Metro

Man Beheads Friend After Misappropriating N30m

Published

1 year ago

December 23, 2024

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Mr Efe Onoetiyi for killing his best friend, Paulinus Okon,
after collecting over N50 million from the deceased.

The Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this on Monday while parading the man, alongside four other killers.

He said, “I welcome you to this briefing which is particularly painful. It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoetiyi. Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi, 30. The suspect, Efe Onoitiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about him.

“He was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him. On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts. Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.

“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters Asaba. On November 28 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible, as the main suspect, Efe, was not yielding.

“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence-led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Gaga 48, Okeimute gaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened.

“Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him. The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30- old herbalist Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive.

“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO, Ekpan Police station, led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.”

Olufemi stated that during interrogation, Efe confessed that he killed Paulinus because he did not know how to tell him he had diverted his money meant to buy the house.

He added, “Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30 million, which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid N30 million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.

“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing Mr Paulinus would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”

The CP, however, urged members of the public to be vigilant especially this season about the friends they keep, lamenting that parents are no longer taking the upbringing of their children, especially boy children seriously.

In an interview with the suspects, they all confessed to the crime, saying that the head was sacrificed to the gods of the community.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.