Metro

Kidnapped Vigilante Commandant Regains Freedom After N5m Ransom

Published

3 years ago

December 27, 2022

Editor

The newly-elected President-General of Ukwulu Town Union, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Christopher Uba, has revealed that the community’s vigilante commandant who was recently abducted has regained freedom from his abductors after the payment of N5 million ransom.

The vigilante commandant, Kachy Ilodigwe, was reportedly kidnapped by about four gunmen in November, while returning from a church activity when the armed men double-crossed him with their car and whisked him away.

Uba, while speaking to journalists shortly after he was declared the winner of the election at the Community Civil Centre, Ukwulu, on Tuesday, said the vigilante commandant was released after the payment of the ransom.

He said it was not yet clear why Ilodigwe was kidnapped, adding that after he regained his freedom, he was attacked again and shot by gunmen few days later.

He said the commandant was currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

The PG used the occasion to alert the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the security operatives over the increasing rate of gunmen and herdsmen attacks in the community on a daily basis.

According to him, the activities of gunmen and herdsmen in the Ukwulu community, has been in the increase.

Anambra traders accuse market leader of N1.6m extortion
He also called on members of the community to report any suspicious persons, movement, object as well as suspicious gathering in their neighbourhoods.

He said, “Our people, especially, the women no longer go to their farms again to avoid being raped and killed. Our people living outside the community no longer come home during festive seasons.

“There are fears everywhere in the community. As I speak to you now, the corpse of a girl recently kidnapped and murdered by the dreaded killers few days ago is still lying in the mortuary. We are calling for help.

“I wish to inform members of the community, particularly the youths, tri-cyclists and taxi drivers as well as other members of the public to be weary about the antics of the criminal elements in the area.

“Members of the community are further reminded on the need to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and threat to peace in their place of worship, market, yard to the police or sister security agencies in the nearest security post in the area.”

Uba, equally appealed to Soludo, Zone 13 Police Headquarters, the State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, and other security outfits in the state to urgently deployed security personnel to dismantle the gunmen and killer herdsmen settlements in the area.

PUNCH

Metro

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

Published

7 hours 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.