Metro

Gunmen Abduct Lagos PDP Chairman, Others On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Published

3 months ago

January 26, 2024

Gunmen have abducted the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and some other party chieftains.

They were said to have been abducted at the Ogere area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.

Philip was reportedly kidnapped alongside other party members who were with him while returning from the party’s Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting convened by Oyo State Govenor, Seyi Makinde, and held in Ibadan, the state’s capital.

Sources who craved anonymity revealed to our correspondent that the abductors are demanding N200 million for the release of the party leaders.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said there was an abduction at the Bamboo area, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway inward Lagos.

She added that security personnel are on top of the issue and are making efforts to rescue the abducted victims while claiming not to know the identities of the kidnapped victims.

“Our men rescued some of the victims and are making efforts to reunite the others with their families,” she said.

However, the state chapter of the party condemned the abduction of the chairman.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, on Friday, the party called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure the release of its chairman.

The statement read, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.

“The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace.

“Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown.

“We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers.

“We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”

Metro

Mother Of Four Hacked To Death By Neighbour, Son In Edo

Published

21 mins ago

May 1, 2024

Editor

A mother of four, Mrs Nata Igbinovia, was hacked to death by her neighbour and his son while trying to intervene in a fight.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Okpagha-Ewuare, a community on the outskirts of Benin City, Edo State.

Patience, the deceased’s daughter, said the incident occurred when her mother intervened in a dispute between her cousin and the neighbours.

Speaking to newsmen, Patience said the suspects resorted to using a knife and an axe to take her life.

“As he went to bring the small dagger, the son brought an axe that they usually use to split firewood. As he wanted to stab my cousin brother, my mom intervened, and that’s when the knife ended up in her hand.

“As my mom fell to the ground near their gate, the man took the axe and struck her back. While he was doing that, he took the opportunity to stab my mom in her side ribs,” she said.

She added that upon witnessing the lifeless body of her mother on the ground, the culprits escaped the scene.

She stated that a nearby neighbour heard about the occurrence and brought a vehicle to transport her to the hospital.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident, said the investigation is ongoing.

He identified the suspect as Philip Ayo and said he had been arrested.

When asked why the son, who was reportedly involved in the suspected murder, was not arrested, he said the detective would determine that after the investigation

“He will be charged to court shortly after the public holiday,” he added

Metro

Police Foil Cult Initiation In Edo, Arrest 35 Suspects

Published

26 mins ago

May 1, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Edo State Police Command have foiled a cult initiation and arrested 35 suspected cultists in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, said the arrest followed an intelligence report that some students suspected to be members of the Vikings cult group converged on an undisclosed location for the initiation ceremony.

The PPRO said an anti-cult team carried out the operations on April 27 and 28, 2024.

The statement reads: “In continuation of the Edo State Police Commands’ onslaught against cult activities in Edo State, the operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command on Saturday 27th April 2024 stormed the city of Ekpoma after an intelligence report that some students suspected to be members of Vikings secret cult confraternity who converged in an undisclosed place in Ekpoma to carry out initiation process of some new members where in the process 35 cultists were arrested,” the state.

“The operations were carried out simultaneously between the 27th and 28th day of April 2024.

“The Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Funsho Adegboye, mni reiterates the command’s commitments to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

“He assures the good people of Edo State and the general public to always assist the Police with actionable information that will lead to achievements. The CP emphatically said information is key to good development and a crime-free society, as modern and civilized policing entails citizenship and community participation.

“He again advise parents and guidance to warn their children and wards to desist from these deadly cult groups that it has no gain, the end is disaster.”

Metro

JUST IN: Residents Scoop Fuel As Tanker Falls Into A Ditch In Edo

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Editor

A tanker loaded with petroleum products has fallen into ditch at Okhuaihe Hill, in the Edo State axis of the Benin-Agbor Road.

According to reports, some residents were seen scooping products from the tanker that fell.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor who confirmed the incident appealed to the residents to stop scooping the petrol, saying there is great danger ahead of such a situation.

He recalled that a lot of persons have died in the past while scooping petroleum products from a fallen tanker.

He, however, called on men of the Edo State fire service to immediately mobilise to the area in order to avoid any form of fire disaster.

Nwabuzor also called on the various police teams in the area to barricade the area and prevent people from scooping the petroleum products.