Metro

Three Suspects Arrested In Police Crackdown On Delta Kidnappers

Published

3 months ago

July 16, 2025

Operatives of the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad of the Delta State Police Command have botched a kidnappers’ syndicate hibernating in Ogwashi-Ukwu forests in Oshimili North Local Government Area and arrested five suspects while N5m ransom was recovered from the gangsters.

According to The PUNCH, the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, on July 12, 2025, at about 0630hrs, trailed suspected kidnappers terrorising Delta State to one of their hideouts at Ogwashi-Ukwu.

On arrival at the location, a suspected kidnapper named Sanusi Abdulahi was arrested in possession of ransom of N5m, which was part of the ransoms the gangsters collected from one of their victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, Bright Edafe, in a signed statement in Warri on Tuesday, said, “A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwash-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba and most recently the kidnapping of a young lady at Ogwashi-Ukwu on July 9, 2025.

“The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at the second Deputy, and Oko in Asaba, where four other members of his gang were also arrested,” the PPRO affirmed, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

In another development, on July 9, 2025, at about 0835 hours, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, near the Unenurhei area, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, in a sting operation, raided the hideouts of one Solomon Danisco aka ‘Picolo’, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin and Whisky Rufus, aka ‘Asawana’, a native of Ewu community.

During the operations, the suspects, heavily armed, reportedly engaged the security operatives in a fierce gun duel during which the suspects and their gang members sustained serious gunshot injuries.

The police said they were taken to the hospital, where six of them were confirmed dead on arrival, while two others are still receiving treatment.

Exhibits recovered from the hoodlums included four locally-made guns and 19 rounds of live cartridges.

Meanwhile, the state police command has called for sustained support from members of the public, just as it released the Command’s dedicated control room phone numbers, which include 08036684974, 08114895600 and 08025666914, respectively.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

16 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

17 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

17 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.