Metro

Pastor’s Killing: ECWA Laments, Urges Government To Tackle Lingering Insecurity

Published

4 years ago

September 16, 2021

The General Secretary, Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu, has enjoined the government to be proactive in protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians.

He lamented that insecurity had assumed a different dimension such that those in authority needed to wake up to the challenges to avoid the wrath of God.

Speaking on Wednesday at First ECWA Church, Samaru Kataf during the burial service of late Rev. Yakubu Silas Ali killed by unknown gunmen between Zangon town and Kibori, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Rev. Nmadu noted that there was the urgent need for Nigerians to be protected from those that have given themselves to doing evil in the society.

Recall that villages, mostly in Atyap chiefdom of the Local Government Area of Kaduna State had come under incessant attacks from suspected armed herdsmen, with dozens of fatalities.

The ECWA General Secretary, while consoling the people, enjoined Nigerians to join the Church in crying to God to arise and take charge of the current insecurity in the land.

Nmadu appealed to the believers not to go back to the old tradition of protecting themselves, saying that it would not be pleasing to God and they will end up not succeeding in what they are fighting for.

The officiating Minister, Rev. Jonathan Nkom, in a sermon, advised the bereaved to take solace in God Almighty over the demise of Rev. Ali.

He prayed to God to expose those who killed the 55-year-old pastor and other members of the community killed by the suspected Fulani militia.

The National President, Atyap Community Development Association, ACDA, Samuel Timbuwak Achie, warned those attacking innocent and harmless people in Atyap land to stop forthwith in the interest of peace, assuring that they would not go free before the Almighty.

DAILY POST reports that the burial witnessed a great number of sympathizers in their hundreds, who were at the Church to pay their last respect to the Pastor who died leaving behind seven children.

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the death of a police constable and the reported abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday and has launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the attackers.

ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. He added, “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.