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Mother, two children killed as arsonists set family ablaze in Lagos

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A 22-year-old fashion designer, Eniola Oduse and her two children, four-year-old Eri and two-year-old Onoara, have been burnt to death after suspected arsonists set their home ablaze at the Ita Marun community in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

The deceased’s husband, Kehinde, 25, who was also caught up in the fire, is currently battling for his life in an undisclosed hospital.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Sunday that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, November 26.

It was gathered that the family of four was asleep in their room on Monday night when some yet-to-be-identified individuals entered their premises at about 2 a.m.

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The individuals were said to have sprinkled petrol around their apartment and specifically poured it into their room before setting it on fire.

The victim’s twin sister, Taiwo, who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday, said while her brother ran out of the room to seek help, his wife and two children didn’t make it alive.

She said, “The incident happened around 2 am. My brother and his family were already asleep when the people came and poured petrol on the building. Meanwhile, my brother had opened his window to allow ventilation. When they saw the window open, they sprinkled petrol in their room. The smell of the petrol woke the wife, who quickly called her husband’s attention to the smell.

“By the time they attempted to find out what was going on, they saw someone light a fire and throw it into their room. Kehinde, with fire on his body, quickly ran out of the house to call his relative living close to the house. Although the relative did not respond to his call, it was another neighbour who heard his voice and ran out to help.”

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According to Taiwo, Kehinde’s wife and the two kids were already caught up in the fire when they returned to the apartment.

She said, “When they got back to the house, they saw the wife lying on the entrance of the house with the legs of her two kids in her arms. She actually tried to drag them out but the fire was too much and the kids were already dead at the time.”

Another member of the family of the victim, who identified himself as Razaq, said the couple were rushed to various hospitals at midnight but were rejected due to the degree of the burns.

He said they were moved around for medical attention for about seven hours before they were later referred to a hospital where they were later admitted.

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“They were eventually taken into a hospital somewhere in Lagos where they were attended to. But at the time they got medical attention, they were both weak. Doctors tried to save the wife but she later died in the early hours of Thursday. We really can’t ascertain the situation of Kehinde at the moment.”

Our correspondent gathered that the victim’s deceased wife and children had been buried.

In a video sighted by our correspondent, the apartment was razed with the charred remains of the two children lying inside.

Speaking further, Razaq alleged that the cause of the incident was not unconnected to issues relating to land in the community.

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He said, “The family has been under pressure and a series of attacks due to attempts to seize their land running into hectares from them. This was a part of what led to the death of their father about four months ago. His brother had also fled the community due to this, but Kehinde chose to stay behind because of his family. He was not at home for about some days. He only came back that Monday to spend the night with his family when this incident happened.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached as calls made to his phone were not responded to. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

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Metro

Police arrest suspected ritualists for abducting woman in Ogun

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The Ogun State Police Command said it has arrested a suspected ritualist, identified as Monday Ogunniyi, for the abduction of one Regina Oladeyo in the Oja Odan area of the state.

The suspect, a resident of the Okegbala area in Oja Odan, was arrested following a complaint filed by one Oladeyo Idowu.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, told DAILY POST on Tuesday that, upon receiving the information, officers of the command swung into action and found the victim at the residence of the suspect.

According to the spokesperson, Ogunniyi, during interrogation, confessed to the abduction and alleged that he and the complainant were involved in rituals using human remains.

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Odutola said: “On December 16, 2024, at about 4:30 pm, a man named Oladeyo Idowu from School 4 Area, Oja Odan, came to the police station to report a case of abduction involving Monday Ogunniyi, who resides in the Okegbala area of Oja Odan.

“During questioning, Monday Ogunniyi confessed to the abduction but also claimed that he and the complainant were involved in rituals using human remains.”

She noted that, following the revelation, a team of detectives visited the site, where they discovered a dried human skeleton draped in female clothing near a river in the Afige area of Oja Odan.

Odutola added that the suspect provided a confession implicating Oladeyo Idowu regarding the storage and dismemberment of the corpse.

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She, however, noted that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Eleweran for further investigation and likely prosecution.

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UNIZIK lecturer killed in Anambra by suspected carjackers

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Dr. Fabian Osita, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, was shot dead during a carjacking incident in Anambra State.

The attack occurred on Monday night near the high-tension area in Aroma, Awka, as the lecturer was driving home from work.

Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified gunmen intercepted his vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, and shot him in the head when he resisted their attempt to steal the car.

According to reports, the armed men double-crossed his car and tried to snatch it. He resisted, and unfortunately, they shot him in the head, killing him instantly. They abandoned his body and fled with the vehicle.

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Dr. Osita, who lectured in the Business Department at UNIZIK, was mourned by his colleagues and the university community.

The institution’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident and stated that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at UNIZIK were planning to protest the rising insecurity in Awka.

Chukwurah added that the incident happened at about 7:30 pm on Monday in Aroma. It was a case of car snatching. The loss has left the university in mourning. It is important to note that the killing occurred outside the campus.

The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

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Ikenga said, “Anambra State Police Command has begun the investigation over the murder of Mr Fabian Osita. Information revealed that Osita, a staff of the University of Nnamdi Azikiwe was shot by yet unidentified gunmen yesterday 16/12/2024 at 10:10 pm at Aroma Junction.

“The murders also made away with his car, a Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number. To this end, the Command while condoling his family and friends, especially the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, calls on anyone with any useful information that can aid the investigation to please come forward in this regard.

“The command also urged members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any such to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number on 07039194332 or PPRO on 08039334002. Further development shall be communicated, please.”

The police assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations unfold.

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Surrender Now and Be Pardoned, CESJET Cautions Lakuruwa Sect

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The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has issued a stern warning to the Lakuruwa sect, urging them to surrender immediately.

This call comes as the Nigerian military, led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has launched a decisive crackdown on the terrorists.

According to Chief Isaac Ikpa, Executive Secretary of CESJET, the fleeing members of the sect should surrender early while there is still an opportunity for pardon.

He said continuing down the path of violence would only lead to their destruction, hence he advised them to turn a new leaf.

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Ikpa warned the sect that General Musa and the troops mean business and his strategic deployment of a Special Operations Brigade to Sokoto and Kebbi States has yielded significant successes, with numerous terrorists killed, captured, or forced to flee.

“The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) is calling on the Lakuruwa sect to surrender now and take advantage of the pardon offered. This call comes as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Nigerian military have taken decisive action against the sect,” the statement said.

“We urge the Lakuruwa sect to surrender early, while there is still an opportunity for pardon. Continuing down the path of violence will only lead to destruction and loss of life. We advise them to take advantage of the government’s offer and surrender now.

“However, we must warn the terrorists that General Musa and the troops mean business. The strategic deployment of a Special Operations Brigade to Sokoto and Kebbi States has yielded unprecedented successes, and the troops will not hesitate to take action against those who refuse to surrender.”

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Applauding General Musa’s leadership in the fight against insurgency has been commendable, Ikpa noted that the CDS has demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting innocent citizens and their properties.

He said his troops have shown remarkable professionalism in their operations and CESJET expects this momentum to continue.

“The CDS has shown unparalleled dedication to the safety and security of Nigeria. Under his guidance, the troops have made significant gains against the Lakuruwa sect, bandits and we expect this momentum to continue,” the statement added.

“The numbers speak for themselves: numerous terrorists have been killed, many more have been captured, and their camps have been destroyed. The Lakuruwa sect is on the back foot, and it is only a matter of time before they are completely defeated.

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Once again, we caution the Lakuruwa sect that their actions will not be tolerated. They must surrender now or face extinction. “

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