Troops Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing Of Catholic Priest

Published

3 months ago

March 26, 2025

Editor

Troops of the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have arrested two suspected killers of Rev. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu.

This is contained in a statement issued by Maj. Samson Zhakom, the media officer of OPSH, on Wednesday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m.

Okechukwu, who was abducted at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was later found dead on March 5.

Zhakom said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid troops conducted in a settlement in the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA in the state.

“The suspects were arrested following a raid on the prime suspect’s hideout located at a Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti community, Lere LGA of Kaduna State.

“During the preliminary investigation, the prime suspect, a 33-year-old man, confessed to having been contracted by another man, living in the same house with the slain priest, to kidnap him.

“Troops in a follow-up operation arrested the suspect at Agwan Sarki, Tachira, in Kaura LGA.

“The suspects are in custody undergoing further interrogation,” he said.

The media officer said that investigations were still ongoing to unravel the whereabouts of the remaining persons who participated in the heinous crime.
(NAN)

Chaos In Court As Ex-convict Attempts To Escape

Published

32 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

A dramatic scene unfolded on Tuesday in an Ilorin Area Court as an ex-convict, Segun Samuel, attempted to escape from the court premises, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Samuel Mayowa, who witnessed the incident, told NAN that the ex-convict cunningly removed the chains from his leg with a broomstick, walked towards the restroom and scaled the court fence.

“He has four different criminal cases in this court. One of the cases was heard on Monday, and he was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

“In the second criminal case, he was sentenced to six months of community service, and the third case was supposed to be heard today, before he pulled that stunt,” he said.

Luckily, he said, the police officers in the court premises and the prison warder swung into action and pursued him.

He said that after a thorough search, and with the help of the community, the ex-convict was found in a dilapidated building at Oke-Suna Area, Ilorin.

The Correctional Service officer, he said, was called, and the ex-convict was captured and returned to custody

Metro

One Dead As Police Foil Kidnap Attempt In Kogi

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Kogi has confirmed the death of one passenger in a foiled attempt to abduct passengers along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in the state.

A statement on Tuesday in Lokoja by SP Williams Ovye-Aya, the command’s spokesman, said the feat was part of a series of bold operations carried out in the command.

Ovye-Aya said that on June 23, the Obajana Division operatives foiled the attempted abduction of passengers along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road.

“The police patrol team responded promptly to sporadic gunfire and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing them to flee.

“All passengers were successfully rescued, but six sustained injuries, and one later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

He further stated that the command, in a separate incident, arrested two suspects in Ayingba for possession of firearms and recovered several exhibits on June 21.

He said the two arrested suspects were found in possession of a locally made pistol, live cartridges, and suspected Indian hemp.

Again, he disclosed that on June 22, operatives of the Okene Division intercepted a Nissan vehicle with five passengers heading towards Auchi.

He said that during a search, one passenger escaped, leaving behind a bag containing a submachine gun (SMG) rifle, live ammunition, and other exhibits.

The spokesman listed the recovered items as “1 SMG rifle with breach number 5197, 1 magazine, 28 live rounds of 5.6 mm, 1 live G3 round, a locally made pistol, 2 live cartridges and other items.”

Ovye-Aya quoted the commissioner of police, Miller Dantawaye, as reassuring citizens of the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.

(NAN)

Metro

Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 people were feared dead in a road accident that occurred at Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday.

According to Vanguard, the accident involved three articulated trucks and a commercial Micra car.

One of the eyewitnesses said one truck lost control and rammed into other vehicles, leading to commotion in the area.

Men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were sighted at the Challenge area of Ibadan moving some of the victims to the hospital.

A man, Aderogba Daniel, told Vanguard that the affected vehicles were coming from the Iwo road end when one of the trucks lost control and veered off the road.

As of the time of filing this report, the driver of the Micra car was still trapped under the truck.

“In a bid to help the victims, some passersby made desperate efforts to get them out. Some people were using cutlasses to cut the Micra car to rescue the driver who was motionless.

“Not quite long, some officials of the FRSC got to the scene, helping the injured to the hospital,” said Mr Aderogba.

One of the FRSC officials promised to speak on the accident later.

“From the way I saw the victims, I doubt if the casualty figure could be less than 10,” he said.