Metro
Kidnapped Imo Catholic Priest Regains Freedom
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, who was kidnapped by gunmen last Friday in Imo State has regained freedom.
The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that Opara, popularly known as Owu Ujo, was released by his abductors late Sunday night.
He was kidnapped along Ejemekwuru- Ogbaku road between Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo while returning to Owerri.
He was said to have participated in the funeral ceremony of a colleague’s father at Izombe community in the Oguta Local Government Area and was heading to Owerri when he was abducted.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Abduct Imo Catholic Priest Returning From Funeral
A source, who pleaded anonymity said, Opara, who is in charge of Man of Order and Discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, was released unharmed.
However, the source could not ascertain if any ransom was paid for Opara’s release.
“Details surrounding his release are sketchy for now, but the important thing is that he has been released,” the source stated.
Confirming Opara’s release by his abductors, the Police command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye said the command would not rest on its oars in ensuring that the culprits were brought to justice.
“The priest was released as a result of the pressure mounted on the criminals by our operatives who were on an undercover operation.
“The command is trailing their track to possibly arrest them because we will not allow criminals to take over the state,” Okoye said.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Strike Again, Kidnap Catholic Priest In Imo
Opara’s abduction and release came barely two weeks after gunmen kidnapped the Priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/Ugwuago of the Diocese of Okigwe in Okigwe KGA, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka.
Maduka was kidnapped while preparing for the Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground.
A Catholic Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha, in Okigwe Catholic diocese was equally kidnapped in April and later released.
NAN
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Metro
NAF Airstrikes Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Destroy Hideout In Borno
Published
51 minutes agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian Air Force said air interdictions by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have killed scores of terrorists and destroyed their enclave in Borno.
This was contained in a statement released by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Thursday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the strikes were conducted on Wednesday at about 10:50 a.m. in Bula Madibale, Gezuwa general area of the state.
READ ALSO:NAF Air Raids Kill Three Boko Haram Commanders In Borno
He said intelligence and surveillance had confirmed unusual movements at the location, where about 45 terrorists were observed converging, some arriving on motorcycles and bicycles from different directions.
According to him, reconnaissance also revealed two terrorist flags hoisted at the site, underscoring its use as a stronghold and rallying point for insurgents.
“Acting on this credible intelligence, the Air Component launched precision strikes, eliminating several terrorists, while the flagged structure and other hostile assets were destroyed,” he said.
READ ALSO:NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon
Ejodame also said that the strikes denied the terrorists freedom to regroup, reinforce or mount further attacks on communities in the North East.
He assured that the Armed Forces remained committed to restoring peace and stability across the region.
NAN
Metro
Police Arrest Islamic Cleric With Human Flesh In Oyo
Published
1 hour agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested an Islamic cleric, simply identified as Alfa Bashiru, in possession of suspected human flesh.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed this on Thursday in a post on the verified X handle of the Command.
He said that the Federal Highway Patrol team intercepted a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG, which the suspect allegedly boarded, at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday.
Oyefeso said that the suspect, when quizzed, claimed to have bought the suspected human flesh in Lagos.
READ ALSO:Oyo Declares Work-free Day For Isese Day
The suspect, he said, had been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for further investigation.
“The suspected item is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its authenticity and source,” Osifeso said.
In a separate development, operatives of the command during a Search and Stop Operation recovered an abandoned Toyota Camry car with Registration number LSD 957 JX.
Osifeso said that police operatives flagged down the Toyota Camry car during a routine search, and the driver of the car jumped down and took to his heels, abandoning the vehicle.
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“The car has been taken into custody by the Command while members of the public with legitimate claims to the vehicle are urged to come forward with verifiable documents or contact the Police Command,” he said.
The police spokesman said that Stop and Search operations were not exaggerated security theatrics, but real and deliberate measures to maintain law and order and as well as ensuring the safety of residents and travellers within Oyo State.
Osifeso said that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, appreciated the public for their continued cooperation and understanding.
He assured them of sustained police efforts to combat crime and foster a more secure environment.
NAN
Metro
Fake Madman Arrested For Cultivating Cannabis Farm In Anambra
Published
2 hours agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Patrick Ojele, for allegedly disguising himself as a mentally unstable person while secretly cultivating a cannabis farm in Awka, the state capital.
The Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated in a press release on Thursday that operatives attached to the operations department arrested the suspect during a patrol along the Awka–Enugu Expressway, near Ngozika Estate, on Wednesday.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Patrick Ojele, who pretended to be mentally unstable while secretly cultivating a marijuana farm in Awka, the state capital.
READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra
“The police operatives attached to the Operations Department, Awka, nabbed the suspect on September 17, 2025, during a routine patrol along the Awka–Enugu Expressway near Ngozika Estate.
“He later led the team to the hidden farm, where large quantities of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa were recovered.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that the arrest reflects the Command’s renewed strategy of cutting off criminal supplies by targeting drug dealers who embolden cultists and violent offenders.”
According to him, the CP further directed that the suspect should be handed over to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugwu-Ukwu, for discreet investigation to trace his buyers and dismantle the wider distribution network.
READ ALSO:Suspect Arrested for Running Illegal Drink Factory In Anambra
The PUNCH had reported that the police command has arrested no fewer than 54 suspects, comprising 39 males and 15 females, for various offences ranging from kidnapping, cultism, hard drugs and banned substances.
Ikenga said the arrests were followed by coordinated raids by police operatives in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, and Ifitedunu, Dunukofia LGA, in separate raid operations.
According to him, the coordinated operations were in line with renewed strategies aimed at restoring sanity in the state and curbing the growing menace of crime among young people between 18 and 26 years.
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