Metro

Police Begin Probe Into Death Of Hotel Worker In Edo

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2024

The Edo State Police Command has announced that an investigation is underway into the mysterious death of Fidelis Osaghae in the Auchi area of Edo State.

Fidelis, an employee of Valchi Fast Food and Bar, is reported to have died under questionable circumstances on Monday, 29 July 2024, after allegedly being summoned by his employer, Valentine Oyemike, in the early hours of the morning.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Joel, informed our correspondent on Saturday that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“The case has been transferred to the homicide section of the SCID for investigation. It is a case of murder, not theft. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is necessary. The outcome will be made public as soon as it is concluded.”

The deceased’s wife, Esther, has called for an investigation into her husband’s suspicious death.

Speaking to our correspondent last Tuesday, the nursing mother said she grew concerned when she woke up around 5 am and discovered that he had not returned from work.
She said, “My husband went to work on Sunday, 28 July.

While at work in the early hours of Monday, 29 July 2024, he called me on a video call at about 1:30 am. It is his usual practice to video call me if he is delayed in returning home.

He later rushed home at 2:30 am and told me his boss had asked him to bring ‘something’ back to work. He then left and returned to work around 2:30 am, saying he would be back soon. When it was about 5 am, I woke up and realised he had not returned. I started calling his phone but could not reach him.”

She later claimed to have contacted the supervisor at the facility, who assured her that everything was under control and ended the call. Esther added that Mr. Valentine later called her to come to the hospital.

“Several attempts to reach the supervisor to find out what happened to my husband were unsuccessful as she no longer answered her calls. Later that morning, around 6 am, I received a call from Mr. Valentine, who told me to come to Favour Hospital, Afasho, Edo State. I asked him if there was a problem, but he assured me that all was well with my husband. Since I am a nursing mother, my elder sister went to the hospital on my behalf.”

Esther said that upon arriving at the hospital, her sister found her husband’s body in Mr. Valentine’s car.

She added that the hospital later informed her that her husband’s corpse was rejected because it was brought in dead.

She also noted that she and her sister observed strange marks and injuries on the deceased’s body, which may have been a result of torture and pain inflicted before his death.

In a petition titled “Request for Investigation into the Death of Mr. Fidelis Osaghae on 29 July 2024 in Edo State,” filed by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation on behalf of the deceased’s wife, the Inspector-General of Police is urged to investigate her husband’s death.

Signed by the Executive Director, Akin Fadeyi, the foundation alleged that the local police division in Auchi has shown a lack of willingness to investigate the matter thoroughly and has already exonerated Mr. Valentine, who is reportedly an influential person in the area.

“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death are suspicious, and we strongly believe that he was in the custody of Mr. Oyemike Valentine until his death.

“We are unable to place our confidence in the investigation by the Auchi division due to concerns of interference and compromise,” the petition partly read.

The foundation also claimed that the police have failed to take necessary actions to address the suspicious homicide, raising concerns of police complicity and cover-up.

“We acknowledge the presumption of innocence until proven guilty before the law in Nigeria. However, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death demand a thorough investigation,” said Fadeyi.

He added that the IGP has acknowledged receipt of the petition and is expected to order a swift and comprehensive investigation into the matter.

When contacted, Valentine declined to comment, stating that he had been invited by the police.

He said, “I cannot make any comment. I have been invited by the police, and that is where I am going now. Thanks.”

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.