By Francesca Hangeior

The Ondo State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it had arrested one prophetess, Mrs Folashade Adekola, over the death of a woman, Jumoke Adesuwa and her newborn baby inside the church.

Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the deceased bled to death from complications after childbirth inside the suspect’s church located in the Oke-Aro area of Akure, the state capital. The baby was said to have also died immediately.

It was also learnt that the suspect was arrested by the men of the command after the deceased’s brother reported the matter at the police station.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said the prophetess was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

“The case was reported by the deceased’s brother, that the sister died after childbirth in the church and the prophetess is already in custody. Investigations are still ongoing,” the PPRO said.

A source in the family who spoke to PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity, because he was not permitted to speak with the media, narrated that someone from the church called the family to inform the deceased’s husband that his wife had been delivered of a baby. The deceased’s husband called a family member and both rushed to the church.

He said, “When we got there, they were told that the baby died after childbirth but that the mother was alive. On sighting the deceased, we saw her in a pool of blood, bleeding profusely. So, we rushed her to a nearby hospital.

“Due to her condition, she was rejected at three hospitals and she died in the process of reviving her in the last hospital that admitted her. To our surprise, we got to the church to collect the baby’s remains and found the corpse in a room. The condition of the room was very worrisome as it did not look like a delivery room.

“We approached the Oke-Aro Police Station in Akure to report the case which led to the arrest of the prophetess in charge. The remains of the woman have been deposited at the mortuary.”

By Francesca Hangeior

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended members of a one-chance syndicate accused of targeting women in a string of robberies and assaults.

Among the suspects paraded in a post by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday is a man identified as Vincent, who described how the gang lures their victims.

Speaking at the Ughele A Division during an interview organised by the Edafe, Vincent admitted to the crimes, stating, “We pretend like we are transporters; look for vulnerable young girls. When we pick them up, another gang member joins, and we drive to a lonely road or bush. We collect their phones, open their apps, transfer their money, and sometimes assault them.”

The gang, according to Vincent, primarily targets women and avoids men.

He revealed that they operate under two scenarios: approaching women at clubs and convincing them to join, or posing as drivers to unsuspecting women on the streets.

Edafe, who led the session, explained the modus operandi further.

“They operate in two dimensions. One is that they pretend like they are transporters, look for vulnerable young girls. They don’t target men. They target young girls. Pretend like they want to carry them. They will carry them as passengers.

“When they get to about 100 metres away, another of their gang members will be waiting. They will now enter and they will now put the lady in their middle, drive them to a lonely road, at times to the bush, collect their phone, enter their mobile app, transfer all the money they have, collect their phones. At times, they will rape these ladies.

“We have one of the victims with us, though she’s scared and she does not want to talk, and you know we cannot compel her to talk,” he said.

The gang also has a connection with a woman who allegedly buys stolen wigs from them.

Speaking, the woman admitted to purchasing five wigs from one of the suspects, claiming she was unaware of sources.

By Francesca Hangeior

The Bauchi State Police Command has disclosed the arrest of one Kabiru Adamu for drug dealing.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, on Tuesday said, “On 22/11/2024, operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, led by the Commander, CSP Suleiman M. Tambuwal, arrested a suspected dealer of methylene chloride (A50), popularly known as “Suck and Die,” and Diamond Rubber Solution at Tudun Wadan Dan Iya (Bayani Gari), Bauchi.

“The raid resulted in the arrest of Kabiru Adamu ‘m’ Igbo Quarters and the recovery of the following items: 264 pieces of OSHN Diamond Rubber Solution, 19 30ml bottles of suspected methylene chloride (‘Suck and Die’), and 363 empty bottles.”

Wakil noted that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he received the items from his boss and was paid after selling them.

He further confessed that “each bottle of ‘Suck and Die’ costs N300, while each piece of Diamond Rubber Solution is sold for N250.”

In a related development, the PPRO disclosed the arrest of a suspect involved in a string of crimes, including criminal conspiracy, trespassing, fabrication of keys, instrument of store breaking, and theft.

He stated, “The suspect, Ukasha Adamu, a 23-year-old male residing around Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi metropolis, was arrested on November 11, 2024.

“Adamu’s arrest is the result of a meticulous investigation conducted by the State Intelligence Department (SID), which uncovered a complex web of criminal activities.”

The statement maintained that the investigation revealed that, “The suspect and his accomplices had been systematically surveilling various stores in Bauchi metropolitan, inspecting keyholes, and replicating keys to access stores and steal valuable properties.

“This modus of operandi has significant implications for public safety and economic growth, as it highlights the vulnerability of businesses and individuals to targeted theft.”

Wakil disclosed items recovered to include 150 bags of 25kg parboiled rice, valued at N6,000,000, 43 cartons of I.R.S. spaghetti, valued at N774,000, 20cartons of Emperor vegetable oil, valued at N1,440,000, and 42 cartons of liquid fertilizer for product, valued at N5,040,000.

“The total value of the recovered goods is approximately N13, 254,000.”