Metro

Police Raid kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Recover Rifles

Published

1 year ago

May 26, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

“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”.

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.

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)

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 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.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.