Metro

Gunmen Abduct Another Catholic Priest In Benue

Published

3 years ago

December 23, 2022

Another Catholic Priest and Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

The cleric was reportedly kidnapped Thursday evening along Okpoga – Ojapo road along the Okpoga – Utonkon road

The abduction of the Priest on that axis of the state which has become notorious for the kidnap of commuters came about five months after another Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu was in a similar fashion waylaid and taken away and later released by armed men along Otukpo – Ugbokolo road while on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga in the same Okpokwu LGA.

The latest incident was confirmed Thursday night by the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in a letter from the Diocesan Secretariat addressed to all Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi.

The letter read in part, “We write to notify you of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu. He is the Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga. The sad incident occurred today December 22, 2022 at about 5pm along Okpoga – Ojapo Road, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State.

“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.

“We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident in a text massage said “the command is on the trail of the priest and hoodlums involved.”

Metro

Vigilante Shoots Father Who Prevented Kidnapper Son’s Arrest In Kwara

Published

3 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Kwara has confirmed the death of a man who helped alleged kidnap suspect escape.

The Police Commissioner in Kwara, Mr Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday in ilorin.

Ojo further disclosed that a vigilante member who sustained injuries from the incident was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The commissioner of police said the deceased struck a vigilante member, who was holding the alleged kidnap suspect, with a machete, enabling the suspect to escape.

He added that investigation was ongoing.

Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria that the deceased prevented vigilante members from arresting his son over alleged involvement in kidnapping.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred on Tuesday at the Shaare Cattle Market in Kwara, as the deceased attempted to help his son evade arrest.

According to the source, the man attacked one of the vigilante members with a machete, creating an escape route for his son.

“In response, the vigilante member shot the man, who later died from his injuries,” the source said.

NAN

Metro

Police Arrest Six Suspected Cultists In Anambra Black Spot Raid

Published

3 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has raided a black spot in Ogidi, the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, arresting six suspects, including a female.

The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press statement released on Wednesday, adding that police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugwu-Ukwu, carried out the operation on Tuesday.

Ikenga said the team recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugwu Ukwu on August 12, 2025 at about 2.30pm and acting on credible intelligence, stormed a black spot at 7th Mile, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA.

“The team arrested six suspects, including a female, and recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

“The suspects are: Olisaemeka Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 21 years, Isioma Chisom ‘M’ aged 22 years, Chinonso Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 20 years, Chinaza Isioma ‘M’ aged 24 years, Onyekwelu Miracle ‘M’ aged 19 years and Mrs. Chinenye Eloka Okeke ‘F’ aged 35 years.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the tempo against cultism, drug trafficking, and other crimes in the state.

“The suspects would be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigations.”

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Lady For Stealing New Born In Health Facility

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 34-year-old lady, Deborah Ayeni, at the correctional centre in Ado Ekiti over alleged stealing of a day-old baby at a health centre in the state capital city.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant was alleged to have committed the offence which attracted public sympathy and interest as a result of the prevalence case of child stealing in Ekiti State and reported on August 4, 2025, against her.”

Oriyomi said, “The offence is punishable under Section 292 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021 within Ado Ekiti Magisterial District”.

He urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, saying, “She is reasonably suspected to have committed the offence”, as he prayed the court to grant his application for remand of the lady.

The police prosecutor said that the duplicate case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The defendant was represented in court by Stephen Ademuwagun.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the prosecutor’s application for the remand of the defendant.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case till September 12 for mention.