Metro

Edo: Police Launch Manhunt As Grave Robbers Invade Residence, Exhume, Steal Corpse Of Octogenarian

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2023

Police operatives from Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, have launched a manhunt of persons suspected to be grave robbers who invaded a private residence, exhumed and whisked away the corpse of an octogenarian landlord few hours after he was buried inside his room in Benin City.

It could not be immediately ascertained whether any valuables were in the grave when the robbers struck.

Police identified the stolen corpse as that of Pa. Edebiri Anthony, 87 in the incident which occurred at 10, Mission Road, Benin City.

Speaking,Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 5 Headquarters in charge of Delta and Edo states Commands, DSP Tijani Momoh, stated that men of the homicide section had commenced full scale investigation as directed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Arungwa Nwazue Udo, in the zone.

“On the receipt of a petition received from some children of the Late Pa Anthony Edebiri, the AIG, Zone 5, Benin City directed men of the homicide section of the Zone to immediately commence investigation.

“Two suspects Ekiuwa Igbe and Kingsley Osagie were invited and interrogated over conspiracy, unlawful exhumation and stealing of the corpse of Anthony Edebiri.

“They denied the allegations, investigation is on going”, DSP Tijani said.

Meanwhile, a visit to the deceased residence on Mission Road revealed that no economic activities was going on there as all shops in the building were not opened for business.

Efforts to contact a man identified simply as “Chairman of the compound”, failed.

A source who claimed to be a relation of late Pa Edebiri Anthony, said that the corpse was buried on January 9th, 2021 and stolen about 12 a.m on January 10th, 2021.

He said the deceased had children from many wives and that one Edwin who lives abroad is the only male child.

“My brother, I commend the homicide men. I have confidence in the way investigation is going now, all parties have been interviewed and statements made”, the source said.

A notable custodian of African Traditional Religion condemned the act, saying graves are sacred grounds and should never be disturbed, unless in exceptional circumstances, as deliberate acts of destruction, theft or vandalism in places where people have been buried are not only prohibited by law but also considered a taboo in Benin tradition and most African communities.

He appealed to the Edo State Government and other relevant institutions to deal decisively with anyone or group found to have wilfully desecrated grave.

Nigerian Observer

Metro

Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Arrest Wanted Man, Others In Ogun

Published

13 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

The Ogun State Police Command has foiled a planned abduction in the Abigi area of the state and arrested a wanted serial kidnapper, Clement Elijah, who had been on the run since 2024.

Elijah, linked to a high-profile kidnapping case in Ajelanwa village last year, was apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following credible intelligence and community cooperation.

It was learnt that two of his accomplices were previously arrested in connection with the same incident.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, Elijah had returned to the Ibiade community on June 13, with intentions to abduct a prominent resident of Ago Village, Abigi.

His plan, however, was thwarted through coordinated action between the police and vigilant residents.

Odutola said, “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping unit apprehended Clement Elijah, a felon who had been on the run since 2024 in connection with a high-profile kidnapping incident at Ajelanwa village, Ogun State.

“Elijah arrived Ibiade community on June 13, 2025, and planned to abduct a prominent individual in Ago Village, Abigi, but his sinister mission was thwarted through timely collaboration between the police and vigilant residents.”

Three days later, on Monday, a clearance operation led to the arrest of the gang’s alleged armourer, Posi Friday.

Odutola said the police operatives recovered one pump-action rifle, a locally fabricated pistol, and eight live cartridges concealed in a Boom Speaker.

Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, lauded the Ibiade and Abigi communities for their vigilance and collaboration.

“We appreciate the sustained communication and support from the communities.

“Their role was critical in preventing yet another crime and in the apprehension of these suspects,” Ogunlowo said.

n a separate development, the command also confirmed the arrest of 14 suspected cultists from rival groups on June 16, 2025.

According to Odutola, the suspects were apprehended by the Anti-Cultism team in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele, and Imaweje areas of Ijebu Ode, while allegedly planning violent attacks as part of a supremacy clash during their institution’s signing-out celebration.

“Operatives of the Anti-Cultism team arrested 14 suspected cultists of two rival groups planning attacks over superiority on June 16, 2025.

“The suspects were rounded up in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele areas and Imaweje areas in Ijebu Ode as they assembled to mark their institution’s examinations signing out,” she said.

Odutola said all suspects and recovered weapons are currently being processed at the State Criminal Investigation Department, while further investigations continue.

Metro

Police Arrest Notorious Cultists Linked To Rivers DPO’s Killing

Published

15 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command said its men arrested two notorious cultists who have been terrorising residents of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and its environs.

The police revealed that the suspects were members of the dreaded Iceland cult and lieutenants of their slain leader, Gift Okpara, popularly known as 2-Baba, responsible for the gruesome murder of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East LGA, Bako Angbashim, in 2023.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

She said the first suspect identified as Goodluck, nicknamed K1′, was nabbed following credible intelligence and swift action by the command’s Octopus Tactical Unit, who raided their hideout in the Ikata community in Ahoada East LGA and recovered weapons.

The statement reads, “On May 3, 2025, operatives of the command received credible information regarding the whereabouts of a notorious cultist known as aka “K1,” a member of the late 2Baba Iceland cult group.

“This group was linked to the murder of late SP Bako Angbashim, the then DPO of Ahoada Division.

“The police operatives swiftly stormed the suspect’s camp in Ikata Community, Ahoada East LGA, and arrested one Lovegod Goodluck, a male resident of Ikata Community.

“During the operation, one locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from him.

“In a follow-up operation on the 13th of June, 2025, at about 1730 hrs, operatives made another breakthrough, arresting one Precious Olumini, a male suspect who had earlier escaped. An English made pump-action gun and a locally made pistol were recovered from him.

“During interrogation, suspects confessed to being members of the dreaded Iceland cult group that has been terrorising Ahoada-East axis of the state.”

It continued, “Suspects and exhibits are in police custody; investigation is currently in progress with efforts being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.”

Speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reassured people and residents of the state that the command under his watch remains resolute in ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.

Adepoju urged citizens to cooperate with the police in their efforts to rid communities of violent and criminal elements by reporting any suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.

Metro

Police Raid Cult Initiation Ceremony, Arrest Six In Anambra

Published

16 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has raided and foiled a cult initiation ceremony at Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

During the raid, the police arrested six suspects and also recovered one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, two cutlasses, one Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, among others.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the operatives, acting on intelligence-driven information, carried out the exercise on June 15.

Ikenga said, “Anambra police operatives on June 15, 2025, by 9.30am, acting on intelligence-driven information, foiled a cult initiation ceremony at Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area.

“During the raid, the team arrested six suspects and recovered one Jojef pump action gun, two live cartridges, one golden coloured Lexus SUV with Reg No: ATN 202 AE, two cutlasses, two scissors, one cap with inscription of the Supreme Vikings confraternity, some charms, hard substance and other incriminating items.

“The suspects include: Nwadike Chibuike, Anierobi Precious, Raphael Ebube, Ezechi Benjamin, Okafor Chidera, and Chiema Okoye, all males between 20 and 30 years old.

“They are currently undergoing Police interrogation to get more insight into their modus operandi, after which the case will be charged to Court on the conclusion of the investigations.”

According to him, the Command, while noting the connection between cultism and other serious crimes, remained committed to actively working to combat cultism and other related crimes in the state.