Metro

Police Arrest 18 In Benue Over Cultism, Child Trafficking, Others

Published

11 months ago

February 11, 2025

The police command in Benue has arrested 18 suspects in connection with cultism, child trafficking, armed robbery, and vandalism.

The command made the disclosure in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Steve Yabanet, and made it available to newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Yabanet said that the command on February 9 received information about renewed cult activities in the Wadata area of Makurdi.

The CP stated that the information revealed that members of the “Black Confraternity” went for a cult meeting across the River Benue and clashed with members of the “Red Confraternity.”

RAED ALSO: Despite Criticism, Gov Alia Officially Unveils New Benue Logo With Christian Symbol

He said during the investigation, three corpses were recovered at the scene while ten suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

Yabnet listed those arrested to include Simon Mande, Moses Tarlumun, Jamilu Idris, Joseph Seleki, Ahmed Dayabu, Muazu Usman, Akor Ada, Terfa Wergba, Almustapha Abubakar, and Usman Gambo.

The CP said the investigation was still ongoing to arrest other suspects and advised parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to warn their children/wards against such unlawful associations.

He further commended Wadata community members for their continuous collaboration with the police to fight cultism within the area, saying it has brought cult activities to a bearable minimum.

Yabnet also said that following the report of a missing child in North Bank, Makurdi, information was disseminated to members of the public for useful information about the child’s location.

The CP added that on February 9, information was received at ‘E’ Division Police Station Makurdi that one Obadiah Samaila of Kizito Junction, Agyragu, Doduguru, Nasarawa State, was seen around George Akume Way, Makurdi, with a boy.

He said Samaila could not give a satisfactory account of the boy’s origin; he was arrested, and he later confessed to having stolen the child from his house in North Bank for trafficking.

The CP further disclosed that on February 6, police officers from Naka Division, while on patrol along the Makurdi-Naka Road, intercepted and arrested Idris Garba, Mohammed Usman, Ibrahim Mohammed, and Rafa Muazu, all of Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He said they also arrested one Sunday Demekaa of Gwer-East Local Government Area with a Nissan truck loaded with iron pipelines suspected to be stolen.

He said the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory account of how they got the items.

“Investigation revealed that these petroleum pipelines have been vandalised around Gwer Local Government Area and taken to an unknown destination.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify other suspects that are connected with the case,” he said.

Yabnet further stated that on February 7, credible information was received about a robbery gang operating around Yogbo Village in the Guma Local Government Area.

The CP said that investigators at Daudu Division conducted a raid in the area and arrested one Yakubu Kaatoma and Abu Ishaku, both of Tsekereke, Yogbo Village.

He said the suspects have been identified by one of their victims, and the investigation was still ongoing.

Yabnet assured the people that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, was working tirelessly to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

He warned miscreants who have chosen to create unnecessary tension and cause unrest should desist or have the police to contend with.
(NAN)

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

8 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.