Crime
Tricycle Rider Killed By Taskforce Over N200 Ticket
Chaos erupted in the Ogbogoro area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State on Thursday when a tragic incident unfolded between a man associated with a task force and a tricycle rider named Esikak Esieme.
According to reports, a heated argument over a N200 ticket escalated, resulting in the alleged punching of Esieme by the task force member.
The incident occurred after the task force officials halted Esieme, who was transporting a passenger, and demanded the fare. However, Esieme explained that he had just commenced his work for the day and did not possess the requested amount at that moment.
Following the disagreement, an altercation reportedly ensued, leading to one of the task force members, identified as Osisi, allegedly delivering a punch to the 39-year-old tricyclist.
Tragically, the impact caused the tricyclist to collapse immediately. In response, Esieme’s fellow colleagues swiftly transported him to a nearby hospital, where medical professionals later confirmed his unfortunate demise.
The incident left his fellow tricyclists deeply angered and frustrated. In protest against the recurring mistreatment and extortion they claimed to endure at the hands of Osisi and his team, Esieme’s colleagues organized a protest to voice their grievances.
Expressing their fury, the enraged tricycle operators decided to suspend their operations momentarily and embarked on a march from Ogbogoro to the premises of a local radio station situated in Port Harcourt to seek justice for their deceased colleague.
Ivumba Friday, the President of the Tricycle Union in Ogbogoro Community, spoke out about the tragic incident, asserting that Nsikak Esieme had been unlawfully killed earlier that day by a persistent troublemaker named Osisi, who, according to Friday, has been inflicting terror upon the residents of Ogbogoro on a daily basis.
He said “Nsikak Esieme was murdered this morning by one Osisi that has been terrorising Ogbogoro and our people daily. We have been reporting this matter to OSPAC, even to the police.”
Lucky, the elder brother of the deceased, recounted the sequence of events and made an initial demand for the release of his late brother’s body to the family.
In response to inquiries, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, acknowledged the incident, describing it as a situation where two individuals fighting.
She said “We are aware of the case but from what the Divisional Police Officer told me, it was a case of two fighting. He was beaten to a coma and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend the suspect and make him face the law.”
. . . 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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