Metro

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Farmer In Edo Community

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

Editor

Tragedy struck at Ubune-Ivbiaro, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen killed a middle-age man, Mr. Danjuma Emokpaire on his farm.

Residents of the community, who spoke to journalist on phone, said the deceased was attacked by the armed men while he was about leaving the farm after the day’s work.

The residents, who said they saw the victim going to farm on Friday, added that he was going to the farm to plant yam seedlings.

One of the residents disclosed that they became worried when in early morning on Saturday, the deceased was not seen at home.

According to him, “Yesterday evening (Friday ), there was heavy rainfall late night, so it wasn’t possible for people to know whether he returned from farm or not.

“But this morning (Saturday ), he was not seen around. This prompted some persons to go to his house and found it locked from the front.

“So, we have to mobilise and go to the farm to search for him. Unfortunately, behold what was seen was unexpected.

“We found him dead. What we see around the scene of the incident indicated that he was attack and killed while on the motorcycle.

“There was no sign that there was confrontation between him and those that killed him.

“The motorbike was damaged, cutlass and mobile phone cell were taken away by the murderer”, he said.

The resident, who did not want his name in print, added that the incident had been reported to the Afuze Divisional Police , and some officers were sent to the community who were taken to the farm.

Also speaking, a member of vigilante group in the community, Abdul Saliu Emokpaire, said the corpse of the deceased had been brought home for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Emokpaire, who called on the security agencies and the Edo State Government to come to the aid of the community, noted that the community had been gripped with fears, as the people were afraid to go to farm for fear of being attacked by herdsmen.

“We call on security agencies in the state and governor Godwin Obaseki that we are mourning one of our illustrious son whose life was cut short by evil men who called themselves herdsmen.

“This is farming season, and this is the time the people of the community who are predominantly farmers are preparing land for cultivation. Fears have gripped the community. We are now afraid to go to our various farms”, he added.

He further added that some few weeks ago, some farmers were attacked by the suspected herdsmen after questioning why they destroyed their farms and as well as harvested their cassava to feed their cows.

Meanwhile, a senior police office in the Afuze Divisional Police Headquarters confirmed the incident.

The officer, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak with the media, said officers had been drafted to the community and visited the scene of the crime.

He also added that the officers obtained the necessary information that was required for investigation.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was yet to be briefed, but said he would bring the information to the attention of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.