Metro

Man Commits Suicide After Demolition Of His Hotel In Anambra

Published

12 months ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

Photo: File copy

A hotelier in Anambra State, Malachy Chukwu, has reportedly committed suicide over demolition of his property.

Chukwu took his life after discovering that his hotel had been demolished by suspected youths of Ifite-Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area of the state .

Following the demolition and suicide,
members of the Divine Heaven Amalgamated Landlords Association, Ifite-Nteje in Oyi LGA on Saturday protested against the destruction of their property by suspected youths of the community.

The protesters, comprising men and women, said several buildings, including the hotel located on the Chinua Achebe Airport Road Ifite-Nteje, worth billions were allegedly destroyed by a group parading themselves as the executive members of Ifite-Nteje Development Union.

Chairman of the association, Chief Patrick Maduegbuna, appealed for Governor Charles Soludo’s intervention to avoid total breakdown of law and order.

Seriake Dickson: Masterminds of Oli theft from Lagos, Abuja
“The transaction took place in 2019 and the association started developing the place after payment. But all of a sudden, they started demolishing our property. They are saying the land deal had been revoked. They demolished houses, hotel and other buildings nearing completion.

“We called them to know what was the matter, they said we did not buy the land correctly, that we should buy it again and add money.

“We chose to protest rather than taking the law into our own hands. There are more than seven estates there. All we want is to have our property back,” he stated.

The association’s Secretary, Mr Nwako Maduka, said the landlords paid all the required dues and the documents were signed by the same people allegedly trying to revoke the land genuinely sold to them.

Chairman, Ifite-Nteje land management committee, Chief Ikechukwu Erikeife, said some young men who sold their plots were making efforts to sell the same land for the second time, noting that land grabbing to make money at all cost was the source of confusion in Ifite-Nteje.

He said that the parcels of land were acquired by the developers through the right source, promising to look into the situation as the protesters could not afford to buy the land for the second time.

But Secretary of ifite-Nteje land management committee, Mr Ngoesina Okechukwu, described those behind the allegations as meddlesome interlopers, saying Ifite-Nteje community has a way of hoisting leadership in a traditional way.

Okechukwu, a lawyer, said the estate developers followed the due process in the acquisition of the land from Ifite-Nteje.

He said: “I was in Abuja and heard about the protest organised by the opposition, who were claiming to be executive members of Ifite-Nteje Development Union.

“The same group was said to have claimed they had abolished the Ifite-Nteje land management committee and revoked the land sold to the landlords association.

“The Ifite-Nteje land management committee is a body constituted by the community with power of attorney which could sue and be sued.

“The court had taken judicial notice of the land committee as representative of Ifite-Nteje in so many cases, securing judgement for the entire Nteje community,” he explained.

It was gathered that about 70 associations acquired the vast land occupying strategic position along the airport road with most of the buildings destroyed at various stages of completion.

Metro

Police Arrests Three Masterminds Of Abuja Kidnappings

Published

1 hour ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested three notorious kidnap suspects linked to a spate of deadly abductions in Abuja and neighbouring states.

According to a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Abuja Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on Thursday, the suspects, 27 years old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State; 30 years old Sale Usman from Niger State; and 28 years old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja, were captured during sting operations carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025, in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad.

The suspects, who have been on the Command’s wanted list, reportedly confessed to multiple kidnappings and murders, including the 2024 killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area where their father was shot dead. Police also tied them to the kidnapping of a woman for whom N10 million was paid in ransom, with each gang member pocketing N500,000.

Adeh said the breakthrough followed “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.

According to the police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also doubled as the gang’s arms supplier, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. Upon arrival, the police team was met with gunfire from other gang members, prompting a shootout.

“Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued,” the statement added.

Exhibits recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery of the Scorpion Squad and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security operatives.

“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” he said.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
(PUNCH)

Metro

FG Closes Case In Alleged Terrorism Trial Against Nnamdi Kanu

Published

3 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government, on Thursday, closed its case in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

The FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced this after the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), identified as EEE for security reasons, was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awomolo told the court that after calling five witnesses in the trial, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including the broadcast of activities of the leader of the IPOB, the government had sufficiently satisfied the need to close its case.

“I therefore close the case,” the senior lawyer said.

After the announcement, the lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, informed the court that they would be opting for a no-case submission, which would be filed in due course.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Air Strikes Destroy IED Factory, Terrorists’ Gun Trucks In Borno

Published

4 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Thursday that its fighter aircraft operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has destroyed an IED factory and terrorist gun trucks and eliminated dozens of fighters in Kwaltiri, within the Tumbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations, said, “The 18 June 2025 airstrike followed intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the area.

“Surveillance confirmed the presence of an IED-making site and vehicles, which were struck in precision passes by NAF aircraft.

“The operation is a major blow to terrorists’ fighting capabilities, as the successful strikes not only disrupted their command and control as well as logistics chains but also sent shockwaves through their ranks, significantly degrading their morale and operational momentum.

“It reinforces NAF’s resolve to degrade terrorist capabilities and enhance security in the North East.”