The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Crime

  • Gunmen: We Were Asked To Kidnap APC Senator

    Gunmen: We Were Asked To Kidnap APC Senator

    The gunmen, who were arrested at the Minna, Niger State Residence of Mohammed Sani Musa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Representing Niger East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, have told the police that they were sent to kidnap the lawmaker.

    The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said this in a statement on Monday.

    Abiodun, who earlier told reporters that the motive of the suspects was unknown and that investigation was ongoing, said in their fresh confessional statement, the suspects said they were hinted that senator was traveling to Niger State for the coronation and presentation of staff of Office to the Emir of Kagara by one Sherrif now at large.

    ” Additional facts emerged in the course of investigation, as one of the suspects confessed further that the hoodlums led by the said Sherrif, presently at large targeted the Senator to his home in Minna.

    “The hoodlums suspected that he could be at home, having attended a coronation ceremony at Kagara on the same date and to possibly kidnap him,” he said.

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    Abiodun said the invaders ransacked the residence under the pretext of the purported search execution, noting that effort was on to apprehend other members of the gang. The reporter had reported how gunmen suspected to be assassins invaded the Minna residence of the Senator on Saturday night.

  • Hoodlums set Ebonyi INEC office ablaze, destroy PVCs, ballot boxes

    Hoodlums set Ebonyi INEC office ablaze, destroy PVCs, ballot boxes

    HOODLUMS have set ablaze the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, destroying, among others, 340 ballot boxes and yet to be determined quantity of Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs.

    The attack is the third on INEC’s local government offices in less than three weeks, following similar attacks in Ogun and Osun states on November 10, 2022.

    INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

    He said the Ebonyi Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs. Onyeka Ugochi, reported that the commission’s Izzi Local Government Area office, located in Iboko, was set ablaze, yesterday morning.

    “The incident occurred around 10.00am when some unidentified persons set the entire building ablaze,” said Okoye.

    He said although no casualties resulted from the attack, “the main building and all the movable and immovable items inside it were destroyed. These include 340 ballot boxes, 130 voting cubicles, 14 electric power generators, large water storage tanks, assorted office furniture and fixtures and yet to be determined quantities of Permanent Voters’ Cards.

    “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies has been drawn to the incident and have commenced investigation,” said Okoye.

    Pirates kill 6 in Akwa Ibom, burn house

    communities of Adiadia and Issiet Ekim, in Uruan Local Government Area of Àkwa Ibom State, are in mourning mood, following the invasion and killing of six persons by sea pirates.

    Besides, houses were razed at Issiet Ekim and a phone shop was looted at Adiadia, making residents desert the communities.

    A resident said: “The Issiet community is deserted. We leave the community at 6 pm and only return in the morning. We live in fear, but we are assured that security will be beefed up with the establishment of security posts in the two communities,” a source said.

    Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom state deputy governor, Moses Ekpo, has condoled with the people of the communities over the loss of lives and property in the attacks.

    Ekpo, who was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police, Mr O A Durosinma, and the Chairman of Uruan Local Government, Surveyor Iniobong Ekpenyong, said the government was concerned about the welfare of its people and would do everything within its power to avenge the deaths and ensure that succour is brought to the communities.

    He announced that with two Divisional Police stations established in the area, a full-force team would be deployed to patrol the communities which will further curtail the security threat.

    He stated that there was a need for oneness among the people so that effective communication could flow between the people, security agencies and the government.

    “Government and security agencies cannot function well without adequate information,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. O. A. Durosinma, said the police command would establish a division in the area, while working with the government to ensure that lives and properties are secured, by beefing the area with more police presence.

    He added that the communities have a significant role to play in policing what belongs to them by being their brother’s keeper, while also affirming that more police officers will be deployed to the area.

    For his part, the chairman of the Uruan local government, Iniobong Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude to the state government for the “show of love and concern towards the people of Uruan,“ while also assuring that government prioritizes the welfare of the citizens and will tackle the situation accordingly.

    (Vanguard)

  • Cult group clash claims 6 lives in Anambra

    Cult group clash claims 6 lives in Anambra

    Rival cults clashed along the popular Zik Avenue, in Awka, Anambra State capital, weekend, reportedly claimed six lives.

    Residents of the area, according to sources, scampered for safety as the cultists shot sporadically during the clash for supremacy.

    Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said police patrol had been intensified within the area and the entire Awka.

    Following the sound of gunshots by Zik Avenue, Awka, police patrol has been intensified in Awka.““Preliminary information revealed that the cause of the shooting was a result of cult-related incident-clash.

    The situation is closely being monitored and further development shall be communicated.

    (Sun)

  • EFCC arraigns fake FBI Commander

    EFCC arraigns fake FBI Commander

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, arraigned one Ijeboi Dennis and Obade Monday Christian before Justice Abubakar Baba Shani of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

    Dennis, (alias Andrew Tran huynh) and Monday, who also claimed to be a Commander with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, as well as a Diplomat Director, were arraigned on a five count-charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining the sum of Two Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars ($2, 822,860.00) by false pretense.

    This was however contained in a statement, signed by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in Abuja.

    According to the charge, the defendants conspired to defraud one Holly Ngo, a United States citizen while posing as American doctors stranded in Afghanistan.

    Counsel to the defendants, S.T Sanni attempted to abort the planned arraignment of the defendants today as he informed the court that the defendants only received the charge and proof of evidence on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

    But his objection was overruled by the judge, who ruled that the prosecution had complied with Section 35 of the Constitution by producing the defendants in court, and ordered that, arraignment of the defendant should proceed.

    Count two of the charge against the defendants reads, “That you, Ijeboi Dennis (aka Andrew Tran Huynh), Obade Monday Christian (aka FBI Commander/Diplomat Director), Ekhoguagbon Osazuwa Patrick (aka Patrick Paul)(still at large) and Omage Emmanuel Omole(now deceased) between January 2021 and September 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, with the intent to defraud, obtained an aggregate sum of $2,8822,860.00(Two Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars) from Holy Ngo, a United States Citizens under the false pretense that you are American doctors stranded in Afghanistan, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act,2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, prayed the court to set a date for trial and remand the defendants in the custody of a Correctional Facility but Sanni urged the court to allow the defendants in the custody of the EFCC pending determination of their bail application.

    Justice Baba Shani remanded the defendants at the Suleja Correctional Facility and adjourned the matter till January 11, 2023 for trial.

    (Vanguard)

  • Gunmen attack bullion van in Anambra

    Gunmen attack bullion van in Anambra

    Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers have attacked a bullion van conveying cash at Ufuma, Orumba North local government area of Anambra State.

    The gunmen allegedly trailed the bullion van and opened fire on the truck and security men accompanying it.

    An eye witness said there was heavy shooting in the area, adding that residents of the community fled, while security operatives attached to the bullion van battled the armed robbers and we’re able to overpower them.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, adding, however, that the armed men were eventually repelled.

    The PPRO said: “Operatives attached to the bullion van gallantly repelled the attack. The incident happened at about 4pm in Umunebo junction, Ufuma.

    “The Commissioner of police, CP Echeng Echeng has since ordered immediate manhunt on the attackers. The operational vehicles belonging to the armed robbers have been recovered.”

    He said a Lexus jeep and a highlander jeep belonging to the robbers were recovered. He added that other items recovered were one empty magazine, defaced bullet proof vest, charms and some incriminating items.

    (Vanguard)

  • EFCC arrests 87 forex dealers in Abuja, Lagos

    EFCC arrests 87 forex dealers in Abuja, Lagos

    In continuation of its onslaught against forex dealers over the current dollar crisis in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arrested no fewer than 87 forex dealers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

    Findings by The reporter revealed that the EFCC detectives stormed several forex trading hubs in Abuja, ransacking their vaults for stash of dollars and naira.

    The operatives later arrested no fewer than 25 legal and illegal forex dealers in addition to the 40 arrested on Tuesday during a raid of the Zone 4 Wuse offices of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators, bringing the number of arrests in the Federal Capital Territory to 65.

    During the operation, the EFCC personnel were said to have seized the phones of those that were arrested.

    The anti-graft agency also nabbed about 14 forex dealers in Lagos on Wednesday while eight others were picked up at the famous Bureau de Change market located at Wapa in Kano metropolis.

    The development came barely 24 hours after operatives of the anti-graft commission arrested the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ismaila Atumeyi, with N326m and $140,500 cash.

    Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa 11 Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022 alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

    In Lagos, EFCC detectives swooped on forex dealers on Broad Street in Lagos Island as well as some BDC outlets in other parts of the states.

    Forex traders, who spoke with The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the EFCC operatives came in two buses. It was learnt that about 14 BDC operators were arrested in Lagos.

    The reporter had reported that the operation against the BDCs, which began on Tuesday, would be extended to Lagos, Anambra, Oyo and Rivers states.

    Though no reason had been given for the raids, the EFCC operation, it was gathered, was targeted at tracking illicit funds from terrorists, bandits and politicians who might want to convert their stash in a desperate move to beat the redesign of the naira announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The new naira notes, which would replace higher denominations, would be released on December 15.

    It was as if the naira responded to the raids as it rallied to N820/$ on Wednesday from N857 it plunged to the previous day at the parallel market.

    But speaking on the Abuja raid, the Assistant Provost, Association of Bureau de Change Operators, Zone 4, Wuse, Mallam Muhammed Nera, disclosed that 13 out of the 25 persons arrested on Wednesday had been released to the association, noting that their phones were, however, still in the EFCC’s custody.

    Nera described the raids as illegal, noting that the commission did not present an arrest or search warrant before ransacking offices and taking people away.

    40 arrested

    A visibly angry Nera stated, ’’Forty persons were arrested on Tuesday but they have released almost all of them but held on to their phones which they went to collect on Wednesday. They kept them throughout the whole day before releasing their handsets.

    “Today (Wednesday), they came again and arrested 25 persons. They released 13 of them without their phones and detained 12 others. Over 30 phones were seized; they even seized the phones of some bankers who were looking for depositors. It was when they wanted to leave that they realised their error and returned the phones.’’

    The forex dealer accused the EFCC of ethnic profiling, noting that the BDC operators were being harassed because they were northerners, insisting that they have not done anything wrong.

    He challenged the anti-graft agency to disclose the crimes for which the dealers were being held, noting that they were ordinary Nigerians doing legitimate business.

    Nera stated, “They (EFCC operatives) heard that people are bringing naira to the market to change into dollars. What is bad about that? Is it stolen money? If it is stolen money, let us know. We can work together, and help to identify people who stole their money.

    “We don’t understand what these people were doing. They threatened to break down our offices. They said if they met any office locked, they would break it down. They didn’t show us any warrant; they were just entering offices, they are doing illegal work. They didn’t have any warrant; just because they are EFCC. Anybody can wear (EFCC) jackets and claim to be EFCC.’’

    Asked if the operatives took away money, the ABCO official said, ‘’They didn’t collect money, it was just the harassment, threatening people. A bureau de change is a legal business. We have our certificates, we are doing legal businesses just like banks.’’

    He added, ‘’About 90 per cent of bureau de change operators are northerners. We are thinking they are harassing us because we are northerners but we are citizens of Nigeria. This business is not only for northerners, it is being done in Lagos and other places but most are northerners.

    ‘’They just want to cripple us because we have been keeping quiet. They have been harassing our people every time; it is annoying, it is getting out of hand. Nobody is above the law but they are breaking the law. We are going to petition the National Assembly and also take them to court. We are going to fight to the end.’’

    Nera particularly took umbrage at the alleged maltreatment of elderly forex dealers during the raid, insisting that the commission did not follow the proper procedure.

    “It is true that 70 per cent of us didn’t go to school, does that mean we should not have money? They would say it is aboki (Hausa) business. What they are doing is too bad. We are going to take it up legally. The other time, they accused us of funding Boko Haram. Is it because we are aboki or what? This is disgusting, it is not fair and God is watching.

    “Some people were even sleeping in their offices and they would ask them to open their offices and demand to see their dollars and other currencies. If you go to a bank, won’t you see dollars there? We are doing cash business,’’ he stated indignantly.

    The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren did not respond to the allegations when contacted on Wednesday.

    EFCC meets BDCs

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, on Tuesday met with the Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, top forex operators under the aegis of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators as well as other critical stakeholders in the financial services sector in Lagos.

    The BDC operators were summoned to the meeting as the agency continues its raids on outlets.

    The meeting, it was learnt, was attended by the National President, ABCON, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe; Vice President, Azubuike Igbokwe, and no fewer than 12 other top exco members of the BDC association.

    Bawa, who chaired the meeting was said to have emphasised how the CBN naira redesign might lead to a situation where those with illicit funds would be seeking BDCs as an avenue to channel their funds.

    BDC operators at the meeting said all licensed BDCs were advised to be extremely careful in their day-to-day operations by requesting their customers’ information.

    “Secondly, they were informed that BDCS are the gatekeepers of the economy and their operations and that of their directors will be keenly monitored by both the CBN and security agencies. As such, the BDCs were advised not to be involved as cash couriers,’’ a source said.

    The EFCC chairman was quoted as saying, “It is a serious infraction and subject to prosecution. Render your statutory and regulatory returns; record-keep all your transactions.’’

    ABCON president, Gwabade, in an interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed the meeting.

    He said the association had been sensitising its members not to allow themselves to be used by political actors and other corrupt elements who might be seeking BDCs as avenues to keep their ill-gotten wealth.

    He said, “We are in support of the raids and we will continue to cooperate with the government. We have been sensitising our members and we will continue to do so.”

    However, the ABCON leaders said the raids had led to intended and unintended consequences such as the spike in the dollar against the naira in recent times, stressing the need for the CBN to address the liquidity shortage in the retail end of the market.

    “We will cooperate with the government to address terrorism, and banditry financing with naira redesign,” Gwadabe pledged.

    A statement by the Head, of Media and Publicity, Uwujaren on Wednesday, explained that Bawa sought the collaboration of the chief compliance officers as well as Bureau De Change operators in the fight against foreign exchange malpractices, money laundering and other fraudulent activities in the nation’s financial sector.

    He was also said to have urged them to promptly disclose fraudulent activities about illicit deposits and the movement of money through deposit money banks.

    Bawa advises dealers

    Bawa further advised the banks’ compliance officers and BDC operators to be wary of the activities of criminals who might want to use the financial institutions to hoard monies for the purpose of vote buying.

    He stated, “The EFCC cannot do the job alone. We need to work with you as critical stakeholders, particularly in ensuring a seamless exchange of relevant information to forestall the commission of economic and financial crimes.

    “We need better cooperation, synergy, collaboration, intelligence sharing and, if need be, joint operations with you.

    If there is better management, in terms of communication about the people bringing in monies or the modus operandi being used to disguise this origin of the money, it will go a long way in tackling the issue of money laundering and financial crimes.

    “In view of the recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign and re-issue higher denominations of the Nigerian currency, the naira, there is a need for us to be proactive and be circumspect of the actions of the criminals who will use the financial institutions to launder illicit funds and commit other nefarious activities.

    “It is important for you to understand what this policy is all about, considering the fact that a lot of activities will happen, particularly as the 2023 general elections approach.

    We want to work with you to get more information on how to deal with these issues.

    “You are very critical in the fight against economic and financial crimes. This is because, at the end of it, money leaves the bank and money goes in, either for deposit or withdrawal.’’

    He further advised the financial institutions to take seriously the issue of ‘Know Your Customer’ and improve intelligence sharing with the Commission.

    “The issue of KYC must go beyond sighting utility bills and receipts of customers. This needs to be taken further to forestall cybercrime,’’ he admonished.

    In the meantime, the New Nigerian Peoples Party candidate for the Kogi State House of Assembly, Ismaila Atumeyi, who was arrested by the EFCC in Abuja for a mega bank fraud, has been moved to Lagos.

    The politician-cum cyber fraud suspect was flown into Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday in continuation of the investigation into the scam, the EFCC disclosed in a statement.

    He is billed to be interrogated by another team of operatives at the Lagos command of the Commission.

    Atumeyi and two others, Joshua Dominic and Abdulmalik Femi, a former bank employee, were arrested by the EFCC for allegedly hacking into the system of a commercial bank and defrauding the institution of over N1.4bn.

    The EFCC had in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that it recovered N326m and $140,500 from Atumeyi during a sting operation at his hideout in Queens Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja, while $470, 000 was recovered from Abdulmalik in Lagos.

    Obaseki’s allegation

    The Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the proposed plan by the CBN to redesign naira notes as political, noting that the move was a ploy by the All Progressives Congress-led government to sway voters ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Obaseki stated this while inaugurating the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Women Campaign Council at the Presidential Campaign Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Wednesday.

    Lambasting the Federal Government over the move, Obaseki said the redesign of the nation’s currency shouldn’t be a priority as the majority of citizens are suffering from hunger, poverty and economic hardship.

    He said, “They say we should all bring our naira and give it to them because they want to change it for us. Is that our priority now? Does changing of currency reduce the price of food in the market? They say they want to change our currency and dollars are going higher every day. We can’t even see dollars again.

    “I am an economist and I can tell you categorically that this policy by the CBN and Federal Government has no basis in Nigeria’s economy. There is no reason to do this; the move is purely political as there is no urgency in changing our currency.

    “The urgency is on how to get food for our citizens to remove starvation and hunger from the land. The urgency is on how to maintain discipline in our monetary policy so that we can manage our foreign exchange rate because we are import-dependent.”

    (Punch)

  • Insecurity, kidnapping heighten in Enugu

    Insecurity, kidnapping heighten in Enugu

    Even though kidnap for ransom has been in prevalence in Enugu state for some years now, a worrisome trend recently manifested, in the past two months, in several parts of Enugu state, compounding the insecurity situations in the state.

    The recent kidnappings came to a head on Thursday with the abduction of a former secretary to the Enugu State Government, Dr. Dan Shere, along Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road. In the past one week the kidnappers suspected to be Fulani bandits laid siege along the road and abducted passengers almost every day of the week. Among those kidnapped is an official of Enugu state government, Mr. Foster Ugwuoke who was abducted within the week among other commuters that travelled along the road.

    On Sunday, a number of students returning to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) after the eight months ASUU strike were also packed into the bush along the road and report has it that the kidnappers demanded N300 million ransom, while the relatives pleaded to pay N500, 000.

    A cleric who escaped the kidnappers by the whiskers along Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road alleged the complicity by the security agents who were in charge of a check point before the Maduka Onyishi University in Ekwegbe. The cleric who pleaded for anonymity said he was surprised that instead of the normal stop-and- search duty of the security personnel, they rather urged them on until they ran into the kidnappers, adding that they escaped by the grace of God.

    Kidnapping along the Enugu-Nsukka new road actually resumed in September 2022 when a good number of travelers along the road were packed into the Ekwegbe forest, sending shivers down the spine of commuters along the only serving road to the northern parts of Nigeria from Enugu, since the over eight years collapse of 9th mile- Makurdi road.

    At the resumed kidnap operations along the road, a community leader in Ugwuogo autonomous Community, Enugu East Local Government Area, and former member of Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Joseph Agbo Ugwumba had asked the Enugu state government to establish a police station in Ugwuogo community so that it can help to checkmate series of kidnapping and other crimes that take place along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road and Ugwuogo-Neke-Ikem road.

    Ugwuogo is an interchange for roads leading to different parts of Enugu north Senatorial district, Isi-Uzo local government areas, Benue, Kogi States and other parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The road became fully functional after former Governor Sullivan Chime developed the road that bypassed the old 9th mile-Makurdi road. More pressure was added to the road following the complete failure of the 9th Mile road, hence different attentions were diverted to the new gateway.

    Unfortunately, crime reigned on the road, hence kidnapping by suspected Fulani herdsmen and other violent crimes have been taking place along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road as well as the Ugwuogo-Neke-Ikem road. Despite security checkpoints along the roads, the spate of crime increased on the roads.

    A Security expert who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity confided that both the federal and state governments have security reports that the bandits have remained in the forests of communities in Ojebogene, Nike, Igboetiti and Isi-Uzo local government areas from where they have continued to operate along the 9th mile -Nsukka road, the old 9th mile-Opi-Nsukka road and their recent relocation to Ugwuogo areas because of increased traffic in the area.

    The security expert lamented that the Commissioners of Police in the south east states have soft spots for the bandits that operate in the south east. He therefore urged the governors of the south east, particularly the Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to take the issue of the protection of the lives and properties of the people of his state seriously by implementing recommended measures.

    In his private message to Governor Ugwuanyi, Hon. Agbo Ugwumba said: “To address the insecurity along Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road, Your Excellency, Ugwogo Nike community constructed four blocks of buildings to house Police stations, but owing to lack of funds the police station was abandoned. If the state government can help to complete the buildings, Police will leave in Ugwogo and patrol the roads 24 hours daily. This is an easy solution.”

    Almost simultaneously, is the same kidnap of commuters along Ozalla (4 corners)-Udi road. The road has military checkpoints, yet kidnapping goes on the road. A recent Whatsapp message went viral following an anonymous message of someone who claimed to be a victim of kidnapping along the Ozalla-Udi road.

    The message read: “Re-Recent Kidnapping of 6 persons along the 4 corners/Nvene in Enugu State. (True story) SOS!!! On Tuesday 11th day of October 2022, 3 different coordinated kidnappings were successfully carried out along the 4 corners/Nvene road in Enugu State and 6 people were kidnapped. I was one of the victims. The first one happened around 1pm where one person was kidnapped and another shot dead.

    “The second one was carried out around 5:30pm. Three people were taken and another one person killed. The third kidnapping took place around 7pm and a man who is a road safety official and a newly married lady were the victims. When we were brought to their hideout, some started interrogating us while some went through our phones. On getting to the road safety official, they queried him if he was a policeman but he told them he belongs to the road safety corps. They questioned him more assuring him that they will not harm him but he insisted on being a road safety official. They then told him that they will help him out. Two hours later, 2 of the kidnappers escorted the man out of the hideout and set him free. I was surprised after we paid ransom and were released to hear that the military men along the 4 corners/Nvene road claimed to the public that the road safety official escaped during a shootout with the kidnappers.

    “We all paid ransoms. One of us paid Five million Naira, another paid 4 million, another paid 2 million, one of us paid 1.5million while another paid 1 million, making a total of 13.5 million Naira. All the ransoms were paid just about one pole from the military check point along that 4 corners/Nvene road. As soon as the ransoms were brought, two military men from the check point moved towards the ransom pay point and stood. To our surprise, the kidnappers carefully and comfortably counted the money in bundles right there and then without any fear. We were held by some of the kidnappers in the bush right behind them where we watched and identified our people as they brought the ransoms.

    “Soon after counting the money, they signaled to our captors and we were released.

    The big question is why should kidnappers decide to collect ransoms just a stone throw from a military checkpoint manned by armed military men? We plead with our peace loving Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Federal Government to come to the rescue of Ndi Enugu. We also strongly recommend that the GOC of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army be transferred out of Enugu. Enugu State has hitherto his appointment as the GOC of 82 Div been the most peaceful and safest State in Nigeria.

    “How can a dog eat the bone that is hung around his neck for safe keeping? The military is supposed to protect us but they have become our nightmares. They now connive with kidnappers to deal with us. This was exactly the case in Kaduna where the current GOC, 82 Div was in charge of the military. He has now resumed his operations here in Enugu. We also call on the Nigerian Army to fish out the soldiers on duty along the 4 corners/Nvene road on Friday 14th October 2022, the day we were set free and bring them to book. They were complicit in our Kidnapping. Ndi Enugu, we must cry out now. Enough is enough!!!

    From one of the kidnapped victims.”

    In June 2022, no less than seven suspected kidnappers for ransom, made up of Fulani herdsmen and other natives, were arrested by both community security outfits and the police in different parts of Enugu state. In Ibite-Awhum community of Udi local government council area, suspected Fulani kidnappers allegedly invaded the community and kidnapped six pilgrims on June 19. The victims were later rescued by forest guards. The kidnappers reportedly nabbed the pilgrims in broad daylight as they were praying at a popular hill near the Awhum Monastery and took them deep into the forest. The victims were later rescued through joint efforts of forest guards from the Udi and Enugu East Local Government Councils.

    The security agents were said to have swung into action immediately receiving the information and pursued after the kidnappers. Director of Enugu State Forest Guards, Mr. Mathew Obodoechi, said the Forest guards in the area pursued the kidnappers and contacted their counterparts at Ogbeke-Nike, Enugu East Local Government who also mobilised from their own end.

    Narrating their ordeal, the victims who were evacuated to the Monastery, said they were praying on the hill when they were suddenly surrounded by about seven Fulani looking individuals wearing police uniforms.

    “The bandits took all our phones and ordered us into the forest. After a long trek we got into the bandits’ camp deep in the forest where their colleagues numbering about ten were waiting for them. We also found another kidnap victim there. For reasons we didn’t know then, the kidnappers suddenly became panicky and subsequently ran into the forest leaving us alone and confused before the forest guards appeared,” one of the victims narrated.

    In Ikem, Isi-uzo local government area, about five indigenes were abducted in a series of kidnapping jointly carried out by both natives of Enugu state and Fulani herdsmen that are reportedly camped at the Isi-Uzo/Benue state border at Okpokwu local government area of Benue state.

    The kidnappers den spreads down to Eha-Amufu were most farmers have been killed, kidnapped for ransom, women raped, arson and destruction of properties, with Eha-Amufu indigenes chased out from their land.

    The victims in Ikem include the Catechist of Saint James Catholic Church, Ishioroto-Ikem Mr. Lawrence Ndu; an Italy based evangelist, Mr. Emeka Odo and his brother Ikechukwu Odo; Ejike Agbodo, a bus driver, Ejike Agbodo and another Okada operator was kidnapped while on commercial duty along Ikem-Odenigbo Eha- Benue state road.

    Narrating his experience, an Italy-based Evangelist, Emeka Odo disclosed that the over 10 kidnappers who abducted them along Ikem- Obollo Afor road were all Fulani terrorists that welded AK-47. Odo who quickly went back to his base shortly after he regained freedom, narrated that they were flagged down in their car, commandeered into the bush and were taken through bush tracks to Eha-Amufu and Benue state border, adding that they paid ransom before they were set free.

    Odo said that his abductors spoke Hausa and Fulfude language, stating that most of them came from Niger republic. He also disclosed that some Indigenes of the community connived with the kidnappers to carry out the abductions. “They told us that they own all bush paths from Delta to all parts of the South East and that they do anything they want to do,” Odo said.

    He stated that even people from Benue state who were kidnapped were brought to their bush camp in Eha-Amufu Enugu state, where he said the kidnappers have sacked the Indigenes.

    Luck however ran out of four natives who were identified as collaborators with the Fulani kidnappers, as they were arrested and submitted to Isi-Uzo Divisional police station, where it was learnt the suspects were moved to Enugu police headquarters. On July 4 2022, an Igbo native was arrested and delivered to the Ikem police station. The Divisional Police Officer met at Ikem police station asked newsmen to go and meet the Police PRO, noting that a reinforcement police had gone back to the theatre of war at Ikem-Nkwo.

    In Ezeagu local government area, a traditional ruler who pleaded for anonymity said that what the council area now suffers is insecurity caused by herdsmen kidnapping, starting from Ugwueke, shortly after Nigeria Breweries Plc Ama plant, down to Akama-Oghe, Olo and the rest of Ezeagu local government areas.

    The Monarch said: “The kidnappings are too much, there have been many occurrences at Ugwueke there and some have been arrested while the DPO at Aguobu-Owa is in position to say the number arrested and other details.

    “There have been kidnappings in Obeleagu-Umana, Umumba-Ndiagbu, and Olo on a daily basis, because the Olo community is between Uzo-Uwani and Ezeagu. In fact there are serious challenges in Ezeagu that include farm lands invasion and destruction. It’s just that human kidnapping is the height of it all. It’s almost a daily affair that people are no longer sure of going to Ezeagu and coming back safely.”

    Starting from January to July 2022, Fulani kidnappers invaded Abor, Mgbuji, Aguamede and other farm settlements in Eha-Amufu, which resulted in the death of over six persons and many casualties. Soldiers were deployed but the soldiers left and the attack continued.

    “The herders came in full force and killed many people and burnt houses and properties. More than 20 motorcycles and houses were razed, and they have promised to come back. We have reported the incident to the appropriate authorities to intervene,” a community leader in Eha-Amufu said.

    However, the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Thursday, paid an on-the-spot visit to the scene of the Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road incident with the heads of security agencies in the state with a resolve to sustain onslaught against criminal elements and kidnappers on the road.

    Addressing newsmen during the on-the-spot assessment visit, the GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Umar Musa, who spoke on behalf of the other heads of security agencies in the state, confirmed that “the perpetrators are purely kidnappers.”

    He assured the public that the combined-team of the security agencies are taking further steps into the bush to apprehend the perpetrators, rescue the victims and end the menace along the road.

    “I assure you that we are going to go deep into the bush to pursue them and ensure they do not perpetrate more harm along the road,” he said.

    However, as on Friday, nothing had been heard of the former Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Dr. Dan Shere, who was among the victims of the kidnap incident on Thursday. The spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe promised to provide updates on Shere, and other abductees.

    Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) Senatorial candidate for Enugu North senatorial district, Chief Okay Ezea, (popularly known as Ideke) has asked for a declaration of State of Emergency on the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road, following the reemergence of banditry along the road.

    Ezea said: “There is hardly any week there would not be reports of kidnapping and other heinous crime along that road and the people we elected as Chief security officers are plying the road with loads of security personnel and in bullet proof SUV vehicles all to themselves and their cronies.”

    The Enugu State Police command through its Spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe said that the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the maximum deployment of operational and intelligence resources of the Command to ensure adequate security on Ugwuogo-Nsukka road, rescue unascertained number of persons allegedly abducted and arrest the hoodlums.

    Ndukwe said that the Commissioner has reassured users of the road and the citizenry of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensure that their security and safety are maximally maintained, while categorically stating that onslaught on unrepentant criminal elements in the State shall be sustained.

    He also announced the arrest of three kidnap suspects at Ugwuaji community of Enugu South LGA, and rescue of their male victim, adding that there was also an arrest of six kidnap suspects in Udenu local government area of the state. “The suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded,” Ndukwe said.

    (Vanguard)

  • Gunmen attack Apostle Suleman in Edo, kill 3 policemen, 4 others

    Gunmen attack Apostle Suleman in Edo, kill 3 policemen, 4 others

    Tragedy struck yesterday evening at Auchi, Edo State, when some gunmen carried out a sudden attack on the home of Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministry, killing two of his drivers, three policemen and one female house help. Another house help is reportedly missing.

    The attack was reportedly carried out at about 5pm by yet unknown hoodlums, according to the spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor.

    Said he: “The attack on Johnson Suleman was actually true, confirmed. He was attacked by hoodlums yet unknown at about 5 pm. He was attacked at home.

    “As we speak, two of his drivers were murdered, three policemen murdered, one female house help murdered, one missing. Upon alarm raised, police moved to the scene, gunned down one of hoodlums and recovered one of the vehicles used.

    “Currently, Appostle Suleiman is safe and sound”, Nwabuzor told Saturday Sun last night.

    He said investigation was ongoing and declined to give further details.

    Another report said seven persons made up of three policemen and four domestic staff of Apostle Johnson Suleman were killed near Auchi at the Water Tank Junction along the Warake -Auchi Road on his way to Auchi, while returning from a foreign mission trip.

    Eyewitnesses said the gunmen who were in a Toyota Avalon Car and an ash coloured Sienna vehicle without number plates, opened fire at the homecoming convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman in what looked like an assassination attempt.

    The witnesses said the two vehicles blocked all other vehicles and maneouvered their way to meet Suleman’s convoy and opened fire on him.

    His children who were said to normally travel in a separate vehicle, joined their father in his car with his wife and the vehicle was targeted after Suleman’s vehicle which was leading the convoy escaped the suspected assassins.

    The legal adviser to the Ministry, Sam Amune while confirming the incident said “I think it is a case of assassination attempt because the assailants who were in an Avalon and Sienna vehicles stopped other vehicles to reach Apostle Suleman’s convoy and they did not take anybody. The people just stopped and watched the drama unfold.

    “He just finished a programme in Tanzania the day before yesterday and flew to Lagos and then to Benin where his family joined him. His children normally drive in a separate vehicle but this time they drove with their father while other domestic staff drove in their vehicle. He barely escaped death but the others were not lucky. Three orderlies who normally drive directly behind him and then the next vehicle were not lucky.

    “It is very unfortunate to lose those lives” Amune said.

    (Sun)

  • Gunmen invade Kogi Church, kill two, injure others

    Gunmen invade Kogi Church, kill two, injure others

    Hoodlums have invaded a Celestial Church, Blood of Jesus Parish in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi Stat, killing two persons and injuring several others.

    Sources told the reporters that the hoodlums invaded the church at about 8:00pm on Sunday and opened fire on the members who were holding programme inside the church.

    The church is located behind the NNPC Mega petrol station in Felele axis along Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway of Lokoja.

    The two dead members were reported to have been evacuated from the church and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja while the injured were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.

    The attack of the Celestial church is the second in recent times in that area of Lokoja.

    Few weeks ago, another church was attacked at Sarkin Numan around the Felele area of Lokoja.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Williams Ayah, confirmed the incident, saying that “two female members of the church were killed in the attack, while others are receiving treatment for gun wounds.”

    Aya added that the Kogi State Police Command had deployed men of the command to the area with a view to fishing out the culprits.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Gunmen kill 5 people in Orumba, Anambra

    Gunmen kill 5 people in Orumba, Anambra

    Gunmen, yesterday afternoon, killed four army officers and one civilian in Umunze community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    This came about two weeks after gunmen attacked the convoy of the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Ifeanyi Ubah, at the Nkwo Market area of Enugwu-Ukwu community, killing some of the police officers and aides in the convoy.

    Sources said the gunmen who attacked Umunze stormed the area around 1pm and opened fire on the soldiers who were in their stationary vehicle.

    “Just this afternoon, we got security report that gunmen attacked the soldiers at the bank area. They didn’t rob the bank, they just killed the soldiers, four of them, and one civilian and drove off,” the source said.

    Although a trending video showed three victims, one of the voices in the video said that one army officer was lying in the nearby drainage channel.

    The video also showed that the army patrol vehicle was riddled with bullets even as some of the glasses were broken.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for comments on the sad development.

    (Sun)

  • Court sentences Kidnapper Evans, accomplice to 21 years for kidnapping

    Court sentences Kidnapper Evans, accomplice to 21 years for kidnapping

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans’ accomplice, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

    Delivering judgement, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.

    “It has been established by the prosecution witness (PW3, Ahamonu) complainant was kidnapped. The question is ‘who kidnapped him?’

    “PW3 identified the first defendant in court while he was giving his testimony. He also recognized him at the police station nearly two months before the matter was taken to court.

    “He testified that he was blindfolded before being taken to the bus. He said ‘Immediately I saw him, I said this was the person that kidnapped me.’ I also watched the video where the first defendant admitted to having kidnapped PW3.

    “The first defendant sat in a comfortable chair and there was no sign that he made the statement under duress.

    ”He was not threatened or harassed. He signed the statement.

    “He also said how he broke into banks and later graduated to kidnapping. I am satisfied that this court can convict the defendants through his confessional statement,” Mrs Taiwo said.

    The judge also held that there was no proof before the court that three of Evans’ men were killed by the police.

    She also convicted Mr Aduba, based on his confessional statement, and held that he should serve out his term without an option of a fine.

    “I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsel. This sentencing will serve as a deterrent to others.

    “The two are hereby sentenced to a five-year jail term for the first count, second count, 21 years, and third count, five years.

    “The sentencing will, however, run concurrently. They are hereby sentenced to 21 years imprisonment without an option of fine,” Mrs Taiwo said.

    Earlier, the first defendant’s counsel, Amobi Nzelu, in his allocutus, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict was already serving a life jail term.

    “I pray the court to grant him a lesser jail term,” said the lawyer.

    The second defence counsel, Adeola Folarin, in her allocutus, also prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict was a first offender.

    “My lord, he is a young man that has served his country while in the army.

    “He also had a child while he was in custody. He is a father of two young children and they have not enjoyed his fatherly love. We pray the court to temper justice with mercy,” Mrs Folarin said.

    The state counsel, Yusuf Sule, however, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged.

    “My lord, the first defendant had been sentenced to life imprisonment before Justice Hakeem Oshodi. I urge the court to sentence the defendants accordingly,” Mr Sule said.

    NAN reports that Mr Ahamonu and his wife, Chimebere, on 17th December 2021, testified virtually about how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014, on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

    The couple narrated how they sold properties, borrowed money, and raised funds from family and well-wishers to attempt to raise the initial two million dollars ransom that was demanded by Evans.

    Mr Ahamonu, whose hands and legs were chained throughout his two months in captivity, was only released when the family had given Evans $420,000 ransom and he was at the point of death.

    NAN also reports that Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court had, on 25th February, sentenced Evans to life imprisonment for the kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 16 persons over cyber crime in Kwara

    EFCC arrests 16 persons over cyber crime in Kwara

    Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 16 persons over an alleged case of cybercrime and possession of fraudulent funds in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The development is coming on the heels of the clampdown on the activities of cybercrime in the state.

    They were arrested following credible intelligence acted upon by the Commission.

    The suspects, including two siblings: Ahmed Ismail and Toheeb Ismail, are Suleiman Abduqudrib Salati, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Boluwasefe Oyinloye, Bashir Azeez, Abduquodri Ibrahim, Raji Roqeeb, Tobiloba Raihan and Busari Mohammed.

    Others are Olaoye Kolade, Bello Muhammed, Onime Bright, Adebayo Bolaji, Abdulqudus Zakariya and Adeleke Hassan.

    Items recovered from them include eight exotic cars, phones and laptops.

    In a statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

    (Daily Trust)