Metro

JUST IN: Four Die As Gunmen Attack Uzodinma’s Hometown Police s Station Again

Published

4 years ago

March 20, 2022

Gunmen, on Sunday, morning attacked the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo state.

Omuma is the home town of the governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma.

The attack came just 24 hours after yet-to-be identified gunmen attacked Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters situated in the Owerri West LGA of the state, killing two police constabularies on duty, burning vehicles and freeing suspects in cells.

Same night, gunmen also attacked the country home of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, at Awo-Omanma in the Oru East LGA.

Our correspondent gathered that the attackers engaged policemen in a gun duel on arrival at the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters.

This is not the first time gunmen were attacking the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters.

Gunmen had in 2021 attacked the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters, killing the Divisional Police Officer and four other policemen on duty.

Confirming the latest attack, the police spokesperson for the command, Micheal Abattam, said that four of the attackers were killed as policemen and the operatives of the Department of Security Service engaged the gunme in a gun battle.

Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police said, “Sequel to the modified and invigorated strategies emplaced by the Command under the watch of the indefatigable Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini psc, to forestall all criminals activities within the state, especially attacks on police station, on the March 20, 2022, at about 0300 hours, Hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist group came in large numbers with various calibres of Improvised Explosive Devices to Omuma police station shooting sporadically, but were swiftly repelled by the ever gallant and combat-ready Imo Police Command’s tactical teams and operatives of the DSS who responded immediately, positioning themselves professionally and strategically.

“The Police operatives engaged the hoodlums in fierce gun duel and in the process four of the bandits were neutralised on the spot, while other scampered into the bush having suffered a huge defeat, with a number of them sustaining various degrees of bullet wounds. There was no casualty on the side of the joint security operatives.

“On the spot, five undetonated different capacities of Improvised Explosives Devices were recovered from the neutralised bandits, and charms. The Police Bomb Unit have taken custody of the bombs for detonation.

“Meanwhile, the Command’s Tactical Teams are conducting a vigorous and aggressive combing of the bush to arrest the fleeing hoodlums and to recover their arms/ammunition since they cannot go far because of the huge damage done to them.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Hussaini psc, while commending the officers and men for their gallantry, urged them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“He then appealed to Imolites for the continuous support and collaboration by giving security agencies especially the Police, credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community to the nearest police station for prompt action.”

PUNCH.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.

The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.

Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.

He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.

The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.

He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.

Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.

“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.

The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.

He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.

Metro

Army Officer Dies After Wife Allegedly Sets Him Ablaze In Akwa Ibom

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him on fire during a domestic dispute in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report shared on X by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Tuesday, the late officer, who served as a Regimental Medical Officer with the Army’s 6 Battalion, had a heated altercation with his wife, identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, which escalated violently.

Sources cited by Makama alleged that during the argument, the woman doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze.

Lt. Haruna was first treated at the military medical unit within the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save him.

Military sources confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Residents of Benin, the Edo State capital have urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to stop using money accruing to the state on federal government projects.

The residents, who frowned at the governor’s unrelenting efforts in fixing federal roads, lamented that most state-owned roads are in the state of disrepair.

According to the residents, roads in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) have failed and are not motorable, adding that several other state-owned roads have failed and are in need of urgent repairs.

An Activist and head of Talakawas Parliament, in Edo State, Kola Edokpaiyi, said it was ‘busy body’ that made Okpebholo to abandon state-owned roads that are crying for attention in favour of federal roads.

He said, “There are so many deplorable state roads in Edo State that are not motorable. We expect the Governor of Edo State to quickly give attention to them all before considering Federal Roads if the state is too rich.

“The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi has visited federal roads in Edo State about two times to ascertain how deplorable the roads are. He has already given the brief to Mr. President. We expect the Minister to swing into action based on the huge finance allocated by Federal Government to get the work done.

“I want to appeal to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to address the so many state roads that are bad.”

Also, a commercial driver, who plies between Ring Road and Ebvuotubu, Joseph Ikpigho, said he spent more money to fix his car due to bad roads.

Recall that Okpebholo has embarked on reconstruction of 23 kilometres of the Sapele Road axis of the East-West road.

He is also assisting the Federal Government to fix failed portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.