Metro

Tension In Taraba Over Killings As Residents, Fulani Trade Words

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2022

Controversies continue to rage over the recent killings in Taraba State leading to tension between the community and the state chapter of the Fulani socio-cultural association, Tabbital Pulaku International.

At least 12 persons were killed on October 2, 2022, by vigilante groups in Zudai village, near Dogon-Ruwa community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. While members of the community alleged that the victims were bandits, the Fulani socio-cultural association countered that they were innocent of the crimes that led to the termination of their lives by local vigilante groups.

Bello Ahmed Belal, chairman of Tabbital Pulaku International in Taraba State, who avowed that “a particular tribe was targeted” further stated that “the vigilante group went after our people in the name of killing bandits.”

While noting that “there are bad people in all tribes” Belal affirmed: “It is wrong to go to homes and kill some people because their tribal persons are involved in banditry.”

He suggested that the so-called kidnappers should have been identified instead of the vigilante going “after anybody related to them.”

The State Police Command, it would be recalled, had also earlier declared that the victims were not bandits as alleged in some quarters.

However, residents of the community on Wednesday, October 13, 2022, rallied to make a public declaration and insisted that those killed by the vigilantes were bandits and not innocent people. The public declaration was spearheaded by the trio of Mallam Hansi, Evangelist Jocob Ali and Wakili Sani Anema. The community in its statements affirmed that the operation that led to the killing of the “bandits” was a “coordinated effort to liberate the communities in the area from the hands of bandits.”

According to them, some kidnapped victims were rescued at the scene of the tussle between the vigilante and the bandits.

The residents further insisted that they stand on what they described “as the true picture of what took place in the council” and therefore urged security agencies to capitalize on the efforts of the vigilante groups by assisting in making their community and its surroundings safe and inhabitable for bandits and kidnappers.

Similarly, the council caretaker chairman, Micah Danbaba Dakka, had also earlier affirmed that the victims were bandits who had terrorised communities in both Bali and Gassol local government areas of the state.

The residents went ahead to list members of the community who have been victims of kidnapping including the village head of Dadin Kowa, Abdul’aziz Yunusa. Others mentioned were Amos Yonana, Alhaji Dauda Bappa Isa, and Malam Manu, the Chief Imam of Dadin Kowa.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.