Metro

Three children Stolen In Ebonyi

Published

4 months ago

February 8, 2026

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the alleged theft of three children belonging to two separate mothers at Nkwagu Village, opposite the Nkwagu Military Cantonment, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reportedly carried out by three yet-to-be-identified middle-aged women.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, said the children were taken from their residence at Nkwagu Village by the women, who had visited the compound on February 6, 2026.

According to SP Ukandu, the matter was formally reported by the parents at the Central Police Station (CPS), Abakaliki, and investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend the suspects.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, had earlier directed members of the Landlords’ Association in Abakaliki to always verify the identities of prospective tenants and ensure the provision of credible guarantors before renting out houses.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on February 7, 2026, threw the community into panic, drawing sympathisers as residents gathered in clusters to discuss the disturbing development.

Some residents who spoke to journalists described the incident as heartbreaking and expressed concern over what they described as rising cases of child theft in Ebonyi State.

They called on the state government and relevant authorities to intensify public enlightenment, particularly for parents and caregivers, on the dangers of allowing children to associate freely with strangers.

Narrating her ordeal, one of the victims, Mrs. Happiness Ofunna Gladys, said the suspects had arrived at the compound the previous night, held discussions with the landlord and were allowed to spend the night in one of the vacant rooms.

“I went to the market early that morning to buy goods for my business,” she said.

“While at the market, I received a distress call that my two children had been stolen. I immediately rushed back home and met people gathered, discussing what had happened.

“From what my neighbours told me, the same three women who spent the night in our compound were responsible. They took my two children, a boy and a girl, both between one and two years old. I am still shocked that people could come into a neighbourhood solely to steal children without arousing suspicion.”

She appealed to security agencies to ensure the suspects are arrested and brought to justice to deter others.

Another victim, Mrs. Nworie Oluchi, said she first noticed the women on the evening of February 6 when she returned from the market to prepare dinner.

“I saw the women sitting outside the compound with our landlord, discussing. I went inside and started cooking without suspecting anything,” she explained.

She said trouble began the following morning while she was washing clothes and went to look for her two-year-old son to administer his medication.

“When I couldn’t find him, I asked his siblings, and they told me that one of the women had sent him to buy biscuits for the other children,” she said.

“I rushed to ask the women about my son, and one of them claimed they sent him to buy biscuits and even offered to help bring him back.

“I went inside briefly to change my clothes, and before I came out, the children raised an alarm that the women had entered a tricycle and sped off with the three children.”

She said efforts to raise an alarm came too late, as the suspects had already escaped.

Meanwhile, attempts to speak with the landlord of the compound were unsuccessful, as he is currently being detained at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, in connection with the incident.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.