Metro

Suspected Kidnappers Kill Hunter In Edo Forest While Pursuing Kidnappers, Allies Arrest One

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2023

… Edo Govt Bifs Up Security – Commissioner

A hunter simply identified as Suru Abanta from Ufa area in Igarra, the headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State has been reported shot dead by suspected kidnappers.

Abanta, popularly known as Odonkoro was reported shot dead while himself, his colleagues and other members of the local vigilante group were combing the large stretch of forest around Igarra and neighbouring communities to rescue kidnapped victims.

A member of the vigilante group who witnessed the killing, while narrating the incident said it happened on Tuesday while one of the kidnappers was arrested today (Wednesday).

He said: “We divided ourselves into two groups and went in different directions but unknown to us, the kidnappers had sighted us so while we were trying to take position, they shot him and they were trying to round us up but our colleagues who heard the gunshot started running to our direction and that was how the kidnappers ran away in panic.

“We later got to their camp where we saw some items including a phone without battery, sim card and other cooked and raw food.”

On the arrested suspect, he said “The man disguised as if he was waiting for a commercial vehicle along the Igarra – Ibillo road where he was caught and he has been handed over to the police”

It worth noting that there has been a resurgence of kidnapping in the area with the recent being the kidnapping of five people within two days along Farm Road in Igarra and one of them was released after an undisclosed ransom was paid.

Edo government biffed Up Security

Meanwhile, the state government, while reacting to the state of security in the state said it was training members of the vigilante group to strengthen security in the state.

The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said: “As we speak, the Edo State government is training over 1,500 people for the vigilante assignment.

“Few weeks ago, we did six local government areas and we did at the Mobile Police Training School at Ogida barracks which Edo State government renovated and fixed with the same qualities as Edo State buildings, we are getting their biometrics, we are reconditioning them to think like law enforcement agencies and they are to protect the lives of Edo people, our state is more secured and these are being done by these men, they are part of the security arrangement and we are very proud of them because we want Edo to be one of the safest states in the country and we will continue to retraining these volunteers.”

Metro

Auto-crash Claims 2 Lives On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, on Friday confirmed that two people died in a lone accident around Oremeji Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The Corps’ spokesperson, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta.

Akinbiyi said the accident, involving a Mazda bus with registration number YNF 414 XN, occurred at about 1:30 a.m.

He explained that the two occupants of the vehicle, the driver and conductor, both adult males, died on the spot, adding that no injury was recorded.

According to him, eyewitnesses said the bus lost control due to speeding, hit a road barrier, and somersaulted.

Akinbiyi further said the vehicle, which was conveying live chicks, had been towed by the Ibafo Motor Traffic Division of the Police for further investigation.

He added that the remains of the victims had been deposited at the Divine Touch Hospital morgue in Ibafo by operatives of TRACE, the police, and the Ogun State Emergency Services (OGSAES).

He noted that traffic was briefly affected during the rescue operation but was later restored through the efforts of TRACE and the police.

Metro

Court Sentences Man To Death For Killing Son

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Kano State High Court has sentenced Abubakar Alhaji Sabo to death by hanging after finding him guilty of killing his newborn son.

The Kano State Government prosecuted Sabo before the court on charges of culpable homicide and causing grievous harm.

He was accused of force-feeding the infant with a local insecticide known as ‘fiya-fiya’, resulting in the child’s death.

Sabo killed the baby after the mother, his girlfriend, refused to obey his instruction to kill the child to avoid the shame of fathering a child out of wedlock.

Following the incident, he was also found guilty of striking the girlfriend’s father on the head with a brick after he caught Sabo poisoning the baby.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, presented three witnesses, while the defendant testified in his own defence.

After reviewing the evidence presented by both parties, Justice Aisha Yau, who presided over the case, found him guilty of infanticide and sentenced him to death by hanging.

The court also imposed an additional three-year prison sentence for causing grievous harm.

Metro

Nine Kwara Victims: Kidnappers Insist On N300m Ransom

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

No progress has been recorded on the bandits demand for N300m ransom for the release of nine victims abducted in Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.

Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, disclosed this on Wednesday.

According to DAILY POST, the bandits have so far made three contacts with the community leaders that “if the N300m is not paid, the victims will not be released.”

The bandits seized the nine victims in an attempt to abduct the King of the community, and his wife on Boxing Day, but failed.

The King, David Olarinoye, was away to Igbaja town for a programme when the armed bandits invaded his community.

The bandits, however, later seized nine other victims in the community and marched them to the bush.

While seven victims were abducted at the palace of the King, two others were captured on their way to the bush.

Following the abduction, the bandits demanded a N300m for the release of the abducted victims, resisting any negotiations for reduction of the ransom.