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Anambra police arrest eight suspects for kidnapping, cultism

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Anambra police arrest eight suspects for kidnapping, cultism

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested eight suspects for offences related to kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery.

The arrests were announced on Friday in a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

According to Ikenga, police operatives recovered a long gun, a locally-made Beretta, ammunition, and a suspected stolen vehicle from the suspects.

The arrests were part of a technology-driven investigation conducted by police-led joint security operatives at various locations across the state.

The statement revealed that two suspects were apprehended in a criminal hideout in Nnewi as part of an ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of a victim who was later released on August 19, 2024, in Ihiala LGA.

The suspects have confessed to participating in the crime and have provided vital information aiding the investigation.

In a separate operation on September 12, 2024, five suspects, identified as Okorie Miracle, Joshua Ekwa, Aneke Okorie, Mmesoma Faithful, and Chukwuzekwu Mba, all males within the age range of 20 – 26 from Umunze, were arrested.

The joint security operatives from Aguata Base raided a criminal hideout of suspected vandals.

The suspects were found with locally-made short guns, vandalised electricity cables, and tools used in the crime.

They have confessed and are cooperating with the police to identify other members of the gang and buyers of the stolen items.

Additionally, on September 13, 2024, operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad arrested a 25-year-old man, Chigozie Ejikeme, along the Nise/Agulu road. Ejikeme, who tried to evade a security checkpoint, was found with a locally-made Beretta pistol and one live 9mm round concealed on his waist.

He confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Secret Cult. The police also recovered the suspect’s black Lexus vehicle.

Ikenga noted that all the suspects would be charged in court once the investigations had been concluded.

Police recover 126 stolen phones during Kano raid

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Police recover 126 stolen phones during Kano raid

The Kano State Police Command has successfully dismantled a major phone theft syndicate, leading to the recovery of 126 stolen mobile devices, hard drugs, and other dangerous weapons.

In a press statement on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, hailed the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against phone snatching and armed robbery in the state.

“This success follows directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, instructing all police commands to intensify efforts in dominating public spaces to curb crimes and criminal activities,” Kiyawa stated.

In response to these directives, the state Commissioner of Police, Salman Garba, held a strategic meeting with the command’s tactical units to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at eradicating crimes such as phone snatching and armed robbery.

Kiyawa explained that the breakthrough resulted from a series of targeted operations conducted between September 1-12, 2024, which led to the arrest of 26 suspected phone thieves and robbers.

In addition to the recovery of 126 stolen phones, police also seized drugs, weapons, and laptops from the suspects.

“The operations were specifically aimed at tackling the ongoing issue of mobile phone snatching and robbery in parts of the state’s metropolis,” Kiyawa added.

The suspects are currently undergoing further investigation at the command’s Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged in court upon conclusion.

Kiyawa also assured that the recovered phones would be returned to their rightful owners following proper identification and verification.

NSCDC arrests 18-year-old for vandal cables in Kano

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NSCDC arrests 18-year-old for vandal cables in Kano

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old man, Umar Abdullahi, for allegedly vandalising street light armoured cables in Hotoro quarters, in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Abdullahi, a resident of Hotoro quarters, was apprehended on Friday by NSCDC operatives in collaboration with a local vigilante group.

The arrest occurred near the NNPC Mega Station in Hotoro, as Abdullahi attempted to flee with the stolen cables.

Speaking to reporters, a representative of the NSCDC, SC Ibrahim Idris, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed Abdullahi was part of a three-man gang involved in the vandalism.

Abdullahi had been taken into custody at the NSCDC headquarters for further investigation.

It was learnt that the NSCDC had concluded its investigation and was set to arraign Abdullahi in court, along with the recovered evidence.

Efforts were said to be ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

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Court summons Okpebholo over alleged false date of birth

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Court summons Okpebholo over alleged false date of birth

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has been summoned by a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja for allegedly making a false statement on his date of birth.

A document sighted by Saturday According to showed that Okpebholo was asked to appear before the court at 12 noon on Friday, September 20 by Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar.

He is accused of claiming conflicting dates of birth in his nomination forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest the election.

“Whereas your attendance is required to answer to a charge of making a false statement on oath, you are summoned to appear in person before the Magistrate Court at Wuse Zone 2 on the 20th of September, 2024, at 12 noon,” the summons read.

The case, with suit no CR/W22/816/2024, was instituted by an indigene of Edo State, Honesty Aginbatse, who alleged that Okpebholo claimed he was born on 29/08/1970 in the form submitted to INEC, while another document submitted by him states 29/08/1972 as his date of birth.

Aginbatse said, “The defendant, on 24/03/2024, submitted a list of his personal particulars dated 05/03/2024 to INEC wherein he made a statement in item number 4 in Part B, stating that he was born on 29/08/1970. A certified true copy (C.T.C) of the list of personal particulars submitted to INEC by the defendant is attached to this complaint and marked as Exhibit B.”

“In the same Exhibit B, the defendant made a declaration on oath dated 05/03/2024, supported by a verifying affidavit, wherein he attached several documents, including a Statutory Declaration of Age deposed to on 04/06/2022 by one Okpebholo Ojeifo Joseph; marked as Exhibit C in this complaint, and a West African Senior School Certificate with Candidate and Certificate numbers 4320545182 and NGWASSCS11023655 respectively, marked as Exhibit D in this complaint. The said Exhibit D contains a statement indicating that the defendant was born on 29/08/1972, which is false in all its material particulars.”

“This is particularly so, as the statutory declaration of age mentioned in paragraph 7 above as Exhibit C, which in law stands in the stead of the defendant’s Birth Certificate, definitively affirmed that the defendant was born on 29/08/1970.”

Police parade suspected killers of Kogi varsity student

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Police parade suspected killers of Kogi varsity student

The Kogi State Police Command has paraded four suspects linked to the death of Damilola Olowoyo, a 19-year-old first-year student at the Federal University, Lokoja.

The suspects, Jeremiah Paul, Emmanuel Otitoju, Banabas Olugbenga, and Ajayi Ayomide, were presented at the police headquarters in Lokoja on Friday.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, the prime suspect, Jeremiah Paul, lured the victim into the bush and killed her for ritual purposes.

Aya explained that the police received a report about Damilola’s disappearance, which led the state Commissioner of Police to assign the case to the State Intelligence Department.

With the help of the technical unit at the Force Headquarters, the police were able to track and apprehend Jeremiah Paul.

“Jeremiah Paul confessed to luring Damilola on September 4, 2024, by pretending to be interested in her. He gave her a drink spiked with codeine, making her weak.

“He then took her to an uncompleted building where he strangled her to death and dismembered her body. Paul removed her eyes, lungs, liver, tongue, and part of her buttocks for ritual purposes,” Aya narrated.

Initially, Paul demanded a ransom from Damilola’s parents, collecting N400,000 before killing her.

Further investigations revealed that one of the other suspects had first approached Damilola but withdrew when he couldn’t meet the demands for the ritual.

Paul then stepped in, collaborating with his friend from Kaduna to commit the crime.

Aya cautioned students and parents to be vigilant, emphasising that many people in school environments might have ulterior motives.

“This case shows the extent some people will go, even a 20-year-old boy, to commit such inhuman acts. Students need to be cautious of who they associate with,” he warned.

He further assured the public that the police were intensifying efforts to rid the state of criminal elements, stating, “The eagle eyes of the police and other security agencies are on all criminals. We will ensure that Kogi State is not a safe haven for crime. The suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.”

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Jeremiah Paul, 20, from Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, admitted to committing the murder.

In his confession, Paul said, “I came to Kogi State to hustle. I met Damilola last Sunday, and we started chatting. I already had it in mind to use her for ritual purposes.

“I mixed codeine with a drink and gave it to her. When she became weak, I took her to an uncompleted building, strangled her, and removed her organs. I handed the body parts to a driver sent by a native doctor in Ibadan.”

Paul’s accomplice, Olugbenga, revealed that they found the native doctor through TikTok and had travelled to Ibadan for a ritual soap.

“My soap is for cleansing, and I was told not to go outside at night after using it. I wasn’t aware that Paul planned to kill Damilola,” he claimed.

Another suspect, Emmanuel Otitoju, a 24-year-old first-year student in the Sociology Department at Federal University Lokoja, denied involvement, saying, “I met Damilola, but when I found out she was 16, I told her I couldn’t date her. I wasn’t aware Jeremiah was planning to kill her.”

Ayomide, a 19-year-old third-year student of Microbiology at Federal University Lokoja, also denied involvement in the murder.

He explained that Olugbenga had asked to stay at his place before travelling to Ibadan.

“I didn’t know about the killing. They told me they received N400,000 and used the money to buy phones and food,” he said.

The command assured that the suspects would face prosecution once the investigation had been completed.

Police recover 11 decomposed bodies

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Police recover 11 decomposed bodies

The Borno State Police Command says it recovered no fewer than 11 decomposed bodies of victims of the recent flood that has ravaged some parts of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Yusufu Mohammed, on Friday.

Recall that Maiduguri, the state’s capital, was severely flooded after the Alau Dam collapsed on Tuesday morning, leaving much of the city underwater.

Wakili said that the bodies were recovered by the policemen during a rescue operation between Wednesday and Thursday.

In his words, “Regrettably, a total of 11 decomposed corpses have been recovered as a result of the recent flood disaster, and the rescue operations are currently ongoing.

“Following reports from various divisions including Lamisula, Jere, GRA, Bulabulin, and Dandal Divisional Police Headquarters in Maiduguri, it was confirmed that a total of 11 drowned corpses were recovered in different areas between the hours of 1000hrs to 1400hrs on 11/09/2024 and 12/09/2024.”

He added that the police would continue its search and rescue operations across the affected communities.

“Given the gravity of this tragic situation, the command is committed to dedicating all possible efforts to ensure that recovery and rescue operations are carried out effectively in the affected communities,” Wakili affirmed.

According to Online reports that at least 414,000 people were displaced, and another 30 were killed by the devastating flood in Maiduguri.

The National Emergency Management Agency had said that the flood began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains leading to the town’s worst flooding in 30 years, according to the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council residents.

NEMA’s spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel, on Wednesday, disclosed that the death toll had hit 30 and displaced persons close to half a million.

The flooding incident was compared to the 1994 floods, with residents claiming it was even worse this time around.

Police arrest eight for kidnapping, cultism in Anambra

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Police arrest eight for kidnapping, cultism in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested eight suspects for various offences bordering on kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of a firearm and armed robbery.

This was disclosed in a press statement by the command’s spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Friday.

Ikenga said the police recovered a long gun, one locally made Barreta, ammunition, and a suspected stolen vehicle from the suspects.

According to him, the police-led joint security operatives, working on a technology-driven investigation arrested the suspects at various locations across the state.

The statement read, “Anambra police working on a technology-driven investigation arrested two suspects(names withheld) in their criminal hideout in Nnewi.

“The arrest is in a follow-up of the reported case of a kidnapped, but later released victim on August 19, 2024, in Ihiala LGA, The suspects confessed to being active participants in the crime and have already provided information to the Police that is aiding the investigation.

“Also, police-led joint security operatives, Aguata Base, acting on credible information in the early hours of 12/9/2024 stormed a criminal hideout of suspected vandals and arrested five suspects namely, Okorie Miracle, Joshua Ifeanyi Ekwa, Aneke Okorie, Mmesoma Faithful and Chukwuzekwu Mba, all males and from Umunze, between the ages of 20 – 26 years.

“The police recovered locally-made short guns, and vandalised electricity cables wires and tools, they used to commit the act. The suspects all confessed to the crime and currently assisting the Police with information to arrest other gang members and buyers of the vandalised items.”

He added, “Furthermore, operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, while on patrol today 13/9/2024 by 9:30 am along Nise/Agulu road accosted one Chigozie Ejikeme ‘m’ aged 25 years a native of Abagana who drove suspiciously in an attempt to escape security check.

“The operatives searched him and found one locally made Beretta pistol with one live 9mm ammunition concealed on his waist. The suspect, upon interrogation by the operatives, confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Secret Cult. The suspect vehicle, a black Lexus was also recovered.”

Ikenga added that all the suspects will be charged in court after the investigation.

Three UNIPORT students arrested over cult-related violence

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Three UNIPORT students arrested over cult-related violence

The Rivera State Police Command said its men have arrested three students of the University of Port Harcourt allegedly linked to a clash between two factions of the same cult group in the institution.

It was gathered that a free-for-all broke out between splinter groups of the Vikings cult as gunshots and machete displays shattered the serenity of the institution on Thursday.

According to Online learnt that the clash was due to a disagreement over who would sail the ship of the dreaded confraternity, implying a supremacy battle within their ranks

In the ensuing violence, one of the students reportedly sustained injuries from machete cuts and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The President of the Students Union Government, UNIPORT, Martins Azirindu, who confirmed the incident, called on the Institution security to up their game.

Azirindu stated, “A particular cult group known as the Vikings Confraternity has two factions. And a particular faction came against the other faction.

“But while they were still facing each other the school security, policemen and the Vice Chancellor came around. So most of them fled and about three were apprehended.”

Azirindu said the management of the institution and the SUG usually hold programmes to sensitise students on the dangers of joining secret cults.

While calling for increased security patrols within the institution, he said some areas within the university are still bushy, saying such places should be cleared in order not to serve as hideouts for criminal activities.

He noted, ” I guess that those guys may have passed behind the fence to bring in guns that were used. I will advise the school security to go on routine checks and patrol to put some of these things in check. ”

Meanwhile, the the management of the institution in a statement on Friday said contrary to some media reports no casualty was recorded in the clash.

The statement issued by the spokesman of the University, Dr Sam Kpenu, on Friday also corroborated the SUG stand that the intervention of security agencies and the school management prevented an escalation.

The statement reads,” Contrary to some inaccurate media claims, no student was killed nor injured in the incident of a fight between some students as the prompt intervention of the Management, security unit, and the anti-cultism unit of the Nigeria Police led to the swift apprehension of these individuals, ensuring that no disruption occurred.

“The students are currently facing interrogations at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Port Harcourt.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, was on the scene immediately, overseeing the resolution of the matter and taking necessary actions to restore normalcy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, nobody died in that incident, which has been blown out of proportion by some online blogs.

“The University of Port Harcourt remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safeguarding our students.

“We reiterate our zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, bullying, and any form of disruptive social behaviour on our campus.$

It read further, “We appreciate the continued support of our community and media partners as we strive to uphold a safe and conducive learning environment for all our students.

“The university is calm and staff and students are going about their normal duties and classes respectively.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest, saying “Those arrested are being profiled and investigation is ongoing.”

Toxic discharge sparks health fears in Akwa Ibom communities

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Toxic discharge sparks health fears in Akwa Ibom communities

The coastal communities of Eket, Ibeno, Esit Eket, and Onna Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State are facing additional health and environmental challenges caused by a fresh toxic hydrocarbon discharge into their environment.

The toxic discharge, allegedly from one of ExxonMobil’s tanks, comes barely one month after a fresh oil spill destroyed aquatic life and polluted water bodies across over 27 coastal communities in the state.

Our correspondent reports that the recent discharge, which occurred on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, as a result of an explosion in one of the tanks, sent thick billows of smoke into the air, suffocating residents, many of whom were hospitalised.

A voice in one of the video clips sent to our correspondent repeatedly cried out, “Obo is burning in Ibeno, this is serious, imagine the carry-over.”

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network, an advocacy group committed to environmental justice, has notified the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, calling on it to facilitate remediation and compensation for the affected communities.

The group, in a letter addressed to the Zonal Head of NOSDRA on Thursday in Uyo, the state capital, expressed concern over the health hazards posed by the emissions.

The letter, signed by the President-General of the group, Dr Ufot Phenson, was titled, “Discharge of Toxic Hydrocarbon into Ibeno, Onna, Eket, and Esit Eket Environment: Demand for Immediate Remediation, Compensation, and Other Preventive Control.”

“We write to notify you of the recent gas explosion from one of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) tanks, which caused a fire, flaring very high throughout the day, polluting and damaging the environment with attendant health consequences.

“The quantity of noxious hydrocarbon fumes released into the environment was alarming, resulting in some individuals seeking treatment in hospital, while many others, incapacitated, were unable to do so and now face the risk of death.

“This unfortunate development has exacerbated the already dire environmental and health conditions of the people in these areas,” the letter reads in part.

Phenson, noting that the discharge violated the provisions of national NOSDRA regulations, called for immediate intervention to alleviate the plight of the affected communities.

“We, therefore, demand the immediate remediation of the affected communities, the installation of effective control measures in MPNU facilities to reduce emissions of fumes, soot, and toxic pollutants to permissible levels, and the prompt payment of compensation to the affected communities for the destruction of property and livelihoods,” he said.

He urged NOSDRA to compel MPNU to take urgent steps to address the complaints and ensure the safety and security of the environment and the people.

Responding to the incident, the Public and Governmental Affairs Officer of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Nigel Cookey-Gam, in a message emailed to our correspondent, said the company experienced a process upset resulting in a briefly elevated flare at its Qua Iboe Terminal in Ibeno, adding that QIT production was shut down as a precautionary measure to manage the situation.

“We experienced a process upset that resulted in a briefly elevated flare within our Qua Iboe Terminal in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State. As a precautionary measure, QIT production was shut down to manage the situation.

“As a result, the power supply to the neighbouring community was temporarily impacted but was restored within two hours.

“MPN remains committed to the highest standards of safety and environmental practices in our operations,” Cookey-Gam said.

Justin Timberlake sentenced to community service for drink-driving offence

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Justin Timberlake sentenced to community service for drink-driving offence

Pop star Justin Timberlake was sentenced to community service on Friday after pleading guilty to a drink-driving charge, according to US media reports.

The 43-year-old was arrested on 18 June in Sag Harbor, approximately 100 miles east of New York City, after police observed his BMW running a stop sign and swerving between lanes.

In August, Timberlake pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated during a virtual court appearance before a judge, who ordered the suspension of his driver’s licence in New York state, US media reported.

However, Sag Harbor Village Justice Court justice Carl Irace later handed Timberlake a community service sentence and ordered the star to make a public statement after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while alcohol-impaired, The New York Post reported.

The officer who pulled over the “Cry Me a River” singer said Timberlake was in no fit state to drive.

“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, his speech was slow, he was unsteady on his feet, and he performed poorly on all standardised field sobriety tests,” the police report stated.

Tosin Oyediran

Tosin, with over six years’ experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According to.

Contact: [email protected]

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