Metro

We’re Under Siege, Ondo Community Raises Alarm

Published

2 years ago

June 15, 2023

Editor

...How my father was killed- Son

Leaders and residents of the Ijagba community of the Ose council area of Ondo state, have cried out over the persistent attacks and kidnapping of the people of the communities by bandits.

They said that the community has been under siege of the kidnappers for the past three months.

The Prime Minister of the community, High Chief Sunday Ogoh, said that “the bandits have infiltrated the area, and their nefarious activities have sent fears and anxiety to residents of the community.

Ogoh said that “two recent kidnappings in the area occurring in quick succession indicated that the hoodlums have invaded the community and must be checkmated before they cause more havoc.

“Two indigenes of the town, father and son, Ohiremen Isaac Odeh and Solomon Isaac Odeh, were abducted some three days ago, while the father died in the captives of the kidnappers, the son was released after payment of N400,000 as ransom.

“A younger brother of the lawmaker representing the the Federal constituency, Hon Timehin Adelegbe, Bola Adelegbe was killed by the hoodlums after collecting ransom.”

Ogoh explained that the sad incidents and continuous attacks have destabilised the community.

“Many residents now live in palpable fear due to threats from the attackers, while some people had fled the towns.

“In the last two years, we have lost over 20 community members to the incessant attacks. Aside from Mr Odeh, we lost one of our brothers, Bola Adelegbe to the attacks by the gunmen.

“As a result of this, we are appealing to the state government to give urgently come to our aid.

“They should give us a strong military base that would be manning our roads to reduce this incessant kidnapping and killings in our communities.

“As we speak now, we cannot even visit our farms because of these attacks. These gunmen who are herdsmen have taken over everywhere.

“They always hide by the farm road and swap on our people and abduct them for ransom.

“One of their hideouts is the tick forest in Okeluse, which they use as their den. Anytime they are kidnapped, they will always ask for ransom and if you don’t give them the money within two days, they will kill the victim. We have been experiencing this for the last two years now.

“We have written the state government on several occasions but we are not getting the response we want. So, want security provide for us because we are tired,” he said.

“This protest becomes imperative to intimate the whole world about the incessant killings in the area, saying most people had abandoned their properties and ran away from the town.”

Also speaking, the son of the deceased and a member of the community, Solomon Odeh, narrated how he was kidnapped with his father, explaining that the gunmen tied him with rope and murdered his father after a ransom was paid.

“But I was later released not until my father was killed after paying N400,000 as ransom,” he added.

Reacting, the state police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said the security agents are after the perpetrators.

Odunlami said that: “We are aware of the situation in the community and we are on top of the situation with a view to arrest those behind the attacks. I can assure you that with our investigation we will arrest the perpetuators.”

According to her: “The police are on top of the situation in the affected communities and we are already after the perpetrators. I can assure you that, they will soon be apprehended.”

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

18 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

18 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.