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Police Raid kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Recover Rifles

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A suspected kidnapper is in police net in Asaba, Delta State capital just as operatives of the State Command have recovered from the syndicate hideouts assorted dangerous firearms including two AK-47 rifles, thirty-two rounds of live ammunition, one locally fabricated revolver pump action single barrel rifle, and 15 rounds of live cartridges.

This was contained in a statement signed by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe which was made available to journalists in Warri on Monday.

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The PPRO stated that “in a decisive move that reaffirmed the zero-tolerance stance of the police against violent crime, the State Command has recorded two separate but significant operational breakthroughs, resulting in the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of dangerous firearms”.

“The operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team struck a major blow on the notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate terrorising Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States”, the statement said.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recover N4m Ransom In Delta

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It noted that the operatives, acting on credible intelligence and building on the momentum of an earlier breakthrough, arrested one suspected kidnapper “directly linked to an earlier operation where three of the suspects’ accomplices were apprehended and dangerous weapons recovered”.

According to the statement, “on May 20, 2025 at about 1735hrs, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team effected the arrest of one Abubakar Hassan ‘m’ 30yrs of Niger State but resident at Woji area Port Harcourt, River State.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect who heads the syndicate operating along the Ughelli-Ozoro axis led the team to a forest along the Ozoro axis where two AK-47 rifles and 32 rounds of live ammunition and four AK-47 rifle magazines were recovered.

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“The trail of other gang members has been intensified for possible arrest and recovery of more arms”.

READ ALSO:Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Kill Five

In another development, on May 20, 2025 at about 1630hrs, officers attached to the Safer Highway Patrol while on routine stop-and-search duty along Ughelli road, intercepted a vehicle.

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“Upon conducting a thorough search, one locally fabricated revolver pump action single-barrel gun, and 15 rounds of live cartridges were recovered”.

The suspect, Obi Ezekiel ‘m’ age 38yrs of Kogi state, was arrested and investigation is ongoing, the police spokesman affirmed.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has stated that “these recent achievements are a testament to the professionalism, vigilance, and dedication of the command”.

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READ ALSO:Delta Police Kill Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Weapons

The CP added that “these sorts of operations will continue relentlessly until all members of the criminal syndicates are apprehended and brought to justice”.

The police boss further assured members of the public that their safety remains a top priority, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with operatives by providing credible and timely information.

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He emphasized that public support is crucial to the success of law enforcement activities.

The Commissioner of Police also issued a stern warning to criminal elements, saying that the Command is actively monitoring and tracking all threats and that “there will be no hiding place for those involved in criminal activities within the State”.
(PUNCH)

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16 Escape Death In Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway Crash

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Sixteen people narrowly escaped death on Monday night in a crash involving a Camry car, a Suzuki bus, and a tricycle at Iron Market along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Ota Divisional Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Mr Salau Hammed, confirmed the incident to News Agency Nigeria on Tuesday, noting that the crash occurred around 8:20 p.m.

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He said the accident involved a Camry car, a tricycle, both with no registration, and a Suzuki bus marked KRD 246 YK.

READ ALSO: Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident

He said that a total of 16 persons were involved in the accident; however, three persons, comprising two males and a female, sustained various degrees of injuries.

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Hammed explained that the Camry lost control due to speeding and rammed into two other vehicles.

Those who sustained injuries were immediately taken to Adetutu Hospital, Ilepa area for treatment,” he said.

READ ALSO:Seven Die, 23 Rescued In Greece Boat Accident

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Hammed advised motorists against speeding to prevent avoidable crashes.

He said that the vehicles had been removed from the road to ease free flow of traffic.

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High-tension Wire Electrocutes PoS Operator In Anambra

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A Point of Sales male operator in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been electrocuted by a fallen high tension line.

It was gathered that the victim got electrocuted after a high-tension wire was cut and fell on him, while standing in front of his shop located under the high-tension wire.

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According to eyewitnesses near the scene, the incident happened over the weekend, but the lifeless body of the victim, which was still lying on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body as of Tuesday, was still oozing out smoke, creating panic in the area.

This was corroborated by a video from the scene of the incident, currently trending on social media, showing the victim lying lifeless on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body, still oozing out smoke and sparks.

READ ALSO:LASU Shuts Hostels, Suspends Exams Amid Staff Union Strike

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Although the full identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained, sources from the area said he recently got married.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, who reacted to the development on Tuesday, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that such misfortunes are part of the reasons the agency carries out sensitisation and enforcement against building or trading under the high-tension wire.

Onuko also noted that during the sensitisation, people often criticise them for their enforcement against trading under the high tension wire.

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He said, “This is something we have been campaigning against from time to time, that it is very dangerous to build or trade under the high-tension wire.

READ ALSO:FEC Approves N145bn Electrification Projects For UNILAG, UI, Six Others

It is part of the reasons why most times, on social media, we are vilified as being inhumane for trying to let people know that they cannot either build or trade under the tension.

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“It is something very pathetic. It’s a suicide mission to have your shop or your kiosk or your roadside activities under the tension. The avoidable loss of life is unfortunate. It is sadly one example of many negative outcomes and resultant effects of such an act of negligence to safety.

“That should serve as a deterrent to others who still indulge in such prohibited acts. This should also make the public understand that the sensitisation and enforcement being carried out by ACTDA against such things are not to witch-hunt them, but for their safety.

“Unfortunately, we have lost a soul. I pray for the peaceful repose of this soul. But also, it should serve as a deterrent to others, that they shouldn’t just fold their arms and wait for us, when we come, they run away and return when we leave.

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“People should see it as a personal responsibility to be safety conscious, and also enlighten others, not just themselves. No precious life is worth being lost to such a careless and avoidable death. A stitch in time saves nine.”
(PUNCH)

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Cybercrime: Court Fines 21 Foreign Nationals N1m Each, Orders Deportation

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday convicted 21 foreign nationals over high-level cybercrime, fining each of them N1 million.

The trial judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan, while delivering judgment on the plea bargain reached between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force, ordered the immediate departure of all 21 of them from Nigeria within six working days.

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The convicts are among 109 foreign nationals being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police over charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024.

The 21 convicted individuals are Yang Yang (33), Li Xiao Fen (41), Zheng Peng Zhan (28), Shu Huan (20), Jupanpan (25), Feng Guo (29), Zhao Yifan (31), Mahunan (26), Wang Yi Bo (24), Chen Yan Qi (26), and Shi Hao Jie (28), all represented in court by Linda Ikpeazu.

READ ALSO:Internet Fraud: Chinese Nationals Lose $222,729 In Digital Assets To FG

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Others are Xiejang Bing (29), Zheng Jian Feng, Zheng Peng Fei (32), Wei Tang (32), Wang Hao (27), Cheng Xing (30), Yang Xu Gung (27), Zhu Jiu Hui (28), Xhou Kia Lai (28), and Tue Xue Fie (21, female), represented by Julius Mba.

The 109 defendants, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.

They initially pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, respectively, pending fulfilment of stringent bail conditions set on November 29, 2024, which included N1 billion bail and five sureties with N200 million worth of landed property each.

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The Police alleged that the accused operated out of Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were running a “fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”

READ ALSO:14 Chinese Jailed For Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud In Lagos

One of the counts read that they “aided, abetted, conspired among themselves to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime,” contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).

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They were also charged with unlawful access to a computer network and input of inauthentic data, punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes Act.

They were also accused of laundering proceeds generated from illegal platforms, including 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, in violation of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The final charge accused the defendants of overstaying their 30-day business permits — an offence punishable under Section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.

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READ ALSO:PICTORIAL: Lagos Court Jails Nine Chinese For Cybercrimes

Justice Akpan, in his judgment, held that the sentence was based on the agreed terms of the bargain.

After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement without being forced, I hereby convict you as charged.

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“The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of N1 million fine each, against each of the defendants which shall be paid before their release. They shall depart the country within six working days,” he said.

When asked if the fines had been paid, defence counsel, Linda Ikpeazu, told the court, “My lord, we are going to pay in the next five minutes.”

READ ALSO:Court Remands 13 Chinese Nationals Over Cybercrime, Security Breach

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Justice Akpan also ordered that all gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Lead prosecuting counsel, A.A. Egwu, appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Ikpeazu and Mba represented different subsets of the 21 convicts.

The matter was adjourned to October 22nd and 23rd for the continuation of the trial of the remaining 88 defendants.
(PUNCH)

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