Metro

Imo: Security Operatives Foil Attempt To Abduct INEC Officials, Materials

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2023

Vigilant security operatives in Imo, on Saturday, foiled an attempt by alleged political thugs to abduct INEC officials and cart away election materials.

The incident happened at a Registration Area Center in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area.

It was learnt that the attempt by the thugs to whisk away the INEC officials into their waiting vehicle was quickly repelled by the security personnel deployed in the centre.

An eyewitness account said that the armed security operatives fired into the air from a distance, when voters in the area raised an alarm over the presence of the thugs.

“The thugs quickly retreated into their bus and sped off on hearing the sound of the gun,” the eyewitness told NAN on the condition of anonymity.

An unarmed Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) operative at the scene told Newsmen that “the thugs were coming to hijack the INEC officials and election materials.

“But luck ran out on them when some people started shouting during a stampede caused by fear.

“It was their shouting that alerted the armed security personnnel, who quickly shot into the air, forcing the thugs to take to their heels,” the NSCDC operative said on the condition of anonymity.

NAN also reports that there was heavy presence of security personnel on major roads in the state.

In Owerri, the state capital, and its environs, armed security personnel mounted checkpoints at strategic locations as early as 6:00a.m. to enforce restriction on movements.

Heavily armed soldiers were seen at different entry points into the city, stopping and searching vehicles, as well as interrogating the drivers and passengers before allowing them to go.

A NAN correspondent monitoring the poll also reports that all the polling units in Isu Njaba had materials and INEC officials on ground as early as 8.00am.

Consequently, the accreditation of voters commenced at about 8.30am in the area without any security presence at the time of filing the report

Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

7 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”

Metro

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel In Edo, Abduct Expatriate

Published

7 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The gunmen also abducted one of the Chinese expatriates, and injured four persons.

An officer of the agency who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Saturday on the condition of anonymity, said the persons injured were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to him, four Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt.

He said the incident happened at the company’s entrance, on Friday, September 5, 2025, at about 10PM, when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.

He said: “The suspected kidnappers, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed the NSCDC personnel attached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.

“The attackers laid an ambush at the company’s entrance. They opened fire sporadically, engaging NSCDC operatives in a gun duel. Despite the loss of personnel, NSCDC operatives successfully rescued four expatriates.

“The armed group escaped into the bush with one abducted expatriate.

“The surviving NSCDC personnel repelled further assault and secured four expatriates safely.

“The injured officers were evacuated and are receiving medical care,”

The officer said that the Edo State Commandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, had visited the scene of the crime and the hospital where the injured are being treated.

He also disclosed that joint security operations with sister agencies have commenced, combing the surrounding forest in pursuit of the perpetrators.

“As I speak with you, our personnel and other security agencies are combing the bush through which the kidnappers escaped. We are making every effort to ensure that the abducted expatriate is freed unhurt and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he noted.

Metro

New Edo Line Passengers Abducted

Published

7 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Now fewer than 18 passengers of the New Edo Line and Toyota Corolla car were on Friday reported abducted.

The victims, said to be Abuja bound passengers, were forced into the bush by the kidnappers before men of the Nigerian Police Force arrived the scene

A viral video from the scene of the incident showed a long queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the express road.

Contacted, Edo tate Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Iyamu confirmed, the incident, stressing that sixteen of the victims have been rescued so far.

He noted that police have intensified search in collaboration with local vigilante and hunters to ensure the release of the other passengers in the kidnappers’ den.