Crime
Bizarre: Gunmen Overwhelm Army Patrol Van, Slaughter Soldier, Hijack Cash
It was a strange turn of events in Benin City, Edo State as the hunter became the hunted, when gunmen, perceived to be dare-devil-robbers overwhelmed an army patrol van, slaughtering one of three soldiers therein, and made a way with a loaded sack (Ghana-Most-Go bag) probably loaded with cash.
Eyewitness accounts have it that the bizarre incident played out on Wednesday at about 2.10pm, around the traffic lights along Akpakpava Road by First Junction.
It added that the patrol team might have been headed towards the Ikpoba-hill axis of the Benin metropolis.
It was gathered that the hoodlums drove an unmarked ash-colour Toyota Camry car against the traffic (one way) towards the army vehicle, while two of the four occupants swiftly jumped out the vehicle and opened fire on the unsuspecting soldiers.
In panic, the three soldiers scampered to safety in different directions, abandoning the patrol van and the cash-laden Ghana-must-go bag.
Awestruck members of the public were mouths agape, when the gangsters grabbed the cash-laden bag from the army patrol van and jumped into their own Toyota Camry and sped off, eyewitnesses added.
Eyewitnesses described it as the first of its kind in recent years in Benin City, maintaining that it sent shudders down the spines of residents and business owners around the Dawson the metropolis.
The ugly incident led to businesses closing shops in fear, and when media men visited to ascertain the veracity of the story, the blood of the victim was visible on a walkway in front of a petrol station.
Some hawkers who witnessed and narrated the ugly attack said many people around them would have died if the soldiers had had the opportunity to respond to the gunfire of their attackers.
One of the shop owners at that junction, lamented, “One of the three soldiers fell down there while running away; he tried to get up, but he couldn’t; he was just bleeding. Later, his two other colleagues came out to meet him, but they were helpless.
“Imagine a popular and busy Junction like this; the government cannot install security cameras to record whatever is going on here; it’s unfortunate.”
Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, has confirmed the incident.
According to him, a soldier was killed when hoodlums attacked a military patrol vehicle at the first Junction, Akpakpava Road, Benin City, some minutes past 2 p.m. today.
SP Nwabuzor said, the “Edo State Police Command can confirm that a military personnel was killed today (Wednesday) in Benin City.
“A good Nigerian reported the incident at the police station covering that neighbourhood.
“The hoodlums carted away a Ghana-Must-Go bag believed to have been loaded with cash kept inside the army van.
“Since they were in their patrol vehicle, they should be armed. The assailants acted on the information. The investigation will unravel all that”.
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.
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.
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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………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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