Crime
Delta Police Apprehend Suspected Cultist, Kidnapper
An alleged member of an infamous kidnapping ring and suspected cultist was arrested by Delta State Police Command agents.
According to reports, the arrest was related to the inquiry into the death of Regina Ogana, who was abducted on August 2, 2023, together with her husband and other family members.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday that the Command received another distress call from the husband of the deceased that one of his brothers, Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje, aged 28, made a suspicious call to him that he was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N500,000, and money was transferred into the said Eseoghene’s account as his ransom.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, gave a marching order to the Divisional Police Officer, Oreropke Division, to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the perpetrators were arrested.
The PPRO stated that following the CP’s order, on August 11, 2023, at about 1145hrs acting on technically generated information, operatives of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team led by the DPO CSP Paul E. Oboware stormed Odovie community, Ughelli North LGA and arrested the said Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje at the same spot where the sum of N1,300,000.00 was earlier paid as ransom for the release of his elder brother and husband of the deceased.
According to the police spokesman, the investigation revealed that the said Eseoghene is a member of Eiye Confraternity, that he faked his own kidnapping, and that he is also suspected to have masterminded the kidnapping of his brother and other family members, which led to the death of Regina Ogana.
It was gathered that the suspect is presently in custody while the investigation is ongoing.
In another development, on August 10, 2023, at about 2130hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, acting on a complaint received via petition, stormed Issele-Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area and arrested one Igwe Uche (29), Victor Agogozia (30) and Afam Okoro Victor (30), all residents of Issele-Azagba.
Upon a thorough search of the suspects, one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one single-barrel gun, and one live cartridge were recovered.
The PPRO stated that the suspects and exhibits are in custody, and efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of their gang.
Also, on August 13, 2023, at about 2130hrs, acting on credible intelligence received about some hoodlums who were on their way to attack the unsuspecting person(s) along Umusadege quarters, the DPO Kwale Division, CSP Edwin Igoche in a proactive manner, swiftly mobilised crack team of the division to Mid-western Road.
One cut-to-size gun and six cartridges were found on the two suspects, Ugo Uzoka, 31, of Umusadege Quarters, and Ebinum Snu, 33, who were also arrested during the process.
While the investigation is still ongoing, suspects are in custody.
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………..
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.
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Disclaims Recruitment Announcement For PHRC
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.
Kano Police Warn Residents Of Imminent Terror Attack Threats
TCN Completes Relocation Of 8 Towers, Ends Power Rationing In Abuja
Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun Land Disputes: Osun Constitutes A 100-Member Boundary Resolution Committee
Savannah Energy Provides Unaudited FY 2024 Trading Updates
Okpebholo Moves To End Indiscriminate Parking, Gridlock In Edo State
Leadership Newspaper Backs Adeleke For Second Tenure, Names Him ‘Gov Of The Year’
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
