Metro

Just In: Kidnapped DELSU Students Regain Freedom

Published

3 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

Transformer Vandal Met Waterloo, Electrocuted In Benin

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Editor

Scene of the incident

A middle-aged man on Monday lost his life in a tragic incident while attempting to vandalize a transformer belonging to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The unidentified individual had managed to cut some cables in the transformer located along Airport Road in the Benin metropolis before being fatally electrocuted.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, drew the attention of bystanders who were shocked by the scene unfolding before them.

Passers-by who were drawn to the scene early morning, expressed anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area.

It was a grim confirmation of their suspicions as the thief met his death.

A resident of the area, Mr. Emmanuel attributed the tragic outcome to a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality of the youths.

He emphasized the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living to avoid such untimely deaths.

Reacting, the Acting Head of Corporate Communications, BEDC Evelyn Gbiwen, said the incident underscored the dangers of energy theft and vandalism.

She lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

She said despite repeated warnings from the company, such acts persist, leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure.

Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals.

Metro

22-year-old Man Arrested With Arms, POS Machine In Edo

Published

20 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man, Francis Okoye Obinna, for possession of arms and ammunition.

Spokesperson of the command, Chidi Nwabuzor, who made this known in a statement on Monday, April 15, 2024, said the suspect was arrested along the Benin-Lagos expressway during a stop and search operation.

According to the PPRO, a POS machine, a Brownie Pistol, and 9 rounds of 6mm ammunition were found in his possession.

“This young man Francis Okoye Obinna ‘m’ age 22 years old, boarded a bus from Lagos heading to Anambra State was intercepted by operatives of the Edo State Command while on purposeful stop and search along Benin-Lagos expressway on 07/04/2024,” the statement read.

“During the search, the following exhibits were found in his possession; a Brownie Pistol with breach No. PZ1833, 9 rounds of 6mm ammunition and a POS Machine

“In his confessional statement, he said it was one man called Emma in Lagos that gave him the gun to use it to threaten one Mr. Paul Okoye who he alleged to have killed his father with a charm I Anambra State

“Furtherance to their investigation, the operatives of the Command embarked on investigation activities to Lago to ascertain the truth about his statement. On getting to Lagos, it was discovered that the suspect was telling lies about his confessional statement

“Investigation continues to know how he came about the gun and the POS, what he used it for,” the statement reads.

Metro

Man Jailed 27 Years For Stealing N2.3m In Ekiti

Published

23 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Editor

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Dipo Femi, to 27 years imprisonment for conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The sentences which will run concurrently from the day of arrest included seven years each for three charges (21 years) and three years each for two charges (six years).

Femi was arraigned on July 19, 2022, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary and other offences, contrary to Sections 421, 324 and 302 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

According to the charge, Femi and others, now at large, on March 14, 2022, at 5:30 a.m., at Oke Ureje, Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did conspire and break into the shops of Victor Mark, Clement Moses and Samuel Lucky and stole various items.

Items stolen during the burglary, according to the charge, included “men’s and ladies’ wears, jewellery, footwear, cash sum of N200,000, perfumes, body spray, fez caps among others valued at N2.150m”.

The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, and bond to produce as exhibits while the defendant spoke in his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, and he called no witnesses.

In the judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye said, “I will not hesitate to hold that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the basic elements of stealing against the defendant and I so hold.

“In counts 1, 2 and 4, (conspiracy and burglary) the defendant is convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment each and in counts 3 and 5, the defendant is sentenced to three years imprisonment each, time of the imprisonment are to run concurrently from the date of arrest,” the judge pronounced.