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Tension rises as gunmen kill 18 in Imo communities

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The Imo State Police Command has expressed its determination to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of no fewer than 18 people in coordinated attacks by gunmen in several communities in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday that the killings occurred in Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihittenasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe, all communities within Orsu LGA on Sunday.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, who hails from Orsu, had drawn attention to the incident via his X-handle on Monday.

Odinkalu tweeted, “Information is coming thro of what appears to have been systematic slaughter last night across several communities in Orsu LGA of Imo State, SE #Nigeria, including in Amaebu, Awo-Idemili, Eziawa, Umuhu-Okabia. Interim casualty count ATM is 23 but it looks like it could be higher.

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“For obvious reasons, I am unable to share images from the scenes or of the remains of affected persons on this platform. They are too gory for words. The government at various levels – local, state, federal – does not appear to have noticed nor heard any of this.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to our correspondent during a telephone conversation saying an investigation had begun.

Okoye said, “The police are aware of the killings and already CP Aboki Danjuma has set up a high-powered security team involving the different security agencies to unravel the case. The CP appeals to people to remain calm.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that the residents had celebrated their annual Masqueraders’ Day, involving Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and the other communities, on Sunday, to mark the Yuletide.

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After the masqueraders’ show, some holidaying locals who returned for Christmas and New Year decided to go to a drinking joint to have some fun.

However, our correspondent learnt that it was passers-by who discovered that everyone in the shop was lying in the pool of blood with suspected heavy machete wounds on their bodies.

A source who pleaded anonymity said, “Everybody in the joint, all nine people were discovered dead, whether customers or attendants. They had been butchered with deep machete cuts all over.

“We were just a few blocks away from there and nobody heard any sound of gunshot or argument. We suspect that it was members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network that are behind this,” he said.

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Furthermore, he said three corpses were discovered in Umukabia consisting of family members, five corpses in Eziawa village, and another five corpses in Ihittenasa all with machete cuts that same January 5.

“I can’t explain how these incidents happened and nobody noticed. There were three people in Umukabia, five in Ezinwa, and another five in Ihittenasa villages and nobody saw the killers come in nor when leaving. Orsu lost 18 promising lives in one day.

“We suspect that these killings were done with inside collaboration with Orsu boys who are members of IPOB and ESN members that we don’t know”, the source said.

Orsu had for four years been under the control of the proscribed IPOB and ESN who succeeded in chasing out the locals.

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However, the military had sustained a massive onslaught on the groups and successfully recovered some communities which made people to start returning to Orsu gradually including the holidaying victims.

Meanwhile, a police source who pleaded anonymity told PUNCH Metro the killers were trying to instil fear into Orsu people and make them leave their communities again.

Metro

One Dead As Police Foil Abuja Kidnapping Operation, Rescue Four

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued four residents abducted during a kidnapping attack in the Yellow House area of Mpape, Abuja, following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Jikoko Hills.

The Command, however, confirmed that one resident was killed during the attack, while another who sustained a gunshot wound is responding to treatment in hospital.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday when the command received a distress call that armed kidnappers had invaded the Yellow House area of Mpape and abducted four residents.

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Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Divisions, as well as officers of the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.

Adeh said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through the Jikoko Hills towards the Ushafa Forest.

“Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene. It was also discovered that the assailants had taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area whom they forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest,” she said.

She added that the injured victims were rushed to a hospital, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was confirmed dead, while the second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is responding positively to treatment.

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The police spokesperson said operatives sustained the pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the attack until the early hours of Friday when they intercepted the suspects around Jikoko Hills.

She said, “The operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident till Friday, 10th July, 2026, when they located the kidnappers at approximately 12:05 a.m. around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forest with the hostages.”

According to her, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the advancing police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“Demonstrating superior tactical capability, the operatives overwhelmed the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,” Adeh stated.

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She confirmed that all four abducted victims were rescued unharmed, evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.

The spokesperson added that security operatives were continuing the manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the command remained committed to apprehending those behind the attack and bringing them to justice.

“He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the FCT Police Command emergency lines,” the statement added.

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DJ Chicken to relax in Kirikiri prison for threatening to k!ll Seyi Tinubu

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Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, was on Friday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, over allegations of issuing a death threat against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

DJ Chicken was brought before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi on a three-count charge bordering on alleged threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and offences under the Cybercrime Act.

According to the prosecution, the charges arose from a video posted on the content creator’s social media platforms last week in which he allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu while commenting on the 2027 presidential election.

The prosecution told the court that the video contained statements interpreted as a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

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Following public reaction to the video, DJ Chicken posted another video in which he withdrew the remarks, describing them as a joke intended to attract public attention.

He stated that he had no intention of harming Seyi Tinubu and said the comments were part of content creation.

Despite the retraction, the state proceeded with criminal charges against him.

The first count alleges that the defendant posted a video containing a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu through his social media accounts, an offence punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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The second count accuses him of transmitting a grossly offensive and menacing message through a computer network, contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

The third count alleges that his conduct was likely to cause a breach of the peace and was intended to intimidate or embarrass Seyi Tinubu, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

DJ Chicken pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Magistrate M.F. Onamusi admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

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The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a government employee, while the second must be a recognised community leader with landed property in Lagos State.

Both sureties are also required to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) identification, National Identification Number (NIN), and recent utility bills.

In addition, one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that DJ Chicken be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

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The case was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.

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Metro

Man who slashed his manhood set it ablaze back in the street

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An Indiana man accused of severing his own penis and setting it on fire has been released on bail after being charged with felony arson.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, 43-year-old American citizen, Christopher Peden was released after posting a $10,000 bond. As part of his bail conditions, he must remain in Indiana unless he receives court approval to travel outside the state.

Investigators said officers recovered several items from the scene, including the remains of a red plastic gasoline container, four BIC lighters and a knife. Court records did not indicate that the severed body part was collected as evidence. Police allege that Peden told officers he used a kitchen knife to sever his penis at around 2 a.m. before pouring gasoline on it and setting it alight inside a garage.

Emergency services were dispatched to the property following reports of a stabbing. Police and firefighters responded to the scene, where the incident is said to have occurred in a garage belonging to the property’s owners.

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Peden is expected to appear in court as proceedings continue in the felony arson case. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about his medical condition or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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