Metro
Many Vigilante Members Killed, Others Missing As Bandits Attack Sokoto Community
Published
1 month agoon
By
Editor
No fewer than 11 local vigilante members have been confirmed dead following a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits and unconfirmed numbers of vigilantes in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to The PUNCH, the tensed standoff between these two parties occurred on Friday, when members of the community-based vigilante group intercepted a group of about 40 bandits attempting to raid Magonho village.
The assailants, according to a local source from the community, rode on about 20 motorcycles and were heavily armed, and they reportedly opened fire after their attack was thwarted.
The source said, “Initially, it was confirmed that two vigilantes were killed in the early exchange of gunfire.
READ ALSO: Soldiers Neutralise Bandit Leaders, Recover Arms In Zamfara
“The number rose to 11 by Saturday after security operatives recovered more bodies from the surrounding Lakurawa forest enclave, believed to be a stronghold of the armed group.”
Another eyewitness revealed that the vigilantes had mobilised quickly in response to intelligence about the bandits’ movements, managing to repel the first wave of the assault and recover some of the rustled livestock.
He said following the retreat, troops from the Forward Operating Base in Masallaci launched a pursuit operation, successfully reclaiming some of the stolen animals.
READ ALSO: Wanted Notorious Bandit Kingpin, Dan Mudale, Police Officer, Six Others Killed In Zamfara
“The bandits returned to Magonho shortly after their initial retreat, and they set fire on the community’s MTN communication’ mast, and unleashed sporadic gunfire before fleeing again into the forest”
The source, however, confirmed that efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining corpses and locate missing vigilantes.
“Security forces, including soldiers and personnel from other agencies stationed in Binji and Racca, are coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the dense Lakurawa forest.”
READ ALSO: Wanted Notorious Bandit Kingpin, Dan Mudale, Police Officer, Six Others Killed In Zamfara
The latest attack has reignited concerns over the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Sokoto State, particularly in its rural communities, where vigilante groups often serve as the first line of defense against criminal gangs.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack and the MTN mast that was set ablaze, but could not confirm the figure of the vigilantes killed at the time of filing this report.
According to him, “Yes, there was a report of attack in the area and the setting up of MTN mast in the community.
“On the number of casualties, I would have to get back to you on the figure as I cannot confirm the figure for now”
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Metro
Police Confirm ‘Accidental’ Killing Of Inspector By 10-Year-Old Son
Published
5 hours agoon
June 16, 2025By
Editor
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the death of a police inspector, Okolie Amechi, who was accidentally shot by his 10-year-old son.
It said that the incident occurred on Sunday evening.
It explained that the son, who was unaware of the state of the AK 47 assigned to Amechi, pulled the trigger and struck his father in the back.
The Command also said the the inspector’s second child was struck in the hand due to the accidental discharge.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspects For Stealing Two Underage Siblings In Anambra
“The Anambra State Police Command expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that resulted in the death of Police Inspector Okolie Amechi in Awka.
“The son unaware of the state, of the AK 47 rifle assigned to the inspector, pulled the trigger and struck the inspector in the back and his second child in the hand,” a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, read in part.
It further noted that Amechi was confirmed dead at a hospital, adding that the rifle had been recovered.
READ ALSO: Gas Explosion Kills Two, Injures Six In Anambra Market
“Regrettably, Inspector Amechi was taken to the hospital and was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty while the second victim is responding to treatment.
“Also, the rifle has been recovered and the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.
“The Command while wishing the second victim a quick recovery, condoles the family and friends of the late inspector.”
Metro
Boundary Dispute: One Killed, Four Injured As Protest Erupts In Edo Communities
Published
7 hours agoon
June 16, 2025By
Editor
One person has been reportedly killed and four others injured over a land dispute in Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A youth leader, Frank Osamede Osagie, was reportedly shot dead and four others injured during a meeting between two communities – Aye and Ikpebo – all in Iyekogba – aimed at discussion a boundary dispute.
Taking protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council on Monday, Bright Omoasuen, a leader of the Iyekogba communities said they had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police regarding the matter, just as he demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the youth’s killing.
He, on behalf of other protesters, alleged that one Marvis Agbontaen who was suspected to have carried out the attack still goes around freely.
READ ALSO: CSO, Stakeholders Lament Impact Of Mining In Edo Communities, Want A Halt
He disclosed that the killing occurred during a meeting meant to resolve a boundary dispute between two sections of the community—Aye and Ikpebo.
He said. “We hold our meeting two times a month and the elders hold theirs every Tuesday, and these have been on for the past 10 years. This is what we use to manage the peace of the community.
“But on the 4th of June, 2025, there was a boundary that was demarcated about seven years ago between Aye and Ikpebo.
“It was the youth leader of Ikpebo, Mr. Marvis Agbontaen, that brought the idea of demarcating the boundary, and we agreed to settle the boundary problem on the 4th of June. But on that day, we waited for Mr. Marvis Agbontaen to come for four hours, but we did not see him. Then the elders decided to postpone the meeting for the upper Monday.”
Omoasuen said the situation, however, took a violent turn after Mr Agbontaen arrived with his boys and started shooting.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest 28 Suspected Cultists In Edo
“Then, what we saw was that he was coming with his car with his boys. We saw him disembark from the vehicle with AK-47 and he started shooting. Our brother, Mr. Frank Osamede Osagie, was killed instantly, while four others were injured. The four injured persons were treated in the police clinic,” he added.
He claimed this is not the first time such an attack occurred in the area.
He, therefore, called on the police authorities to take swift and decisive action.
“Even before this one in Iyekogba, it has been happening elsewhere. That is why we are here. We do not want to take laws into our hands. We don’t want this to continue. That is why we are here. Please, help us. We are pleading that the police should intervene,” they said.
Attempts made to contact the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Yamu were not successful.
Metro
753 Duplexes: Abuja Court Admits Emefiele To N2bn Bail
Published
13 hours agoon
June 16, 2025By
Editor
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court on Monday admitted the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to bail in the sum of N2 billion in a fresh charge of property fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an eight-count charge against him in respect of the disputed 753 duplexes in Abuja.
The said property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, measures 150,462.86 SQM and comprises 753 housing units.
When the charge was read to him, he, however, pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, his counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN applied for bail, which was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.
READ ALSO: Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of $1.4m Linked To Emefiele
Oyedepo, however, asked the court to expunge some paragraphs in the bail application, and the court granted that.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right.
He added that the defendant(Emefiele) has been granted bail by two other judges and he did not go against the conditions and terms
”I admit the defendant to bail on the terms and conditions that the defendant’s travel documents which is already before justice Muazu is hereby attached as part of the condition .
“The defendant shall provide two sureties who must be residents of Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court.
READ ALSO: How I Delivered $400,000 Cash To Emefiele – Ex-aide
“The sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court precisely in Asokoro , Maitama and Wuse 2 which valued at N2 billion” he held
Halilu further ordered that the sureties shall also do undertaking to produce the defendant in court always
all through his trial .
He added in the event the defendant jumps bail, they (sureties) will be put in prison.
He ordered that the defendant is granted from now to Wed (June 18) to vacate the ball or else risk going to prison.
He then adjourned until July 11 for continuation.
The charge number: CR/358/2025, borders on alleged having control of property reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained.
READ ALSO:Witness Reveals How Emefiele Moved Millions To Wife
The offence, the EFCC said, is punishable under Section 319 of the Penal Code Law.
Emefiele was charged alongside one “Ocheme” who is at large.
Besides the housing estate, the two defendants are also charged with unlawfully keeping in their possession billions of naira in proxy accounts in Zenith Bank.
In count one of the charge Emefiele and Ocheme are being accused of knowingly having within their control the housing estate suspected to be unlawfully obtained contrary to the law.
While in count two, they were alleged to knowingly have in their possession the sum of N167 million domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915, in count three they were alleged to have held the sum of N1.23 billion in the same account.
READ ALSO: Alleged Fraud: Court Admits Bundles Of Documents As Evidence Against Emefiele
According to the anti-graft agency, the said sums were said to be reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
In another count they were also alleged to have in their control another sum of N2.9 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.
In count five, the commission stated that the defendants between January and December 2022, knowingly had under their control the total sum of N1.98 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, which sum is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
In other counts they were also linked with the sum of N900 million and N600 million in Ifedigo Integrated Services’ account No: 1210750237 domiciled wit zenith Bank.
Meanwhile, in count eight, Emefiele was said to have in January 2021, forged a document titled, “Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited” with the intention of causing it to be believed that the said titled document was executed by or by the authority of H and Y Business Global Limited.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened the provisions of sections 319, 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.
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