Metro

Three Die In Rivers Community Well

Published

3 months ago

February 23, 2026

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the tragic death of three men inside a well in Aminigboko community, Abua/Odual Local Government Area.

The victims reportedly died while attempting to desilt an old well in the community, a development that has plunged residents into mourning and raised concerns about possible environmental hazards.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the son of the well’s owner had engaged three men — including two brothers — to clean and restore the well, providing access to potable water.

According to her, tragedy struck shortly after the first man was lowered into the well.

“Minutes after one of the persons entered the well, he started screaming. This prompted his brother and the third person to enter the well to find out why he was screaming,” Iringe-Koko said.

“Unfortunately, the three of them died. Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the death.”

Sources within the community disclosed that the well had previously dried up, prompting the owner to initiate efforts to re-dig and desilt it, a common practice in the area to restore access to drinking water.

Neighbours who relied on the same water source were said to have complained of a foul odour emanating from the well days before the incident.

A community source explained that the unpleasant smell was believed to be caused by the well’s shallow depth and prolonged water stagnation.

However, some residents have speculated that toxic fumes may have accumulated inside the confined space.

“Here we usually re-dig wells that are drying up so that we can get clean drinking water, and that is what the owner was doing,” the source said.

“The people had been complaining that it smells bad, which is why they tried to dig it again.”

Meanwhile, the Orashi National Congress (ONC), a prominent socio-cultural group in the Niger Delta, has expressed deep concern over the incident and called for a thorough investigation.

In a statement, ONC President General, Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, noted that the well had reportedly been emitting an offensive odour before the tragedy, raising suspicions about possible environmental contamination or gas emissions.

He urged relevant authorities and experts in the oil and environmental sectors to urgently determine the exact cause of the deaths and assess any potential environmental risks to the community.

“We are also calling on the Local Council authorities and the Rivers State Government for immediate attention because undiscovered or leaking natural gases may pose a wider threat to lives and property if not swiftly addressed,” Ibe stated.

The ONC leadership joined the people of the Aminigboko community in mourning the deceased and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

As investigations continue, residents of the community remain anxious, with many calling for safety checks on other wells and water sources to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 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.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.