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

JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

Published

17 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the death of a police constable and the reported abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday and has launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the attackers.

ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. He added, “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.