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Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Ministry of Justice Director, niece in Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the arrest of 45-year-old Ability Etim Samuel and 36-year-old David Vincent Samuel for their alleged involvement in the abduction of a director from the Ministry of Justice and his niece.

In his maiden press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, stated that operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, team, acting on intelligence, uncovered the kidnappers’ den in Ikot Ukpong village, Abak Local Government Area. The victims, who were kept in an abandoned soakaway, were rescued, and two suspects were neutralised during the operation.

The tactical team, led by CSP Kokoete Ebong, arrested two suspects during further investigations and recovered the victim’s car, which had been abandoned along Etinan Road, as well as the Toyota Sienna vehicle used in the kidnapping.

The commissioner’s statement read in part: “You may recall that in December 2024, a distress call was received reporting the kidnapping of a director with the Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State, and his niece (name withheld) by five armed men. Our operatives immediately swung into action and located the kidnappers’ den in a dense forest within Ikot Ukpong village, Abak Local Government Area.

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“A thorough search was conducted within the forest, and the victims were rescued unharmed from an abandoned soakaway. The victim’s car was recovered along Etinan Road, where it had been abandoned. Additionally, the Toyota Sienna vehicle used in the kidnapping was recovered, while two suspects were neutralised. Further investigation led to the arrest of Ability Etim Samuel, 45, and David Vincent Samuel, 36. They are currently under investigation to identify more members of their gang and recover their weapons.”

The rescued victim, speaking to journalists shortly after the press conference, recounted how he was blocked at a road bump in Etinan, had his car window smashed with a hammer, and was blindfolded before being taken to an unknown forest, later identified as being in Abak Local Government Area.

He expressed gratitude to CSP Ebong, the rescue team, and the police command for their swift response and professionalism, which ensured his and his niece’s safe return from the kidnappers’ den.

Additionally, the command paraded six suspects for alleged sodomy. The suspects include Okwudili Levi Okeke (aka Eze), 34; Idara Itam Daniel, 23; David Udoh James, 23; Udofia Edem Udosen, 29; David Bassey Bassey, 26; and Daniel Jacob Edet, 30.

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The commissioner disclosed that the arrests followed information received from a journalist on 8 January 2025, reporting that a 13-year-old boy had been repeatedly raped by four different men over three years. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Okwudili Okeke, had been recruited into sodomy and had engaged in anal sex with several men in the state.

Commissioner of Police Azare assured the public that all suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. He vowed to intensify efforts to clamp down on criminals in the state and urged the public to provide useful information to help tackle crime and criminality.

Metro

Gunmen abduct RCCG Pastor in Ondo

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Suspected gunmen have abducted a cleric with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), identified as Pastor Gbenga Sanny, in Ondo State.

It was gathered that Sanny was seized by three gunmen on Sunday evening in the presence of his children.

Sources who confirmed the abduction to The Nation on Monday said the incident occurred at about 7.00 p.m in front of his residence located at Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government.

Sanny, who is also a staff of the Akure North Local Government Area of the state, was taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

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His wife reportedly escaped the attack.

“The three armed men reportedly came out of the nearby bush and whisked him away,” one of the sources revealed.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command, Jimoh Abayomi said investigation has been launched into the abduction case.

He stated that officers and tactical teams of the command have already been mobilised to the area and working to secure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible for the crime.

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Metro

Father of four missing after being swept away by floodwaters

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A man was carried away by floodwaters at Christian Village in the Greater Accra Region on June 7, 2026, during a heavy downpour.

The victim, a father of four, reportedly slipped into a gutter while helping colleagues desilt it, and despite rescue efforts, the strong current swept him away.

Recounting the incident in a video shared by Ask Media on social media on June 8, 2026, eyewitnesses said the incident occurred while the victim and three others were clearing a heavily clogged drainage system to improve water flow during the rains.

The area is known to flood whenever there is heavy rainfall, prompting residents to regularly engage in desilting exercises.

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One eyewitness said the victim lost his footing during the exercise and fell.

“He slipped and fell into the river while we were removing debris. I tried to hold him by his collar, but I couldn’t keep hold of him. The current was too strong,” the eye witness recounted.

Despite immediate attempts to rescue him, he was swept away by the raging floodwaters and has since gone missing.

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Houses razed as soldiers, police clash with Delta community youths

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An orgy of violence broke out weekend in Emede community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, as a joint operation of soldiers and police in the community turned bloody with many injured and houses burnt.

It was gathered that the joint security team under the aegis of “Operation Delta Sweep” comprises of personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had stormed the community to arrest an alleged drug kingpin but met resistance.

Vanguard sources claimed that the security team invaded a hotel when they could not find their target where they meet a group of guests and youths who were on a celebration spree.

Sources said; “The people were having a birthday party at the hotel when suddenly the security team stormed the place. They subjected everyone to a search and demanded that they drop their phone for search too.

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“Some of the youths tried to resist the search of their phones at the hotel resulting to a shouting match. Soon the place became chaotic and there was serious resistance against the security team who fire multiple gun shots to desperse the surging crowd.

“While some youth sustained injured during the scuffles, one particular security personnel was unlucky as mobs who had gathered in large number descended on him before he was rescued.

Sensing danger following the overwhelming numbers of mobs who had gathered at the scene, the security team reportedly beat a retreat and went for reenforcement.

Irked by the development, the security team reportedly invaded the community at night unleashing mayhem on the community and in the process razed down the hotel and several other residential houses.

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Efforts to get comment from the Police Public Officer, SP Bright Edafe proved abortive as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area in Delta State, Hon.(Comrade) Warri Ovoke Friday, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace in the wake of recent violent confrontations involving youths and security agencies in Emede.

During visits to the affected areas where properties were destroyed, Warri assured residents of lasting peace and urged them to remain calm.

The council chief, accompanied by the traditional ruler of the kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, Security agencies among others visited the affected areas to assess the security situation, offer sympathies to impacted families, and engage with community leaders and stakeholders on strategies for achieving lasting peace.

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The chairman had earlier imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Emede town, restricting movement of humans and vehicles outside homes between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Warri assured residents and the general public that Emede remains calm and peaceful, with the government closely monitoring all activities to ensure lasting peace.

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