Metro

Houses Razed Over Ownership Of Farmland In Plateau

Published

1 year ago

March 24, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

Controversy over the ownership of a farmland between a Taroh man from the Langtang North local and his neighbour, a Tehl man from the Mikang local government area both of Plateau State has degenerated leading to the burning of property and inflicting various degrees of injuries on people.

The incident occurred at Ponglong, Lalin District of Mikang, and the nearby Funyalang community in Langtang North.

The Spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo confirmed the incident but gave no details saying, “We are awaiting the details from the Area Commander and the DPOs from the areas.”

The Transition Committee Chairmen of Mikang and Langtang North LGAs, Daniel Kungmi and Nanmwa Kumzhi respectively told Vanguard on the phone that they were on the scene of the incident and would speak shortly.

Kungmi said, “I am at the crisis scene, please give me some time, I am trying to sort out things now.”

Kumzhi added, “I cannot talk now because I am at the scene now, we are trying to manage the situation. As I am speaking with you, the situation is not good, when I am out of the place, we will talk.”

A native of Lalin, Na’ankus Jerome said, “It is about a piece of land that has been in contention over time, a Tehl man has been farming on the piece of land for years but last year, a Taroh man came to farm the place claiming it is his. This year, the Tehl man who is the rightful owner gathered some farm hands to cultivate the place on Saturday.

“As they were working, the Taroh man mobilized thugs to come and attack them and they ran away. As people were running the thugs started shooting and burning houses, farm produce, and food barns. In the early hours of today, they extended the burning and destruction to Balkwa, burning houses. They were repelled by security men and the people that were shot are receiving treatment at Tunkus General Hospital.”

Another resident, Na’ankam Dajen said, “The Taroh people who share a boundary with us and some of them live on our land that we gave to them to build and farm on. They have mobilized going after the people from village to village. Women and children in Lalin town are trying to move out now.

“The situation may be worse if nothing urgent is done. The problem started on a piece of land at Ponglong. Before today, the land owner went to cut a tree on the land and the Taroh people came and told him not to cut the tree that the land and tree belonged to them. When they stopped him and arguments were going on, the Taroh boys picked the machine and fuel that he intended to use and cut the tree.

“He reported the matter to the Police and the machine was retrieved from the boys and handed over to him. He was asked to take the land case to court since the Police do not handle land matters but criminal issues.

“The matter was taken to court and the case is coming up on the 27th of this month. While waiting for the case, the Taroh people came from yesterday (Saturday) till today, sacking villages and burning property. The Chairman of Mikang and his counterpart from Langtang North went to Ponglong today to talk about the issue. While they were there, the Funyalang people came on motorbikes, opening fire and everyone ran away.”

It was gathered that the State Commissioner of Police Hassan Yabanet and his team were on their way to the scene of the incident.
VANGUARD

Metro

Hotel Under Construction Collapses In Edo Kills Owner

Published

7 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck in the Idumoza community, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, as a hotel building under construction caved in, killing its owner, identified as Andrew Isesere.

The incident occurred last Friday while Isesere was reportedly inside the building.

Over 20 workers who were also at the site narrowly escaped death, according to eyewitnesses.

The lifeless body of the owner was recovered from the debris on Sunday morning.

Neighbours in the area expressed concern over the quality of materials used in the construction, noting that warnings had previously been issued to the deceased.

Andrew Inegbebor, a resident who spoke to reporters, said, “The owner was told he was using low quality material. He used 12mm instead of 16mm rods for the pillars. There was no base basket at the pillars. Look at the result.”

“The building collapsed because of substandard materials that were used. There was no engineer on site. The dead owner supervised the house. The house later collapsed and killed him , but some workers escaped,” he added.

At the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said that he had not received a briefing on the incident.

Metro

Police Arrest Stolen Phone Tracker-altering Gang In Imo

Published

1 day ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Imo State Police Command has dismantled a cult gang that specialised in phone theft, burglary, and altering the tracking device of phones in Eziobodo, in the Owerri West Local Government Area.

This is even as the Command has arrested several people linked to various phone robberies within the Owerri federal constituency.

Police spokesperson for Imo State command, DSP Henry Okoye, made the disclosure on Saturday morning.

Okoye disclosed that following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop was burgled on July 11th, 2025, within Eziobodo, operatives of the Anti-Vice commenced an investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect with four brand new but stolen phones.

Intense investigation led the Police to the principal burglar behind the robbery and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI, which blocks the tracking of such phones.

Okoye said, “Following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop in Eziobodo was burgled on 11th July 2025, operatives of the Anti-Vice Unit arrested a suspect in possession of four brand-new stolen phones. Investigations led to the arrest of the principal burglar and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI numbers to evade tracking”.

He disclosed that all the suspects arrested are currently in custody, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

Okoye said in another development, operatives of the Orji Police Station on July 31st, 2025, at about 9pm (2100hrs) arrested one Ernest Nweke ‘m’ at Bishop’s Court roundabout, in the Owerri North LGA, following a distress call from concerned citizens.

The suspect, who is a native of Umuoji in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State but resident in the World Bank area of Owerri, was arrested with a locally fabricated pistol after he and three others allegedly robbed one Emmanuel FearGod ‘m’ of Fountain of Knowledge Hostel.

Okoye said, “Nweke, who confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group, was identified by the victim and arrested while the others fled. Based on his confession, four other suspects: Chamberlain Prince, Akujuobi Godwin, Ugwuelu Joseph, and Frederick Chigozie were arrested the next morning and also confessed to the crime. All suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be duly prosecuted in court”.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has commended the officers for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fight crime.

The Police boss urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through 0803 477 3600.

Metro

Police Arrest Fleeing Anambra Suspected Kidnapper In Kaduna

Published

1 day ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, John Chinagorom, who is said to have been on the Command’s wanted list.

A statement released on Saturday by the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command.

Ikenga said his arrest followed a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division on August 1, that the suspect, who is linked to a kidnapping case in Anambra, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that its officers, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command, have arrested John Chinagorom ‘M’, a suspected kidnapper, who has been on the Command’s wanted list.

“This follows a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division at noon of 1st August 2025, that the suspect, John Chinagorom, who is linked to a kidnapping Case reported on 15th April 2025, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.

“Acting swiftly on the information, a team of Police detectives from the Division was dispatched, and they successfully apprehended the suspect at his hideout in Zaria, with the assistance of officers of the Kaduna State Police Command.

“The suspect is currently in custody and is assisting the Police in the ongoing investigation.”

He urged the general public to remain calm, assuring them that the security situation in the state is under control as joint security patrols and other crime prevention operations are ongoing.

“Meanwhile, the general security situation across other parts of the State remains calm, as counter-terrorism and other crime prevention operations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” he added.