Metro

Why I kidnapped Catholic Priest – Suspect

Published

7 months ago

March 27, 2025

A key suspect in the kidnapping and killing of a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, has explained his reasons for the crime.

Speaking at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos on Thursday, the suspect said he kidnapped Okechukwu because he needed ₦200,000 to solve a personal problem.

Okechukwu was abducted on March 4 at his home in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area.

His body was found the next day, March 5.

While the suspect admitted to planning the abduction, he denied ordering the priest’s murder.

“Fr. Okechukwu was living in our house in Tachira. I planned his kidnapping because I needed ₦200,000 to solve a problem.

“I invited some guys from other places to help, but I never told them to kill him. I don’t know why they did it because I had already left before it happened,” he said.

Another suspect, also in custody, confirmed that the chief suspect pressured him into joining the crime.

“At first, I refused, but he insisted. We grew up in the same community, so I later agreed. On that day, I left my place in Warsa-Piti, Lere Local Government, to join in the kidnapping.

“He also brought in others from Bokkos in Plateau State, and they came with guns. After we took the priest and walked some distance, we left him with them. We don’t know why they killed him,” he said.

On Wednesday, The PUNCH reported that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state.

Metro

50-year-old Man Arrested For Alleged Murder Of Traveller

Published

11 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

A 50-year-old man, Muhammad Wanzam, has been arrested by the Kebbi State Police Command for allegedly killing a traveller, Alhaji Babuga Muhammad, in Bena, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, the incident occurred on October 16, 2025, when the victim was travelling from Bena town to his village, Karaye in Bagega District, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The assailants reportedly blocked the road near Malakachi village, abducted the victim, and took him into a nearby forest, where he was attacked with a machete. The victim later died from his injuries.

Abubakar said police officers from the Bena Division visited the scene and took the body to the General Hospital, Bena, where he was confirmed dead.

Wanzam was later arrested in connection with the killing. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to conspiring with an accomplice, Nuhu Bena, who is currently on the run, to commit the crime.

A search of Wanzam’s residence led to the recovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle, a Dane gun, two live ammunition, one magazine, and the cutlass reportedly used in the attack.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Birnin Kebbi, for further investigation and to track down the fleeing suspect.

Police authorities urged residents to report suspicious activities to security agencies instead of resorting to self-help, assuring that efforts to ensure safety and order across the state are ongoing.

Metro

Police Rescue Suspected Phone Thief From Being Lynched In Delta

Published

11 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

Police officers from the Sapele Division in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday night rescued a suspected phone thief from being lynched by some angry mob who apprehended him after he allegedly attacked one of their kinsmen around Shell Road and New Road in Sapele.

According to DAILY POST, the suspect, alongside a member of his criminal gang who fled the scene, allegedly stabbed and injured the victim, a Hausa youth, before stealing his mobile phone.

The victim raised an alarm, prompting his kinsmen and residents to come to his rescue.

The suspect was chased down and apprehended, while his accomplice escaped.

The suspected thief was beaten to a stupor until he confessed to the crime and revealed the name of one of his fleeing gang members as “Azaman.”

Metro

Another Accident On Otedola Bridge Causes Fresh Traffic Disruption In Lagos

Published

11 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

Barely 24 hours after a multiple-truck crash on Kara Bridge caused major gridlock along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, another road accident occurred on Friday, involving a 14-tyre truck and a commercial bus on the Otedola Bridge, inward the Lagos Secretariat.

The incident, which led to yet another round of traffic congestion, was confirmed in a statement released on Friday by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, through its official X handle.

According to the agency, the crash occurred when a 14-tyre tipper truck carrying granite collided with an inter-state commercial Mazda bus.

The impact forced the truck into the road barrier, spilling its contents across the roadway opposite Capital Oil, just before the Otedola Bridge section of the expressway.

The statement read: “A 14-tyre tipper conveying granite had a collision with an inter-state commercial Mazda bus. The tipper ran into the barrier and spilled its contents on the road opposite Capital Oil, just before the expressway on Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat. There is no significant effect on traffic flow at the moment.”

LASTMA officials said recovery efforts were ongoing as a tow truck was expected to arrive at the scene, while personnel remained stationed at the location to manage traffic and ensure safety.

This latest crash comes a day after another tragic multiple-truck collision on Kara Bridge, outward Lagos, claimed at least eight lives and caused a massive traffic backlog stretching through Berger and adjoining routes.