Metro

SAD! GUO Transport confirms driver k!lled in bandits attack

Published

11 months ago

February 12, 2024

GUO Transport Company has confirmed that a driver of one of its buses shuttling passengers from Lagos to Abuja was killed in an alleged attack by some suspected gunmen along the Ikare-Akoko Road of the Akure Expressway on Friday.

The management of the transport firm, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Sunday, added that other passengers, except a three-year-old child, were allegedly kidnapped along the corridor.

A senator, Ned Nwoko, had earlier shared the news of the alleged attack on the GUO bus on yesterday via his verified X handle, @Prince_NedNwoko, saying that the hoodlums abducted all the passengers but left an infant inside the vehicle.

Though the senator failed to mention the location of the attack, he emphasised the need for the government to allow its citizens to bear arms for self-protection.

The senator wrote, “This was reported to have happened to GUO on Saturday.

They killed the driver, left the small girl there, and kidnapped all the passengers. This is the reason for the law on self-defence.

“If the driver had a gun or any of the passengers, the kidnappers wouldn’t certainly have their way.

The only thing they have that good and law-abiding citizens don’t have are guns. The passengers might never be rescued, and just imagine the poor little girl who will be traumatised for life.”

Also, in a short WhatsApp video seen by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, a voice was heard saying, “This bus is coming from Lagos. We stopped together at Akure and ate.”

While confirming the attack on Sunday, the statement by the company read, “GUO Transport Co. wishes to use this medium to confirm that there was a bandit attack on one of our buses en route to Abuja from Lagos.

“The unfortunate incident occurred at about 3:15 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024. Along the Ikare-Akoko area of the Akure Expressway, the kidnappers ambushed and attacked oncoming vehicles, among which was one of the Hiace buses from Lagos with passengers onboard.

“This unfortunate event led to the death of our driver at the crime scene, while our passengers are believed to have been held hostage and led into the bush. A child of about three years old was rescued from the scene and handed over to the military personnel on the ground while the family has been contacted.

“Our prayers are with those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident.

“While we empathise with the families of our slain driver and the families of our kidnapped passengers, we are cooperating with security agencies to ensure a quick and sore release or rescue of our passengers.

“We appreciate the prayers, advice, understanding, and support of the security agencies, our staff, our passengers, and the public at this critical moment.

“We also appeal to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to make our highways safe again.”

All efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer proved abortive as he neither picked up his call nor responded to a text message sent to his mobile phone.

This is the second attack on a commercial transport company bus within two weeks. A few days ago, it was widely reported that passengers travelling in two buses from the South-East part of the country to Abuja had been kidnapped on the Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in the Kogi East senatorial district of Kogi State.

The buses said to belong to the God Is Good and ABC Transport companies, heading to Abuja, were abducted by kidnappers on Saturday.

However, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye, reportedly confirmed their release, saying, “I have just been informed by the DPO that all the kidnapped victims of God Is Good Motors, and ABC have regained their freedom.”

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have begun to trail the call by Nwoko for Nigerians to be allowed to bear arms for self-defence.

While some Nigerians on X supported the idea, others opined that the country was yet to attain that level and thereby urged the government to wake up to its responsibilities.

An X user, @francis_ranco, wrote, “You are right on this, Oga. Self-defense is the most effective way of preserving oneself. Nigerians must be allowed to defend themselves. If the government fails to adhere to this, dem go explain tire later!”

@flourish007 wrote, “I agree with you here, Mr. Senator, because one of the main reasons citizens should be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense is the fundamental right to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm.

In situations like this one where law enforcement isn’t available, individuals, including the driver and passengers, should have the means to defend themselves from potential threats.”

@lord_OboteAyo, on the other hand, said, “A country where small anger leads to chaos, e.g., road rage, some people committing crime at will, and you want to legalize firearms, you want to encourage more armed chaos? What happened to better security?”

@holardamolar said, “We need a working government, not guns.”How do you not see it? People are suffering heavily, and it’s inevitably skyrocketing the rate of social vices out there. Giving guns to the current Nigerians will only worsen the situation; the death rate will skyrocket, I promise you.”

Metro

Man nabbed for killing four-year-old son in Edo

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Theophilus Osazuwa for allegedly killing his four-year-old son.

The command said Osazuwa was suspected to have committed the act while under the influence of hard drugs.

The spokesperson for the command, Moses Yamu, revealed in a statement on Wednesday night that the incident, which resulted in the death of the four-year-old boy, occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

He stated that Osazuwa had just returned to his apartment at Ogbeson Quarters, off Benin-Agbor Road in Benin City, when he suddenly fell into a trance.

While in a trance, the suspect reportedly screamed, “Holy Ghost fire,” grabbed the four-year-old boy, and slammed him against the wall, resulting in the child’s death.

Yamu stated, “Edo Police Command has arrested one Theophilus Osazuwa of Ogbeson Quarters off Benin-Agbor Road, Benin City, for the murder of his four-year-old son named Testimony Osazuwa.

“The suspect was said to have arrived at his home on 24/12/2024 at about 1230 hrs, went berserk screaming ‘Holy Ghost fire,’ then reached for the four-year-old boy and slammed him to the wall. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the young man who is known for the consumption of illicit (colloquial, ice, etc.) substances must have acted under the influence of the same.”

He stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umoru Ozigi, cautioned youths against the dangers of consuming illicit substances and drugs, emphasising their harmful effects on health and the potential risks they pose to both their lives and the safety of others.

Metro

Pastor remanded in prison over threat to mother’s life

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The presiding Pastor of the Tree of Life Bible Church, Irete, Owerri West LGA, Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, has been arraigned in court after many weeks of hiding from the police.

He was arrested by the Ogbaku Police Station, following a report leveled against him by his mother, Mrs. Nelly Chidinma Amadi for assault, molestation and threat to her life, over family property.

DAILY POST gathered that pastor Amadi had earlier jumped administrative bail from the Scorpion Squad Office a few weeks ago, which warranted the police to launch for his rearrest.

Following his apprehension, the State Police command instituted a court action against him for allegedly molesting and threatening the life of Mrs. Nelly Amadi who was said to be his mother.

In the suit, MID/31C/ 2024, between Commissioner of Police Vs Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, 47, the charges read, “That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” On or before September 6,2024 at Irete Owerri, Imo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did steal property documents belonging to one Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 390 (9) of the criminal code Cap “C38” of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.

“COUNT II: That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” on about the same date and place did with intent maliciously damaged the medicated eye glass worth Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000) property of Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap “C38” Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.

“COUNT III: that you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, by forcibly entering into the compound of one Nelly Amadi and wrote “This House is Not For Sale”, “Beware of 419” and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 ( d) of the Criminal Code, Cap “C38″ Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable to Imo State.”

Counsel to defendant, Barr. Osuocha, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on the ground that the case is a family matter and may be settled out of court.

After his submissions, the Magistrate, His Worship Alamezie asked the Prosecutor, Maria Gorretti Nosiri, if she was objecting to the request to grant the defendant bail, she said, “No objection”.

The court granted the Defendant bail of N500, 000, and a surety, who must be a Level 10 Officer with the Imo State Civil Service, in like sum, alongside means of identification documents.

Due to unavailability of a surety for the defendant, the Prosecuting officer, Nosiri took him to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri.

The court adjourned till January 24, 2025 for hearing as the defendant pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him.

Metro

Murder of retired Niger perm sec: Prime suspect dies in police custody

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Fatiha Abdulhakeem, the 18-year-old suspect accused of murdering Adamu Jagaba, a retired Permanent Secretary in Niger State, has died in police custody in Minna.

The police have yet to disclose the cause of death.

Abdulhakeem was recently paraded at the Police Headquarters in Minna by Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman as the principal suspect in the murder of Jagaba at his block industry near the PDP secretariat in Minna.

In a chilling confession during an earlier interview, Abdulhakeem revealed that he was hired by a group of individuals, along with members of his gang, to kill the retired permanent secretary. He claimed that the act was carried out with the assistance of the victim’s staff.

The suspect admitted to receiving N100,000 from his accomplices as part of the payment for the murder and said he was promised additional compensation after selling the victim’s stolen Toyota Camry.

In a graphic description of the crime, Abdulhakeem recounted stabbing the victim twice in the neck, sitting on his chest, and repeatedly striking his head with a stapler until he succumbed to his injuries.

When asked about his emotions during the act, the suspect callously stated: “I felt nothing for him. The permanent secretary begged me to spare his life, but I had no compassion for him because I was already high on drugs.”

Confirming the suspect’s death, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that Abdulhakeem died after complaining of severe stomach pain. He was taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical attention but passed away while receiving treatment.