Metro

Troops Rescue 21 Persons From Militia

Published

3 years ago

December 8, 2022

Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the military operation in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, rescued 21 persons from the hands of their abductors, who were identified as a local militia group.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), OPWS, Flight Lieutenant Audu Katty, disclosed this in a statement in Makurdi, the operational headquarters of OPWS on Thursday.

Katty explained that 20 of the victims who were commuters were rescued by OPWS troops along Kente-Chinkai road in Wukari Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State on Tuesday.

He further explained that a local with a machete wound was also rescued in the course of pursuing the militia that had earlier abducted the commuters.

The OPWS spokesman said the local, who was badly wounded, was taken to the primary healthcare centre in Kente for treatment.

According to Katty: “On 6th December 2022, the gallant troops of Op Whirl Stroke while responding to distress calls on the activities of a local militia along Kente-Chinkai Road in Wukari LGA of Taraba State mobilised and moved to the scene.

“The local militia in their numbers, dressed in full military attires on sighting advancing troops abandoned their hostages and fled into the bush.

According to him, the troops rescued all the hostages, the 20 commuters, from their abductors.

“Troops further exploited deep into the bush and rescued an unidentified local with machete injury on his head. The rescued victim has since been taken to Kente Primary Health Care for treatment.”

He stated that the troops thereafter launched a manhunt for the militia and trailed them to their hideout.

Said he: “Contact was made with them. Troops responded and overpowered them with superior firepower making the militia flee in disarray with possible gunshot wounds.”

Katty also stressed that Operation Whirl Stroke will continue “to safeguard the lives of innocent citizens across the area of its responsibility” while he solicited the “cooperation of the locals to continue giving timely information on the activities of criminals.”

Metro

Police Intercept 400 Ammunition, Arrest Suspect In Delta

Published

10 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command says it has intercepted 400 ammunition at the Bridge Head, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Bright Edafe, who disclosed this on Saturday in a statement in Asaba, noted that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has continued to sustain its proactive operations against criminal elements across the State.

He said, “Through intelligence-led policing, operatives of the command have recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against illicit drugs and illegal possession of ammunition.

“Operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, led by CSP Ogbe Emmanuel, intercepted a major movement of ammunition bound for Edo State.

“While conducting routine surveillance and stop-and-search operations at the Head Bridge, Asaba, the operatives flagged down a Toyota Hiace Hummer Bus with registration number NGK 16 XB, driven by one Ozoemenam Sylvanus.

“The driver, appearing uneasy during questioning, drew the suspicion of the officers, who proceeded to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle. 400 live cartridges were discovered carefully concealed within the bus.

“The suspect initially lied that it was padlocks, but was left speechless when the parcel was opened and the true content was seen. He was immediately arrested, and both he and the exhibit recovered”

Edafe said that the investigation to unravel the source and criminal network behind the illegal arms movement was ongoing.

In another development, the command confirmed the arrest of a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri.

According to Edafe, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one 37-year-old Onos Afokoghene, a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri and adjoining communities.

“Acting promptly on a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer, Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Oboware, mobilised and led his patrol teams to the identified flashpoint in Jeddo Community, where the suspect and other suspected hoodlums were reportedly engaged in selling and consuming illicit substances.

“Sensing the approach of the police, the suspects attempted to flee, but the team swiftly closed in and arrested the suspect, Onos Afokoghene, after a brief pursuit. A thorough search of the scene led to a startling discovery of illicit substances and paraphernalia used in large-scale drug sales,” he added.

Edafe said exhibits recovered include 3kg of Canadian Loud, 10kg of Indian Hemp, 24 litres of soaked weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, several sachets of Tramadol of various milligrams, and two POS machines suspected of being used for drug sales, among others.

Metro

Islamic Cleric Arrested For Brutalising 10-year-old Boy In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

An Islamic cleric, identified as Folorunsho Olaoti, has been arrested for allegedly brutalising a 10-year-old boy living with him in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when the cleric allegedly beat the boy mercilessly after accusing him of reporting to his mother that someone had spoken ill of her.

Sources said the Alfa, who is a relative of the boy’s late father, became enraged by the child’s action and subjected him to severe physical assault, leaving him with visible injuries.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the incident, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Child Rights Implementation Committee, Kwara State, Antonia Oshiniwe, said she received a distress call from the victim’s uncle and immediately alerted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who arrested the suspect on Friday.

“I was informed about the matter by an anonymous source. When I visited the area, I confirmed the incident and reported it immediately to the civil defence.

“The child has been rescued and placed under government protection, while the suspect will be charged in court for child abuse,” Oshiniwe said.

Oshiniwe advised parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare, warning against entrusting them to clerics or guardians who may end up maltreating them.

“Parents should learn to keep their children with them and not hand them over to clerics or guardians who may abuse or mistreat them.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Ayoola Michael, confirmed the incident, adding that the case was receiving the command’s full attention.

He said, “We have commenced a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, and our findings will be made public once the process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the rescued child is said to be receiving medical attention while further legal proceedings against the suspect continue.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”