One Shot Dead As Rivers Cult War Spreads

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2023

The recent clash among rival cult groups in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt continued on Wednesday night with one shot dead.

The latest victim, popularly known as Asari, who was in his twenties, was killed at about 7:55 pm along Ekwe/Ikwerre road, Mile 3 Diobu in the metropolis.

Eyewitnesses said ‘Asari’ was standing with some persons when about five armed men came out from a car, rained bullets on him and zoomed off.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the area on Thursday morning gathered from sources that the killing was said to be a supremacy war between two suspected factions of ‘D12 and Blackies’ cult gangs.

One of the eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the cult groups have alliances.

“The Deygbam cult groups (History and Black Axe Houses) that are affiliated to the D12 and BS houses of Deygbam cult groups respectively

“They were recently engaged in a shoot out at Elechi beach in Mile 1 Diobu PortHarcourt last Tuesday which claimed two lives. Now the war has spread to Mile 3,” the source said.

It was also gathered that the shooting caused pandemonium, as passersby, road users and commuters scampered to safety while roadside traders within the scene hurriedly closed business for the day.

Speaking of the incident, a vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Oroworukwo in Mile 3 Diobu, Godstime Ihunwo, confirmed the identity of the victim.

He disclosed that persons believed to be members of the victim’s cult gang carted away his corpse before his team and policemen returned to the scene.

Ihunwo stated, “At about 8 pm on Wednesday, we heard two gunshots at IKwerre road /Ekwe Street opposite Bishop Okoye Street and quickly rushed down to the scene.

“On reaching there, we saw a young man known and called ‘Asari’ laying dead and immediately we approached the Nkpolu Police station to tender our report.

“As we and the police were coming back to inspect the corpse, we got a report that some unknown gunmen drove with one Jetta and one Mazda and made away with the corpse.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she heard about the incident but was yet to be briefed officially on it.

“I will get back to you as soon as I receive the situation report this morning,” Iringe-Koko said.

NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported two new methods of drug concealment as part of its ongoing efforts to combat trafficking ahead of the festive season, dubbed “Detty December.”

In a post on his X handle on Sunday morning, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of their drug consignments.

He shared two videos illustrating the sophisticated concealment methods used by the suspects.

According to Babafemi, one of the videos shows a lady who was caught with drugs hidden inside her butt pad underwear.

The second video reveals a separate seizure where a suspect attempted to smuggle drugs concealed within phone chargers.

“With the spate of ongoing arrests and seizures by @ndlea_nigeria at some major entry points, it’s obvious the race and desperation for Detty December are already in overdrive,” Babafemi wrote.

He urged law-abiding citizens to “stay vigilant and careful.”

Metro

Two Dead, Four Injured In DICON Factory Explosion

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Two people, including a military officer, were killed and four others critically injured on Saturday following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna.

The blast, reportedly from gunpowder used in arms production, occurred during a weekend shift, shaking nearby buildings and sending residents into panic.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion killed the officer and a civilian worker instantly, while four other workers sustained severe injuries.

The injured were first taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.

Sympathizers and relatives of the victims thronged the hospital, with many weeping.

DICON management has yet to release an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.

Metro

Police Detain Lagos NURTW Leader For Killing Resident

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a top official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, Samsideen Oladiti, over allegations of murder and the brutal assault of a dispatch rider.

It was that gathered that the 55-year-old man, popularly known as ‘Shamelon’, was linked to two violent crimes on Lagos Island; one involving murder and the other, assault which caused harm to the victim.

In a statement by the deputy spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command on X, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had responded to a protest at the Sandgrouse Market, where they arrested the suspect in connection with murder and assault.

He wrote, “Following news of the death, sympathisers of the deceased mobilised and staged a violent protest at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, setting two motorcycles belonging to the suspect ablaze and causing unrest in the area.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led police personnel to the scene.

“He swiftly restored calm, prevented further breakdown of law and order, and assured residents that the suspect is in custody and will be promptly prosecuted after investigations are concluded.”

Oluseyi stated that the NURTW official had been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

He stated, “The suspect is currently in the custody of the SCID, Panti-Yaba, for discreet investigation.”

Explaining the murder and assault, the deputy spokesperson stated, “On 17th September 2025 at about 3:00pm, the suspect allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious bodily injury (on him). The victim (dispatch rider) was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is currently receiving medical treatment.”

In August, police reported that the suspect had also assaulted a man who later died.

Oluseyi narrated, “On 18th September 2025, at about 11:00 am, another complaint was lodged against the same suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on 28th August 2025.

“During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, inflicting severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, the victim was confirmed dead by a doctor on 17th September 2025. His body has since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.”

The police appealed to residents, assuring them that justice would be duly served.

She wrote, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that justice will be diligently pursued in all the cases against the suspect.

“Jimoh further appeals to residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and not to take the law into their own hands. He enjoins them to cooperate fully with the police in the ongoing investigations.”

Meanwhile, the state chairman of NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego has dissociated the union from the actions of Oladiti, stressing that the “NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful activity.”

Adekunle, in a statement on Friday, noted that while he once trusted Oladiti’s loyalty, the incident had left him “bitter and disappointed.”

He urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial probe, assuring that if found guilty, the suspect would also face the union’s internal disciplinary measures after the legal process is concluded.

“I urge law enforcement officers to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served.

“Once the legal process is complete, he will also face the union’s internal disciplinary procedures. As I have always stated, the NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful acts,” Adekunle said.

He warned members of the union against any form of lawlessness, stressing that loyalty or closeness to him would not shield anyone from the consequences of being lawless.