Metro

Town Union Tussle:Two Persons Shot In Delta

Published

6 years ago

January 6, 2020

At least two persons reportedly sustained severe injuries from gunshots, weekend, in Afiesere community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State over leadership tussle in the town union executive.

It was gathered that violence broke out following an alleged attempt by a splinter group to topple the incumbent executive of the town union led by Mr. Victor Otumemine.

The splinter group, led by Mr. Francis Onobruchere and Mr. Sunny Akponana, it was further learnt, had, in the early hours of Sunday, rode in a van round Afiesere community, announcing that the Victor Otumemine-led executive’s tenure had expired and a new executive had come on board.

A community source said, while the splinter group protest was on course, certain horde of youths from the community emerged in violent resistance against the protesting splinter group led by Francis Onobruchere and Mr. Sunny

The reprisal group, ostensibly mobilised by the Victor Otumemine-led executive, insisted that the tenure of the existing exco will expire in August 2020 while describing the splinter group’s agitation as being sponsored to cause crisis in the community.

It was in the mêlée which ensued that gunshots by yet unidentified persons hit an indigene, Mr. Anthony Apiloko and a commercial motorcyclist, who were rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

Expatiating on the incident, the community spokesman, Mr. Precious Orichadere, said it happened at about 8am on Saturday, when certain persons from the community were seen in a van announcing around town that the present exco’s tenure was over and another had come on board.

According to him, this was resisted by the community youths, which led to the group shooting of two persons when the group saw that they will be overpowered.

He said, “having shot the two persons and being afraid of reprisal attack, the group and its leaders escaped, leaving their vehicles behind; all these happened while the community President, Mr. Victor Otumemine, and other executive members, the community youth chairman were in Asaba for two days on invitation by the Delta State Police Commissioner.

“When the President, Mr. Otumemine was briefed on phone on the development, he quickly advised that the two persons shot be taken to hospital and should go to “B” Division Police Station, Agbarha-Otor and incident the case and also appealed l should ensure there is law and order; which l did.”

However, one of the leaders of the splinter group, Mr. Francis Onobruchere, debunked the allegations of plot to overthrow the incumbent exco and Saturday shootings.

He disclosed that the Victor Otumemine-led executive became restive when they were asked to give account of their stewardship, particularly, as it pertained to five missing transformers and certain monies accruing to the community.

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not confirm the incident when contacted, saying the Agbarha-Otor Divisional Police had not briefed headquarters on the matter.

(DAILY TRUST)

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.