Metro

Just In: Kidnapped DELSU Students Regain Freedom

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2021

Two students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Mr. Divine Omajuwa of Geology department and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of Pharmacology Department, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained freedom.

Info Daily had reported that the vehicle in which the students were traveling in to resume at DELSU Abraka was attacked at Oria-Abraka

Sadly, Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry who was also in the vehicle was shot dead during the attack.

It was gathered that Divine and Jennifer were released at about 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the released students, Divine, said that contrary to reports, they were not returning for the new academic session, adding that they did not go for holidays.

According to him, they were on their way back from Warri to Abraka when the incidence happened.

He said: “I travelled with Hussiena to Warri while Stephen also travelled to Warri separately. While I was planning to return, Stephen called me and asked that he will join me back to Abraka.”

Further narrating what happened, he said that he saw a vehicle parked on the road and assumed it was an accident, but was shocked to find out that when he slowed down, it turned out to be that the car was used to block the road by kidnappers.

Divine disclosed that he tried to reverse his Lexus Jeep to escape when the kidnappers started shooting directly at them.

He disclosed that his girlfriend, Hussiena sat in front, while Stephen was at the back seat.

He also debunked reports that Stephen was shot dead on the spot, saying that it was a case of accidental discharge.

“They shot my car tyres while trying to shoot at us. They saw that he was already wounded and so left him behind.

“The kidnappers told me that we were not their target. They said they trailed someone but lost their target because they were distracted by a truck carrying farmers and so became angry and stayed on the road for any possible victim,” he said.

Speaking further, he said that two farmers were still held back by the kidnappers when they were released.

“We were taken away to an unknown destination. They made contact with my parents before I was released,” he said.

Asked if ransom was paid, he said he was not aware, but said that the kidnappers dropped them at a public school close to Abraka after a discussion with his parents.

Divine, who mourned the death of his friend, sobbed profusely while answering questions from our reporter and many times called the name of his deceased friend who died during the attack.

Reacting to the release, the Student Union Government, DELSU, reacting said: “We are grateful to God for their freedom from the hands of this evil perpetrators and the S.U.G also appreciate all Delsuites for their concern and their efforts in this trying time.”

Related Topics:#2023 election in Delta State Abraka DELSU

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Metro

Sowore Arraigned Over Alleged Cybercrime

Published

13 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime offences.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, faced a five-count charge accusing him of defaming President Bola Tinubu by calling him a criminal in posts on X and Facebook. The DSS claims that his actions violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Criminal Code Act.

At the hearing, Justice Mohammed Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition. However, the court imposed strict conditions, barring him from making any statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security. The judge warned that any violation of these conditions would lead to immediate revocation of his bail.

Justice Umar noted that Sowore, who previously contested for the presidency, was already under bail conditions with his international passport held by the court. He said these factors justified granting him bail without a monetary surety.

The arraignment on Tuesday came after two earlier attempts were unsuccessful. DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), attributed the delays to legal obstacles introduced by Sowore’s defence team.

Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, also filed a fresh bail application during the proceedings, which the court considered before ruling.

Two other defendants — X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. — are listed in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. The DSS claims that these companies aided Sowore in publishing the posts allegedly containing defamatory statements against the president.

The case is the latest in a series of legal battles involving Sowore, who has in the past faced arrests and charges over his activism and online publications.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, under which Sowore was charged, criminalises the online publication of false statements that can harm individuals or public institutions. The law also empowers the government to hold social media companies accountable if they facilitate the spread of such content.

Sowore’s arraignment has drawn reactions on social media, with supporters describing the charges as politically motivated, while others argue that public figures must exercise caution in their statements online.

Metro

Alleged Cybercrime: Court Grants Sowore Bail

Published

13 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, on Tuesday, granted former presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, bail on self-recognition, cautioning him to refrain from making any utterances that could incite the public against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore’s bail followed his arraignment by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the court on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

In the five-count charge, Sowore is accused of allegedly making derogatory remarks about President Tinubu on his social media handles.

Sowore, who is the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him.

Earlier in the proceedings, his counsel, Marshall Abubakar, had raised a motion challenging the competence of the suit, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction.

The prosecution objected, stating they had only just been served with the processes and needed time to respond.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar held that the objection on jurisdiction was not ready for hearing because the prosecution was served that morning, adding that the defendant needed to give them adequate time to file a counter-affidavit.

He then directed that the charges be read to the defendant.

When the charge was read, Sowore pleaded not guilty; his counsel applied for bail on self-recognition. The prosecution, however, opposed the application, arguing that Sowore posed a flight risk.

Justice Umar, in ruling on the bail request, granted Sowore bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for trial.

Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019, was accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal

The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

Metro

Delta: Suspected Kidnapper Killed In Gun Battle With Police

Published

19 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

A suspected kidnapper has been killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with Community Volunteers in Obiaruku Forest.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer,SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

“Operatives of the Command State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were mobilising within the Obiaruku forest to carry out an attack.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the operatives advanced towards the location to forestall the planned criminal activity,” the statement said.

According to Edafe, on approaching the area, the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team.

“The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with various degrees of injuries.

“One AK-47 rifle with forty-two rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered,” the statement added.