Metro

Gunmen Kill Imo Traditional Ruler, Chiefs

Published

3 years ago

November 14, 2022

Gunmen on Monday invaded Obudi Agwa community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State and killed five persons including the traditional ruler of the community, Ignitus Asor.

Several community sources told our correspondent that the armed youths stormed the king’s palace where a community matter was being discussed and opened fire indiscriminately.

While the traditional ruler, two palace chiefs and two other members of the community died on the spot, others, including the traditional prime minister, Chief Stephen Ajoku, was injured.

Apart from invading the community, the criminals also stormed neighbouring Mgbala community, shot a pregnant woman and a local security officer.

A source said, “Our community was attacked Monday morning. The gunmen invaded the king’s palace where issues were being discussed. They opened fire and as I speak with you, the traditional ruler, Eze Asor, two chiefs and two others have been confirmed dead.

“The traditional prime minister of the community, Chief Ajoku, and a retired soldier was also shot but he is alive.

“Mgbala community was also attacked and a pregnant woman and vigilante officer were shot. They are alive as we speak. Our community bleeds. This is very unfortunate.”

When contacted, the Coordinator of Agwa Development Centre, Obinna Jumbo, told our correspondent that the incident had been reported at the police by the families of the victims.

He also disclosed that the corpses of the victims had been evacuated from the scene to the morgue.

The Sole Administrator of Oguta LGA, Ijioma Ofili, told our correspondent in a telephone conversation that security agents had reported the incident to him.

He disclosed that his office and security agents were working to ensure that justice was served.

The LGA boss said that normalcy had been restored in the communities by the security agents.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Michael Abattam, disclosed that a statement on the incident by the command would be ready in no distant time.

Metro

Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Delta, Recover AK-47 Rifle The Delta

Published

47 minutes ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command says it has killed two suspected kidnappers at Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa axis in Ika North-East Local Government area of Delta State.

The Police Public Relations Officer Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday in Asaba.

He said, “Delta State Police command, in a combined effort with men of Operation Delta Sweep recorded a breakthrough in the fight against Kidnapping in the state.

“On September 17, 2025, at 11 am, the DPO Owa-oyibu received information that some kidnappers were sighted at Nniogbo Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa.

“Acting on this information, the DPO led a combined team of Policemen and vigilantes alongside two teams of Operation Delta sweep and swung into action. The combined teams stormed the bush where the suspects, upon sighting the teams, opened fire, which was repelled by the teams.

“In the fierce gun duel, two of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to Owa-Alero general hospital, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”

Edafe said one AK-47 rifle, with forty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and two magazines were recovered from the hoodlums while the manhunt for the other fleeing suspects was ongoing.

According to The PUNCH, that there had been a series of kidnap cases around Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa, Abavo and neighbouring communities in recent times which made the residents abandon their farms out of fear of the unknown.

Metro

Tragedy As Erosion Sweeps Away Motorcyclist In Edo

Published

9 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Tragedy struck Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, as a motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada, was swept away by erosion.

The tragic incident which reportedly happened after a heavy downpour on Tuesday evening, has sparked renewed concern over the worsening case of erosion in most parts of Edo State.

The incident was captured in a viral video that is circulating widely across social media platforms.

In the video, an individual was heard narrating that the incident occurred at Uwenlenbo Road, near Zekor Hotel in Ekpoma.

The narrator in the video
described the scene as horrifying, adding that the powerful rush of water overwhelmed the rider.

According to the voice, the rider was carrying a female passenger, before he was swept away by the furious erosion, which had a free day due to lack of proper water channel in most parts of the state.

Another voice was heard in the video asking people to assist the bike rider who was struggling with the wave of water until he was swept away.

The victim’s bike plate number was thereafter displayed by sympathizers who begged those who know him to come up to identify him.

the sympathisers in the video called for urgent intervention by both state and federal government agencies, lamenting that erosion continues to threaten lives and property in the state.

Metro

Customs Unveil E-clearance Platform To Decongest Apapa Port

Published

23 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service has launched Overtime E-Clearance System, an automated platform aimed at improving cargo management and reducing port congestion at Apapa Port.

According to the Service, the platform, unveiled on Monday, will address a staggering 15-year backlog of abandoned cargo and tackle corruption in the system.

Customs announced this in a statement on its X handle on Tuesday.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, officially introduced the system during a sensitisation exercise in Lagos.

He said the platform will enable consignees to submit and track applications remotely, cutting repeated visits to Customs offices and limiting manual interference.

“The system builds on an earlier policy that extended cargo dwelling periods from 30 to 120 days to give stakeholders more flexibility. The focus is transparency, integrity and adherence to the law. We urge stakeholders to test the system and provide feedback ahead of full deployment,” Adeniyi said.

NCos boss warned against attempts to abuse the process, citing a 15-year-old overtime cargo case still under investigation as an example of why loopholes must be closed.

He added that deliberate abandonment of cargo to evade duties would attract tougher sanctions, with intelligence units monitoring misuse.

Under the rollout plan, Customs will hold further sensitisation sessions this week with terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders before expanding engagement to additional commands.

Deployment will follow once feedback is reviewed and legal queries addressed, the statement added.

According to The PUNCH, this development comes shortly after Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, directed Customs to suspend the implementation of the 4% Free on Board levy on imported goods.