Metro

Hotelier, Others Arrested As Lodger Found Dead In Delta Hotel

Published

7 months ago

March 26, 2025

A hotel owner, his wife and a security guard have been apprehended by police operative in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State following the death of a client in mysterious circumstances linked to ritual killing.

Officials of Isoko North Local Government Council sealed the hotel following the suspects’ arrest.

Community sources said that the owner, his wife and a staff of the hotel have been arrested in connection with activities linked to kidnapping and rituals.

The incident, Vanguard gathered, was the disappearance of a lodger, Sunday Ogofotha, who came from Lagos to attend the funeral of a relative.

The police were informed and upon investigation, the police found evidence of the kidnapping and arrested the hotel owner, Joseph Oghole, the security guard and his wife.

The POS machine and other valuables of a mysteriously killed POS operator earlier were also recovered from the hotel by the Police.

Godwin Ogorugba, Council Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area angered by the act ordered the immediate sealing of the Hotel.

Century Hotel, located in Owhelogbo community was allegedly being used as a hub for kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The victim had travelled to attend a family member’s funeral and lodged in the hotel but was allegedly killed on Friday night in his room.

According to a source, “Century home is a den of kidnappers, ritual and other criminal activities take place there. Last year, a girl, a POS operator opposite the hotel was killed in same circumstances and during the search for the man who lodged in the hotel on Friday that was killed, the POS machine and other valuables belonging to the POS girl were recovered from the hotel.

“Even the wife of the security guard in the hotel has confessed how the POS girl was killed by her husband and buried her at the back of the hotel. Century home is a butcher home where innocent people meet their untimely death.

“What surprises us was the opening at the back of the hotel with a stream and bushes all over it. Can I shock you? Do you know that the sides and front gate of the hotel are well-fenced, plastered, painted and decorated?

“But the back of the hotel where they have bush and a stream is not fenced at all and you can never notice that and that is where all the atrocities take place in the community,” she said.

Another community source narrated, “The man is from Owhelogbo community, Isoko North. He came all the way from Lagos on Friday to attend the burial of his late relative the following day which was on Saturday.

“But till on Sunday, he was not seen and relatives called his wife and luckily the man had told his wife the hotel he was lodging on arrival to the community on that very Friday.

“Based on that information, the family members moved straight to the hotel to make enquiries but they were told by the hotel management that nobody of such came to lodge in their hotel.

“After much-heated argument, the family members insisted on checking all the rooms with a bit resistance from the hotel management. As the checking was going on, they got to a particular room and the hotel owner, Chief Joseph Ovie Oghole, insisted that clients lodged in that particular room were making out so they should not be disturbed for whatever reason.

“But the family members and members of the community’s vigilante group broke the door and they saw the man on the bed already killed. He was tied with rope with so many injuries inflicted on him both his penis,” he added.

According to Vanguard, the Council Chairman, Ogorugba with some key government officials and security personnel had visited the scene of the crime and officially sealed up the hotel following alleged kidnapping and criminal activities said to be going on in the hotel.

Ogoruba was said to have expressed his deep regret over the unfortunate event even as he emphasized the serious nature of criminal activities in the area and explained the rationale behind the recent curfew imposed in the local government for public safety.

“The police are actively investigating, and we are committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. For now, I will not be able to disclose all details publicly for security reasons but be rest assured that efforts to preserve safety in Owhelogbo and the entire Isoko North Local Government remain our priority.

“This hotel should be completely sealed up and I want to warn individuals who use their structures for illegal activities, including kidnapping, that the wrath of the law shall catch up with you. Recently, I convened a meeting of hotel owners within the council and the management of this hotel failed to attend.

“During that meeting, we emphasised the need to maintain a manifest to track customer check-ins and check-outs. Moving forward, we will take decisive action against any property owners who aid criminal activities in our communities,” Ogorugba warned.

The recovered remains of Ogofotha have been deposited at an undisclosed morgue in Ozoro.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, was yet to respond to a message sent to him.

Metro

Islamic Cleric Arrested For Brutalising 10-year-old Boy In Kwara

Published

1 hour ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

An Islamic cleric, identified as Folorunsho Olaoti, has been arrested for allegedly brutalising a 10-year-old boy living with him in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when the cleric allegedly beat the boy mercilessly after accusing him of reporting to his mother that someone had spoken ill of her.

Sources said the Alfa, who is a relative of the boy’s late father, became enraged by the child’s action and subjected him to severe physical assault, leaving him with visible injuries.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the incident, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Child Rights Implementation Committee, Kwara State, Antonia Oshiniwe, said she received a distress call from the victim’s uncle and immediately alerted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who arrested the suspect on Friday.

“I was informed about the matter by an anonymous source. When I visited the area, I confirmed the incident and reported it immediately to the civil defence.

“The child has been rescued and placed under government protection, while the suspect will be charged in court for child abuse,” Oshiniwe said.

Oshiniwe advised parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare, warning against entrusting them to clerics or guardians who may end up maltreating them.

“Parents should learn to keep their children with them and not hand them over to clerics or guardians who may abuse or mistreat them.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Ayoola Michael, confirmed the incident, adding that the case was receiving the command’s full attention.

He said, “We have commenced a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, and our findings will be made public once the process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the rescued child is said to be receiving medical attention while further legal proceedings against the suspect continue.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”

Metro

NSCDC Mining Marshals Smash Illegal Mineral Storage Network In Rivers

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mining Marshals, South-South Zone, have dismantled an illegal mineral storage network uncovered within the Onne axis of Rivers State.

CSC Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the efforts was in a bold step to protect the nation’s resources and ensure the safety of local communities.

It said the operation, led by DSC Emmanuel Abiahu, followed credible intelligence and was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, just as the team discovered warehouses stockpiling mined minerals without valid permits, licenses or evidence of royalty payment to the Federal Government.

It said the illegal activities does not only undermine the economy but also poses environmental and safety risks to residents.

DSC Abiahu noted that the action was in direct response to the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, who has consistently emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s solid mineral wealth and create a fair, regulated space for legitimate miners, investors, and communities that depend on the sector for livelihood.

He warned that all operators within the region must comply with the law or face decisive enforcement action, adding that the Corps remains committed to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the environment through sustained surveillance and collaboration with stakeholders.

The NSCDC called on citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that will help curb illegal mining and ensure that the benefits of Nigeria’s natural resources serve the people and the nation at large.