Metro

Gunmen Seize Ransom Bearer, Free Kaduna Pastor

Published

3 months ago

April 12, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, kidnappers in Kaduna State have released Pastor Samson Ali, a 30-year-old cleric with the Evangelical Church Winning All, but detained the ransom bearer, Yusuf Ambi.

Ali was abducted from his home in Mararaba Aboro, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on April 8, 2025, just two weeks after being posted to the church.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100m before agreeing to an undisclosed amount of money.

According to sources, a joint security team, including the Nigerian Army, police, and the Department of State Services was deployed to rescue the pastor.

However, after negotiations, the kidnappers released Ali, but detained Ambi, who had gone to deliver the ransom.

The kidnappers have reportedly been demanding more money or concessions in exchange for Ambi’s release.

“The kidnappers released Pastor Ali, but detained the ransom bearer, Yusuf Shehu Ambi, demanding more money or other concessions for his release,” a source who has been following the matter said.

The incident has sparked reactions online, with some expressing concern about the security situation in Kaduna State, while others have called on the government to take more effective measures to address kidnapping and banditry in the region.

“Kidnapping has become a lucrative business in Nigeria, and it’s high time the government took decisive action to address this menace,” said a concerned citizen.

The police authorities in Kaduna State have yet to confirm the kidnapping and release as there was no response to a call and message sent to the state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, as of the time of filing this report.

However, sources indicate that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the kidnappers and secure Ambi’s release.

The ECWA community has expressed relief at the release of Pastor Ali, but prayed for Ambi’s safety.

“We are grateful that Pastor Ali has been released, but we are worried about the detention of our brother, Yusuf Shehu Ambi,” said a church official who crave anonymity.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Three-storey Building Collapses On Lagos Island, Many Injured

Published

12 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

A three-storey building has collapsed on Lagos Island, injuring some occupants.

The building is located on Asesi Lane around the Adeniji Adele Road.

According to Lagos State Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, “Four persons have been rescued from the rubble. They have been taken to hospital.”

Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), among others, have since gotten to the incident scene.

Details later…

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami’s Brother For Alleged Drug Smuggling

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

… Group lauds agency

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Emami Ajetsibogho, younger brother to Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami, for allegedly smuggling drugs worth billions of naira into the country.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by the agency’s strike force at Apapa in Lagos State Command following a tip-of.

Reacting to the arrest in a statement, rights activist and president, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, commended the agency and in particular Commandant-General of the NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa for fighting against drug illicit drugs

Ozobo said, “The arrest of Chief Emami’s brother is a milestone, laudable achievement in the fight against drug trafficking in this country.

“I want to commend NDLEA who were able to get the lead information to apprehend this criminal suspect.”

He added: “As Ijaw people, we are happy that God is vindicating us. The Itsekiris are hell bent to kill the Ijaw people to grab their lands.”

He recalled how a British Soldier from the Itsekiri extraction was recently arrested for smuggling guns into Warri to kill innocent people, especially Ijaw and to cause a crisis in Warri, adding, “God exposed him and DSS arrested the British Soldier and thwarted his evil intentions.”

He noted that another Itsekiri person has been caught allegedly trafficking drugs into the Country. “Who knows whether it was to drug miscreants to kill Ijaw people and burn villages? Ozobo asked.

“Ayiri particularly who has been making all kinds of unprintable statements against Ijaw people, we are surprised that his younger brother is a drug baron. Ayiri should be ashamed of himself.

“This shows that Ayiri Emami’s family is not a reputable family, by wanting to bribe NDLEA with a whopping sum of Two hundred million (N200m) to get his brother released. We thought Ayiri had a reputation, but it is shameful.”

Comrade Ozobo, therefore, urged the NDLEA to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute the suspect in line with stipulated laws to serve as a deterrent to others.

“I am calling on the NDLEA to investigate properly and bring to book anyone connected to this crime. If Ayiri is connected, he should be brought to book. Anyone connected connected should be brought to book,” he said.

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Man Over Alleged Threat To Life

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 31-year-old man, Caleb Ajobor, at the correctional custody in Ado Ekiti over alleged assault and threat to life.

The defendant was accused of conducting himself in a way that constituted a threat to the life of a woman, one Omotayo Olowolagba, at the Ekute area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant on June 29, 2025, at about 10am at Ekute Quarters, Ado Ekiti, did assault and threaten the life of Olowolagba Omotayo.

“The defendant did hit the chest of the female victim and conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace in society.

“The offence committed is punishable under sections 185, 46, 181(d) laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021,” the prosecutor stated.

Oriyomi pleaded with the court to order the remand of the defendant in the correctional centre.

Counsel to the defendant, Adunni Olanipekun, however, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, refused the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional centre.

Adeosun adjourned the matter till July 11 for hearing.