Metro

Terrorists Kidnap 50 In Kaduna Community

Published

3 years ago

August 1, 2022

Editor

Terrorists have abducted 50 locals at Damari community in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident which happened on Saturday night forced hundreds of locals to flee the communities.

Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union, Ishaq Kasai, made this known in a statement on Sunday night.

Kasai noted that in the last five days, relevant authorities, as well as the general public, had been alert on the heartless attacks by terrorists in the community (Damari) following the withdrawal of Ansaru, a splinter group of Boko Haram from the area.

He said, “The sad event in the last 72 hours in Damari town of Kazage Ward in the Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area Kaduna State has reached a catastrophic situation.

“As at Saturday, bandits encircled Damari and abducted about 50 people, shortly before and after troops from Military field-base from Dogon-Dawa went to the town and escorted some remnants of the residents who were willing to move to comfort zones in neighbouring communities and even to as far away Zaria.

“The most worrisome situation is where a pregnant woman was running away alongside her colleagues and was left away by the fleeing groups where she fell down and delivered a baby boy. Unfortunately, both the mother and the baby lost their lives instantly.”

Kasai added, “Damari is considered as the largest town in the entire Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari and with this worrisome development, about 20,000 persons, including women and children, are rendered internally displaced.

“Even today, the bandits returned to the town unchallenged, burnt a vehicle, kidnapped scores, intercepted and maltreated people, a serious development that reflects the level of serious insecurity situation facing our community.

“These calamitous atrocities of bandits have made the people of Damari, the agrarian community that yearly produced over 600 tonnes of maize grains, abandon their ancestral homes and farms for safety.

“BEPU is highly concerned over the ugly situation of the citizens of Birnin-Gwari LGA, particularly those in the local communities where despite all efforts to draw the attention of higher authorities for action as entails in their constitutional responsibilities has failed.

“BEPU is deeply sympathizing with all the people of Damari over these trials and assures them of continued efforts towards supporting them in all possible ways, especially in humanitarian emergency needs, and would never relent on advancing engagement with Government, whose major and primary responsibility as enshrined in the Constitution is the protection of lives and properties of the citizenry, to do the needful.”

PUNCH

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

8 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

8 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.