Crime
Abduction Alert: Southern Kaduna Reports 31 People Missing
In southern Kaduna, it has been reported that no fewer than 27 women and 4 boys were allegedly abducted, according to a statement from the women’s wing of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union on Monday.
Urging authorities to intervene for the safe rescue of the victims, SOPAPU’s National Women Coordinator, Mrs. Jemutu Katarma, revealed that the abduction took place on October 2, 2023, and the individuals remain captive.
The statement further highlighted the distressing situation in the region, with numerous villages displaced and some seized by bandits, resulting in a considerable number of people being left without homes.
According to Katarma, violence and criminal activities by armed groups, notably bandits and armed herdsmen, have afflicted all but three of the 12 Local Government Areas in southern Kaduna.
She stated that the toll includes thousands of lives lost, houses reduced to ashes, and hundreds of people subjected to kidnapping.
The statement partly read, “After closely observing the policies, words and actions of Governor Uba Sani since he came to power in May 2023, we have good reasons to believe that he has come to restore hope, confidence and unity to the state.
“We also see him working with the Federal Government in helping to solve the serious challenge of the security of lives and property of citizens of Kaduna State.
“It is based on this belief that we are encouraged to use this medium to send him an SoS message on very disturbing security matters, part of which he inherited, and to plead for his urgent intervention.
“As you may all be aware by now, Southern Kaduna is made up of the eight Local Government Areas of Kaduna South senatorial zone, plus Lere LGA in Kaduna North senatorial zone including Kajuru and Chikun LGAs in Kaduna Central senatorial zone.
“Hundreds of our villages have been sacked and some taken over by bandits. Even the immediate past government of the state has been reporting these atrocities to the press every quarter of each year. Our people, especially women and children in their thousands are rendered as IDPs. It is usually women and children who suffer the most during such displacements.
“May I state that it is true that the past government did not show much compassion or interest in assisting us with these evils that have happened to our people? We did not get a good deal at all. Out of the 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna, Kachia, Kajuru and Chikun are, in our belief, the worst that suffer at the hands of kidnappers. And women and children are their main targets.
“Of particular note, we want to bring to the attention of His Excellency, Gov Uba Sani about a terrible development that happened to his citizens on 2nd October 2023 in Kachuwe, close to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. After their villages suffered several invasions from bandits in Chikun, they decided to move to Kachuwe which they thought was safer to start life all over again by farming.” The statement added
. . . 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.
ALSO READ: Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Allow Trump A Third Presidential Run
“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.”
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.
READ MORE: Bangkok Shuts Over 350 Schools As Air Pollution Reaches Dangerous Levels
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.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
READ MORE: China’s Population Shrinks For Third Year Amid Aging Crisis, Low Birth Rate
During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Tinubu To Attend Africa Heads of State Energy Summit In Tanzania
Italy Collaborates With Edo To Combat Irregular Migration
Terrorism: Police Neutralises ESN Kingpins, Destroys Camps In Imo
JUST IN: Security Beefed Up As Obasa’s Supporters Occupy Speaker’s Lodge
9mobile Commends NCC For 50% Tariff Adjustment To Boost Telecom Sector
Kano Police Warn Residents Of Imminent Terror Attack Threats
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
