Metro
Mother’s Heartbreak: Son Killed After Failed Ransom Payment in Port Harcourt
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Gloria George’s life was shattered on the night of September 10, 2024, when her 34-year-old son, Horsefall Rowland, failed to return home. Earlier that day, Rowland had told his mother he was heading to a meeting at Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but as the hours passed without word from him, Gloria’s anxiety grew.
By 10 pm that night, she had spoken to Rowland, who reassured her he was on his way home. However, when she tried to reach him again later, there was no response. Her worst fears were confirmed early the next morning when Rowland called her at 5 am, frantic with fear. He explained that he had been kidnapped.
As the family desperately scrambled to raise the ransom, they began receiving threatening voice notes and photos from the kidnappers, warning them that Rowland would be killed if the money was not paid. In a last-ditch effort, they sent N30,000, hoping it would save their son’s life. Tragically, it was too late. Rowland’s body was later discovered along Queens/Kings Bakery, Abuloma Road, in Port Harcourt.
In a devastating statement to the police on November 1, 2024, Gloria shared the harrowing details of her son’s captivity. She revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded N2.5 million, though they eventually settled for N300,000. The money was transferred into Rowland’s account, but after that, there was no further contact.
“They sent two threatening voice notes and pictures to Rowland’s girlfriend, saying that if they didn’t receive the N300,000 within the shortest time, we should consider Roland dead,” Gloria said. Unfortunately, that was the last time the family heard from him.
After receiving the family’s complaint, the Rivers State Police Command swiftly launched an investigation, arresting five suspects involved in the crime: Endurance Thompson (23), Boma Otonye (41), David Ishaku (34), Moses Benjamin (29), and Emmanuel (32).
The prime suspect, Thompson, was arrested in his hideout in Woji, Rivers State. He confessed to the crime, revealing that Rowland had been beaten to death after attempting to pay for hard drugs with a fake bank transfer alert.
Thompson explained that Rowland had come to buy “Charlie” (a street name for cocaine) from him on September 11, 2024, around 3 am, behind the Port Harcourt Zoo, Trans Amadi. According to Thompson, Rowland had made a series of fake transfer attempts to pay for the drugs. “I received an alert, but the amount in my account remained unchanged. He owed me N150,000 and claimed to have transferred N8,000 first and N20,000. But the money never actually entered my account,” Thompson said.
An argument broke out over the fake transfer, and Rowland was subsequently beaten. He later begged Thompson to take him to the hospital for treatment. Thompson called a friend, Justice, but by the time they arrived, Rowland had died inside the Keke Marwa that had rushed him to Justice’s place. Thompson informed Justice of the death, and together with another accomplice, Michael, they disposed of Rowland’s body, dumping it beside a bakery on Abuloma Road.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed that Rowland’s body had been deposited in the morgue for preservation. She also stated that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend other individuals mentioned by the suspects, who were allegedly involved in the beating that led to Rowland’s tragic death.
A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 70-year-old woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility over alleged trafficking of 13 kilograms of cocaine.
The court, presided over by Justice Friday Ogazi, arrived at the decision shortly after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned the septuagenarian on a two-count charge of unlawful possession, transportation, and exportation of a narcotic drug.
Upon the calling of the criminal matter, the counsel for the NDLEA, Mr Abu Ibrahim, announced appearance for the prosecution, while Chief Benson Ndakara appeared for the defendant.
In addressing the court, Ibrahim moved an application seeking leave of the court to arraign the defendant during the court vacation, which was granted by Justice Ogazi.
The two-count charge dated August 8, 2026, was then read to the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
In the criminal charge before the court, Barek Mary Yetunde of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have on or about June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to the United Kingdom, exported 13kg of cocaine without lawful authority.
The defendant was equally alleged to have transported the same 13kg of cocaine from her residence in Okota to the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, MMIA, Ikeja.
The offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, after her plea, the NDLEA prayed to Justice Ogazi for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional Facility.
On his part, the counsel for the defence, Chief Ndakara, revealed that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution, adding that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit which the defence had responded to, urging the judge to hear the bail motion.
The prosecutor confirmed he had filed an opposition to the bail application.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that the court could not hear the bail application due to the volume of cases on the vacation cause list.
As a result of the decision of the court, Ndakara requested that the defendant be remanded in NDLEA custody due to her age and health challenges, but the prosecution opposed, stating the agency lacks adequate facilities to accommodate her.
Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter to September 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, pending the hearing.
A Nigerian X user, identified as Chef Dan, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to loan him N400,000 from funds recovered from individuals convicted of embezzlement.
Chef Dan made the request in a post on X while tagging the EFCC’s official account.
He wrote, “I’m broke and I need money to pay rent by next month, can you guys borrow me 400k from the money EFCC recovered from embezzlers?
“I will pay back 15k every month for 2 years.”
The X user also asked the anti-graft agency to lend him one of the vehicles seized during its investigations, saying he could use it to start an Uber business.
He wrote, “I no go mind if you guys can borrow me car from the cars EFCC seized from people.
“Camry (muscle sport) will good to Uber.
“Make I start Uber business and I will be paying 30k weekly.”
Responding to the request, the EFCC clarified that its name does not imply that the agency provides financial services or loans.
The commission replied, “Dear Chef Dan, the ‘Financial’ in the name of the EFCC doesn’t mean we render financial services 👌. You could approach your bank for loans 😊.”
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspected drug dealer, Aliyu Suleman, and recovered 64 bottles of Methylene Chloride, locally referred to as ‘Suck and D!e’, and 17 pieces of rubber solution.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Nafiu Habib, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 said the arrest was part of the command’s efforts to combat drug abuse and safeguard public health.
According to the PPRO, operatives of the Vehicle Crime Response Unit arrested the suspect during an intelligence-led operation at Bayan Gari in the Bauchi metropolis on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at about 5 pm.“
“In furtherance of the Bauchi State Police Command’s commitment to combating drug abuse and safeguarding public health, operatives of the Vehicle Crime Response Unit (VCRU), have arrested a suspect and recovered substantial quantities of illicit substances,” the statement read.
“The arrest was effected on Tuesday, 25th August 2026 at about 1700hrs at Bayan Gari, Bauchi metropolis.
“The suspect, Aliyu Suleman, a 23-years-old male, resident of Tudun Salmanu, Bauchi, was intercepted during a routine intelligence-led operation.
“Upon search, the following exhibits were promptly recovered from the suspect:
1. 64 bottles containing Methylene Chloride, locally referred to as “Suck and Die”
2. 17 pieces of Rubber Solutions
“Both items were seized and registered as exhibits. Meanwhile, the suspect is currently in custody and cooperating with investigators. He will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CPSani-OmoloriAliyu, reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to clamp down on the distribution and abuse of harmful substances.
He has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to intensify surveillance and operations aimed at dismantling networks involved in the sale and abuse of such illicit drugs and substances across the state.
Furthermore, the Command calls on parents, guardians, and community stakeholders to remain vigilant and support the police with timely information, as the fight against drugs and substance abuse requires a collective approach.
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