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

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

5 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

8 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

21 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.