Metro

Why, How We Killed Naval Officer — Suspects Confess

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2023

The three suspects arrested over the murder of a Naval Officer, Sub-Lt. Samuel Akingbohun, in ldo- Ani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has narrated why and how they killed the officer, after an altercation.

In an interview, while they were paraded by the state police command, the suspects, Ayomide Sambo, Johnson Adeleke and Shagari Francis, 17, confessed to killing the officer for assaulting one of them.

It was gathered that the three suspects just finished secondary school in the town.

They narrated how they used an iron rod to hit the deceased officer’s head and scrotum.

Ayomide Sambo, aged 20, narrated that the naval officer physically assaulted his friend, Johnson Adeleke, by slapping and giving him a headbutt, while trying to contest for the right of way in the community.

“We were so annoyed that we went after him and we cornered him at a junction, where we attacked him using an iron rod.

“We were on our way to collect a power bank when we encountered the naval officer. He was coming from the opposite direction, and the portion he was coming from was bad.

“We were both trying to take a good path when my friend used his shoulder to shove the officer. “In annoyance, the naval officer slapped him and also gave him a headbutt. We started to beg the naval officer. After the naval officer had left, my friend said it was fake military personnel.

“It was then that we took a bike and traced him to the junction and challenged him.

“The naval officer and my friend started fighting. It was in the process that I picked up an iron rod and began to hit him all over his body. My friend also collected the iron rod from them and started hitting him.

“But the two of my friends are now denying it and saying that I was the only one that hit him with the iron rod.

“We have never seen the officer before. That was the first time we set our eyes on him. Even the Okada rider that carried us was saying that where my friend hit him with the iron rod was dangerous.

“We were arrested while trying to flee from the town. I was first arrested, while the other two were arrested the following day after I told the naval officers their whereabouts. The two of them are now saying that I was the only one that hit him.”

The second suspect, Johnson Adeleke, aged 20, however denied his involvement in the beating and killing of the officer.

Adeleke said: “When I was on my way to remove my power bank, I mistakenly hit my elbow with the navy officer. He slapped me and gave me a headbutt. At that moment, we didn’t know that he was a naval officer.

“After the fisticuffs, we took a bike and traced him. After catching up with him, I confronted him, but he refused to say anything.

“The friend of the naval officer used his elbow to hit Ayomide, it was at that point that Ayomide picked up the iron rod and started hitting him. I did not hit him at all, it was Ayomide that was hitting him.

“I was already out of Idoani in a bid to escape when my mother’s elder brother called me to report to the station.”

The third suspect, Shagari Francis, 17, in an interview said: “I didn’t hit the naval officer. I was just following them. I was arrested when my mother took me to the station to ask if I was part of them.”

Commenting, the spokesperson for the command, Funmi Odunlam, said the suspects would soon be charged in court for prosecution after police investigation.

Odunlami said, “Currently, three suspects are in custody, and in the course of interrogation, we realised that one Ayomide Sambo was one of those mobilised to the scene, and when he got there, he carried an iron rod, hit him on his head and his testicles, and started stoning him.

“Later, he became unconscious, and he was rushed to the hospital in the town, where he was confirmed dead by the Doctor.”
VANGUARD

Metro

PHOTOS: Residents Cry For Help As Flood Ravages Delta Community

Published

17 hours ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

Natives of Souragbene community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have cried to the Delta State Government and the local government council chairman for urgent help as flood submerges the community.

In a video that has gone viral, a young lady is seen with school pupils and other adults lamenting “we are at this moment gathered here inside water in Souragbene to tell the whole world that flood has taken over our community.”

According to her, “Our children had to literally swim in the flood to get to their schools. They get soaked; they get so dirty in the process.”

“Our houses have been submerged — we have nowhere to go. We are literally swimming in the flood to our children’s schools. Is this okay? Yet we have well-connected people as indigenes; we have wealthy people; we have those politicians who are connected to the government, yet they feel no concern about the community.”

Another woman appears in the video with the pupils inside the flood, saying in a sober voice: “We greet the government from here. We know you are trying your best. Today, we are gathered here in Saurogbene community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”

The woman, while lamenting in the video that the flood has lasted for seven days, added: “Because of the flood we can no longer do anything. Our children do go to school but because of the flood, they can no longer go to school. We have to use a woodenboat to ferry them to school in the flood. You can see the suffering of the children.

“When the flood starts, for 3 to 4 hours, everything stands still. And if everything stands still, we cannot do anything. Imagine we, not doing nothing for four hours because of flood, how do we survive?”

She appealed to Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the local government council chairman, Chief Sylvester Oromoni, and well-meaning Nigerians and Deltans in particular to come to their rescue.

A man identified in the video as the
spokesman of the community appears in the video lamenting: “Because of the flood, everyone literally swims. Hon Sylvester Oromoni, you are the chairman of this local government. We are begging you to come to our rescue.”

Metro

Court Sentences 11 to 79 Years Improvement In Edo

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced a forty-nine year old drug baron, Alaba Monday and 10 others to 79 years in prison.

They were convicted by Justice B. O. Quadiri and Justice Prof. C. O. Obiozor.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA who disclosed this to newsmen in a statement on Thursday, said those convicted were nine male and two female suspects.

Ofoyeju stated that those convicted were nine male and two female suspects.

According to apart from Monday, others that were convicted are Okpiaesi Abraham (52 years), Atari Isreal (45 years) Emmanuel Nwosu (46 years) and Samuel Samson (26 years).

Daniel Peter (20 years), Margaret Amuludu (40 years), Abel Edah (31 years) Bella Fedrick (29 years), Lucky Aligbe (50 years) and Benson Uponi, 65 years old were also convicted.

He added, “Among the standout cases was the conviction of Alaba Monday, who was caught with 115 kilograms of cannabis. He got a 15-year sentence with a fine of N3 million. Another convict, Lucky Aligbe, was sentenced to 25 years in prison over unlawful possession of drugs, including cannabis, tramadol, swinol, and diazepam.

“In this case, the presiding judge, Hon. B. O. Quadiri, noted that the quantity and types of drugs and the convicts’ previous conviction record involved warranted a severe sentence, especially as the need to deter similar future offences remains paramount.

“In another case, Bella Fedrick was sentenced to two years in prison or the option of paying a fine of N5 million for unlawful possession of 29 grams of methamphetamine.

“This case highlights the ongoing battle against synthetic drugs, which have become increasingly prevalent in communities.

“The court also dealt a heavy blow to cannabis cultivation with the conviction of Abel Edah, who, alongside charges of unlawful possession involving 5 kilograms, was found guilty of cultivating a cannabis farm spanning 0.678 hectares. Edah received a concurrent two-year sentence on both counts or the option of a 5 million Naira fine for each count.

“Also, Samuel Samson and Daniel Peter, who were both sentenced for unlawful possession and cultivation of cannabis sativa. They each received a sentence of two years or the option of a N5 million fine.

“Emmanuel Nwosu got 15 years for possessing 276 grams of cannabis with an option of N750,000. Also noteworthy was the conviction of Atari Israel, who got two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession and transportation of 9 kilograms of cannabis with a 2.5 million naira fine. The court, however, authorised the forfeiture of his navy-blue Audi station wagon, linking it directly to his illegal activities.”

Ofoyeju, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to a drug-free society, sending a clear message to offenders that the rule of law would prevail in the fight against narcotics.

He urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug activities in their neighbourhoods as part of a collaborative effort to combat substance abuse and trafficking.

Metro

Police Arrest Suspect For Raping Woman To Death In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested a suspect who allegedly raped a young woman to death in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday when the lifeless body of the woman, said to be an orphan, was found in her room.

The case came to public attention when a user on X, claiming to be a family friend of the deceased, raised the alarm and called on the police to intervene immediately.

The poster added that occupants of the compound where the woman lived reportedly fled after the shocking discovery, possibly for fear of being implicated.

The statement, which was reposted by popular blogger Lindaikeji, partly read, “Nigerians, I need your help. Please help me call the police. I’m heartbroken as I type this. My family friend was raped and strangled to death in her room at Oyigbo on Monday night.”

The user also said the remains of the woman, simply identified as Ugochi, had been deposited in the morgue.

“Ugochi and her sister are helpless orphans who have nobody to fight for them. We are heartbroken. It’s unending tears and agony. Please help our voice get amplified. Please help us get justice,” the user added.

Although the full details of the incident could not be ascertained as of Thursday evening, it was gathered that the case caused panic in the densely populated area on the outskirts of Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect to our correspondent on Thursday, saying he is in custody.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, stated, “Yes, I can confirm the incident, and the suspect has been arrested. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“The body of the woman has been deposited in the morgue, and investigation is ongoing. Further details will be made known in due course.”

Rivers State has in recent years witnessed multiple cases of sexual violence and attacks on vulnerable individuals, prompting the state police command to intensify surveillance and community policing in high-risk areas.

Residents in some parts of the state have in the past expressed concerns over rising criminal activities, leading to heightened security measures by law enforcement.