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.
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and two others, have been slated for arraignment today (thursday) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They face charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.
The proceedings are set to unfold before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The charges, based on court documents, accuse Sirika of granting undue advantage to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023.
The anti-graft agency has accused Sirika of misusing his authority by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
This alleged action is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a separate charge, the EFCC alleges that on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika utilized on or about August 18, 2022 ia, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”
The anti-graft agency asserted that Sirika’s actions amounted to a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.
In count three, the EFCC accused Sirika of criminal breach of trust “while serving as the Minister of Aviation and in his capacity as a public officer” on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
In late April, the former aviation minister was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency and interrogated for several days.
Zamfara State is in the grip of fear and mourning following a series of vicious attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and the abduction of a branch manager of Taj Bank in Mandir Laura.
In a daring raid, approximately fifteen armed bandits stormed the manager’s residence in Rijiyar Gabas, seizing him and vanishing into the night.
Meanwhile, Faru Town in Maradun local government area witnessed a bloodbath as bandits struck, leaving eight residents dead.
Eyewitnesses recount the terror as the attackers besieged the town, instilling fear and chaos before retreating with captives into the surrounding forests.
The incidents have prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to stem the tide of violence plaguing Zamfara State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reached an out-of-court settlement with renowned barman, Pascal Okechukwu, famously known as Cubana Chief Priest, regarding charges of naira abuse.
This development surfaced during the latest court proceedings presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
Cubana Chief Priest has been facing a three-count-charge related to the misuse of the national currency at a social gathering, a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Details later.. . ..
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