Metro
Bandits Demand N9m Per Benue JAMB Victim As Police Nab Seven
Tension is mounting in Benue State after bandits demanded ₦9 million each for two students believed to be JAMB candidates abducted from a commercial bus, even as the Nigeria Police Force announced a major breakthrough with the arrest of seven suspects and the rescue of some victims.
The victims were among passengers seized on Wednesday when gunmen intercepted an 18-seater Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, forcing occupants into nearby bush paths in what has become a chilling pattern of highway kidnappings in the region.
Family In Distress As Ransom Soars
In an emotional appeal, the father of two of the abducted students said the kidnappers have escalated their demands after a series of confusing negotiations, leaving the family devastated and helpless.
According to him, the abductors initially demanded ₦10 million for each of the victims before briefly dropping the figure to ₦500,000, only to return with a hardline demand of ₦9 million per child.
“I have two children that were kidnapped in that bus and none of them has been released,” the distraught father said.
“They first asked for ₦10 million each, later said ₦500,000, but now they insist on ₦9 million each. We are still begging them.”
The father, who spoke under anonymity for security reasons, revealed that his children were travelling from Nasarawa State when they fell into the hands of the kidnappers after boarding the ill-fated vehicle.
“Even if you sell me, I cannot be worth the ₦9 million they are asking for each of them,” he lamented.
He said the incident has thrown the family into emotional turmoil, disclosing that his wife has not eaten since the abduction, while the family now clings to hope for government intervention.
Sources say several of the victims were young travellers, including students heading to write examinations, heightening public outrage over the targeting of vulnerable citizens on Nigerian highways.
The attack has again spotlighted the growing insecurity along major routes in Benue and neighbouring states, where bandits and suspected armed herdsmen have increasingly tightened their grip.
Amid the rising anxiety, the Benue State Police Command confirmed a breakthrough in the ongoing rescue operation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command said a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies has yielded results.
“The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident,” the statement read.
According to the police, operatives launched a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and surrounding areas, leading to the rescue of some victims, who are now receiving medical attention.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in custody as investigations continue.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, over the alleged murder of his girlfriend following an argument concerning Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV.
The suspect was also accused of concealing the woman’s body inside the toilet of his apartment in Olympic Layout, One-Day, Enugu, after allegedly killing her.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to Ndukwe, operatives attached to the Awkunanaw Division re-arrested Emmanuel at about 6:30pm on Monday after rescuing him from an angry mob that had apprehended him over the alleged killing.
The victim was identified by the police simply as Chinyere.
Body discovered by neighbours
Ndukwe said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly killed Chinyere on September 19, wrapped her remains in nylon and locked them inside the toilet of his apartment.
The police said the decomposing body later began to emit an offensive odour, which attracted the attention of neighbours.
The neighbours reportedly forced the door open and apprehended Emmanuel before the arrival of police operatives.
The victim’s remains were subsequently evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the police said efforts were ongoing to trace and notify her relatives.
Suspect allegedly confesses
The police spokesman said preliminary interrogation indicated that Emmanuel confessed to the alleged crime.
According to Ndukwe, the suspect told investigators that the incident followed an argument with his girlfriend over allegations concerning who infected the other with HIV.
The suspect allegedly stated that the argument escalated before he struck Chinyere on the head with a pestle, resulting in her death.
He allegedly subsequently wrapped her remains and dumped them inside the toilet of his apartment, where they were later discovered by neighbours.
The police said further investigation would be required to establish the full circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and verify the suspect’s account.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation into the case.
Giwa also ordered that the suspect be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of the facts of the case.
The police said investigators would continue efforts to trace the victim’s relatives and establish all relevant circumstances surrounding the alleged murder.
The Commissioner also cautioned members of the public, particularly young women, to exercise caution about whom they visit or spend time with.
He urged them to ensure that trusted relatives or friends are informed of their movements as part of measures to enhance personal safety.
Gunmen reportedly ambushed security operatives attached to Operation Rainbow, a state security outfit in Plateau State, in Bariki Ladi Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday, killing a policeman.
Three civilians were also reportedly killed in a separate incident at Rakok, also in Barkin Ladi LGA.
The security operatives were reportedly attacked along the Gagshi Road in the local government area.
The two incidents, according to separate sources, brought the reported death toll to four, amid renewed attacks in parts of Barkin Ladi, where the government imposed dusk to dawn curfew, on Monday.
A security operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the attack, saying, “We just experienced an ambush in which a security personnel attached to Operation Rainbow was killed.”
He added that the sad incident occurred around 4pm.
President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who confirmed the reported ambush, said he narrowly escaped being caught up in the incident.
He described the latest development as an indication that the security situation in the state was taking a “bigger dimension.”
Mwantiri said the attacks were no longer confined to the night, adding that incidents are now occurring in broad daylight.
He said, “I would have also been involved in that incident if not that God, out of His mercy, saved me.”
He said, “This security challenge has entered another level. This thing is taking a bigger dimension.This will not be night attack again. This will not be even during daytime.”
He urged security personnel and other relevant authorities not to relent in their efforts to protect lives and property and restore peace to affected communities.”
Meanwhile, a community leader, Mr Lawrence Gyang, said three persons were killed at Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Gyang alleged that one person and two unidentified women were killed in broad daylight, while attending the funeral of two persons, who were also allegedly killed the previous day, while travelling to Gashish District.
According to him, the victims were among mourners who had gathered for the funeral when the incident occurred.
Our correspondent reports that despite the curfew, tensions continue to increase in Barkin Ladi and adjoining communities, following a series of attacks in parts of the LGA areas in recent days.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to inquiries from our correspondent as of the time of this report.
Metro
Police Arrest 36-Year-Old Suspected Cultist With Rubber Pistol, Axe, Charms, ‘Ice’ Drug In Lagos
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 36-year-old man identified as Muyideen Olatunbosun, who was allegedly found in possession of a rubber-made pistol, an axe, criminal charms and an illicit drug popularly known as “Ice” in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The arrest was made during an intelligence-led anti-crime patrol aimed at curbing cultism and other criminal activities across Lagos State.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the suspect was arrested while operatives were conducting patrols around Idi-Iroko, Ogolonto and Agric areas of Ikorodu
The police said the operatives received intelligence during the patrol, which led to the arrest of Olatunbosun.
A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of one rubber-made pistol, one axe, criminal charms and an illicit drug identified by the police as “Ice.”
The suspect, according to the Command, is currently in police custody and is assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
The police added that efforts were underway to apprehend other members of the alleged cult group linked to the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives involved in the operation for their vigilance and prompt response to credible intelligence.
Fatai reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against cultism and other forms of criminality across Lagos State.
He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to assist ongoing efforts to prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.
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