Metro

Police Break Silence On Arrested Edo Council Boss

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has said that the arrested chairman of Esan West Local Government, Hon. Collins Aigbogun, was on the police wanted list.

The State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, disclosed this while addressing newsmen during a protest by the state leadership of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) over the arrest and detention of the chairman.

The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had petitioned the Inspector General of Police over political violence that erupted in Illeh community in Esan West Local Government Area.

The party fingered the council boss as responsible for the alleged violent attack on one Imoisili Inegbedion and Alfred Onofua at Ward 10, Illeh community in Ekpoma by political thugs suspected to be sponsored by him.

The party also alleged that the council chairman physically led political thugs to one Madam Dorothy’s shop to disrupt the meeting and, in the process, destroyed the APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Okpebholo’s mobile public address vehicle and branded campaign bus.

It further added that Madam Dorothy, drivers of the vehicles, and other APC members and leaders such as Oigah Lawrence and Onofua Alfred sustained various degrees of injury.

Briefing the press, the Police Commissioner said the council boss was brought to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the command in Benin by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area upon police invitation.

According to him, upon arriving at the office of the CID, it was discovered that the local government chairman had earlier been wanted by the police over other alleged criminal charges.

“Yes, he was invited and he reported himself to the police, and we later discovered that he had other criminal charges against him.

“Basically, what happened was that he brutalized somebody in the course of altercations between himself and other party members.

“He was invited and the DPO in the area brought him to the State CID, where it was discovered that he had other charges against him before now.

“Our men from FID came and said that the man had earlier been wanted, and there was now a need for them to take him along so that they can investigate his matter.

“That was how he was moved to Abuja. The whole thing is being investigated, and I hope that at the end of the day, if there is anything against him, he will be brought back to Benin,” he said.

While speaking on the forthcoming governorship election, the commissioner assured that the command would create an environment for a free, fair, and credible election.

Edwin-Iwo opined that the enabling environment would allow voters to walk freely without any molestation or intimidation.

He, however, added that in line with the INEC electoral guidelines, non-state actors are not supposed to carry arms and would not be part of the electoral process.

“So, all that we are doing now before the election is to make sure that we clear all illegal arms as much as we can. The operation is ongoing, and I have operatives virtually in all the local government areas now,” he added.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.