Metro
Police Rescue Infant Abducted By Neighbour In Rivers
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued a six-month-old child, Lucky Sunday, who was kidnapped over a month ago by a co-tenant of the child’s parents at their residence on Anekelane Street in the Mile 2 axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Recall that the suspect, simply identified as Mr Erica, abducted the infant on Sunday, 29 September 2024, and reportedly fled with the child to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The Rivers State Police Command has been on his trail ever since, spreading their dragnet to ensure his arrest and prosecution.
The manhunt for the fleeing suspect finally paid off when detectives attached to the Mile 1 Police Division trailed him to Uyo, leading to his arrest and transportation back to Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that during interrogation, the prime suspect revealed to the police that he sold the baby for N3.6 million to an unidentified female buyer who took the child to Enugu State.
Following a discreet investigation, detectives attached to the Mile 1 Police Division rescued the child on Sunday, 3 November 2024, and arrested the buyer and four other accomplices, bringing the total number of suspects to six, all of whom are currently detained at the Mile 1 Police Station in Port Harcourt.
The father of the child, Anekan Sunday, confirmed the rescue of his baby and the arrest of the six suspects, stating, “Yes, I saw my baby yesterday (Sunday). But the police didn’t allow me to take him yet because they said they wanted to go to court.
“The suspect who took the baby and the others have been arrested. They are six in all, and they are at the Mile 1 Police Division.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the rescue of the child and the arrest of the suspects, stating that it is a child trafficking syndicate.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, also revealed that the prime suspect had previously sold his own biological child before abducting that of his neighbour.
She stated, “It is a case of a child trafficking syndicate that our men have busted.
“The man sold his own biological son and also abducted another child, whom he sold for N3.6 million to a lady.
“But the lady claimed she went to an orphanage to register the child for adoption in Enugu State. The child was adopted here in Port Harcourt and sold to her.
“The child has been rescued. The suspect and five others have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, a rights advocate and National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability, Prince Wiro, has commended the police for their due diligence in rescuing the child and arresting the six suspects.
Wiro stated, “We sincerely commend the officers attached to the Mile 1 Police Division for the rescue of the child. It shows a high level of professionalism and due diligence.
“We believe that the officers deserve an award from the police authority in the state. We equally urge the police to arraign any of the arrested suspects found culpable during the investigation in court for justice to be served as a deterrent to others who may want to take the same line of action.”
Metro
School principal suspended in Akwa Ibom over poor feeding of students
The principal of Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, Akwa Ibom State, Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, has been suspended following an alleged poor feeding of students of the school.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, who announced this in a statement in Uyo on Saturday, said the suspension was in the wake of a viral video where the students were seen eating unpalatable and non-nutritious meals.
Etiebet, while condemning the act, ordered a full investigation into the incident as well as the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.
She said the review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board.
She said: “Following the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and innutrious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school. I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.
“Consequently, I have also directed the immediate suspension of the principal of the school, Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The Ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.”
The commissioner said though the free education policy of the state government covers tuition fees only and not boarding fees, the welfare and dignity of all students, especially those in public schools, remain a priority to government, appealing to parents to support their children.
Metro
Man Cancels Wedding Over N3.5m Bride Price List
In a story sparking intense online discussion, a man has reportedly withdrawn from a marriage proposal due to a highly demanding traditional bride price list provided by the woman’s family.
The incident, shared by social media user Princess Adeola, highlighted the emotional toll on the man and drew attention to cultural practices that some argue may discourage potential suitors.
The bride price list, meant to honor the family, included numerous items such as crates of drinks, livestock, clothing, and monetary gifts for various members of the bride’s extended family. The total value was estimated at ₦3.5 million.
The prospective groom, reportedly eager to marry and even committed to taking the bride abroad and sponsoring her education, expressed heartbreak after realizing the bride herself supported her family’s demands, citing the rising costs of living in Nigeria.
Adeola expressed sympathy for the man, describing him as a “good man” who was willing to go to great lengths for his partner. She criticized the bride’s family for what she termed “greed” and urged women to advocate for reasonable expectations from their families.
Many online users joined the discussion, debating the relevance and practicality of traditional marriage customs in modern times. While some defended the practice as a cultural heritage, others viewed it as a hindrance to relationships and an unnecessary financial burden.
See the tweets below……
https://twitter.com/_esosa/status/1860283501225902524?s=19
https://twitter.com/dearolaa/status/1860214914826051631?s=19
https://twitter.com/dearolaa/status/1860215605489811876?s=19
https://twitter.com/dearolaa/status/1860224037680546136?s=19
Metro
Nigerian Woman Arrested, Detained In Libyan Capital With 2Kg Of Cocaine
According to the report, the woman was apprehended during a targeted operation aimed at dismantling drug networks in the Libyan capital.
A Nigerian woman has been arrested by the 444th Combat Brigade during a sting operation in Tripoli, Libya, for allegedly possessing an estimated 2 kilogrammes of cocaine.
It was gathered that the woman, in collaboration with foreign accomplices, attempted to distribute the drugs on the local market.
Migrant Rescue Watch, a humanitarian monitoring group, disclosed the arrest on Saturday via their X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to the report, the woman was apprehended during a targeted operation aimed at dismantling drug networks in the Libyan capital.
The suspect is currently in custody following the completion of preliminary criminal investigations.
The statement read, “Units of 444th Combat Brig. during sting-operation in Tripoli arrested a female of Nigerian nationality in possession of est. 2 kg of cocaine. The accused in collaboration with foreign accomplices attempted to sell the drugs on the local market. #Frontex
“Following completion of criminal investigation the accused female remains in custody and the case was referred to public prosecution.”
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