Metro

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

Published

1 year 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.”

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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

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.