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

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

34 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.