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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.

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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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.

“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.

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.

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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The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife released a video on Saturday showing the couple in captivity.

Abubakar, a retired major general, served as Director of Defence Information, the media arm of the Defence Headquarters, between 2015 and 2017.

Abubakar, and his wife were both abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State.

The couple were reportedly travelling towards Katsina when gunmen intercepted their vehicle in Matazu Local Government Area and took them away.

In the now viral four-minute video circulating on social media, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi while the third was arrested in Kano.

She said: “Three of their boys have been arrested, including Aminu, Sani Nasiru and others, and they want them released alongside all their properties, their cows and goats that were captured as well.

“We are begging all those concerned to help us heed these demands so we can be released.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their release.

“Two of the boys were captured in Jikamshi and the other one was arrested separately, so we are appealing to the government to please adhere to their demands, release them and release their cows.”