Metro

Kidnappers Kill Pastor After Collecting N1m Ransom

Published

2 years ago

November 16, 2023

A clergyman at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECOWA), in Kogi State, David Musa, has been killed by his abductors after they allegedly collected N1m ransom.

It was gathered that the late Musa, who was abducted on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in Obajana, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, was later killed on Tuesday, November 14.

A member of the church who was identified as Mary, while narrating how the pastor was killed, said, “The pastor went to his farm that day. So, his wife was waiting for him to return home but she didn’t see her husband. When night fell, the wife raised the alarm after which the church people, including residents of the community, went to his farm to search for him.

“It was then that they discovered that the pastor had been kidnapped. The abductors got in touch with the family demanding N20m. Since the church and the family could not raise such amount of money, they pleaded with the kidnappers and they reduced the ransom to N1m.

“The kidnappers insisted that when they are bringing the money, the church should come along with recharge cards, chicken, and many alcoholic drinks for their consumption.”

Two church members were said to have been sent to deliver the money and the items requested by the kidnappers.

“When they got to the kidnappers’ den, they saw our pastor alive. They now instructed our pastor and the two other church members who brought the money to start going home.

“Unfortunately, they later called the pastor to come back and he did as instructed because he knew that there was no way he could run from their place since his abductors were holding weapons.

“When he was coming back to them, they shot him and he died on the spot. They later brought his lifeless body back to Obajana,” the church member added.

The incident has thrown the church and the community into mourning.

It was further learnt that the news of the murder of the late pastor was first broken on a social media platform of the church on Wednesday morning.

The short message read, “It is with a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of God that I write to inform you that the abductors of our brother, Pastor Musa David, have killed him after collecting a ransom of N1m last night. Let our prayers be with the family, the Church, and the DCC in this trying moment.”

The late pastor was formerly in charge of ECWA Bishara, Ajaokuta.

His murder has heightened panic among his congregation and the state in general.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday afternoon.

The state police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, told our correspondent that the command has begun an investigation into the incident, adding that those behind the killing would be arrested and prosecuted.
PUNCH

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Militant, Hunt Fleeing Monarch In A’Ibom

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with marine hunters, have arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, who allegedly specialises in sea piracy and kidnapping in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command has also launched a manhunt for a traditional ruler (name withheld) believed to be Geofrey’s collaborator and reportedly in possession of operational tools used by the militant.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Azare said the suspect was arrested on November 3, 2025, at about 11:45 am, while the traditional ruler fled when operatives stormed his residence.

He explained that a search of the monarch’s makeshift residence led to the recovery of several items allegedly used for sea piracy operations.

Recovered items included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; and three generators, among others.

According to the CP, “On November 3, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the command, in collaboration with marine hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

“Operatives immediately stormed the village, but the Village Head fled upon sighting the team. A search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.”

Items recovered included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; three generators; three brand-new toilet seats; two brand-new toilet sinks; one sewing machine; and a bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip.

Azare noted that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing traditional ruler.

He further disclosed that during the same period, the command arrested two suspects after raiding an illegal gun manufacturing factory in Ekriti Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area.

According to him, “Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on October 24, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekriti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi (39) and Ubong Udofia (35).

“Exhibits recovered include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, two flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, and one electric filing machine.”

Metro

Rivers Shuts Market As Hoodlums Stab Trader To Death Over N500

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Authorities in Rivers State have shut down the popular Obio/Akpor International Market, also known as Amaechi Market, following the killing of a trader identified simply as Ejike, allegedly by a group of meat sellers during a quarrel over N500.

The incident occurred around 11am on Sunday, along SARS Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, when over 20 attackers reportedly stabbed Ejike multiple times with daggers.

Eyewitnesses said another man who attempted to rescue the victim was also stabbed in the ribs and is now in critical condition in the hospital.

Outraged by the killing, female traders on Monday staged a protest at the Obio/Akpor Council headquarters, demanding the relocation of the alleged violent group while expressing fear over rising insecurity in the market.

One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed that aside from the deceased, another person went into a coma.

“One man is dead, and the person who tried to rescue him is in a coma. More than 20 of them chased him over N500 and stabbed him to death. We want peace. They should leave our market,” a protesting woman said.

Another trader, who declined to be named, accused the attackers of being behind criminal activities in the market.

She lamented, “They break into our shops, steal goods, and even sell drugs behind the market.

“We don’t feel safe anymore. The government should help us.”

The Market Chairman, C.P. Oburu, confirmed the incident, saying Ejike was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

“When I got the call while in church, I rushed to the scene. The doctor confirmed him dead. We took his body to the mortuary and reported to the police,” he said.

Oburu added that the market has been sealed by the council authorities and police, pending further investigation.

“The local government chairman has intervened. Security agencies have made some arrests, and the market will remain closed until further notice,” he said.

Confirming the incident, state Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said one person was killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical units to cordon off the market and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigation is ongoing,” she stated.

Metro

Family Declares 45-year-old Hairdresser Missing In Ibeju-Lekki

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A 45-year-old woman, Oluwafunmilayo Oluwaseun Adesuyi, has been declared missing in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to Boluwatife Adesuyi, her son, and Mr. Adekunle, her brother-in-law, Oluwafunmilayo, a hairdresser by occupation and mother of four children, who resides at House 1, Road 1, Onidogbo Town, Aiyeteju, Ibeju-Lekki, was last seen on September 17, 2025, within the Ibeju-Lekki area.

She is described as tall and fair in complexion. Boluwatife, her eldest son, said she left home on Thursday, 17th September 2025, and hasn’t returned since then. He said all efforts to trace her whereabouts since the day she went missing have proved unsuccessful.

The case has been reported to the police, and the family is appealing to members of the public with any useful information to assist in locating her.

Anyone with information about Oluwafunmilayo Adesuyi’s whereabouts is urged to contact 08165274101 or report to the nearest police station.