No fewer than six suspects linked to the killing that triggered unrest at Gosa Market along Airport Road in Abuja have been arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

The incident, which caused fear among traders and residents, followed the death of a man accused of stealing tubers of yam. As a result, many people abandoned the market, which is widely regarded as one of the most affordable places to buy food items in Abuja.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, said the police swiftly moved into the area following the incident to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy.

He explained that the crisis began when a man accused of stealing was lynched by an individual who took the law into his own hands.

He described the killing as a clear case of murder, confirming that six suspects were already in custody.

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He said, “A young man was accused of stealing some tubers of yam at the market. And lo and behold, an individual decided to take the law into his hands. That’s a complete human being. This is what led to the crisis.

“Following the police swiftly moved into the area to douse tensions and restore normalcy.

“Six suspects are currently in custody over the matter, which the police are treating as a clear case of murder. ”

Ajao noted that the police engaged community leaders and traditional rulers in dialogue immediately after the incident, which helped to calm the situation and encourage peace.

“Immediately after the incident, we engaged the community leader there. The traditional ruler was with us. We discussed and tried to find out what went wrong. They saw the need to embrace peace,” he said.

He also confirmed that as of Thursday, Gosa Market had resumed full operations under tight police surveillance, with officers on the ground to maintain order.

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“The market is on today, and life is bubbling there. Our policemen are on ground, policing the marketing operation,” Ajao added.

He warned against the growing trend of impersonation and the use of false identities, especially vehicles bearing diplomatic or official number plates without authorisation.

According to him, such actions are often linked to criminal intent.

He also condemned the illegal use of tinted glass, vowing that enforcement would continue as part of efforts to enhance public safety.

Ajao said, “We are coming after you. Because the only reason for that is to engage in crime and criminality, ” he said.

“We are still arresting, and we’ll continue to arrest these people. When you conceal every identity, it doesn’t make any sense.”

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Highlighting the command’s achievements over the past two months, Ajao announced that the police had recorded 49 criminal cases and arrested 82 suspects.

He said several kidnapping and robbery attempts were foiled across different parts of the city.

He added that the police recorded successes in efforts to curb theft, fraud, child trafficking, rape, and other violent crimes, with multiple suspects apprehended and victims rescued.

Ajao revealed that weapons, vehicles, cash, communication devices, and other criminal tools were recovered in the process. He stated that children were rescued from traffickers, abandoned babies were handed over to the Social Welfare Centre, and victims of various crimes were provided support.

Looking ahead, the Commissioner assured residents that the command would intensify community engagement, intelligence-led operations, and public sensitisation campaigns to address evolving threats.

He emphasised the commitment of the FCT Police Command to sustaining peace and security through proactive and coordinated policing efforts.
(PUNCH)

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have uncovered a cache of improvised explosive devices kept under the bridge linking Marte and Dikwa in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

The Nigerian Army, which disclosed this on Friday on its official Facebook page @HQ Nigerian Army, said the discovery was made by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams deployed from both Marte and Dikwa Forward Operating Bases

According to the statement, 56 fully prepared IEDs have been safely recovered from the location, while efforts are still ongoing to render the remaining devices safe for complete recovery and disposal.

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The statement reads, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with members of the CJTF have uncovered a significant cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) emplaced by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the strategic bridge linking Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.

“The discovery was made by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams deployed from both Marte and Dikwa Forward Operating Bases during a targeted clearance operation.”

It added, “A total of 56 fully prepared IEDs have been safely recovered from the location. Controlled procedures are currently underway to render the remaining devices safe for complete recovery and disposal.”

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According to the statement, the successful operation has prevented a potentially catastrophic attack and reaffirms the vigilance, expertise, and commitment of Nigerian troops in safeguarding key infrastructure and civilian lives within the North East theatre

The PUNCH had reported a series of explosions on different highways across the state, leading to the death of many travellers.

A High Court sitting in Neni, Anambra State, presided over by Justice G.C Anulude, has sentenced one Nonso Anunuobi to life imprisonment for his involvement in a case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The defendant, was charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder contrary to Criminal Code Act and the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, alongside other relevant legislation.

The verdict, delivered by the judge of the Anambra State High Court 1, followed a painstaking trial process that lasted several years, during which damning evidence was presented against the convict.

According to details of the case (Charge No. NN/5C/2019), as obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the defendant, alongside his gang members, waylaid their victim, one Aloysius Obidinma, at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while he was returning to Onitsha from his hometown.

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It was gathered that the unsuspecting victim was ambushed, brutally assaulted, shot, and dragged into the criminals’ vehicle.

The hoodlums, it was further revealed, dispossessed the victim of his car, laptop, phones, and other personal effects, before demanding ransom from his family as a condition for his release.

Their dastardly acts, were however exposed when law enforcement officers, swung into action, tracked one of the stolen devices which eventually led them to apprehend the culprits.

The Prosecution, led by the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, provided substantial evidence linking the culprit to the heinous crime, and reminded the court that “under the law, a conviction for armed robbery ordinarily attracts a death sentence”.

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The defense counsel, however, passionately pleaded for leniency on behalf of the accused.

However, in his judgment, Justice Anulude, after careful consideration of the final addresses and the weight of evidence before the court, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The judge noted, “While the law stipulates death for armed robbery, the peculiar circumstances and the plea for mercy influenced the decision of the court.

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“The court finds the accused guilty as charged and the cruelty of the acts committed cannot be glossed over.

“This judgment will serve as a strong deterrent to other criminally-minded elements who may wish to terrorise law-abiding citizens in the society.”

Reacting, the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, while expressing satisfaction with the ruling, reiterated the need for continuous collaboration among the police, the judiciary, and the public to sustain the gains made in the fight against violent crimes in the state.