Metro

Insecurity In Imo: DSS Arrests 2 ‘Prime Suspects’, Recovers Arms, Ammunition

Published

1 year ago

December 21, 2022

Editor

Two prime suspects, who have allegedly been spearheading the spate of attacks and arson in Imo State, have been nabbed by operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS.

Announcing the breakthrough yesterday in Owerri, during a stakeholders meeting, organized by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, the DSS Director (names withheld), said: “It gives me the joy to announce that two of the people who have been troubling the state are now in our custody.

“The first suspect, who operates with the name, Engr. Mike Ahize, and founder of the criminal camp in the Orsu local government area of the state, has been apprehended.

“His criminal camp is located somewhere at the Imo/Anambra border. This camp thrived for this long, as a result of the difficult terrain. Today, he has been arrested and cooling his heels in our custody.

“Again, just yesterday night (Tuesday), we also nabbed one Ejima, who says he is bent on burning down all facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state.

“He has been boasting that the general elections will not hold anywhere in the state. Let me also inform you that in the early hours of today (yesterday), the suspect led our operatives to his armoury, where we recovered somes arms and ammunition.

“There is no doubt that the nation is passing through difficult times. What is going on is sheer criminality and that is why all the security agencies are working in synergy, to tackle the issue.

“We are talking about the forthcoming general elections, but that will only be if we have a nation to call our own.”

Welcoming the stakeholders earlier, the REC lamented over the growing attacks on INEC offices.

Her words: “These attacks are a concern to the Commission, considering its negative consequences on INEC’s preparations for the 2023 general elections.

“However, it is pertinent to mention that these attacks would not in any way, disrupt the set electoral calendar of the Commission.”

She used the opportunity to commiserate with the Imo State Police Command, over the loss of it’s personnel, during the exchange of gunfire, during the Owerri attack.

Giving an update on the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVC, Professor Agu said: “The distribution of the newly received PVCs, which began Monday, December 12, 2022, shall be on till Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 9am to 3pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.”

Answering a question, Agu assured the electorate that “with the BVAS and electronic transmission of polling unit results, it would not be business as usual, because it is only what emanates from the field that shall be transmitted to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.”

Metro

JUST IN: Residents Scoop Fuel As Tanker Falls Into A Ditch In Edo

Published

58 mins ago

May 1, 2024

Editor

A tanker loaded with petroleum products has fallen into ditch at Okhuaihe Hill, in the Edo State axis of the Benin-Agbor Road.

According to reports, some residents were seen scooping products from the tanker that fell.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor who confirmed the incident appealed to the residents to stop scooping the petrol, saying there is great danger ahead of such a situation.

He recalled that a lot of persons have died in the past while scooping petroleum products from a fallen tanker.

He, however, called on men of the Edo State fire service to immediately mobilise to the area in order to avoid any form of fire disaster.

Nwabuzor also called on the various police teams in the area to barricade the area and prevent people from scooping the petroleum products.

Metro

Two Edo Varsity Students Killed By Suspected Cultists

Published

23 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Editor

Two students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, have been reportedly shot dead in a renewed cult clash in the institution.

The students were killed last Friday by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

The killing is coming less than 48 hours after one Eddy was reportedly beaten and left for dead by a group of persons for allegedly purchasing items with “fake bank alert.”

News of Eddy’s ordeal was said to have been misconstrued for an attack by rival cult members and that he was killed.

The misrepresentation of facts reportedly led to a retaliation by a rival cult group, resulting in the death of the two students on Friday.

It was gathered that a student union official, a 400-level student in the Faculty of Agriculture, was killed at the Poultry Road extension in Ekpoma.

When contacted on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the killings, adding that some suspects have been arrested.

“Yes, the command is aware of it and investigation is ongoing on the matter and some suspects have been arrested,” he said.

Metro

Travellers Beat Rivers Policewoman To Death

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command said its men have arrested 16 suspects in connection with the murder of a female inspector in front of Taabaa Police Station in Khana local government area of the state.

The incident occurred on April 25th while the policewoman identified as Christiana Erekere was on duty at the Bori Police Division,

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday and sent to newsmen, said trouble started when some men in a private vehicle were stopped by policemen for a routine search.

Iringe-Koko, said all of a sudden an argument ensued and the occupants became angry and blocked the road, adding that even after completing the checks and asked to leave, they refused, alleging that the female Inspector had recorded their behaviour with her phone and attacked her with stones when their attempt to seize the phone failed.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command announces the arrest of sixteen persons in connection with the tragic death of Inspector Christiana Erekere, who was murdered in the line of duty on April 25, 2024, at approximately 4 pm.

“According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred when a group of individuals traveling in a Lexus salon car was stopped for routine checks at the checkpoint in front of Taabaa Police Station.

“However, the occupants became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, obstructing the movement of other vehicles.

The statement furthered that after completing the necessary checks, the police officers requested that the individuals leave the scene. Unfortunately, they refused, alleging that Inspector Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.

Hence, in their attempt to seize Inspector Erekere’s phone forcefully, they launched a violent attack against her, striking her with stones.

“The severity of the assault caused Inspector Erekere to lose consciousness, and she was immediately transported to Nnadum Hospital in Bori. Regrettably, she succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack,” the statement said.

“The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a thorough investigation into this abhorrent incident, and all individuals involved will be apprehended and brought to justice.”

The command extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and her colleagues during this difficult time. Consequently, Inspector Erekere’s remains have been transferred to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

“The Rivers State Police Command deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”