Metro

Police Arrest Gunmen In Bayelsa Community, Recover Arms

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2023

Photo: file copy

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Strike Force who were deployed to Nembe Bassambiri community in Bayelsa State, have arrested eight suspected gunmen and recovered several calibres of arms and ammunition.

Those arrested are Gift Vanman, Daniel Solomon, Ishmael Teknikio aka Moore, Rufus Itario, Joel Jubilee, Sylvanus Alatari, Sounpre Solomon, and Ayebanate Talbot (POS); while three AK-47 rifles, two pump action guns, one LAR rifle, one jack-knife, one dagger, magazines, 104 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, two POS machines, 10 ATM cards, and one rechargeable bulb were recovered from them.

This followed the receipt of a petition from a law firm on the activities of some hoodlums armed with guns and other dangerous weapons; who were constantly terrorizing members of Nembe Bassambiri community in Bayelsa, and coupled with other similar complaints and intelligence in the region, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi said in a late Monday night correspondence obtained by our correspondent.

“Consequently, the operatives swung into action and raided the camps of the hoodlums in and around the Nembe Bassambiri Community on the eve of Saturday, August 12, 2023.

“The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects including Gift Vanman, Daniel Solomon, Ishmael Teknikio aka Moore, Rufus Itario, Joel Jubilee, Sylvanus Alatari, Sounpre Solomon, and Ayebanate Talbot (POS). Items recovered include three AK-47 rifles, two pump action guns, one LAR rifle, one jack-knife, one dagger, magazines, 104 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, two POS machines, 10 ATM cards, and one rechargeable bulb,” Adejobi said.

The Force Headquarters, however, said the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations; while the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun reiterated that the operation in Nembe is a signal to other hoodlums with similar intents of causing fear amongst the people with their activities across the country to turn a new leaf or be assured that the long and unbiased arm of the law will catch up with them in no distant time.

Meanwhile, contrary to some narrative in the news making the rounds that the community was attacked by hoodlums dressed in police uniforms, the Force Headquarters said the report was the handiwork of mischief makers, while warning against “such calculated attempts to destabilize the country.”

Adejobi added, “The police wishes to state in clear terms that the operation was carried out by a combined team of police operatives to sanitise the community, and the officers were professional, neutral, and proactive in the mission to liberate members of the community from the terror instilled by the nefarious activities of the armed hoodlums as the Force will not allow lawlessness or gross violations of the laws in any part of the country.

“It is also pertinent to send out a warning to all recalcitrant members of the society whose stock-in-trade is instilling fear into law-abiding members of the public and fomenting troubles across the country, to desist from such as the police will leave no stone unturned in the bid to rid our societies of hooliganism, terrorism, and gross violation of extant laws.

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby reassures Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to attend to security issues affecting them by acting promptly on intelligence to curb such acts in any part of the country. Similarly, the police assures the confidentiality of reliable informants while urging members of the public to partner with the police and other security agencies with prompt and actionable intelligence on the activities of members of the underworld, and criminally-minded individuals, who foment troubles, commit crimes, and cause instability.”

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

Published

17 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.