Metro

Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts In Kwara, Arrest Four

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2025

The Kwara State Police Command has foiled two kidnapping attempts and arrested four suspects in the Baruten and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of the state.

In a statement on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the State Criminal Investigation Department.

According to the statement, two suspects—Tukur Muhammad and Yahaya Abdullahi—were arrested in Baruten for attempting to extort ₦4 million from a resident of Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba, after initially demanding ₦20 million.

The statement read, “In response to a reported case of criminal conspiracy and threats to kidnap, the Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspects who attempted to extort money from a victim.

“On January 15, 2025, at about 06:30 hrs, a resident of Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba, discovered a white paper placed at the front door of his residence with two phone numbers written on it.

“Upon calling one of the numbers, the receiver threatened to kidnap him and his family unless a ransom of ₦20 million was paid. After negotiations, the demand was reduced to ₦4 million. The victim promptly reported the case to the police.

“Through intelligence-driven operations, operatives from the State Criminal Investigations Department (Anti-Kidnapping Squad) successfully tracked the identified phone numbers, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

“During thorough interrogations, the suspects admitted to strategically placing their contact details at the victim’s residence to establish communication and coerce a ransom payment.

“Further investigations uncovered a pattern of criminal activity, indicating that the suspects had been utilising multiple phone numbers to issue threats and extort unsuspecting individuals.”

In a separate operation, the police apprehended Umar Sanni and Dairu Isiaku in Ifelodun LG for allegedly attempting to extort ₦5 million from their victims through threats of kidnapping.

The statement added that both suspects confessed to their roles in the crime, admitting to using multiple phone numbers to target potential victims.

“On January 9, 2025, at about 1100 hrs, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command acted on a report by two individuals from Ifelodun Local Government Area who received threatening calls and messages demanding a ransom of five million naira (#5,000,000) to avoid being kidnapped.

“Through intelligence-led operations, the police detectives tracked and arrested one Umar Sanni of Tarshan Girgi, Wushishi of Niger State, whose apprehension led to the arrest of one Dairu Isiaku of Iyana Share, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State.

“Both suspects have confessed to their roles in the crime, including providing phone numbers of numerous potential victims and issuing threats to extort money,” the statement added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, commended the officers for their swift response and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crime.

The PPRO said that all the suspects have been charged to court and remanded in the federal correctional facility in the state.

The police said all four suspects have been charged to court and remanded in a federal correctional facility.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Man On Hard Drugs Dies After Jumping Into Well

Published

21 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who jumped into a well in the Edun area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, following Sallah celebrations.

The deceased, identified simply as Kareem, was said to be under the influence of a hard drug, Synthetic Cannabinoids locally known as ‘Colorado’.

Kareem jumped into the well at Ile Alapo, Edun, shortly after returning from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Head of Media and Publicity for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the recovery of the body.

According to the statement, “The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well,” adding that firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the body.

“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.

“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin.

“The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.”

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi was proved abortive unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp number as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sadness over the tragic incident.

He seized the moment to urge residents of the state to steer clear of drug abuse, warning that such habits often lead to devastating consequences.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

Published

21 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has carried out precision airstrikes on key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists.

The service also said the airstrikes crippled terrorists logistics infrastructure ahead of the Eid celebrations.

According to a statement on Saturday, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrikes were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI on June 5 and 6, targeting terrorist enclaves in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the state.

The strikes, which he said followed credible intelligence reports, were aimed at structures used by the insurgents for storage and operational coordination.

He noted that Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures.

Ejodame said, “In a series of precision airstrikes conducted on 5 and 6 June 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, decimated key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft targeted terrorist structures reportedly used for storage and coordination, delivering direct hits and crippling planned attacks aimed at disrupting Eid celebrations.

“Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures. This pre-emptive action underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and supporting national security objectives.”

Metro

My Wife Poisoned My Food, Attempted To Kill Me ‘Cos I Planned To Marry Another Wife —Husband

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Odion and Elohe, on the account of lack of care, constant violence and irreconcilable differences.

Odion stated that Elohe failed in her responsibility towards him.

He explained that his wife showed him no care and was indifferent to his well-being.

The plaintiff said that the defendant was in the habit of abandoning the home for months and failing to give any reasonable explanation on her return.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant became hostile and denied him sex after a revelation in the church that he would take a second wife.

Odion further stated that Elohe attempted to poison him.

He told the court he was no longer interested in their relationship and thus prayed for divorce.

The plaintiff also requested an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with his private life.

Elohe denied all the allegations brought against her.

She also refused that their marriage be dissolved.

Elohe stated that it was Odion who stopped having sex with her.

She added that she moved out of her matrimonial home after he made her life miserable.

Odion stated, “My marriage to my wife has brought me no joy. I regret marrying her.

“My wife and I met in Lagos.

“She moved in with me after we dated for a while.

“We did not hold a marriage ceremony, and I did not pay her bride price.

“She started misbehaving after we had our first child.

“My wife would leave home for weeks without my consent and would never bother about how I fared.

“She would return home whenever it pleased her and give explanations that were unreasonable.

“Things got worse between my wife and I after there was a revelation that I was going to take a second wife.

“She started denying me sex and also rained curses on me on daily basis.

“My lord, my wife wishes me dead.

“She deserted me when I took ill and had to go through a surgical operation.

“She was away for a year and two months.

“My wife went as far as telling people that I was dead.

“Elohe did the worst when she attempted to poison me.

“I had stomach ache after I ate the food she prepared and laced with poison.

“My lord, I no longer wish to stay in marriage with my wife.

“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to put an end to our relationship.

“I further request an order restricting her from threatening and interfering with my private life.” Elohe responded, “I do not agree to divorce.

“I have laboured to raise our children. He can not throw me out now when time is ripe to enjoy the fruit of my labour.

“My husband lied that I denied him s3x. He was the one who stopped having sex with me.”

We always had misunderstandings, but we never fought.

He later moved out of the house.”

Giving judgment, the court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between the duo and no bride price was paid. According to her, both were cohabiting.

Owoseni, however, ordered both parties to go their separate ways since the plaintiff was no longer interested in their marriage.
(Tribune)