Crime
Rivers Police Apprehend Officers For Kidnapping, Demanding N1M Ransom
In Rivers State, an unspecified group of police officers was apprehended for allegedly kidnapping a hotel staff and requesting a ransom of N1 million for his release.
The victim was reportedly taken while en route to work in Port Harcourt around 8 pm on a Friday.
From reliable sources near the Rivers Command, it’s reported that the officers intercepted the victim during his commute to work. Despite searching his body and phone and finding nothing incriminating, they remained unsatisfied with their findings.
Upon discovering the victim’s workplace on his phone, the officers allegedly proceeded to abduct him. They purportedly compelled him to contact his family and demand a one-million-naira ransom for his release from their custody.
Reportedly, the officers allegedly threatened the victim, claiming they would harm him similarly to previous victims who resisted cooperation, mentioning dumping his body in the Choba River to frame him as a kidnapper.
Subsequently, they purportedly restrained the young man in their vehicle, patrolling with him until eventually transporting him to a bush in Aluu, within the Ikwerre local Government Area of the state.
According to the source; “He was compelled to call his boss, the owner of thebhotel in Choba at gunpoint. When his boss was called, he smartly contacted a certain DPO who pretended to be his father.
“The rogue officers unknowingly started negotiating the ransom money with the DPO(names withheld) through the boy’s phone thinking he was the victim’s father.”
Accordibg to report, around 1 am on Saturday, the DPO, posing as the victim’s father, accompanied his team to the bush in Aluu where the officers were awaiting the ransom.
Upon arrival, the officers were swiftly disarmed and apprehended by the DPO. Surprisingly, they were identified as officers from a Police formation in Port Harcourt town, specifically in the Borokiri axis.
The mother of the kidnapped victim verified that the rogue officers who abducted her son were indeed detained by the DPO during the early hours of Saturday.
Additional information regarding the incident is still emerging, while the Rivers Police Command has not yet made an official statement about the situation.
The abduction incident occurred within 24 hours of CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s advice to the public to record police officers while on duty.
He emphasized the importance of officers maintaining a friendly demeanor and smiling when being recorded.
. . . 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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