Metro

Suspect In Port Harcourt Blast Arrested

Published

1 year ago

June 26, 2024

The Rivers State Government said it has found the suspect who detonated an explosive device near the state-owned Presidential Hotel during a pro-police protest in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

This came less than 24 hours after the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, alerted management of both public and private medical facilities in the state on the identity of the suspect, injury signs and the need to detain him if found.

A substance believed to be dynamite went off near the Presidential Hotel axis of the Aba expressway causing panic in the area.

Oreh, while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday evening said, “Now the Rivers State Ministry of Health is calling for an alert to all medical facilities in the state, both public and privately owned facilities to be vigilant and look out for an individual, a young man with a traumatically dismembered upper limb because this injury which was sustained will require medical attention.

“If such an individual and their accomplices are present in any of the facilities, immediately notify the Commissioner for Police, Rivers State and the Rivers State Ministry of Health.”

However, later on Tuesday night, Oreh, told newsmen that the yet-to-be-identified suspected bomber, was rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment by his friends who are now at large.

She explained that those who brought the man to the facility claimed that he was involved in a road accident when he arrived at the hospital.

The commissioner stated, “Following that call, our medical facilities in the state were on a heightened sense of alert and so when a young man was brought to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with alleged injury sustained during what was said to be a road traffic accident the medical personnel that were on hand to examine him and offer care were on alert.

“And immediately recognised that the injuries seen on this individual were not in tandem with a road traffic accident, but rather resemble injuries that would have come from a blast.

“The individual was taken to the theatre for immediate resuscitation because as of the time he was brought in he was semi-conscious.

“The medical personnel did the needful and immediately informed the Rivers State Government. Immediately informed the Commissioner for Police and the Rivers State Ministry of Health about the presence of that individual in the facility even when providing emergency medical care to revive and resuscitate him.”

The commissioner, however, disclosed that the suspect is now stable after receiving medical attention at the facility, saying, “We are working with the Rivers State Police Command and so the Hospital has been fully secured, the premises and the perimeter have been fully secured.

“The patient is undergoing medical treatment. He is stable and the police are doing their own part in carrying out the necessary investigations.

“And so in this manner, we just seek to inform the public that this is the update following the earlier incident of today in Port Harcourt.”

Efforts to reach the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday morning proved abortive as his mobile was not connected.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was yet to get information if the suspected bomber had been found.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police promised to find out and get back to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night, the State Commissioner for Police, Olatunju Disu, while confirming the explosion said following preliminary investigations, the suspect actually detonated the explosive device.

Disu, however, did not link the incident to the protesters who were in support of the barricade of the 23 local government council secretariats of the state earlier the same day, noting that the command has opened an investigation into the incident.

He stated, “We got that information that four persons in a white Corolla vehicle somewhere along Aba Road stopped their vehicle and there was an explosion.

“The information we gathered was that two of the occupants of the vehicle were injured, while two others came out, put them in the vehicle and drove off.

“We have triggered all the necessary units of the Nigerian Police Force within the state to be on the lookout for these people and the victims in case they are going for treatment anywhere.

“At the same time, we have brought in officers in charge of the bomb squad. They have been able to gather particles to confirm that some particles that indicate IED (Improvised Explosive Device) were discovered.”

Metro

Ondo: VP Mysteriously Disappears From Hotel After Attending Seminar

Published

19 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Olaloye Olatunde, Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School, Owo, Ondo State, mysteriously disappeared from a hotel after attending a seminar in Akure, the state capital.

It was gathered that only his personal belongings were discovered inside the hotel room where he lodged for the seminar after his mysterious disappearance.

He reportedly travelled from Owo to Akure to attend a Child Labour Programme organised by Trace Project, Akure, in partnership with Charakids Foundation.

The victim’s wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, said he called her after checking into a Hotel in Alagbaka, where all other participants lodged.

According to her “We spoke regularly until Wednesday.

“By Friday, his phone was no longer reachable. The seminar was supposed to end that day, but I never heard from him again.”

”I was the one who arranged his bag before he travelled. That same bag was what they later found in his hotel room. Sadly, they had already packed it out without telling me.”

Also, speaking of the ugly incident, Olaoyes elder brother, Zacheus Olaloye, said “When my brother’s wife called me that she hadn’t seen my brother, I went to the hotel.

“The staff initially told me that all participants had checked out.

“But later I discovered the bag they said was abandoned was my brother’s own, with his clothes and shoes still inside.”

Zacheus, a retired civil servant, lamented that “We tried to preview the footage, but nothing worked. Later, the management showed us a grainy video of a man walking out of the premises. But that wasn’t my brother. The figure wasn’t clear at all.”

He added, sadly, that neither the organisers of the seminar nor the hotel have reached out to the family formally after Olatunde disappeared.

“The matter was reported to the police by the family at the Zone 17 AIG office, before we were directed to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

“The hotel management has not called us, and the organisers have done nothing tangible to help us find my brother. We are the ones chasing everyone. They should help us.”

Speaking on the matter, the manager of the hotel, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, and a staff, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, said that all participants were well accounted for until Friday evening.

Ekpeyong said that “On August 24, 49 participants arrived, later increasing to 58. On Friday, we organised an Asun Night for them, as part of our hospitality package.

“Some left that night, while others checked out on Saturday,” Adebayo explained.

On her part, Mrs Adebayo said “one facilitator instructed the hotel to clear the belongings in Room 305, claiming the occupant had travelled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers.

“We used our master card to open the room, packed the bag, and documented it. Later we were told it was the vice principal’s bag.”

“From our CCTV, we saw him on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday morning, August 28, at exactly 6:17 a.m., when he walked out of the hotel and never returned. That is why the room was eventually opened.”

Contacted, the state police command spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, said that “the command has launched an investigation into the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

” The command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden disappearance,

“We call on members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist us in unraveling the case.”

Ayanlade has however, assured members of the public that police detectives would unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of the Vice Principal.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

Published

19 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a single raid targeted at cannabis cultivators in the state.

Edo State State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, while giving a brief on the recent dislodgement of the cannabis plantation cell, disclosed that the operation was carried out on September 11, 2025, at Ugbogui Forest, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

Ofoyeju, who warned that the ugly development constitutes a serious threat to food security in the state, said: “The massive cannabis farm destruction operation which was based on actionable intelligence is posing a serious threat to food security.

“If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed.”

“This operation obviously underscores the agency’s commitment to combatting drug cultivation in the State, thereby reinforcing our efforts to rid our communities of the dangers posed by illicit drugs.

“The Edo State Command has taken a bold step to cut off the illicit supply of cannabis with the destruction of a vast Cannabis sativa plantation spanning approximately 6.79 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 16,966 kilograms.

“At the farm, we successfully recovered one hundred and twelve bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms in the farm,” Mitchell stated.

“Four male suspects linked to the cannabis plantation were apprehended during the operation while taking refuge at their tents located within the farm. Three of them are from Akwa Ibom State, while one hails from Delta State. They have been identified as Ebenizer E. Wang, 48 years old, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Oshare John, 45 years old, from Ughelli South, Delta State. Others are Emmanuel Monday, 29 years old, from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and David Sunday, 30 years old, from Ugad, Akwa Ibom State.”

The NDLEA commander, while stating that investigations are underway, said the suspects are expected to face charges in court soon.

Ofoyeju, who urged members of the public to continue providing intelligence to assist in the fight against drug-related crimes, stated that the NDLEA remains vigilant in promoting public health and safety.

Metro

Edo Police Recover N300, 000 Extorted By Officers, To Discipline Culprit

Published

20 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it has recovered N300, 000 extorted from a furniture maker
by the officers attached to the Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Yamu disclosed that officers involved in the extortion have been detained, adding that they would face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has taken decisive action following a video circulated on social media by an influencer in Edo State alleging the extortion of the sum ₦300,000 from a furniture maker by some officers attached to Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

“The officers involved have been promptly identified, the money has been fully recovered and returned to the victim, while the said officers have been detained and are to face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

“In addition, stern administrative measures have been taken against the Oba Market Area Command to ensure professionalism, discipline, and respect for the rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties.”

Yamu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged members of the public to report any unprofessional conduct by officers and men of the command to the Public Complaints Bureau or the Complaints Response Unit through 08150999335 and
08100389992.

He added, “The Command assures the good people of Edo State that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in service delivery.”