Under interrogation, Ojo Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims.

“He further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim—who allegedly engaged him and another accomplice (identified as “Kola”, currently at large) to carry out the crime.

” Investigations revealed that the sum of ₦800,000 was transferred from the victim’s account during their captivity.

“Michael also admitted to raping the female victim. Upon recognizing him and unmasking his identity, she was executed along with her friend to prevent them from exposing the perpetrators.

“Their bodies were subsequently disposed of at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.

“Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large.

“This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed.

”The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood.”

Lawal assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect at large, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and bring all responsible parties to justice.

Meanwhile, the police command has also, uncovered a case of ritual-related abduction involving a 100-level student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), who was lured and held captive by suspected cultists, including a fellow student of the institution.

Four suspected ritualist abductors, according to the state police commissioner, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Lawal said a 17-year-old Orowole Laughter, daughter of Hon. Orowole Akinwale Adamson of Ayeka, Okitipupa, was declared missing after she left home on June 25, 2025, and could no longer be reached.

According to him “following a diligent and technology-driven investigation, it was discovered that the victim was in Akure on the same day she left home, later travelled to Ilesha, Osun State on 29th June, and returned to Akure on 30th June 2025.

“Surveillance was immediately mounted at a commercial bank in Alagbaka, Akure.

“Acting on a well-coordinated plan and with the cooperation of the victim’s family, a certain amount of money was strategically paid into her account to prompt a withdrawal.

“This intelligent move led to the arrest of one Ayomide Emmanuel Luli ‘m’ aged 25 at the scene on 7th July 2025, when the victim, under instruction from her captors, attempted to withdraw the money.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Iretomiwa Festus ‘m’, 23, also a student of OAUSTECH, who lured the victim under false pretences.

” Three incision marks were discovered on the victim’s left hand, indicating ritual activity. The suspects confessed to taking the girl to an Ogboni cultist in Ilesha for initiation.

“The said cultist, one Chief Awe Akinyemi ‘m’ aged 42, was arrested on 9th July 2025. He admitted that the ritual was performed by one Apena, now at large.

“A white cloth used during the initiation was recovered during a search of his residence. The victim is currently receiving medical care and psychological support.

“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The arrested individuals will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

“This case underscores the importance and effectiveness of timely cooperation and collaboration between the police and the public in ensuring that justice is not only served, but also seen to be served.”
(Vanguard)

Metro

Police Arrest Landlord, Two Others Over Kidnap, Murder Of Two Varsity Students

Published

14 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The police in Ondo State say they have arrested a landlord and two others for the kidnapping and murder of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, in the state.

Mr. Adebowale Lawal, State Commissioner of Police (CP), made this known on Wednesday in Akure while speaking with newsmen on the recent achievements of the command.

Lawal said that the two victims were Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, 19 (female).

He also said that the landlord, Oladele Femi, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.

The CP explained that the arrest was made following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of one Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo State.

Lawal said that the petition was written over the abduction of Peter’s younger brother, Friday, and his friend, Eloho, who went missing on June 20, 2025.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from anti-kidnapping swung into action and launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction.

“Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims (Friday) was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38.

“Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently effected in Aramoko-Ekiti, while a Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.

“During interrogation, Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims.

“Michael further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim.

“Femi allegedly engaged Micheal and another accomplice (identified as “Kola,” currently at large) to carry out the crime.

“Investigations revealed that the sum of N800,000 was transferred from the victim’s (Friday’s) account during their captivity,” he said.

Lawal, who explained that Michael admitted raping the female victim upon recognising him and unmasking his identity, said the suspect executed the girl along with her friend (Friday) to prevent them from exposing him.

The CP said Michael and his accomplice (Kola) disposed of the victims bodies at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.

“Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large.

“This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed.

“The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood,” he said.

Lawal, therefore, assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect at large, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and bring all responsible parties to justice.

(NAN)