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Three Kidnappers Arrested On Port Harcourt-Owerri Highway

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Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have apprehended three notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising travellers and motorists along the Port Harcourt-Owerri highway.

The suspects are said to be behind a series of armed robberies and abductions in the area, including the recent kidnapping of a National Youth Service Corps member.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects and others before journalists in Port Harcourt.

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Mohammed explained that the criminals were known for setting up illegal roadblocks at strategic points on the highway, where they ambushed motorists at gunpoint, abducted them, and demanded ransoms from their families.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Has Disappointed Africa, Black Race – Obasanjo

The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended three notorious kidnap suspects following a series of highway robberies and kidnappings along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway.

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“This arrest is part of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities along the route, which has been a hotspot for violent attacks on motorists,” the Commissioner said

The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Blessing Akpelu, also known as NTA; Precious Ebee, 30; and Wisdom Amadi, 28. All three are natives of Egbeda in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to Mohammed, the suspects have been under surveillance for some time due to an alarming spike in kidnappings, including the abduction of an NYSC member and two others along the Elele/Omerelu axis of the expressway.

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READ ALSO: Court Stops Sale Of Late Judge’s Property As Daughter Sues Church

“The first two suspects were arrested on October 17, 2024, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, while the third suspect, Wisdom Amadi, believed to be the gang leader, was apprehended at Egbeda on October 19, 2024,” Mohammed revealed.

The Commissioner added that the suspects confessed to the kidnappings and other related crimes. Their arrests were made possible through intelligence gathered by the police, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend their accomplices, retrieve their weapons, and dismantle their criminal network.

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Mohammed assured the public that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety of all road users along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

In a separate development, the police also arrested a suspected armed robber involved in an attack on a female corps member, during which her iPhone was stolen.

READ ALSO: Buy Petrol N1000/Litre Or CNG At N200, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

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“In the same operation, we arrested one Baridam Berebom from Mogho in Gokana Local Government Area. He was found with an SMG rifle, which he and his gang used to rob a female NYSC member of her iPhone 12,” the Commissioner said.

He explained that the police responded swiftly to a distress call and, following a hot pursuit, arrested Berebom, while other members of his gang managed to escape. The stolen phone and the rifle used in the robbery were recovered.

Mohammed reassured the public that the police are actively pursuing the remaining members of the gang, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible information.

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16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

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READ ALSO:NDLEA Unveils Digital Platform For Drug Integrity Test, Visa Clearance Certificate

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

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JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

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A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

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It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Jailed In US Over $6m Inheritance Fraud

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

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He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

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“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

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JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

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Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

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According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

READ ALSO:Deputy Gov Pledges Support For Edo Queens

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

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According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.

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