Metro

Updated : Kidnappers Of Ondo Teenagers Demand N10 Million Ransom

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2023

The abductors of two teenagers who were abducted in Ayede Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have contacted the family of the victims demanding a sum of N10 Million for their freedom.

The youths of the community on Friday took to the streets of the town to protest against the kidnap of two victims of the community by some bandits on Friday.

It was gathered that the victims were kidnapped along the Akure-Owo Expressway and taken to the forest.

A source stated that three persons were initially abducted but one escaped from the bandits.

The incident was said to have angered the youths of the community, who staged the protest along the expressway. The protesters blocked the busy expressway, causing traffic gridlock on the road for several hours.

All efforts made by the police to placate the protesters were not successful as they insisted on barricading the expressway. However, the protesters were said to have been dispersed by the police.

Speaking with our correspondent, a community leader and Odopetu of Ayede Ogbese land, High Chief Oladimeji Abitogun disclosed that the abductors had contacted families of the victims to demand the ransom.

He said, “The bandits entered the town and kidnapped two female victims who are teenagers. They are demanding N10millon. ”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the kidnap of the victims and said the men of the command had swung into action to ensure the victims were rescued.

The PPRO said, “Our men in Anti Kidnapping Squad have been on the trail of the bandits to ensure the victims were rescued. ”

On the protest however, Odunlami said normalcy has returned to the area as the expressway has been cleared for free flow of vehicles.

Metro

JUST IN: Many Killed As Soldiers, Bandits Exchange Gunfire In Kaduna

Published

4 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Scores of bandits and some military personnel have been killed following a gun battle in Niger and Kaduna States.

Nigerian Army Headquarters made the disclosure in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.

The statement said the operations were carried out in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

The daredevil terrorists had launched an unprovoked attack on the aforementioned areas.

REAS ALSO:Police Neutralise Bandit, Rescue 5 Kidnapped Victims In Katsina

According to the statement, in response to the attacks, “land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters.

“Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles, while four wounded in-action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds. Additional updates later.”

Metro

Police Detain 3 Nsukka Masqueraders For Allegedly Assaulting Residents

Published

16 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has detained three masqueraders in the Nsukka area of the state for allegedly assaulting law-abiding citizens.

The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday that police operatives, with the assistance of members of the community, led to the arrest of the suspects on June 23 at 3:30 p.m.

He said that the arrest of the suspects was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade group on June 22 as seen in a viral video.

“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.

“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.

“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.

“However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.

The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.

Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.

He said that the state police chief, however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.

Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the ‘Oriokpa’ masqueraders.

“The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added.

(NAN)

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Four Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

Edo Police Command said it has arrested four suspected cultists allegedly responsible for cult violence in Auchi and its environs of the state.

In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu said, the suspects, who were arrested during a joint operation, belong to different cultist groups.

The statement reads partly, “On 22/06/2025, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit in a joint operation with Jattu and Auchi Divisions embarked on a house-to-house arrest of cultists.

“These four (4) suspects were arrested in various locations in Auchi; Musa Murphy 25yrs of No 35 Ogeneni area Jattu, Auchi a member of Arobaga Confraternity, Gabriel Moses 25yrs of ECocota-Community, Auchi a member of Aye Confraternity, Michael Ayo 23yrs of No1 Emeke Uzuire, Auchi member of Eiye Confraternity and Philip Sunday 24yrs of Ebira camp, Auchi a member of Vikings Confraternity.”

Yamu expressed the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika’s assurance to the “general public of the Command’s resolve to rid the State of cultism while the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”