Metro

Three Rescued As Police Foil Kidnap Plot In Anambra

Published

10 months ago

July 16, 2025

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued three victims in separate operations across the state after it foiled a kidnapping attempt.

During the process, the police also arrested a notorious member of what they described as “a proscribed armed separatist group” and recovered arms and other incriminating items.

The spokesman for the state command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a press statement on Tuesday, said the police operatives carried out the exercise in a series of coordinated operations in different parts of the state in the early hours of Tuesday.

Ikenga noted that in recent times, the command had continued to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, continues to record major operational breakthroughs in its relentless efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

“In a series of coordinated operations across different parts of the state, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, in the early hours of today (Tuesday), July 15, 2025, arrested one Gospel Ozioma Nneto, male, aged 31, aka “OZ,” a notorious leader of a proscribed armed separatist group.

“In another operation, the Divisional Police Officers of Nimo and Nteje, in collaboration with local vigilante operatives, successfully rescued three kidnapped victims held by suspected armed hoodlums. Items recovered from the operations include: One pump-action gun and one dagger.

“The arrested suspect is a known terrorist, kidnapper, and armed robber, and a confirmed member of the proscribed separatist group.

“During interrogation, he confessed to being a photographer for the group, operating from a camp known as “Mother Valley,” located in the Orsumohu-Orsu axis. He is currently undergoing further interrogation as discreet investigations continue to uncover his criminal network.”

He added that a joint security team comprising police operatives from Nimo Division and local vigilante members, acting on credible intelligence, searched forested areas between Oraukwu and Nimo communities in the evening of July 15, 2025.

“This led to the successful rescue of two female kidnap victims. The victims will be reunited with their families following necessary medical and psychological evaluations.

“In another breakthrough, on the evening of July 14, 2025, police operatives from the Nteje Division, responding to an attempted attack by two armed suspects, engaged the assailants in a gun duel.

“The operatives neutralised the armed hoodlums and recovered one pump-action gun, one dagger, and other incriminating items.”

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicates involved in these incidents.

According to the PPRO, “The command remains resolute in its mission to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors to Anambra State.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

3 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.