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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

ICPC Arraigns Woman For Forging Marriage Certificate, Visa Fraud

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Ms. Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo before Justice Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Kubwa, for allegedly forging a marriage certificate and United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport stamps to fraudulently obtain a United Kingdom (UK) visa.

The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, followed a four-count charge filed by the Commission under Charge No. CR/577/25 Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo (F).

According to the charge sheet, the offences were committed around 2019 within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

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The ICPC prosecution team alleged that the defendant forged a marriage certificate with registration number 024119/2017, purportedly issued by a Nigerian marriage registry, and used it to support her UK visa application.

READ ALSO:ICPC Arrests NSCDC Deputy Commandant Over Alleged Corruption

The Commission also accused Ms. Ojo of forging entry and exit stamps of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on her international passport, presenting them as genuine to strengthen her visa application.

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These actions, according to the charge sheet, contravene Sections 363 and 366 and are punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation, which deal with forgery and the fraudulent use of forged documents.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo, in 2019 or thereabouts, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently present as genuine a forged marriage certificate purportedly emanating from Ikoyi Marriage Registry, Ikoyi-Lagos, when you had reason to believe it to be a forged document, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation.”

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all four counts. She was represented by her counsel, C.A. Owo Ekele.

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READ ALSO:ICPC Probes N71.2bn Discrepancy In Student Loan Disbursement

Lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Fatima Abdullahi of ICPC, informed the court that the Commission was ready to proceed to trial and requested a date for hearing, while the defence counsel applied for bail on liberal terms.

After listening to both sides, Justice Akobi granted bail to the defendant in the sum of ₦2 million with two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a public servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a resident of Abuja with a family and possess landed property with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the FCT.

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The second surety is also required to attach copies of his or her passport and C of O to the bail documents for verification.

Justice Akobi further ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

In a statement on Wednesday, ICPC’s spokesperson and Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, said the Commission will continue to collaborate with relevant embassies and international partners to curb visa-related fraud and bring offenders to justice.

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Abductors Kill Seminary, Free One In Edo

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Kidnappers have killed Emmanuel Alabi a seminary of Immaculate Conception Minor, Ivianokpodi, Estako East Local Government Area, 95 days after he was abducted.

Late Alabi and two other seminaries, Japhet Jesse and Joshua Aleobua, were abducted on July 10, 2025.

In June this year, Peter Andrew, from the same Ivianokpodi seminary was abducted and killed.

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Jesse escaped and regained freedom but others remained with the kidnappers.

Their plea for freedom and rescue did not yield any results even as the kidnappers placed them among their previous dead victims.

READ ALSO:Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three

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Aleobua regained freedom on November 4th but Alabi was shot dead while attempting to escape.

A statement by the Catholic Diocese of Auchi and signed by the Assistant Director of Communications, Fr. Linus Imoedemhe, was silent on how Alabi died.

The statement said Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, expressed deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian.

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It said Bishop Dunia called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens and cautioned political leaders against turning a blind eye on the worsening insecurity situation in the nation.

READ ALSO:Young Catholics Converge On Rome For Pope Leo’s Vigil

Bishop Dunia urged them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

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According to the statement, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi invites all the faithful and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.

“The Diocese of Auchi remains committed to the values of faith, peace, and justice, trusting in God’s infinite mercy to bring comfort to the bereaved family, the seminary community, and all those affected by this tragedy.

“May the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

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Amotekun Arrests 16 Illegal Immigrants, 22 Others In Ondo

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The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 16 illegal immigrants who were found wandering in some parts of the state.

The corps said it also arrested 22 persons who were allegedly involved in various criminal activities across the state.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Amotekun Corps, in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, the state Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects were arrested for allegedly breaching the law and order of the state.

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According to the Amotekun boss, the illegal immigrants were allegedly brought into the state from the Republic of Togo and the Republic of Benin for unlawful motives.

READ ALSO:Amotekun Arrests 28 For Robbery, Kidnapping In Ondo

He said, “We have unusual visitors amongst us. We have Mustafa, Steve, Alfosus, Tango Juntu, and Simon involved in bringing in illegal immigrants into the country for sinister motives.

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“We equally have the 22 illegal immigrants that, upon interrogation, were not able to tell us how they came in from Benin Republic and Togo without any mission into the country. ‎

“We are right now going to hand them over to the immigration services for further scrutiny, to the extent that I believe once they find out that their stay is not healthy, they will be sent out of the country.

On the other 16 suspects, Adeleye said they were allegedly involved in various crimes such as rape, stealing, vandalism, killing, kidnapping, among others.

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READ ALSO:Amotekun Foiled Five Kidnap Attempts In Two Weeks Across Ondo

“What we are saying is that Ondo State still remains one of the safest states, especially with the synergy that exists with all security agencies. As of today, we were able to arrest a syndicate that has consistently been vandalising state government machinery (SIC).

“Overnight, when our operatives caught up with them as a result of our diligent intelligence, they opened fire on our men, but we remained resolute. Rather than responding, we were able to apprehend them.

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“We have one Aderemi, 35 years, who was arrested in relation to killing, murder, and suspected kidnapping. We equally have one Mr Etok, a 45-year-old man, who is suspected to be a spy for kidnappers,” he stated.

READ ALSO:Osun Assembly, Senator Clash Over Arrest, Police Sealing Of Amotekun Base

He added, “We have one Victor who was arrested in Ofosu on the allegation of murder, and we have Mwazu, Sani, Mosund, James, and Sehidu arrested in connection with the vandalisation of government property.”

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Adeleye reiterated that the state remained safe, but unsafe for criminals.

It is not a place for criminals to thrive. ‎Head or tail, Amotekun will catch you, so the best thing is not to be involved in criminal activities,” he declared.

 

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