Metro

Police Inspector Neutralises Two Armed Bandits In Imo

Published

3 years ago

August 4, 2022

Two suspected armed bandits have been shot dead by a police inspector attached to one of the formations in Imo State.

The armed bandits in their numbers reportedly invaded the house of the Police Inspector on Thursday morning, and jumped over the perimeter wall fence into the compound at Aforukwu, Orogwe in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State.

Recall that, a few days ago, precisely 1st of August 2022, at about 200hrs, the bandits came in a black Lexus jeep with no registration number and three motorcycles carrying two persons each, shot and killed seven persons and injured six others in a building at Orogwe in Owerri West LGA of Imo State, belonging to one Sir Chima Ogbuehi, residing in Lagos. Coincidentally, the Police Inspector lived just a pole away from where the previous attack took place.

Reacting to the development, the Imo police spokesperson, Michael Abattam said the hoodlums rushed to the flat of the Police Inspector, destroyed the iron burglary proof and front door, entered inside the flat, but were taken by surprise as the Police Inspector, who professionally placed himself at a vantage position, engaged the bandits in an aggressive gun duel.

He said the hoodlums, who were stunned and confused by the staccato sound emanating from the rifle of the police officer, took to their heels, scampering for safety, and were given a hot chase and in the process, one of them was neutralized at the spot and others escaped into the surrounding bushes fatally injured.

According to him, “The Police Inspector did not relent, he quickly alerted the Divisional Police Officer of Ogbaku Division, who mobilized and rushed to the scene.

“On arrival, they positioned themselves strategically and professionally and combed the surrounding bushes where a corpse, two locally made pistols, and an identity card were recovered.

“The recovered identity card belongs to one of the neutralized bandits in the name of Chukwuemzie Chukwu ‘m’, a native of Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State and an electrician.

“Meanwhile, the two corpses have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, while concerted efforts are being made to arrest the other bandits that escaped. Since they cannot go far because of the various degrees of bullet injuries they sustained.

“Consequently, the Command is using this medium to call on the good people of the state to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within their communities to report such person to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency control numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197.”

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

Metro

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

Metro

Retired Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.