Metro

Two Sisters Kidnap Brother In Enugu

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2025

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two sisters for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of their brother, Mr. Friday Chukwu.

The two sisters, Juliet Chukwu and Ngozi Nancy Chukwu are younger sisters to the victim, Mr Chukwu, who hails from Amaeze village, Ishiagu community, in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The PUNCH reports that the two sisters are security agents.

While Juliet Chukwu is an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps; Ngozi Nancy Chukwu is a personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service.

It was gathered that through the duo’s connivance, Mr Friday Chukwu was kidnapped, last month, on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, in the Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State.

And through the sisters’ prodding and subtle moves, the sum of N30m was paid for their brother’s release.

It was further learnt that the two female security operatives orchestrated the abduction of the General Manager of China Oriental Mining Company, Engr. Dennis Igwe along the same area, on Monday.

Luck ran out of them when they were traced to a hidden hotel where they were to share the sum of N10million ransom paid for Igwe’s release, and they were arrested.

Commenting on the development on his Facebook Page, on Wednesday, a social media enthusiast, Comrade Chika Nwoba, called on security agencies to take the necessary steps to ensure the matter is not treated with levity.

He said, “News broke in June, 2025 about the kidnap of one Mr. Friday Chukwu along Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, an elder brother to Mrs. Juliet Chukwu who is a Civil Defence officer and Mrs. Ngozi Nancy Chukwu who is an Immigration Officer all from Amaeze, Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State and it was alleged that the sum of N30 million was paid as ransom before the release of Mr. Friday Chukwu.

“Weeks later, on Monday 14/7/2025, the CLO of China Oriental Quarry Company, Engr. Igwe Denis Chibueze was kidnapped along the same route with a demand of N10 million.

“The stakeholders rallied the sum with a security link and they were trailed to a hotel room where they were sharing the proceeds of their criminal act.

“They have been previously alleged to have link to many criminal activities happening around Ishiagu in Ebonyi State, ranging from conniving with Fulani herders to stage kidnap along Ishiagu road, looting of railway rails and properties and vandalization of pipeline among other heinous crimes.

“The source through which they escape in many of their crimes is still unknown, but the recent case shouldn’t be treated like other of their crimes and the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp and Immigration Service should meet the case with the punishment it deserves.”

The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Ebony State, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed the arrest of the two sisters, adding although the two incident took place outside his jurisdiction, he had written to both the Enugu Police Command and the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.

He said, “Yes. We are aware of the incidents; but it didn’t happen in my local government area. The incidents took place in Enugu State. The sisters to Mr Friday Chukwu, who is my friend have been arrested. The said they are six, so four people are still on the run. I have written to both the Enugu Police Command and the Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps. However, our efforts are always geared towards making sure our local and the people are safe.”

Efforts to get the Ebonyi State Police Command for comments on the matter proved abortive.

The Police Police Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, didn’t respond to our Correspondent’s inquiries as of the time of filing this report, on Wednesday.

Metro

Gov Kefas Shuts Down Disputed Mosque In Taraba After Deadly Clash

Published

18 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Taraba state Governor, Agbu Kefas has ordered the temporary closure of the disputed Jumma’at Mosque in Donga Local Government Area, following a violent clash that claimed two lives and left several others injured.

The governor gave the directive during a peace meeting held over the weekend at the Palace of the Gara Donga. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and representatives from various Muslim sects.

Governor Kefas, who was away on official duties when the incident occurred, said his administration remains committed to promoting unity, fairness, and peaceful coexistence among all religious groups in the state.

He explained that the Traditional Council’s Mosque would remain closed temporarily until the government constructs three new mosques, one each for the Izala-Jos, Izala-Kaduna, and Darika sects.

“This is to ensure fairness, peace, and freedom of worship for all groups. And let me assure you that our Christian brothers under CAN will not be forgotten in the spirit of balance and mutual respect,” Kefas stated.

The governor expressed concern over the divisions that had emerged within the Muslim community in Donga and urged all parties to forgive one another and work toward peace.

“No faith teaches hatred. Religion is meant to draw us closer to God and to one another, not to divide us. As your governor, I am committed to justice, and justice is what gives peace its foundation,” he said.

He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peace and development of the state, adding that peace is essential for progress and unity.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim Council, Malam Musa praised the governor for what he described as a wise and fair decision.

Metro

PHOTOS: NDLEA Dismantles Colos Factory In Lagos, Seizes 16kg Synthetic Cannabis

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a clandestine laboratory producing synthetic cannabis, known as Colos, in a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

According to the agency, the raid followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering on the dometic production of synthetic drugs previously imported into the country. The operation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Stephen Kelechi Imoh, identified as the owner of the laboratory.

Recovered items included 16.2 kilogrammes of freshly produced Colos, 1.7 kilogrammes of ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5 kilogrammes of potassium carbonate, and 91 litres of dibromobutane.

In a separate operation, NDLEA officers raided a suspected drug dealer’s hideout in Mushin, Lagos, where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud and bottles of Colorado were seized. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Afeez Salisu, was arrested at the scene.

The agency also apprehended a 20-year-old music artist, Godspower George Osahenrumwen, known by his stage name Steady Boy, after he attempted to collect a shipment of cannabis hidden inside three cartons of bathtubs imported from New York. The consignment, weighing 77.2 kilogrammes, had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a DHL flight. NDLEA said the artist was acting on behalf of a syndicate led by his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie, who remains at large.

Similar operations were conducted across several states. In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives intercepted over 84,000 capsules of tramadol and arrested a suspect linked to the consignment. Separate arrests were made in Bauchi, Kwara, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, and Taraba States, with seizures including skunk, tramadol, and methamphetamine.

In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested in Abeokuta with 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk after being tracked from the Benin Republic. In Edo, officers intercepted two vehicles conveying 1,455 kilogrammes of the same substance.

In Ondo, nearly three tonnes of skunk were recovered from locations in Ogbese and Akure, while another operation in Badagry, Lagos, led to the seizure of 76.5 litres of skuchies, a cocktail of drugs mixed with blackcurrant.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their coordination and commitment. He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s resolve to “dismantle every identified drug syndicate” and ensure that offenders forfeit their assets to the Federal Government.

The agency added that its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued across the country, with recent outreach programmes held in schools, religious institutions, and communities to discourage substance abuse among young Nigerians.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 3 Suspects With 1,779kg Of Cannabis In Ogun

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command, has arrested three suspects for allegedly transporting a large consignment of cannabis sativa weighing 1,779 kilogrammes from the Imeko axis to Abeokuta, the state capital.

The suspects are Rauf Asogba, 28; Seun Olaniyi, 24; and Ayinla Adeniyi, 50.

The NDLEA spokesperson in Ogun State, ASN Harris Musa, confirmed this to newsmen in Abeokuta in a statement on Sunday.

Musa said that the three suspects were intercepted through intelligence-based information and operations in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, while attempting to transport the illicit drugs from the Imeko axis en route Abeokuta.

He said that the illicit consignment, concealed in a J5 vehicle, was uncovered following sustained surveillance and tactical manoeuvring by operatives of the Command.

The anti-narcotic agency’s Public Relations Officer said that the seizure represents one of the Command’s most remarkable operations in recent times, further demonstrating the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and curbing the circulation of illicit substances in the state.

He said, “In the early hours of Saturday, 1st November 2025, operatives of the Command carried out a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation which resulted in a major interception. Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the operatives arrested three suspects: Rauf Asogba (Male, 28 years); Seun Olaniyi (Male, 24 years); and Ayinla Adeniyi (Male, 50 years).

“The suspects were apprehended while transporting a large consignment (1.77 tonnes = 1,779 kilogrammes) of cannabis sativa from the Imeko axis en route Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,” he added.

State Commander, CN Tijjani Rabe, commended the officers involved in the operation for the professionalism, courage, and dedication displayed by them in intercepting the vehicle and arresting the suspects.

Rabe reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the momentum in the ongoing war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the state.

He also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the agency by providing credible and timely information that would aid the NDLEA in achieving its vision of a drug-free Ogun State and, by extension, a drug-free Nigeria.