Metro

One Feared Dead As Pirates Hijack Two Passenger Boats In Rivers

Published

12 months ago

June 6, 2023

Editor

A female passenger has been feared dead after suspected pirates hijacked two boats along the waterways of Rivers State on Monday.

The passengers were said to be travelling from Abonema to Kula, both in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, when the pirates struck mid-sea.

The maritime union workers said the boats were each carrying 12 passengers, most of whom jumped into the river in a bid to escape abduction.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Union Workers in Rivers State, Nigeria, Israel Pepple, expressed worry that attacks along the waterways have resurfaced.

People said he was notified about the incident by some of his unit officials, who put calls through to him.

He stated, “My unit chairman in Abonnema and that of the Kula unit called to my attention that two of their boats were hijacked by pirates.

“So the information they gave us initially was that a lady was also taken away out of the 24 passengers.

“But at about 12 p.m., they called back to inform me that the lady was dead and that she was floating on the water.

“They later went and carried her. As I speak with you, she (corpse) is in Abonnema, and they have reported the matter to the marine police in Abonnema.”

He appealed to the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, to prioritise security along the waterways.

“For now, we are talking about security. You have to secure the waterways. The waterways must be secured for us, our passengers, and goods to move.

“That is the most important thing. So let them beef up the security. We need more gunboats and we need increased security patrol from the joint task force, especially the checkpoints.

“We have earlier proposed that houseboats and security personnel be positioned in some strategic areas so that when this attack happens, they can communicate and stop these criminals from getting away.

“But if you go around, you will see that the houseboats are kept only where the Federal Government interests are and not the interests of the people.”

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing.

“Yes, we are aware, but no arrest for now.. investigation is ongoing to apprehend the culprits and make them face the law,” she stated.

Metro

Police Arrest Interstate Car Theft Syndicate In Kwara

Published

12 hours ago

May 31, 2024

Editor

The Kwara state Police Command has arrested seven suspects allegedly involved in interstate car snatching in Lagos and Ilorin, Lagos and Kwara State respectively.

The Command in a press statement released in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Friday said that it intercepted some of the suspects at Madi area along Okolowo/Jebba expressway while trying to dismantle a Nissan Almera car at a dump site.

The Police in a statement signed by DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, Police Public Relations Officer, said that three of the suspects were arrested at the dump site where they were dismantling the vehicle while four others were later arrested as a result of the credible information given by the apprehended suspects.

According to the Police statement, “At approximately 1200hrs on 24/05/2024, detectives were alerted to suspicious activities at a dump site located around the Madi area along the Okolowo/Jebba Expressway in Ilorin, where individuals were seen dismantling a car.”

The statement further read, “Upon arrival at the scene, Abdulateef Abdulwahab, Wasiu Musa, and Tajudeen Abdulrasak were arrested. A dismantled Nissan Almera car, ash in color, with Lagos registration number AKD919AU, was recovered.

“During interrogation, the suspects provided information leading to the arrest of additional accomplices namely: Usman Oseni, Abdulrasheed Jimoh, Abdulrasak Jamiu Ayinde, and Lukman Ibrahim, all residents of Ilorin, Kwara State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Nissan Almera was snatched at gunpoint in Lagos State and transported to Ilorin for dismantling and resale.

“Two other suspects, Olarewaju Sukirulahi and an individual known as “Old Solder,” remain at large. Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend these fleeing suspects.”

The statement further said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the officers involved in the operation, reaffirming the commitment of the Kwara State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

“Theft and other illegal activities will not be tolerated in Kwara State, and those who engage in such acts will face the full weight of the law”, the Police pledged.

Metro

Travelers Stranded In Rivers As Soldiers Block Road After IPOB Clash

Published

14 hours ago

May 31, 2024

Editor

Several trucks, petroleum tankers, and vehicles are trapped around the Oyigbo axis of the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Rivers State as security operatives block the Imo-Rivers border on Friday.

This followed the killing of some soldiers by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in Abia State who were enforcing the sit-at-home order in commemoration of the May 30th ‘Biafra Day.’

Following the long queues, hundreds of passengers are stranded as movement to the neighbouring Abia State is restricted.

“People travelling, look at pregnant women are also here because of what they said happened in Aba.”

It was gathered that the blockade may be connected to reports of sporadic shooting into the air early on Thursday morning by suspected IPOB members at the Oyigbo roundabout and kom-kom community in Oyigbo LGA in Rivers State.

The PUNCH reports that the trucks queued along the border between Abia and Rivers State were travelling to different parts of the South-East before they met the blockade.

Some drivers said they have been at one location since Thursday due to the barricade; none of the drivers are even willing to go to Aba, Abia State, for fear of being attacked due to the tension there.

One said, “Heavily armed Army men blocked the Imo River and the border between Abia and Rivers State. So, there is no movement because of what is happening in Abia State. We have been like this since Friday morning.

“We heard that the IPOB people in Abia State are having problems with soldiers, that some soldiers and civilians were killed. That is why we packed here.

“But we are hoping that the security will improve so that they will remove the blockade so we can continue our journey.”

Another truck driver, identified as Ikechukwu, said he and his motor boy slept on the road from Thursday evening till now due to the barricade by soldiers.

“You can see that soldiers have blocked this Imo gate here. So there is no road, and we have been here without food. Let the government come to our aid because already there is serious hardship in this country.”

But moving into Oyigbo town, residents deny any shooting, saying the place is peaceful. Our correspondent observed that there was calm in the area, with free vehicular movements, even as shops and other businesses were open to customers.

One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned said, “I’m living in Oyigbo here, and there is nothing like gunshots. Where there is a problem is in Abia State after the altercation on Thursday.

“But the information we are getting now is that soldiers have blocked the expressway, and cars and trucks cannot move. But Oyigbo is calm.”

Metro

Father Arrested For Selling Six Biological Children In Sokoto

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2024

Editor

No fewer than 20 children rescued by the Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command, have been handed over to the state orphanage home for proper care.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ali Kaigama, stated this while addressing newsmen at the command headquarters in the state capital on Thursday.

He said the command arrested 10 suspects relating to the incident.

The suspects include one Bala Abubakar of the Tudun Wada area of Sokoto.

He was alleged to have given out a total of 28 children, including six of his biological children.

He said the suspects gave out their victims to Kulu Dongoyaro and Elizabeth Ojah in exchange for between N150,000 and N250,000, claiming they were being taken to one Abuja-based NGO that is willing to shoulder the responsibilities of their welfare.

Kaigama also disclosed the arrest of one Saifullah Hassan of Gunmi Local Government area of Zamfara State, who was alleged to have killed one Balikisu Garba of Gidan Dare behind Jummat Mosque at the Ifeoma Hotel.

He said, “On May 24, 2024, at about 0620 hrs, Mr John, the manager of the Ifeoma Hotel in the Phase 1 Old Airport area of Sokoto, reported that a woman identified as Balikisu Garba of Gidan Dare was found dead.

“On receipt of the report, police operatives from the Old Airport Division led by the DPO swung into action, and as a result, the suspect bag, which was abandoned after the act, containing some receipts of payment and some SIM cards, was recovered.

“These recoveries led to the identification of the suspect as one Saifullah Hassan of Gunmi LGA of Zamfara State, which intensified the investigation, and the suspect was later traced and arrested in Funtua, Katsina State.”

The command also announced the successful rescue of Barrister Rukayat, who was kidnapped in the Bado area of the state recently.

He said, “The command, through Yabo Division, in conjunction with the Military and Vigilante Group, acted on credible information and went for a rescue operation.

“The team went to the scene around the Binji axis, where they traced footprints towards a forest, where the suspected kidnappers were traced and routed, which resulted in the subsequent rescue of three victims.

“One suspect was neutralised and one fatally injured, while ten rounds of live ammunition, two solar panels, one Tecno mobile phone, and a blanket were recovered at the scene.”

The CP, while assuring the residents of the state that the command remains committed to upholding law and order, commends the state governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, for his support throughout the investigation process.

He called on the good people of the state to continue to cooperate with the command for a safer environment.

PUNCH