Metro

Kidnappers Kill Pastor After Collecting N1m Ransom

Published

3 weeks ago

November 16, 2023

Editor

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

Three Operatives Injured As NDLEA Officers, Armed Hoodlums Clash In Edo Forest

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives repelled gunfire from armed hoodlums in Opuje, Edo State, as they sought to access forest warehouses storing psychoactive substances.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared on the agency’s X account on Thursday.

The incident followed a similar attack 11 months ago when NDLEA officers were ambushed during an operation, resulting in the arrest of suspects.

Opuje is known for large-scale cannabis cultivation, with drug cartels investing heavily in protecting their warehouses.

The statement said, “Following credible intelligence that the drug cartels had again stocked their warehouses in the forest to start distribution of the psychoactive substance to various parts of the country ahead of the yuletide season, teams of NDLEA officers were mobilized to enter the Edo forests and block the distribution of the illicit drug by destroying their warehouses.

“Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000kgs of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

“The NDLEA teams, however, came under gunfire attack in the early hours of Monday 4th December when they approached the Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community. The NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gunfight with the armed hoodlums.

“Unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets. The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday 6th December to remove the bullets in his brain.”

Metro

VIDEO: Policemen Demand Money From Foreign Female Biker

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

Some policemen have been sighted in a video demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, said the officers were recorded along Moniya Road in Oyo State.

The officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was heading.

The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently surprising the two officers.

In the 1:26-minute video, the officers asked the woman to offer them money or whatever she had in her possession.

Interacting with the biker in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money, money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

Reacting to the video shared by an X user, @Oyoaffairs, the Force PRO, Adejobi called on the Oyo State police command to look into the incident.

“Now that is along Moniya in Oyo, @OyoPoliceNG should take necessary steps on that. I have notified the PPRO Oyo of this. They need to be worked upon,” Adejobi reacted.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1732749914080194872?s=20

Metro

EFCC Arraigns Man Over Alleged $63,590 Fraud

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2023

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Command, on Wednesday, arraigned one Abdulhamid Isah before an Ikeja High Court over alleged $63,599 fraud.

Isah is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and retaining proceeds of criminal conduct.

The defendant, arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Nwandu Ukoha, told the court that the defendant had, sometime in Oct. 2022, obtained $63,590 by false pretences.

Ukoha said the defendant also stole the said amount belonging to one Chinedu Ugokwe.

He informed the court that the money was given to Isah with the intention to exchange the same for the naira equivalent which the defendant failed to do.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant also retained the said amount, suspected to be proceeds of criminal conduct.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 1(1)(2) and (3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

He said the offences also contravened Sections 278(1) (b), (2)(1) and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State No. 11 of 2011 and Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Ukoha urged the court to remand the defendant accordingly, pending the commencement of trial.

He also said that the bail application of the defence counsel should be at the discretion of the court.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, moved a bail application, praying the court to grant the application, requesting that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

Consequently, the judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Ijelu said one of the sureties must be related to the defendant by blood and must reside in Lagos.

He also said the sureties must present evidence of a reliable source of livelihood and that the defendant be produced at every trial date.

The judge then ordered the remand of the defendant in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the perfection of his bail.

He adjourned the matter till Feb. 1, 2024 for trial.