Metro

Ebonyi: How Nigerian Student Was Drugged To Death By His Friend On Birthday

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2024

Editor

The death of a 23-year-old student of the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana, Ebonyi State, who was allegedly drugged to death on his birthday by his friend on Thursday, has been confirmed by the Nigerian Police Force.

The deceased identified as Chinedu Hope was lured by his friend, Dan, after much persuasion to a hideout operated by a drug baron, simply known as Yoko in Umuodudu Ibeku.

Mrs Stella Ogbonnaya, Dan’s mother, recounted that when they arrived at the location, Chinedu, who did not use hard drugs, decided to wait for Dan inside his (Dan’s) Keke while Dan entered the bunk.

Ogbonnaya stated that after waiting too long, Chinedu decided to go into the place to phone Dan.

According to PUNCH, she said, “When Chinedu went inside, the operator of the hideout, Yoko, and four others who are also from Umuodudu were all in the hideout.

“When Chinedu got inside, Yoko said that whoever steps into the bunk, must partake in what they are taking. But Chinedu doesn’t take ice, (otherwise known as methamphetamine or mkpurummiri) or jico and Chinedu told Yoko he wouldn’t take it.

“It was at that time that Yoko ordered the rest to tie Chinedu with rope. Dan assisted them in tying him, both hands and legs, threw him on the ground, mixed the ice (methamphetamine) and jico, used a spoon to open his mouth, and poured the mixed substance into his mouth while hitting him with a hammer to make him swallow it.

“After he had swallowed all of the mixed substance, they took him to where they had digged a pit and threw him into the pit. He was struggling inside the pit with both hands and legs with the rope while he kept shouting ‘my stomach, my stomach’”, Ogbonnaya narrated.

When they noticed Chinedu was struggling to breathe, Madam Ogbonnaya stated, one of the individuals at the hideout picked up his phone and called a young man known only as Aham, telling him what had happened.

Aham rushed the dying Chinedu to the Keke to revive him, and when he was taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in Umuaha, ASP Maureen Chinaka confirmed the incident stating that “investigation is on”.

The PPRO continued, “On 19/4/2024, the Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia received a report from Hope Oluoha, a 52-year-old Male of Agbo Emede Ibeku Umuahia that on 18/4/2024, one Daniel Otuechere male 27 years old of same address took his son, Hope Chinedu Prosper, male 23 years old to an unknown destination and returned home with his lifeless body.

“The body was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“Detectives from the Command visited the scene and the body has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

“Suspects connected with the crime have been arrested, and a discreet investigation is ongoing.”

Metro

JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

Published

8 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Editor

A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

Metro

Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

Published

2 days ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Metro

Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

Published

2 days ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

“This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

“Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.