Metro

Edo: Four Feared Dead In Cult Clash As Lecturers Reportedly Go On Hiding

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2023

No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed, following a renewed cult war between rival groups in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, the Administrative Headquarters of Etsako West Local Area of Edo State.

According to findings, the victims were killed in different locations during a violent clash between the Black Axe and Supreme Vikings confraternities.

It was learnt that trouble started on Saturday, June 24 when a National Youth Service Corpse member alleged to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity was shot by the rival Supreme Vikings Confraternity.

The alleged NYSC member, according to sources, was later rushed to the hospital for treatment and had since been discharged.

Reports say in a reprisal attack, a member of Vickings group was reportedly killed around Mr. Biggs in Jattu, Auchi, while three other victims were shot dead around Mechanic Site, Vacchi and Winners Road, all in Auchi.

According to reports, due to their involvement in cultism, some lecturers of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi were said to have abandoned invigilation of of the ongoing SPAT Examinations on Friday morning for fear of being attacked.

But in a swift response, the Assistant Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Mrs. Adebola Ogunboyowa, debunked the rumour, maintaining that the school ended its SPAT examinations on Friday as students are expected to vocate hall of residence on Saturday.

She said: “The allegation is not true. But in the first place, whatever is happening, maybe the issue of cult clashes, nothing happened in the polytechnic community.

“As I speak to you right now, I am in school and nothing is happening within the polytechnic community.

“Whatever is happening outside the polytechnic community because we have surrounding host communities, we have no power over it”, she said

Attempts to get response from the Edo State Police Command failed as several calls put across to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwanbuzor, were unanswered.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

8 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

9 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.