Metro

Residents Abandon Homes, Stay Indoors Early As Kidnapping Surge Hits Nasarawa

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Residents of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, and surrounding communities are living in fear as kidnappers intensify their operations and adopt new tactics, forcing many victims and their families into silence even after paying large ransoms for their release.

The criminals, who previously struck mainly at night, now operate in the early evening when people return from work, trailing their targets to their homes and abducting them at gunpoint. In some cases, they fire shots into houses to scare victims into running outside, where they are seized.

The wave of abductions has driven some residents to relocate to neighbouring states and councils, while those who remain have resorted to staying indoors as early as 8:00 p.m. Despite increased patrols, security agencies have struggled to stop the attacks, as the kidnappers reportedly receive information about their targets from informants.

Victims’ families often avoid involving security agencies due to threats from abductors, who closely monitor them through informants to prevent leaks that could compromise their operations. Many households have been impoverished by ransom payments, with some selling property or borrowing money to secure the release of loved ones.

The children of Mr Ibrahim Shekarau, a judge of the State High Court 4 in Mararraban Gurku, Karu Local Council, are among those currently in captivity after being abducted from their home in the 500 Housing Estate along Doma Road, Lafia. Efforts are ongoing to secure their release.

In another incident, gunmen invaded the Nasara Estate along Makurdi Road, near the Federal University of Lafia, and abducted several residents. Among those still held is Mrs Abiye Amezi, a lecturer at Nasarawa State Polytechnic, whose ordeal has highlighted the worsening security situation.

A pastor’s wife nursing a three-month-old baby was also abducted alongside a church member in Agyaragu, Obi Local Council. They were later released after a ransom was paid.

Meanwhile, police have arrested two suspects accused of threatening residents in Doma and Lafia with abduction unless they paid millions of naira. According to command spokesperson SP Ramhan Nansel, the suspects confessed to collecting N7 million from victims.

Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed concern about political interference in criminal investigations, warning that it hampers the efforts of security agencies to curb the rising tide of kidnapping in the state.

The persistent insecurity has also created a climate of fear among journalists, many of who have become reluctant to carry out their duties due to the risk of abduction.
(GUARDIAN)

Metro

20 Feared Dead In Kogi Boat Mishap

Published

44 minutes ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a boat accident that occurred on Tuesday evening in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident, which happened around 4:30 p.m. on September 30, involved a boat conveying traders and residents from the Onugwa community to Ilushi market before it capsized on the River Niger.

An eyewitness, James Otoga, a farmer in the area, said the boat was fully loaded with passengers heading to the market ahead of the October 1st Independence Day celebration.

“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to the market. Only five survivors have been rescued so far, while 20 bodies have been recovered. Many more are still missing beneath the river,” he said.

Otoga added that some mourners who had attended a burial in Onugwa and were returning to Ilushi were also among the victims. The exact number of passengers on board could not be immediately confirmed.

Chairman of Ibaji Local Government, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, described the tragedy as the worst boat accident in the area’s history.

“As I speak with you, no one can authoritatively state the actual number of casualties, and we cannot even ascertain the number of people on board from their departure point. The mishap occurred before the boat reached Ilushi. Most of the victims were on their way to celebrate October 1st as is the community’s tradition,” Emmanuel said.

The accident adds to a series of fatal boat mishaps recorded in Kogi, Niger, and other riverine states over the past year.

Efforts to reach the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji, and the agency’s Assistant General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Suleiman Makama, were unsuccessful as their phones could not be reached.

Metro

Court Remands NURTW Official In Correctional Centre Over Tricyclist’s Death

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ebute Meta yesterday ordered the remand of a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) official, Samsideen Oladiti, also known as Shamelon, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the death of a tricyclist in Lagos. Oladiti was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge for the first time since his arrest by the Lagos State Police Command.

The 55-year-old NURTW official allegedly attacked a dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, on September 17, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. on Lagos Island, using a helmet and his fists to inflict serious injuries. The victim was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is still receiving treatment.

The following day, at about 11:00 a.m., police said another complaint was lodged against Oladiti in connection with an incident on August 28, 2025. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike one Imam Ramon on the head and face, leaving him with severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, Ramon was confirmed dead by a doctor on September 17. His body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

Oladiti appeared before Chief Magistrate A. O. Akinde at Court 2, Ebute Meta, wearing a hooded black top and trousers, a face mask, and holding Islamic prayer beads. He stood in the dock as the three-count charge was read to him in English. He was called into the dock at 10:38 a.m. and exited at 10:53 a.m. after the magistrate ordered his remand at the correctional centre until October 28, 2025.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Shamusideen Oladiti, on August 27, 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., at Lewis Street, Lagos Island, in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully beat Imam Ramon with fist blows all over his body, causing him harm. He was rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital, Marina, Lagos, where he later died, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. ”

Second-in-Command, Legal, Lagos State Police Command, Anthony Iyeye, said: “The case is a capital offence. Since he could not take a plea, the file will be duplicated and taken to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.”

When asked about the accomplices seen in a video of the incident, he said: “We have only been able to apprehend the one we charged, but the police are still looking for others.”

Also speaking, Uthman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Committee said: “We were briefed by the family of the deceased to watch their brief. The court reviewed the file and determined that a prima facie case has been established against the defendant.”

Speaking at the court premises, the assaulted dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, said: “I was on the other side of the road to carry goods and I climbed on my bike to leave when he came to me saying that I was blocking the road and that dispatch riders are stubborn. He dragged my helmet and started using it to hit me. Others came and said, ‘Don’t you know Shamelon?’ And they started beating me.

They pushed me down and called the police to arrest me.

“I was taken to the police station and they realised that they could not keep me there because of my condition. I woke up three hours later and a police officer told me that I was placed on oxygen. I was told to return to the station the next day. I got there and saw a crowd of people and I was told he had been arrested.

“I haven’t been able to work since September 14, 2024, and I have been living off people. I want justice. I want the court to give me justice.”

Metro

Three Die As Amotekun, Hoodlums Clash In Osun

Published

16 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

The management of Osun Amotekun Corps has confirmed that three people were killed during a clash between its operatives and suspected hoodlums in Akinlalu, a town in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Corps said the hoodlums had ambushed its men who were responding to a distress call in Akinlalu, forcibly taking three rifles from them.

Yusuf added that a backup team sent to the scene was also attacked at Akinlalu junction, resulting in a gunfight that left three people dead.

“The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and led to a deadly confrontation between the Corps and suspected armed hoodlums,” Yusuf said.

According to official reports, operatives were dispatched from the Amotekun Command in Ile-Ife following an emergency call from residents reporting that suspected bandits had invaded local farmlands. Four operatives mobilised on motorcycles to address the situation and ensure the safety of the community.

“Tragically, while en route to Akinlalu, the team was ambushed by armed assailants, suspected to be the same group terrorising the community. During the sudden attack, two service rifles belonging to the Amotekun Corps were forcibly taken,” Yusuf said.

He further explained that reinforcement operatives were deployed to approach Akinlalu peacefully, including plans to pay a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler.

“However, at the T-junction leading into Akinlalu, the road was barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted over an hour. Despite the intensity, our operatives successfully overpowered the attackers. In the aftermath, three lives were confirmed lost, including individuals believed to be among the attackers. Three suspects were arrested, while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene.”

The Corps also recovered the two firearms stolen during the ambush, along with security uniforms and berets, from the hoodlums’ hideout.

Commenting on the incident, Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, condemned the attack and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“This cowardly ambush will not deter our operatives from carrying out their duties. The safety and security of our people remain our utmost priority. We will intensify our efforts to root out criminal elements threatening peace in our communities,” he said.

This latest incident marks the second ambush involving Osun Amotekun reported this year.
(PUNCH)