Metro
Police Rescue 25 Ivorians From Kidnappers, Arrest Eight Suspects
Published
2 months agoon
By
Editor
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued 25 Ivorian nationals from the hands of a cross-border kidnapping syndicate operating in Ogun State.
The police also arrested eight suspects in connection with the crime, following a swift and coordinated operation carried out in collaboration with Interpol.
According to a statement on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation was launched in response to a formal request from the National Central Bureau, Abidjan.
Adejobi said the request followed a report by Kaussi Marianman, who alleged that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses by Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga with a promise to secure travel documents to Belgium.
Upon arrival, Adejobi said Pierre was held captive, and the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs, approximately ₦6.6 million.
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He said, “The operation was triggered by a report filed on April 23rd, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman at NCB Abidjan alleging that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses by some individuals who were later identified as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium.
“Once in Nigeria, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive, with the abductors demanding a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (equivalent to six million six hundred and twenty-five thousand Naira).”
Adejobi said the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL Annex Lagos, Bode Ojajuni, immediately deployed a team of experienced investigators to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.
He added that on May 5, 2025, the operatives stormed Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, rescuing two victims and arresting two suspects.
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Adejobi said a follow-up operation at Ejegun Itele in the same area led to the rescue of 23 additional victims, including Ladji Yoa Pierre himself, and the arrest of six more suspects.
He said, “Upon receiving the request from NCB Abidjan, the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni psc, immediately deployed a team of trained investigators to rescue the victim and apprehend his abductors.
“On May 5th, 2025, the team successfully stormed the hideout of the abductors rescuing two victims and apprehended two suspects at Osehi Hotel, located at Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State. Subsequent operation conducted at Ejegun Itele, Ado-odo-Ota resulted in the rescue of 23 additional victims, including the said Ladji Yoa Pierre, and the arrest of six more suspects.”
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Following the successful rescue, Adejobi said Pierre was reunited with his mother, who travelled from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria.
He said the remaining 24 rescued victims were handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, for further processing.
“The eight apprehended suspects are in Police custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution, ” he added.
In response to this successful operation, Adejobi said the Head, NCB Abidjan in its letter dated May 6, 2025, expressed deep appreciation and compliment to the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol Unit for the brilliant operation leading to the rescue of the victims and hope to strengthen collaboration between both agencies towards tackling trans-border crimes.
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Metro
JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin
Published
10 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.
He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.
According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three
Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.
“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.
“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.
“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.
READ ALSO: Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo
According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.
Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.
Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.
Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.
Metro
Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three
Published
15 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.
The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.
This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.
The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday
He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.
READ ALSO: Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo
Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.
“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked
“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.
“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.
“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said
Metro
Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo
Published
16 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
READ ALSO: Controversy Over Pregnant Woman Buried Alive In Edo
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
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“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
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