Crime
Kogi’s NLC Leader Allegedly Abducted By Police Operatives
Eleojo Opaluwa, a prominent official of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi State, has reportedly been abducted by operatives of the Nigeria Police.
On August 4, 2024, Opaluwa was reportedly seized by members of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
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According to eyewitness accounts, he was last seen leaving his family in Mararaba after receiving a phone call and meeting a presumed caller at a specified location.
Witnesses observed him being transported away in security vehicles, including a Hilux and a Golf.
Later that day, around 5 p.m., security personnel in a Toyota SUV visited the NUEE office in Area 8 Garki, where they inquired about Opaluwa.
The office watchman confirmed Opaluwa’s employment but noted that he was not at the office due to the weekend.
As his family remained unaware of his detention, they initiated a search and reported him missing at the Mararaba Police Station.
Police advised them to return on August 5, 2024, if he did not return.
Upon their return, the family was directed to provide Opaluwa’s photograph and additional details to formally declare him missing.
Vanguard has learned that although Eleojo Opaluwa’s family has complied with all police requests, he has yet to be officially declared missing.
NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, confirmed Opaluwa’s arrest, stating: “We were reliably informed that around 2 p.m. on August 4, 2024, Opaluwa, a staff member of NUEE, left his home in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, and has not returned since.”
“It was confirmed that he was whisked away by security personnel in their vehicles (one Hilux and a golf) to an unknown destination.
“We have tried everything possible to reach him on the phone but all to no avail. We visited some police stations at Mararaba and environs, but they denied having him in their custody.
“We contacted our lawyer to write to the National Security Adviser to the President, intimating him of the predicament of Opaluwa, where he is denied access to his lawyer, family and freedom of movement amongst other rights.
“Furthermore, we are also reliably informed that Opaluwa was arrested and detained by security personnel at the IRT.
“We hereby demand without further delay the immediate release of Opaluwa, who has been illegally detained since August 4, 2024, till date. This is a flagrant abuse of his rights as a citizen of Nigeria.”
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………..
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.
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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.
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