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Amotekun intensifies rescue effort of abducted Ekiti travellers

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Amotekun intensifies rescue effort of abducted Ekiti travellers

The Commander, Ekiti State Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Olu Adewa (retd), said the security agencies were tracking the kidnappers of three persons along the Emure-Eporo Road in the Emure Ekiti council area to arrest them and set their captives free.

According to Metro gathered that the kidnappers on Saturday evening attacked four persons in the incident, shot one person dead and whisked the remaining three to an unknown destination in the expansive forest.

Adewa told our correspondent on Tuesday, “We are working on the kidnap incident. We are trailing them (kidnappers) based on tracking. Our people – army, police, Amotekun, Agro Marshal, anti-grazing and hunters – are combing the bush. Also, Amotekun Corps and army from the Ondo State area are involved in the search.”

The Amotekun commander, who said the kidnappers lived among the people, called on the public to give information that could lead to their arrest before they committed the crimes.

He said, “They (criminals) live among the people. Our people should embrace the idea of ‘see something, say something’. They are not from the sky.”

The Amotekun boss, who said technology was being used to track them through their devices by operatives of the Department of State Service, said, “Our operatives would use information gathered in the search effort.”

Meanwhile, the Emure Local Government Chairman, Ekiti State, Tosin Adedayo, said the kidnappers were insisting on N30m ransom for the release of the three kidnapped persons.

The council chairman told According to Metro in a telephone interview on Tuesday, “The kidnappers contacted the family and requested N30m ransom.

As of Monday evening, the kidnappers still insisted on N30m. I have not been informed of the kidnappers’ call today (Tuesday)”.

Recall that gunmen on January 29 along the same route kidnapped nine persons comprising five school children, three female teachers and a driver in their school bus.

Adedayo, who expressed hope that the victims would be rescued, said that the security agencies, including men of the Nigerian Army, police, Amotekun corps and vigilantes, were not relenting in their efforts since Saturday when the incident occurred.

“Men of the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigeria Police also came to the area for the search effort. I give the security agencies kudos. They have been strategising and making efforts, combing the expansive bush.”

The council chairman, however, made a case for a military checkpoint on the Emure-Eporo Road, saying such would send away kidnappers from the area and ensure sanity on the road.

Three family members, one other arraigned

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Three family members, one other arraigned

Four people including a final year student of Summit University, Offa, Adebayo Happiness were on Tuesday arraigned at a Kwara State chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin over alleged murder of a 21-year-old graduate of Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, Awesu Mojisola.

Mojisola was allegedly murdered inside the room of Whitefield Hotel, Ilorin, Kwara State capital by Happiness on August 10, 2024 after deceiving her to attend a botched post graduation party in Ilorin.

Charged along with Happiness were his two parents, Adebayo Adeniyi (51) and Bukola Adeniyi (49) as well as an accomplice, 24 year old Timileyin Kolawole.

According to Online reported August 30, almost three weeks after the murder took place that seven suspects had been arrested in connection to the crime.

However, four were charged before the court for alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, theft, false personation, and causing disappearance of evidence contrary to sections 97, 221, 287, 179 and 167 of the Penal Code Law and computer related frauds contrary to sections 14(2) (3), 22 (2) (3) of Cybercrime Prevention and Prohibition Law 2015.

The prosecution led by Isaac Yakub ASP told the Court that on August 14, 2024, one Blessing Ogungbenro reported at Offa Police station that her roommate, Awesu Mojisola, a graduating student of Kwara state College of Health Technology, Offa was missing since Friday, August 9, 2024 she told her that she received a phone call from one Kolawole Timileyin joining her to one Adebayo Joshua Happiness ‘m’ a final year student of Summit University Offa Kwara State who was requesting Mojisola to follow him to his sign out party holding at Whitefield Hotel, Ilorin for a fee of N15,000.

“Awesu Mojisola later accepted the offer and left Offa to meet up with Adebayo Joshua Happiness at Ilorin lately and that while Awesu Mojisola was with Adebayo Joshua Happiness, she complains of being uncomfortable with Adebayo Joshua Happiness in the hotel room that she was lodged because Adebayo Joshua Happiness was smoking Hemp.

“Thereafter, Awesu Mojisola’s phone suddenly became unreachable and her whereabouts becomes unknown adding that immediate police action led to the arrest of Adebayo Joshua Happiness who was fingered in the sudden disappearance of Awesu Mojisola.”

He said further that, “During investigation it was revealed that Adebayo Joshua Happiness had deliberately lured Awesu Mojisola from Offa to Ilorin on the pretense of inviting her for a joint sign-out party of Summit and Al-Hikma Universities purported to be holding at Whitefield Hotel but it was fake.

“At the early hours of 10/08/2024 Adebayo Joshua Happiness killed ond abandoned the

lifeless body of Awesu Mojisola in the hotel room, locked the room and ran away with Mojisola Awesu iPhone 11pro and her sum of N15,600 to Offa.

“During discreet investigation, Adebayo Joshua Happiness confessed that he invited Awesu Mojisola to Ilorin from Offa deceiving her that there is a sign out party at Whitefield Hotel Ilorin, killed her abandoned the lifeless body of Awesu Mojisola in the hotel room, locked it and flee away with her money and her iPhone to Offa.”

The prosecution further told the Court that the mother of the prime suspect, Adeniyi Bukola later assisted Happiness to remove the sim card in the victim’s phone and hid it in a fence block far away from their residence at Ogunse area in Offa while Happiness father assisted in keeping the iPhone in a family car parked within their compound.

The court did not however took the plea of the suspects.

The defense counsel, Mr A. Iwalaye however pleaded with the Court to grant all the suspects bail adding that they would not jump bail and be regular in their appearance at the court proceedings and “they are ready to provide reliable sureties to stand for them in the court.”

But the prosecutor, ASP Isaac Yakub opposed the plea saying that the case was criminal and involved the termination of a life of a human being.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Wahab Saka then ordered the remand of the suspects at the Federal Correctional Centre, Oke Kura, Ilorin.

The case was adjourned till September 12, 2024 for further hearing.

Man caught defecating in public attacks Lagos official

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Man caught defecating in public attacks Lagos official

A yet-to-be-identified man has been apprehended for allegedly assaulting an employee of the Lagos State Environment and Water Resources while on duty at Berger along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to Metro learnt that the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday.

The suspect was said to be defecating on the median along the expressway when the employee, led by officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Sanitation Corps swooped in on him.

In an attempt to resist arrest, the suspect attacked the victim and injured him in the process.

A source privy to the incident in a chat with our correspondent said, “He was caught just like others but resisted arrest and decided to fight them. He hit one of the officials with an object on the head which caused him to bleed.”

The injured official

He said the suspect was overpowered by the officials who later locked him up in their van.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the incident on his X handle on Tuesday, noting that the suspect had been charged to court and remanded in prison.

“One individual was arrested at Berger for injuring one of the civilians employed by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources while on duty at Berger. He has been remanded in prison custody and will appear again in court on 29th of October 2024,” he wrote.

In August, the Lagos State Government vowed to commence the prosecution of individuals who engage in open defecation, particularly along the Berger area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This followed a joint clean-up of the faeces littering the expressway’s median by sanitation operatives in a partnership initiated by the state government and its Ogun State counterpart.

Meanwhile, over 40 offenders have since been arrested by officials of the task force.

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Court issues arrest warrant against Briton, others

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Court issues arrest warrant against Briton, others

Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, issued an arrest warrant against a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, and some Nigerians over allegations bordering on treason and terrorism.

The order was granted in an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, but moved by the Federal Government’s counsel, Audu Garba, on Wynne (aka Andrew Povich) and ten other Nigerians reportedly on the run.

The IGP had accused the ten Nigerian protesters, among others, of conspiring with Wynne to plot the removal of President Bola Tinubu through unconstitutional means, among other allegations.

At today’s sitting, Garba told the court that an ex-parte application seeking an order for an arrest warrant on some persons was before the court.

The lawyer urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice, maintaining that if the application is given, it would enable all police officers in the country and other security agencies to use their mechanisms to secure the lawful arrest of the fleeing defendants.

He said the defendants, who are on the run, were involved in the case of conspiracy, treason, inciting to mutiny, inciting disaffection to government and terrorism, among others, which is contrary to Sections 97, 410, 413, 416 and 412 of the Penal Code, Northern States Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

The affidavit filed in support of the motion contended that the investigation so far conducted shows that the fleeing defendants were allegedly responsible for planning and coordinating the invasion and burning down of the High Court Complex, the office of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Printing Press – all in Kano State, among others.

The lawyer listed the individuals to include Andrew Povich, Lucky Obiyan, and Abdullahi Musa.

Garba said others who are now at large are being tracked, hence, the need for the application.

Justice Nwite granted the motion, describing it as meritorious.

Recall that Justice Nwite on Monday, ordered the remand of 10 #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protesters in Kuje and Suleija prisons.

The nationwide protest which was tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria was held for 10 days in which some Nigerians took to the streets to bemoan the harsh economic conditions in the country.

Police arrest man for defiling neighbour’s 13-year-old in Ogun

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Police arrest man for defiling neighbour’s 13-year-old in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 55-year-old man, Hassan Wasiu, for allegedly sexually assaulting his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter at his apartment on Falowo Street, Makun, in the Sagamu area of the state.

According to Metro exclusively learnt on Tuesday that the suspect allegedly committed the crime on August 26, 2024.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest to our correspondent, stated that the survivor’s grandfather, Bimbo Ojo, reported the incident to the Sagamu Police Division.

Ojo had found that his granddaughter was bleeding through her vagina shortly after the perpetrator had committed the assault.

During questioning, our correspondent learnt that the suspect had lured the survivor into going into his room to defile her.

After several unsuccessful attempts to stop the bleeding, the survivor was reportedly rushed to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Despite the suspect’s denial of having any sexual contact with the survivor, the command’s spokesperson informed our correspondent that Wasiu had been detained while the investigation was ongoing.

She said, “The grandfather reported the incident on September 2, 2024. It is alleged that the suspect lured the minor to his room on August 26, 2024, with the intention of sexual assault, resulting in the minor bleeding profusely.

“When the matter was reported, our team quickly took action and apprehended the suspect. Although he has denied the allegations, the investigation is ongoing. The case will soon be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department.”

A report by According to Metro in May 2024 detailed how the command apprehended a 71-year-old landlord identified as Adeshina for committing a similar offence.

The landlord was caught having sexual intercourse with the tenant’s 14-year-old daughter inside a bathroom in the house at Akegbeyale Street in Ifesowapo, Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

A medical examination of the minor revealed that she was already six weeks pregnant.

Yobe donates N30m to families of terror attack victims

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Yobe donates N30m to families of terror attack victims

The Yobe State Government on Tuesday, donated N30m to families of the victims of insurgent attack in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government that claimed 34 lives.

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mafa on Sunday, killing 34 residents and burning down shops and houses in the village.

The state Deputy Governor, Idi Gubana, made the announcement when he led a delegation to Babangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa, for the funeral of the 34 slain persons.

He condoled with the Emir of Jajere, Mai Mashio, and the people of the area over the dastardly act.

Gubana directed the State Emergency Management Agency to provide shelter and food items to the displaced persons who lost all their belongings as a result of the attack.

He stated that the state governor, Mai Mala Buni, who was utterly devastated by the killings, had visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, over sustainable security in Mafa.

The deputy governor noted that deployment of sufficient troops in Mafa – located at the border of Borno and Yobe- would prevent future attacks in the trade hub.

Gubana prayed Allah to repose the souls of the deceased and grant their immediate families the fortitude to bear the loss.

Commenting on the attack, Buni’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig.- Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (read.), debunked claims that more than 34 people died in the attack.

“The figure is 34 people that were found dead, while 5 persons sustained injuries.

“Four are in critical conditions, while the other, sustained a minor injury and he is in stable condition.

“Any information apart from this is just a rumour. Nobody has gone to Mafa yesterday other than the troops, who brought these bodies.

“The insurgents are not confronting the military; they are confronting innocent civilians who are soft targets,” he said.

(NAN)

Oyo monarch urges MURIC, others to sheathe sword

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Oyo monarch urges MURIC, others to sheathe sword

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon and Vice Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Alao, on Tuesday, urged those fanning embers of division over the appointment of Habib Ayilara as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso palace to desist or face their waterloo.

According to Online reports that the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, on Friday, appointed Ayilara as the new Chief Imam of the palace.

Olugbon, in a statement signed in Ibadan, the state capital, also urged Muslim Rights Concern to sheathe its sword as various stakeholders in Ogbomoso are on top of the issue.

He noted that Ogbomoso is a peaceful place with people of different religious beliefs cohabiting in love.

The monarch said the MURIC’s concern about the controversy is well noted, assuring the group that traditional institutions in the state would not allow the promotion of division in the Ogbomoso Muslim community.

The statement read, “My attention and those of elders and critical stakeholders in Ogbomoso has been drawn to the Muslim Rights Concern’s criticism of the appointment of Habib Ayilara as the palace Chief Imam by Oba Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, on Friday.

“I, however, urge MURIC to sheathe its sword as various stakeholders in Ogbomoso are on top of the issue. As a major stakeholder in Ogbomoso Zone, and the Vice Chairman, the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, I can confirm that stakeholders in Ogbomoso land are working hard to ensure that the Muslim community in Ogbomoso is not allowed to be divided. I assure MURIC and other Nigerians are concerned about the ugly development that we will not sit by and allow the promotion of division in the Ogbomoso Muslim community.

“Besides, there is a pending suit on the matter in the Court of law which means that Sheik Ayilara remains the Chief Imam except the court decides otherwise. I call on those fanning embers of division to desist, otherwise, they will meet their Waterloo. As a foremost traditional ruler, I am fully aware that monarchs do not have executive power over Chief Imams or other religious leaders.

“As obas, we are custodians of our culture and traditions, rightly promoting our values and heritage. Traditional rulers in the state are not partisan on religious affairs. I, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao, stand with the only Chief Imam Talihat Ayilara. Let him continue to perform his duties as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso because he is the one chosen by the Muslim community”, the statement added.

Police parade 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Bayelsa

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Police parade 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Bayelsa

The Zone 16 Police Command in Bayelsa State has paraded 10 suspects for alleged internet fraud, possession of charms, illicit drugs, and involvement in diabolical ritual activities.

Addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ewhoborwo Gunn, said the suspects were arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The suspects include Goodwill (male), aged 23, Princewill Oguama (male), aged 20, Anyamwu Oluebube (male), aged 19, Tochukwu Ajaegbu (male), aged 27, Daniel Samuel (male), aged 21, and Akanimoh Joshua (male), aged 22.
The others are Chuckwumye Ubeh (male), aged 19, Peter James (male), aged 28, Gentle Nelson (male), aged 22, and a female, Ruth Kossiwa, aged 22.

Gunn said they were arrested on Monday at No. 4, Peterson Avenue, Ogbogoro, Port Harcourt, adding that they would be arraigned in court and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

He stated, “Their arrest followed a covert operation by the
operatives upon the receipt of intelligence information, during which hard drugs and charms were recovered.

“The suspects, upon interrogation, confessed to being involved in a series of fraudulent activities, as the evidence clearly shows. They will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are completed.”

Gunn said the AIG in charge of Zone 16, Paul Alifa Omata, has reiterated the dedication of his officers to the protection of lives and property in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

According to him, the police are fulfilling their constitutional mandate, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

While speaking to the press, the only female suspect, Ruth Kossiwa, said she was visiting her boyfriend of one month when she was arrested alongside the others on Monday morning.

In another development, officers of Zone 16 recovered a Beretta pistol with several rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition at Okaki Junction in Yenagoa, where a gang of armed robbers had been terrorising residents.

Transformer vandal electrocuted in Benue

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Transformer vandal electrocuted in Benue

A middle-aged man, whose identity is yet to be established, was electrocuted early on Tuesday while attempting to vandalise a transformer and cables belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.

The incident occurred opposite Queens Hotel, located at Ankpa Ward in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Residents awoke to find his lifeless body hanging between two poles connecting the cables to the transformer.

One of the residents, who identified himself as Terkula, said that the victim took advantage of power outages in the area to commit the act.

He added that the man likely met his end when power was unexpectedly restored.

He said, “We woke up this morning at about 5 am and discovered that electricity had been restored in some areas and streets close to ours. So, a few of our neighbours went to check the transformer. When we arrived at the site, we found that all the cables and other installations had been removed, and we saw a lifeless body on the pole.

“We promptly informed the ‘D’ Division police station, and they came to remove the body.”

When contacted, Dr Adakole Elijah, Head of Corporate Communications at JED, confirmed the incident. He condemned the activities of vandals in Benue State despite tight security around JED installations.

He said, “It has become practically impossible for the company to single-handedly protect these assets. That is why we are advising and pleading with communities to take ownership of electricity facilities in their areas, as it is them that the facility serves.

“Each time our facilities are vandalised, we spend significant amounts of money to restore services, only for them to be vandalised again. While the assets belong to the company, the communities are the end users.

“Vandalism of these facilities puts communities at risk in terms of security, social, and economic benefits. We continue to plead with people, especially community policing and vigilantes, to assist in safeguarding these assets.”

The Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident. She said, “I am aware that someone was electrocuted in Wadata while attempting to vandalise a transformer. I received a report about that.”

Bauchi gov’s supporters call for Wike’s sanction over threat

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Bauchi gov’s supporters call for Wike’s sanction over threat

Supporters of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard, have called for the sanction of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his threat to destabilise some Peoples Democratic Party-controlled states.

Recall that the PDP Governors’ Forum had on August 24 expressed support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and called on the party’s leadership to grant him his “rightful” position as the party’s leader in the state.

Reacting to the call last Saturday at the PDP congress in Port Harcourt, Wike threatened to cause a political crisis in the state of any governor threatened his political structure in Rivers.

However, in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Director-General, Mohammed Jibo, the group called on the PDP leadership to sanction Wike for his open anti-party activities.

It also expressed its support for the party summoning of the FCT minister, adding that PDP should do more than invite Wike to appear before its disciplinary committee but either suspend or expel him outrightly.

The statement read in part, “It becomes imperative in view of Wike’s several anti-party activities, including his openly working against PDP in the 2023 presidential election, which the group stated contributed to the loss of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, in the election.

“While stating that Wike’s tirade against PDP governors was reckless and indecorous, the group asserted that there was nothing wrong with the PDP Governors’ Forum resolution at the governor’s meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State, to stand with their Rivers State counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and their decision to consult with PDP National Working Committee to allow the governor to take over the leadership of the party in his state to warrant Wike’s threat to cause crises in PDP in their states.

“There is no doubt that Wike’s threat is nothing but reckless and indecorous, coming from someone who has benefitted immensely from PDP, the party he openly worked against its interests in the 2023 presidential election when he supported the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. In our view, there is nothing more anti-party activity than this.

“It is in view of this and other known anti-party activities of the former Rivers governor that we not only back his invitation to face PDP Disciplinary Committee but also call on the National Working Committee of the party to urgently sanction Wike by either suspending him or giving him an outright expulsion from PDP before he causes further havoc on the party ahead of the 2027 general election.”

The group added that Wike’s threat poses a danger to PDP’s unity and the nation’s peace and stability, stating that the party is bigger than him or any other member.

It also warned the minister not to do anything to cause any turmoil in Bauchi State, which it submitted is the most peaceful state in the entire North-East zone.

It added, “PDP as a political party is bigger than any individual, no matter how highly placed such person may be. We strongly believe that the party’s founding fathers had never intended for it to become a tool of manipulation by any member of the PDP. We boldly say that Wike’s excess is too much and cannot be continuously tolerated any further.”

“While commending the Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors’ Forum for its stance on ensuring that PDP structure be returned to the Rivers State governor, BAM-V stated that those who assiduously worked to make Wike governor between 2015 and 2023 never hijacked the party structure from him but rather allowed him to assume the leadership of the party in the state.

“Governor Bala Mohammed led the PDP administration in Bauchi State and in the last five years, has worked hard to maintain peace, security, and development in the state. The likes of Wike are not wanted in Bauchi State. The state deserves its peace for its development to continue unabated.”

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