Metro

One Feared Dead As Protesters Set Rivers LG Secretariat On Fire

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2024

Editor

One person has been feared dead following a shooting in Bori, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday.

It is not clear if the incident is linked to the protest that rocked some LGs over the order of the police to unseal the secretariats of the 23 LGs of the state which have been under lock and key since July.

A source who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the gunshot was heard near Bori, saying people started running in different directions.

He said, “It was near Bori but I can’t say exactly where. A young man was shot and people started running. The man was rushed to the hospital this morning.”

This came as protest spread to other LGs where some youths took over the council headquarters in Emuoha and Ikwerre LGs.

In Ikwerre LG, protesters who invaded the secretariat in Isiokpo set fire to a section of the secretariat, preventing the workers from assessing the place.

It was gathered the situation prevented the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ikwerre from going in to inaugurate his councillors.

A source said the police later moved in to quell the riot while the fire was put out, though some parts of the council headquarters were damaged.

In Emuuoha LG, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from assessing the council headquarters in Isiokpo.

The protesters claimed that the candidate of the Action Peoples Party which they termed an unpopular and unknown party does not have what it takes to win the just concluded election.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: APP Sweeps 22 Out Of 23 Chairmanship Seats In Rivers LG PollThe protesters were said to have blocked the main entrance to the secretariat.

They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the Chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.

Their supporters insisted that they recognised the immediate past KG Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to complete his tenure as extended by the state House of Assembly.

The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim, addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.

He stated, “We respect the legal process and have chosen to abide by the court’s decision. Our focus remains on serving the people and promoting the well-being of our good people of Emolga.”

Earlier on Monday, protesters invaded the Eleme LG secretariat and set it on fire, destroying several buildings and cars, including a police vehicle inside the council premises.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was in a meeting and promised to get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do as of the time of filing this report on Monday afternoon.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

5 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

23 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.