Metro

Tension As UNIZIK Student Travelling For Burial Feared Kidnapped

Published

1 year ago

April 8, 2024

Palpable fear has enveloped the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over the missing of one of its students in the Department of Science Education, Francisca Chioma.

Chioma, it was gathered, was on her way to attend a burial in a village outside Awka, Anambra State on Friday, and her whereabouts have remained unknown till now.

One of her schoolmates and a friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed the development to our correspondent on Monday, adding that there were fears she might have been kidnapped.

The source said, “She is my friend and also a student in my school at the Science Education Department. Her name is Francisca Chioma. She left for a funeral ceremony somewhere in a village outside Awka, on Friday and till now, her whereabouts are still unknown.

“There are indications that she might have been kidnapped along Omasiunu area in Anambra State. We have called her telephone line severally, and it is not responding.”

However, when contacted, Emma Ojukwu, the Special Assistant on Public Relations Matters and Special Duty to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, referred our correspondent to the security department.

When contacted on the telephone, the Chief Security Officer of the institution, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the development.

He said, “Yes it is true. DSS has been fully in the picture since yesterday. We are working with them. We got information that one of our students was on her way to attend a funeral ceremony in a village outside Awka when the incident happened and since then she has not been found.

“It is also important to note that the incident did not happen in the school, we have to be clear about it. We have contacted the relevant security agencies, and the ‘kidnappers’ have contacted the family. Although, we are not aware if they have requested any ransom or not.”

Efforts to also contact the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, proved abortive as calls and messages to his telephone line were not responded to.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

Metro

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

Metro

Retired Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.