Metro

Trader Slumps, Dies After Brawl In Abuja Market

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2025

A trader identified as Ifeanyi on Wednesday died, after slumping during an altercation with a fellow trader, one Eze Onuh, at the Utako Ultra Modern Market located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

In a Facebook post, an eyewitness, Dr Uche Nworah, narrated that while no one was certain of what led to the fight, both men who sold underwear, exchanged blows, before Ifeanyi slumped and died, adding that Eze had been taken to the market police station.

The post read, “I called at Utako Market Abuja this morning to sort out my phone screen guard and a fight suddenly broke out between two Igbo brothers (Ifeanyi and Eze) who sell underwear. No one knows exactly what led to the fight. Blows were exchanged and Ifeanyi suddenly slumped and died. Eze himself has been taken to the market police station. Terrible thing anger in this challenging economic time.”

When The PUNCH contacted Nworah on the telephone, he further stated that both men were said to be origins of Ebonyi State and may have been fighting over allotted spaces in the market before the incident occurred.

“I was at the market when it happened. They said they were brothers from Ebonyi State, and it was like they were fighting about space. When it happened, some of the other traders gathered there so I didn’t go close. They took Eze to the Market Police Station. But later, I saw two officers taking him away in a tricycle, maybe to the FCT Police Command. And they took Ifeanyi’s body to a hospital,” he said.

A trader who shares a stall with the late Ifeanyi, but declined to be named in this report, told our correspondent that other traders had made efforts to resuscitate him, and rushed him to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he was dead.

“I was not around. But when I returned, I was told some people fought, someone fell and they poured water to revive him. When they could not revive him, they took him to the hospital, and they said he was dead,” the trader said.

He added that the rift between both men had been on for over five years, noting that the fact that both men were into the sale of men’s underwear didn’t help matters.

“It was Ifeanyi who brought Eze here. Before, Ifeanyi’s goods were slightly different. But when they started selling almost the same brands, they started having contentions. They’ve been having the issues for nearly five years before today,” he added.

The Chairman, Dynamic GSM Association at the Utako Market, Isa Adamu Goma, said he was informed of Ifeanyi’s death, at about 9 am on Wednesday morning, adding that the altercation started after arguments about the demarcation between both shops.

“This morning, around 9 am, the management of the market called me and said something happened to my deputy, Mr Ifeanyi. They said that somebody had killed him. I asked who killed him, they said it was his neighbour, one Eze Onuh. They said he held Ifeanyi by the neck and was pressing it. People tried to separate them, but he refused.

“I had my bath and rushed to the clinic where he was taken. I met the police and they narrated everything to me before we took him to the mortuary. Then, I went to the police station and met the Divisional Police Officer. They asked him what happened, and he said it was just a little demarcation between both shops that caused the quarrel. There’s only a small board that separates their shop, and they accused each other of encroaching. That was when Eze grabbed him by the neck and then pushed him, and he fell. They poured water but he couldn’t be revived. Eze is in the custody of the police at the Utako Division until tomorrow, because they want his family to come first,” Goma stated.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement made available to our correspondent, said operatives who responded to a distress call from the market at about 9:30am, arrived to the find Ifeanyi’s lifeless body on the ground, adding that the suspect was currently in police custody.

“The FCT Police Command has arrested one Onu Simeon following a fatal altercation that led to the death of Ifeanyi Chukwu at Utako Market, Abuja.

“On February 5, 2025, at about 09:30 AM, the command received a distress call regarding a fight in Utako Market. Police operatives swiftly responded to the scene, where Ifeanyi Chukwu was found lying unconscious on the ground. He was immediately rushed to the NNPC Hospital, Utako, by police operatives, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Simeon Onu of Anguwan Biggy, Jabi Daki Biyu, and one Ifeanyi Chukwu of Kuchigoro, Lugbe, had earlier engaged in a dispute over a space to display their goods for sale. The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Ifeanyi Chukwu suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. His remains have been deposited at a general hospital for further investigation, while the suspect, Simeon Onu, is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Further updates will be communicated in due course,” the statement read in part.

Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has urged residents to “adopt peaceful means of resolving disputes”, adding that violence often leads to tragic and unpredictable consequences.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 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.