Metro

Edo Demolishes Buildings Linked To Kidnappers

Published

7 months ago

March 6, 2025

Editor

In its bid to ensure the safety of its citizens and curbing criminal activities in the state, the Edo State Government has commenced the demolition of houses linked to kidnappers.

Leading security personnel on the demolition exercise that took place in Illeh, Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi, Esan North East Local government area of the state, Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Mr. Akhere Paul said the demolition exercise was in accordance with the law.

Akhere, stressing the state government’s commitment to securing the lives and properties of its citizens, emphasized that the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo would not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities.

He called on landlords to ensure proper profiling of their tenants before subletting their properties.

“This house has been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigerian Police Force recovered some dangerous weapons as well.

“According to the new law on kidnapping recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, any house found being used for kidnapping activities will be demolished

“This will serve as a deterrent to others. You must profile a person before giving out your house to him or her for rent. Go to the police station and let them help you in profiling the new person before you give out your property. You must verify their identity, where they work, and who they are to avoid unfortunate incidence as this,” Mr. Akhere stressed.

He assured the people of the state that the exercise would be a continuous one, adding that Okpebholo has given a marching order to flush out all criminal elements in the State and make it habitable for all.

Also speaking, the Commander, Special Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, said the exercise would serve as a deterrent to others and help checkmate kidnapping and other criminal activities in the State.

He called on all Edo citizens to assist in the fight against kidnapping by keeping watch over their vicinities and reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or to members of the Special Task Force, stressing that, “a safer and secured Edo is the duty of all.”

Speaking with newsmen, some suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belong to a gang, identified the properties as their hideout before the demolition.

They admitted to the crime, they said they had been involved in high profile kidnapping within Edo Central axis with the last operation fetching them N10 million.

The leader of the gang, Utubor Uchenna, noted that their last victim was marked because of the kind of luxury car he drives and was kidnapped alongside a lady.

He said both victims were released unhurt after parting with a ransom of 10 million naira.

The Special Task Force, in conjunction with other security apparatus in the State, has recorded successes of recent in the fight against criminal activities, with many criminal hideouts raided and suspects apprehended and handed over to the police.

Metro

Police Impound Vehicle With 387 Blocks Of Cannabis In Bauchi

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Police Command says it has impounded a vehicle with nothing less than 387 blocks of suspected cannabis sativa after involving in an auto crash in the state.

Sani Omolori-Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi state Command.

According to him, the car and one other had a head-on collision in Wom village of Toro Local Government Area of the state on October 4, 2025 at about 11:30am.

“Initial reports from eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the first vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC-459LF, was operated by one Ali Muhammad, a 45-year-old resident of Nabardo Village.

“He was transporting the District Head of Nabardo, Suleiman Suleiman, aged 65, along with his family members as they travelled from Bauchi Metropolis to Nabardo Village.

“The second vehicle, another white Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA-155GW, was driven by an individual yet to be identified, who was travelling from Jos, Plateau State, towards Bauchi.

“It was reported that this driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without exercising adequate caution, resulting in a head-on collision with the first vehicle,” he said.

The Commissioner further explained that the occupants of both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical care.

He said that the District Head suffered a fracture in his left leg and is currently receiving treatment with other victims while some have been discharged.

Omolori-Aliyu also revealed that in the aftermath of the incident, during the search at the scene, the detectives recovered several items in the damaged vehicle which included the 387 blocks of suspected cannabis.

The Commissioner, who explained that the command was in pursuit of the unidentified driver to ensure accountability and prompt legal action, encouraged anyone with information regarding the driver’s identity to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The police are committed to diligently pursuing leads to identify the principal suspect.

“The Bauchi State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in our community and urges the public to remain calm and cooperative throughout this process.

“We invite anyone with information that could aid in this investigation to contact us and we assure citizens that we are resolutely focused on ensuring justice is achieved,” he said.

While receiving the exhibits, Hussaini Umar, Deputy Commandant, NDLEA, appreciated the police for the cooperation and synergy and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that the driver and the owner were found.

Metro

Fake Revenue Agents Apprehended In Aba While Defrauding Residents

Published

14 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has apprehended four individuals impersonating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for acts of extortion, intimidation, and illegal enforcement along the Port Harcourt Road axis of Aba and its environs.

They were nabbed on Thursday at Flyover junction around Ugwunagbo area through an operation authorized by the Aba Area Coordinator of ASHTF, Mr. Uche Wogu.

A statement issued by Miracle Chukwunenye, spokesperson of the Harmonized Task Force said that the agency received multiple complaints from market women, tricycle (Keke) operators, and traders about the unlawful activities of a group led by one Mr. Ahuama.

‎”Upon arrival, the Taskforce, in joint effort with the police, arrested Mr. Ahuama and three accomplices who were caught extorting money from unsuspecting traders and tricycle operators under the false pretense of being NURTW officials.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects had already impounded about twenty (20) tricycles earlier that morning and collected money from the owners before being intercepted,” Chukwunenye said.

‎He added that during the operation, the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Taskforce operatives and police officers, but they were eventually subdued and are now in custody.

Chukwunenye sensitized traders and transporters that Abia State operates a strict No-Cash-at-Hand revenue system, and as such, no government-authorized personnel is permitted to collect cash from citizens.