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Imo: Many Feared Dead As Illegal Refinery Explodes

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No few than 100 people died on Friday night after an illegal refinery exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

Six vehicles were also razed during the incident which had thrown the community into panic.

PUNCH Metro reports that at the scene of the incident on Saturday, a large number of people visited the place to have a glimpse of the unfortunate development.

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The PUNCH correspondent counted no fewer than 50 roasted bodies at the scene of the explosion.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Bomb Manufacturer In Imo

The state Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, told our correspondent at the scene that the state government had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.

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He advised the suspect whom he said was on the run to turn himself in at the nearest police station.

The commissioner said, “This is a sad development. The Imo State Government has declared wanted, Okenze Onyenwoke, who owns this illegal refinery. I advise him to hand himself over to the police or any security agency.

READ ALSO: Imo: Security Agents, Unknown Gunmen Engage In Gun Battle

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“This is wickedness. This is economic sabotage. It is also destroying our youths. I, therefore, call on the youths to go away from this kind of illegitimate business. There are so many legitimate businesses one could do to make genuine money.”

An indigene of the community, who identified himself simply as Ejike said, “Nobody survived the incident. Those who were rescued yesterday have all died this morning. The casualty figure is over 100. This is sad. People are rushing to look for their relations but the unfortunate thing is that the victims were burnt beyond recognition.”

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Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

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Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

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READ ALSO: Benue Assembly Amends Law, Renames State Varsity

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

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Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

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Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

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She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

READ ALSO:Man Arrested For Defiling 12-year-old Girl In Rivers

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The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

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Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest 10 Suspected Drug Peddlers In Delta, Recover Illicit Drugs

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

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Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.

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Gunmen Assassinate APC Chieftain In Front Of His Family In Otukpo, Benue

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Otukpo, Benue State, Hon. Ejeh Udeh, has been shot dead at his residence by unknown gunmen.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen stormed his Ugboju residence around 12:00 a.m. on Monday and opened fire on him in front of his family.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the assailants, who arrived on a motorcycle, laid in wait for him.

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READ ALSO: DSS Charges Nine Over Benue, Plateau Massacres

As soon as he entered his house, they surrounded him and opened fire.

His body has since been deposited at the Otukpo General Hospital morgue.

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