Crime
FCT: 7 Family Members Kidnapped, 1 Killed, Police Injured In Bandits’ Attack
In the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a group of bandits carried out a disturbing attack, kidnapping seven members of a family.
During this heinous act, two policemen sustained bullet injuries.
Tragically, a middle-aged man known as Alhaji, who courageously led the police in an attempt to thwart the abduction, lost his life in the encounter with the bandits.
This incident is part of a concerning trend in the region, as bandits have been increasingly targeting villages within the Bwari Area Council.
Residents have faced the harrowing reality of abductions and even fatalities due to these repeated incursions by the bandits, causing heightened fear and concern among the community.
According to Isaiah Samuel, a resident of Bwari, the distressing incident occurred during the early hours of Wednesday in Zuma 1, located within the central ward of the Bwari Area Council.
Samuel described how the bandits meticulously planned their attack, positioning themselves strategically after singling out their target’s residence.
He stated that when the victim sensed something amiss upon hearing an unusual sound, they promptly contacted a relative known as Alhaji for assistance.
According to him, Alhaji swiftly organized a response, mobilizing the police to the scene in an attempt to intervene.
Samuel said “It was when the man suspected a strange sound in front of his house that he immediately called his brother, popularly called Alhaji to alert the police.”
Isaiah Samuel recounted that Alhaji, at the forefront with a team of policemen headed towards the targeted house, fell victim to a hidden bandit who fatally shot him from a concealed position which led to an intense exchange of gunfire between the police and the bandits, resulting in two officers sustaining gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
He said “The bandits eventually succeeded in whisking away the man and his family members, because the distance from the victim’s house to where the police engaged the bandits is far,”
Samuel further recounts an incident from the early hours of Tuesday when the bandits struck Barangoni, also within the Bwari central ward.
During this attack, three individuals were abducted, and a vigilant community member sustained injuries while trying to intervene.
Expressing concern and urgency, Samuel appealed to the authorities of the Area Council to step in and support the residents.
He emphasized the critical need for collaboration between local authorities and security agencies to address the relentless wave of kidnappings plaguing the area.
He added “The truth is that Bwari area council is under siege, because for the past two weeks now, bandits have been moving from one community to another killing and abducting people.”
However, the FCT Police Command had not responded or issued any statement regarding the recent attacks in Bwari.
. . . 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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