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Show Of Force: Joint Security Operatives Take Over Benin As Naira, Fuel Scarcity Protesters Go Weird

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Photo: file copy

Following the protest that rocked the ancient city of Benin today, Wednesday, February 15, join security operatives comprising men of the Nigerian Army; the Nigeria Police Force and the Edo State Security Network (Vigilante) were seen patroling the city to forestall law and order.

The joint security operatives with Armoured Tanks were seen patroling places like Siluko Road; Sokponba Road; Ring Road; Sapele Road; Ekewan Road and other areas to maintain law and order in the city.

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Our Reporter also reports that the security operatives were also seen shooting to the air in supposed hot spots to scare trouble makers in the area.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the operatives were on field to forestall law and order, adding that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums.

He said: “Our men and other security agents are already on ground to make sure the lives and property of our citizens are protected. Our men are professionally handling the whole incident and to quell it.”

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Truck used to block Siluko Road as DJ entertain youths with music.

Residents of the city mostly youths had earlier today came out to protest the protracted scarcity of Naira and fuel in the country which has brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

READ ALSO: [BREAKING] Naira, Fuel Shortage: Protests Rock Benin, 4 Feared Shot

Four persons were said to have been shot in the process of the protest.

The protesters in the process attacked and destroyed banks buildings, ATMs and Point of Sales (PoS) kiosk in areas like Siluko Road; Sokponba Road; Ring Road; Textile Mill Road and others, while fast food eatries, fuel stations and other offices in the aforementioned areas were shut for fear of being attacked by the protesters.

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At Siluko Road, youths blocked the busy road with a heavy duty truck and brough live Disk Jockey (DJ) to play music with loud speakers for their entertainment. The youths were also seen intimidating motorists in the area.

A woman who spoke with our Reporter at Textile Mill Road Junction, Siluko Road, said some of the youths invaded most PoS kiosks in the area immediately the protest started and robbed them of their money.

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Gunmen Kill 10 In Anambra Community

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Panic has gripped the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late on Monday, when some assailants invaded a gathering of people and opened fire on them.

Panic has gripped the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late on Monday, when some assailants invaded a gathering of people and opened fire on them.

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The gunmen were said to have killed no fewer than 13 people.

It was gathered that the armed hoodlums stormed the area in two Sport Utility Vehicles and unprovokedly attacked the people, who were holding their monthly general meeting, while also shooting indiscriminately into the air.

Although members of the community said 13 persons were killed during the attack, police sources, however, confirmed 10 were killed.

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Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, a resident of the area and the President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, Chigozie Nweke, said non-indigenes were mostly the victims of the attack.

Nweke said, “It was a tragic and horrifying Monday evening for members of the Ogboji community, particularly non-indigenes residing in the area, as gunmen stormed a meeting venue in the area and brutally murdered about 13 persons.

READ ALSO:Man Jailed Seven Years For N11.4m Enugu Land Fraud

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The attack, which occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, left the affected families in mourning. We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of these persons, mostly indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.”

Nweke also appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, to mobilise the Command’s personnel to hunt down the culprits.

Narrating his ordeal in the incident, a survivor, Augustine Odom, who is the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, described the attack as “sudden and unprovoked”.

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Odom said, “The community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck. We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00pm.

“This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members. Then, around 6:30pm, a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Suspects For Stealing Two Underage Siblings In Anambra

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“The attackers demanded the group’s minutes book, and thereafter seized it and opened fire on the participants. They collected our minutes book, ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting at us. About 13 of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.”

Odom added that those killed were from various communities in Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo and other villages.

The two survivors, who are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in the area, expressed shock, stating that they had no known disputes with any individual or group prior to the attack, adding, “We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another.”

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Confirming the development when contacted on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives have cordoned off the area while investigations have begun to unmask the perpetrators behind the dastardly act.

Ikenga said the victims were rushed to the hospital, where about 10 were confirmed dead.

READ ALSO:Police Raid Kidnapper’s Hideout, Arrest Four Suspects In Anambra

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He added that their corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the indiscriminate shooting incident that resulted in fatal injuries and fatalities to ten persons on the evening of 30th June, 2025, at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The Police has further assured that the Command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles and attacked the gathering of a group unprovokedly, shooting sporadically.

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“The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead. The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

“Meanwhile, the Police-led security team has taken over the scene and is working on the necessary information to arrest the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated, please.”
(PUNCH)

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EFCC Arrests 31 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Nasarawa

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 31 individuals in Nasarawa State over alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday via X, noting that the suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa Toto, following credible intelligence.

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Nasarawa State.

READ ALSO:Why We Arrested VeryDarkMan – EFCC

“They were arrested on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Nasarawa Toto, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences,” the statement read.

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According to the EFCC, several exotic phones and laptops were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The commission added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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30-year-old Man Hacks Mother To Death

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A tragic incident of matricide has shaken the community of Dantanoma quarters in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State, as a 30-year-old man, Hussaini Abubakar, killed his mother.

The incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, when operatives of the Gumel Divisional Police Headquarters received a direct complaint regarding a violent assault involving a mother and her son.

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In a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said a 30-year-old man brutally killed his 75-year-old mother, Dahara Mu’azu.

The statement reads, “Upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the suspect had brutally attacked and killed his mother by repeatedly striking her head with mud blocks.

“The victim was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Gumel General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, a medical doctor on duty confirmed that the elderly woman had died on June 30, 2025.”

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READ ALSO:Landlord’s Son Hacks Tenant To Death In Ondo

According to the PPRO, the suspect, Abubakar, has been arrested and is currently in police custody, cooperating with investigators, adding that, “He (suspect) will be charged to court upon completion of a discreet investigation.”

The statement contained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad Abdullahi, condemned the heinous act in the strongest terms, describing it as inhuman, barbaric, and utterly reprehensible.

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Furthermore, the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to take over the case and ensure that the suspect faces the full wrath of the law.

However, the Jigawa State Police Command said the incident deeply saddens it and has called on members of the public to always report early signs of mental health crises or domestic violence to the nearest police station or community leaders, to prevent avoidable tragedies.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Labourer Hacks 60-yr-old Female Farmer To Death In Ondo

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SP Adam also said that the command remains committed to upholding law and order, protecting lives, and ensuring justice for victims of crime across the state.

The police urge the public to support their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state,” he added.

Accordingly, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer noted that “the command is committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and visitors to the state.”

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He therefore urged the public to cooperate with the police in their efforts to prevent and investigate crimes. Saying, stressing further that “Together, we can build a safer and more secure community for all.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice for the victim and her family.

READ ALSO:Police Raid Criminal Hideouts In Delta, Arrest Suspects, Seize Weapons

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When contacted via telephone by our correspondent, Sule Baba, a neighbour of the victim said, “I am appalled by the brutality and senseless killing of the 75-year-old woman by her own son,”

“As a community, we are shocked and disturbed by this heinous act, and we demand justice for the victim and her family. The authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.” said, and emphasized the need for increased vigilance and community support to prevent such incidents in the future.

Also, Aminu Lawan, a member of the community, expressed similar outrage and concern, saying that “this incident is a wake-up call for our community leaders and law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to address mental health issues and domestic conflicts.”

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Lawan called on the Jigawa State Police Command and other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
(PUNCH)

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