Crime
Terrorism: Police Neutralises ESN Kingpins, Destroys Camps In Imo
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
Crime
Five Kidnapped, Woman Injured As Bandits Strike Abuja Community
Chikakore, a community in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was rocked by a violent attack on Sunday night, when at least 20 armed bandits stormed the area, kidnapping five residents, including an entire family.
According to police sources, the assailants struck at around 11pm, targeting the Health Centre extension area of Chikakore.
The attackers barged into the homes of their victims, abducting Adesiyan Akinropo, a Southwesterner, his wife, son, and a visitor.
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They also kidnapped another neighbor, bringing the total number of people taken to five.
In the midst of the raid, a woman was struck on the head with the butt of a gun, causing severe bleeding. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment following the brutal assault.
“The bandits kidnapped the man (Akinropo), his wife, and his son, their visitor. The bandits then took away another neighbor to make five persons. They also injured a woman on the head with the butt of the gun. She bled profusely and had to be rushed to the hospital,” a police source said
While the police operatives from the Byzahin division responded to the incident, the assailants had already escaped by the time they arrived at the scene.
Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed response, revealing that the police took over an hour to reach the area.
“The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police, but there is no deployment yet,” a resident lamented.
This attack follows a similar one earlier in January, when bandits fleeing from Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State detonated explosives in Kuchibuyi, a neighboring area.
The explosion, which targeted an Islamic school, claimed at least two lives, according to the police.
A community meeting is scheduled for Monday, where local leaders and police officials will discuss the ongoing security concerns in Chikakore.
Efforts to reach the FCT police command for comment were unsuccessful, as spokesperson Josephine Adeh did not respond to calls.
Crime
Sowore Under Police Investigation Over Viral Extortion Video
Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday to honor a police invitation.
Sowore, who arrived with his lawyer and supporters around 9:45 a.m., was summoned for questioning following a viral video he recorded, which accused police officers of extorting motorists on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
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The invitation, dated January 23, 2025, was signed by CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID).
The police summons, which was served to Sowore, stated that he was being investigated for several offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, intimidation, reckless acts, refusal to assist public servants, and cyberstalking.
The letter directed Sowore to report to Room 212 of the FID Complex in Abuja at 10 a.m. and emphasized that he had the right to bring legal representation.
The controversy stems from a video Sowore posted on social media, which shows him confronting police officers at a checkpoint.
In the footage, Sowore accuses the officers of creating traffic jams and extorting motorists.
When Sowore’s vehicle approached the checkpoint, the officers demanded that he park, prompting an exchange between Sowore and the officers.
“You are not supposed to be causing traffic on the airport road. We are not parking. Go and bring your Oga. You people should calm down,” Sowore can be heard saying in the video.
Despite Sowore’s insistence, the officers initially blocked his car, creating a standoff.
Eventually, one officer instructed his colleagues to allow Sowore to proceed, but another officer muttered, “God punish you.” Sowore quickly responded, “God punish you too,” before driving off.
The video went viral, sparking public outrage and prompting the police to launch a manhunt for Sowore.
Reports indicate that the police’s actions were influenced by persistent appeals from Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, who urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action against Sowore for allegedly obstructing the officers.
Sowore’s appearance at the police headquarters also comes amid another legal battle.
He is scheduled to appear in court on February 4, 2025, in a cybercrime case filed by Senator Ned Nwoko, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Crime
$345,000 Fraud: EFCC Withdraws Arrest Warrant For Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.