Metro

JUST IN: RCCG Pastor, Two Others Regain Freedom In Calabar

Published

4 years ago

November 15, 2021

The Redeem Christian Church of God pastor, Sunday Adeniran, has regained freedom. Adeniran and two other persons were abducted on Saturday by yet to be identified gunmen in Calabar.

An impeccable security source who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard on Monday morning that they were released at about 2: am this morning near Scanobo filling station, Ikot Ekpo 8 miles on the outskirt of Calabar ,the Cross River state capital.

The source further disclosed that the pressure from the Anti Kidnapping and Cultism Squad led by SP Awodi made the miscreant to hurriedly collect what they could after making an initial demand of 7 million naira.

His words: “They knew that the Dragon Squad was closing in on them ,they had to hurriedly collect about 200,000 naira and let their victims go.

“Initially they demanded 7 million for their release but had to just collect what they could as soon as possible and dropped them off at Scanobo area in Ikot Ekpo 8 miles at about 2:am.”

Findings by Vanguard showed that SP Awodi and his men from AKCS were already in their trail as at 12 midnight but immediately they got wind of the manhunt which was earlier reported they collected the available cash and set them( victims) free .

In a related development another victim was also rescued without paying any ransom to his abductors at the weekend in Calabar .

Vanguard gathered that the police through the anti kidnapping and Cultism Squad( Dragon) rescued a 24 year old businessman ,Justine Esedeke from his abductors from another location at 8 miles.

Vanguard learned that this was part of the covert operation recently launched by the Commissioner of Police through the Commander of AKCS ,SP Awodi and his men to nip in the bud the rising menace of kidnapping along 8 mile axis an outskirt

According to investigation the victim, 24 year old Justine was abandoned by his captors in the hills around Nasarawa, Bacoco in 8 miles when the men of AKCS squad were combing the forest after a distress call was made by the victims family to them .

A security source who didn’t want his name in print said “after combing the forest in search of the victim based on credible intelligence ,the victim was abandoned by his abductors as they saw the men of AKCS and took to their heels”.

Vanguard also learned that security presence has increased in the area especially by armed plane cloth personnel in a bid to nip the rising menace of kidnapping in the bud .

Confirming the release of the victims on Telephone ,Monday , the Police Public Relations Officer in the state ,DSP Irene Ugbo lauded the efforts of AKCS squad while urging the pubic to cooperate with the police by giving useful information about happenings in their environment

“It was a strict direct order of the Commissioner of police, CP Aminu Alhassan to men of AKCS and they acted swiftly to secure the release of the victims.

“I want to commend, the swift action of SP Awodi and his Dragon squad ,their efforts yielded result and in time to ,the victim are now in safe hands .

“I want to appeal to the public not to wait until something happens before they report ,they should always report strange movement to curb this kind of ugly incident ,” she Said.

Metro

Seven Journalists On Their Way To Colleague’s Marriage, FG Reacts

Published

5 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic death of seven journalists who were confirmed killed in a lone road crash in the Gombe South area of Gombe State on Monday.

The incident occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. They were said to have traveled in solidarity with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, who was getting married.

According to preliminary information from the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, the crash was fatal.

The Minister described the tragedy as a heartbreaking loss to the media community and the nation, noting that the journalists were committed voices who informed the public with courage, integrity, and professionalism.

“This is a harrowing moment. Nigeria has lost dedicated voices who informed, educated, and stood for truth. Their passing is a heavy blow to us all,” he said.

The Minister extended his condolences to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Gombe State Council, and especially to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the painful loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. May Almighty God grant them comfort and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest,” he added.

“We stand in solidarity with the NUJ and the entire media community at this difficult time. We must continue to work together to improve safety measures for those who serve the nation daily,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government stands with the bereaved families and the media community during this moment of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

Metro

VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Published

6 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Large crowds on Tuesday overwhelmed Balogun Market on Lagos Island as residents trooped out in their numbers for last-minute year-end shopping, crippling movement around the commercial hub.

A viral video making the rounds online showed extreme congestion within and around the market, with traders and shoppers barely able to move as they jostled for limited space in one of Lagos’ busiest trading centres.

The footage captured scenes of tightly packed walkways and stalled human traffic, as buyers scrambled to complete end-of-year purchases ranging from clothes and shoes to household items.

The gridlock is largely being blamed on Nigerians’ long-standing culture of last-minute shopping, often described as “panic buying,” where many delay festive purchases until the final days of the year.

Balogun Market, known for its wholesale and retail activities, traditionally experiences a spike in patronage toward the end of the year.

As of the time of reporting, no incidents had been confirmed, though the situation highlights the recurring challenge of overcrowding during peak festive periods in Lagos.

Watch the video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭
Credit: X | dammiedammie
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— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) December 30, 2025

Metro

JUST IN: Court Orders Remand Of Ex-AGF Malami, Son, Wife In Kuje Prison

Published

7 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court In Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of the Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of his co-dedendants, his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives Bashir Asabe.

Justice Nwite made the order after taking arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).

Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.

According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.

The commission further alleges that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.