Metro

Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

Published

9 months ago

August 27, 2025

Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.

Metro

Imo Court Sentences 34-year-old Man To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu to death by hanging after finding him guilty of serial armed robbery and kidnapping.

Johnbosco, a native of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of the State, was said to have been arrested in 2024 along Okigwe road, Owerri, in a stolen vehicles and after interrogation, he confessed to have been in the business of armed robbery and hostage taking, operating within Imo and Abia States with his gang.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice C.N Akowundu said the defendant was guilty of all the eight count charges against him as the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges leveled against the accused person.

He recalled that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang who are currently at large, trailed one Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his house at Aba while driving along with his wife and whisked the couple away, robbing them of their car and the sum of US2800 dollars.

While the wife was freed along the road, the husband was blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was held hostage for close to six days.

Meanwhile, the defendant and his gang members that same day, about same time, before the abduction of Mr Rex had already abducted one Emmanuel Okezie who was also driving along the same route with Mr. Rex.

Their victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of 3.7million naira and 15 million naira, respectively.

Justice Akobundu, in the judgement, further remarked that Ashiegbu drives in fleet of cars and routinely changes ownership of all vehicles he stole to his name, including the ones he gifted his elder brother and sister during her birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel pleaded for leniency that the accused had not been convicted of any offense in the past and is the breadwinner of his family married with children who depend on him.

Waving out the request from the defendant counsel, the Judge said that the defendant himself did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel in Ministry of Justice, urged the court to give its pronouncement in line with the dictates of the law.

He noted that the defendant had not shown any atom of repentance even as he had been found guilty of all the charges before the Court.

The Judge, in his final judgement, said the accused was guilty of all charges levelled against him and therefore sentenced to death by hanging.

Metro

12 Suspected Cultists Arrested In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

Twelve suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).

The suspects were arrested at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest was carried out on May 7 following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

She stated that during preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to be cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.

Ikoedem said the operatives recovered a gray Mercedes Benz Jeep with registration number GWA 471 DS allegedly belonging to one Balogun Isreal, who is currently at large.

The Statement read in part, “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have arrested 12 suspected cultists at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi in Edo North following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

“The suspects, Abiola Anabgaifo, 33yrs; Idogo Joshua, 28yrs; Oseni Sani, 22yrs; Aminu Abubakar, 19yrs; Iyamah Precious, 29yrs; Usman Rapheal, 29yrs; Ogene Jude, 31yrs; Ibrahim Akeem, 27yrs; Tunde Bright, 20yrs; Jude Edeh, 21yrs; Godwin Edeh, 19yrs; and Aigbona Clifford, 20yrs, being were arrested on 7th May, 2026 at about 6:00pm after they allegedly mobilized from Okpella to launch attacks on perceived rivals.

“Preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to being cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.”

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response and professionalism of these Officers, stressing that the Command will sustain its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the State.

He noted that all suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism unit and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Command warns all criminal elements to either repent or leave Edo State, as the Command remains fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone threatening the peace and security of residents.

Metro

My Husband Beat Me, Abused Me Verbally — Wife

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

…I never did such things — Husband

A businesswoman, Patricia Philip, has prayed a Customary Court in Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve the marriage between her and her husband, Ossai Philip, over alleged molestation.

The petitioner said this in a divorce petition she filed against her husband in court.

“My husband is constantly fighting and molesting me without justification. He beats me often and also uses abusive words on me.

“He reacts aggressively to literally every little provocation,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The petitioner said that all the ill treatment had caused her emotional distress and that she feared for her safety.

She told the court that she could no longer cope with her husband’s alleged violent behaviour, which she said, had destroyed her trust and confidence in him.

She also told the court that she feared that continued cohabitation with the respondent may endanger her life and well being.

The respondent, Philip, who is a businessman, denied the allegations.

The presiding judge, Festus Enomhonse, however, adjourned the case.