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 Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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