Metro

Family, CSO Protest Abduction Of 12-year-old Girl In Rivers

Published

12 months ago

June 3, 2025

The family of a 12-year-old girl, Favour Oluwaseyi, who was allegedly kidnapped in August 2024, has called on the Rivers State Police Command to ensure the safe and unconditional release of their daughter.

Favour was abducted on August 7, 2024, from her parents’ residence in Elelenwo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

They warned that failure to meet their demands within 14 days and bring all those behind the abduction to book, they will occupy the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The Chairman, Coalition of Rivers State CSOs, Enefa Georgewill, said this during an interview with journalists after a peaceful protest at the police command headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

During the protest, the family of Favour and her friends displayed placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Justice for Favour,’ ‘Oh thou God, arise in your anger and favour ‘Favour before great men to fight for Favour’s freedom from her abductors,’ among others.

Georgewill stated, “We are equally saying that if the police, who have failed to address these children here to celebrate Children’s Day with them, fail to provide Favour in two weeks’ time, we will come back here in our numbers and make sure we occupy the police headquarters.”

Georgewill added that the new Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations had assured them that the case would be looked into urgently.

He continued, “The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, is new on the job. We want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“But so far, they’re just making promises. And these are some of the same promises they’ve been making for the past nine months.”

Speaking, the father of the missing girl, Mr. Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the police.

Oluwaseyi stated, “It has been a very saddening and painful disappointment of the highest level from the Nigerian Police.

“We have gathered here before the Police Headquarters in Rivers State Command and are demanding justice for Favour, demanding her unconditional release, and that everyone culpable in this act should be brought to book.

“We have gone inside. The DC Operations has called us inside and assured us that in two weeks’ time, everyone found to be related to this matter will be called to order.”

The distraught father added, “We will come here, we will have a meeting, and at the end of the day, he has assured us by his word that Favour Oluwatofunmi Oluwaseyi, my own biological daughter, will be returned home alive.

“We want her alive. I have said that we will not relent until Favour is back.”

The PUNCH reports that on arrival at the state police headquarters, the newly deployed Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations took them into his office for a brief meeting and assured them of immediate action.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.