Crime
“I’m A Car Thief, Not A Kidnapper,” Wheelchair-Bound Suspect
Chinaza Philip, a wheelchair-driving suspect, has admitted that he is a car thief rather than a kidnapper.
Following his activities in the Federal Capital Territory, the 28-year-old suspect, who hails from Enugu State, was apprehended in Kaduna.
However, his statement is that his gang specialises in auto theft not kidnapping which he is being accused of.
According to the suspect who was staggering in excruciating pain as a result of a gunshot on one of his legs, “anything I am telling you is the truth and nothing but the truth. I know some people will say I am lying. Between God and man, I am not a kidnapper. I want the whole world to know that I am not a kidnapper.
“I and my friends were on patrol, looking out for cars to steal. We collect cars from park. We saw one Hilux in a compound and we turned back. We entered and asked the owner for the key, which he gave us.
“The aim and plan was not to carry the man, but I don’t know why my friend Yellow said we should carry him. We took the man on the back seat with me. I never knew that the intention of Yellow is to collect money from him. He asked the man how much he has in his account and he said N5 million. I did not have power to stop Yellow, it was one of us who was pointing gun at the man.
“It was Yellow that brought the guns. I don’t know Yellow very well, it was my friend Chidiebere who introduced me to Yellow. I did not know it was kidnapping we were in for, I thought it was our normal car stealing.”
FCT Police boss, CP Garuba Haruna, who addressed newsmen on the subject, noted that it was apt to give an update on the steps the Command has taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the residents of FCT.
According to him, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun had on January 17, 2024 launched Special Intervention Squad (SIS) at Force Headquarters, Abuja to curb the menace of kidnapping and armed banditry and other sundry crimes in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The launch of this special squad has yielded positive results as all the identified bandit’s routes especially in Bwari Area Council has been blocked by the Police thereby denying them access into the FCT via Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
“Since then, no case of kidnapping has been recorded in that axis.
In addition, many kidnapping and armed robbery suspects have been arrested and victims rescued.
“In the same vein, several arms and live ammunitions and vehicles taken away from victims have been recovered.
The following is the synopsis of some of the successes recorded.
“On January 17, 2024 at around 7.pm, the complainant/victim, Segun Akinyemi of No 10 Birnin Kebbi street, Garki 2 Abuja, was abducted in front of his house while driving out with his gray colored Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL by four armed men who laid siege in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car.
“The FCT police command via the control room alerted the patrol teams and men on the entry/exit points for rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects. The CP FCT placed a call to his counterparts in the contiguous states especially Kaduna.
“This contact paid off as police operatives in Kaduna intercepted the armed hoodlums at a filling station in Kawo, Kaduna State. There was an exchange of fire between the police operatives and the kidnappers. That while three of them escaped, one of the suspect later identified as Chinaza Philip Okoye was arrested.
“Three English pistols with 15 rounds of live ammunition and the said Hilux Van were recovered from him. The victim who was in the vehicle was rescued unhurt. “Preliminary investigation revealed that two out of four armed men are Abuja-based; Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and one Chidibere. It was also discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested, sometimes in November 2023, for armed robbery, and a snatched Honda car was recovered from them.
“He and his accomplices were arraigned before a High Court Judge in Kwali, Abuja, but were granted court bail, only for the suspects to get involved in this particular kidnapping case.”
Crime
Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.
He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: FCT Motorists, Commuters Divided over NNPC Petrol Discount
The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.
“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.
Crime
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnap, Rape of 14-Year-Old Student
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.
The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.
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According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.
After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.
The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.
The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”
He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”
Erale further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children, stressing that “the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.”
Crime
Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
Two suspected political thugs have reportedly died following an attack on the convoy of Rollins Offia Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Nwali’s motorcade was returning from Amazekewe community, according to a report published by SaharaReporters on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Security sources told the publication that the attackers allegedly opened fire on the candidate’s convoy, prompting security personnel attached to him to return fire after ensuring the safety of Nwali and his team.
SEE ALSO: NDC Withdraws Recognition of Diaspora Chapters Over Court Rulingq
One of the suspected attackers reportedly died at the scene, while the second was said to have died later in hospital. One of the deceased was identified as Jude Nwamgbada.
The attackers were alleged to have been armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.
However, the identities and political affiliations of the attackers could not be independently verified as of the time of the report.
NDC Candidate Confirms Attack, Says Hilux Was Burnt
Nwali confirmed the incident in a statement shared on his Facebook page, disclosing that his Toyota Hilux was set ablaze during the attack.
He expressed gratitude to security agencies for ensuring the safety of everyone in his convoy.
“My motorcade was attacked today by armed hoodlums who opened fire on our vehicles while we were returning from Amazekewe. My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack,” he said.
“Thankfully, we are all safe, and I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of the security agencies who ensured our safety.”
The NDC candidate also acknowledged reports of casualties among the attackers, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families.
“I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families. Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable,” he added.
Nwali Warns Youths Against Political Violence
Following the incident, Nwali appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians seeking power at the expense of their lives.
He urged youths to consider the consequences of participating in political violence, stressing that no political ambition justified the loss of human life.
“No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition,” he said.
The candidate further insisted that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his political ambition and serving the people of Ezza South.
“As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course,” he added.
Attack Comes Amid Reported Political Violence in South-East
The incident comes amid a series of reported attacks involving members and supporters of the NDC in the South-East, particularly in neighbouring Enugu State.
On October 10, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu, as they gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
Video footage of the incident reportedly showed supporters fleeing amid sporadic gunfire, while a suspected attacker was seen assaulting an NDC supporter with a plank.
Amnesty International subsequently condemned the attack, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting opposition members.
Another incident occurred at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area of Enugu, where armed men allegedly opened fire during preparations for the party’s campaign flag-off.
The shooting reportedly left a man who was repairing a vehicle with a gunshot injury and damaged five parked cars.
Nworie Christopher, an NDC member from Affa in Udi Local Government Area, later died from injuries sustained during the attack on the party’s campaign office.
The Enugu State Police Command reportedly ordered an investigation into the shooting, while Governor Peter Mbah pledged to prosecute those responsible for the airport and secretariat attacks.
The NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating intimidation against its members. However, the alleged APC affiliation of those involved in the Ebonyi incident has not been independently verified.
The party has also called for an independent investigation into previous attacks on its members in Enugu State.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, reportedly did not answer calls or respond to a message seeking his reaction to the incident.





