Metro

How I Narrowly Escaped Being Kidnapped, 13-yr-old Boy Narrates

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2023

A 13-year-old boy, Abraham Stephen has narrated how he miraculously escaped being kidnapped in Owo, Ondo state. Abraham, who said he left home, due to maltreatment from his mother, walked into the hands of abductors.

Narrating his ordeal, at the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, the victim said he was picked up at AUD primary school Iyere Owo, by two young boys dressed in black hooded kaftan and they threatened to shoot him if he shouted or attempted to run

He said that he was coerced to follow them, and upon entering the car, he saw two more young boys also dressed in black hooded kaftan.

Vanguard learnt that the abductors were taking him to lbadan, Oyo state, when they ran into a police checkpoint. For fear of arrest, they asked the boy to alight from the vehicle and join a commercial vehicle with the instruction to wait for them to get to Ibadan.

But all the commercial vehicles refused to stop, wondering why a boy of his age would be travelling alone on the highway.

However, one of the cars travelling to lbadan, stopped and picked him up. After questioning him, the good Samaritan became worried why a boy of his age would be travelling to Ibadan unaccompanied and decided to take him to the NSCDC office at FEMA along Agbogbo road

According to him “when they asked me to enter their vehicle, they threatened to shoot me if I shout or try to run away.

“When we got to a police checkpoint, they told me to get down from the car for fear of arrest by the police. They told me to board a car going to Ibadan that they would be waiting for me there.

“But the car that picked me instead of taking me to lbadan, took me to the office of the NSCDC.

“I noticed that a Jeep that was on our trail from the spot where the driver picked me up drove off and stopped trailing us as soon as the car turned to NSCDC ‘s office.”

Speaking on the incident, the state spokesperson for the state command of NSCDC, Daniel Aidamenbor, said that the boy was rescued by a good Samaritan who brought him to the NSCDC Ondo Command Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.

Aidamenbor said that “The mother of the victim, Stephen Ajayi Toyin was contacted and was asked to come for her son in Akure. She was shocked upon her arrival.

“She narrated that she left her son at home for the market, she was away in the market when she received a call from officer of NSCDC that her son was in their custody.”

The NSCDC spokesperson noted that the victim had been handed over to his mother.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.