Crime
Eight In Custody For Ekiti Monarchs’ Murder, Pupils’ Abduction
Law enforcement officials in Ekiti State have apprehended eight suspects linked to the recent heinous crimes involving the murder of two traditional rulers and the abduction of pupils.
The arrests, which formed part of a coordinated operation spanning Emure-Ekiti Forest, Ise/Ogbese Forest, and Emure-Ile Forest in Ondo State, were made possible through the collaborative efforts of police operatives, hunters, Agbekoya group members, vigilantes, and the Amotekun Corps.
Sunday Abutu, the spokesperson for the state police command, revealed the identities of the suspects, including Yaya Sumaila, Idrisu Abubakar, Hassan Abudullahi, Abudullahi Abudullahi, Haruna Abubakar, Usman Abudullahi, Haruna Sule, and Babusa Alhaji Lede, apprehended in Ayedun/Ayebode Ekiti forest in the Ikole Area.
He said, “The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and are giving credible information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects that perpetrated the dastard acts.
“While the Command will not rest until the fleeing hoodlums are made to face the full wrath of the law, members of the public are hereby implored to be calm and support the Police with credible and timely information that could lead to the arrest of those behind these heinous acts and other criminal elements in the state.”
Abutu stated that recovered items from the suspects include one cow, three cutlasses, one axe, one dagger, and food items.
The arrests follow the tragic incident on January 29, where assailants, suspected to be criminal herdsmen, brutally took the lives of two prominent Ekiti traditional rulers—Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin.
Unidentified gunmen had also targeted a school bus, kidnapping five pupils, three teachers, and the driver of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools within 24 hours of the monarchs’ murder.
Originally demanding 100 million as ransom for the pupils and teachers, the abductors later reduced the demand to 15 million.
In a turn of events, the pupils and teachers were freed on Sunday morning, though tragically, the school bus driver lost his life during the incident.
The Ekiti State Government officially confirmed the release of the victims; however, they have not disclosed whether any ransom was paid for their freedom.
According to Olayinka Oyebode, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Governor, the pupils and their teachers were freed on February 4 and safely brought to the Elemure Palace at approximately 4am.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his pivotal support that facilitated the successful rescue of the victims.
The governor conveyed his appreciation, acknowledging President Tinubu’s specific directives that propelled the search and rescue mission, ultimately leading to the safe recovery of the children and their families.
. . . 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.”
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………..
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February 5, 2024 at 1:00 pm
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