Metro

Man in custody for allegedly killing neighbour over goat

Published

11 months ago

February 16, 2024

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested and put in protective custody one Kolawole Akinsanya for allegedly conspiring with hoodlums to beat his neighbour, Lukmon Ajibola, to death at Ilepa in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Monday, February 5, around 8pm.

A resident of the community who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said that a goat belonging to the deceased strayed into the compound of Akinsanya and ate his dried yam. This was said to have infuriated Akinsanya who allegedly killed the animal in the process.

In his reaction, Ajibola was said to have confronted Akinsanya over his action which our source said resulted in an argument whereby the latter allegedly invited some thugs who went to attack the former.

Our source said Ajibola became unconscious after the attack and later died in the hospital.

The resident who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident said, “Ajibola rears goat to support his motorcycle business. It was around 4pm when one of his goats went into Akinsanya’s compound and ate the dried yams he spread in the compound. When he came out and saw the goat eating it, he picked up the kid and beat it to death.

“Since they were both neighbours on the same street, Ajibola approached him and questioned his action. This led to an argument and Akinsanya called some hoodlums numbering about three who came and descended on him. While they were beating him, they also poured alcohol into his ears.

Residents who rushed to the scene found him lying motionless and he was taken to Zion Hospital in Ilepa for treatment and later referred to the State Hospital Otta on the third day. Unfortunately, he passed away at the State Hospital.”

Our correspondent learnt that the family of the deceased was thrown into mourning as a result of the incident.

The suspect, Akinsanya, was also said to have been arrested by the police while three other accomplices were said to have fled the community.

A relative of the deceased who spoke to our correspondent while also craving anonymity, however, alleged that the police were trying to cover up the case.

The relative said, “The principal suspect is with the police. He has been taken to the Ogun State Police Command at Eleweran, Abeokuta. His accomplices who are known as Chicago, Agbara and one ID are on the run.

Meanwhile, the colleagues of Akinsanya are presently mobilising funds to secure his release and make the police cover up the case. They are also trying to prevent the police from arresting the three others.

“Akinsanya had bragged that he would return the way someone who lived two streets away returned after killing another person in the same circumstance last year. Ajibola’s poor widow, Aminat and her children are left to suffer unjustly because they are poor and have no connection. We want justice for the slain man and his family.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, while confirming the incident, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

She said, “The suspect, Kolawole Akinsanya, has been arrested and detained. Ongoing efforts are being made to apprehend other fleeing suspects.”

Metro

State security operatives rescue three pastors, 13 others in Kogi

Published

17 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Naijablitznews

Kogi security operatives on Wednesday rescued three pastors and 13 other victims who had been kidnapped by hoodlums in the Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16 victims, including the three pastors, were abducted after a crusade in Ejule, Ofu LGA.

They regained their freedom following the intervention of a combined team of security personnel in the state.

The pastors, who were guest ministers at the crusade, were on their way to their guest house after the second day of the three-day event.

They were ambushed by hoodlums around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 20, on a street off the Ejule-Anyigba road.

Upon being alerted, the Nigerian Army quickly mobilised other security operatives, launching a thorough search that lasted two nights before locating the kidnappers in a forest.

After a two-hour gunfight, the kidnappers fled with varying degrees of injury, leaving behind the victims.

Kogi’s Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, on Wednesday lauded the bravery of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies involved in the rescue.

In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unubi, Salifu expressed his relief that the victims were safely freed and commended the security personnel for their efforts.

He also emphasised that under Gov. Ahmed Ododo, Kogi would not be a safe haven for criminals, noting the state’s commitment to maintaining security and protecting lives and property.(NAN)

Metro

EFCC arrests 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Awka

Published

21 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said they have arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters.

The commission stated that the all-male suspects were arrested in a sting operation at Commissioners’ Quarters, Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State.

According to a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, EFCC said that the development followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.

The commission listed the items recovered from them to include six exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones.

“They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement concluded.

Metro

Gov Alia locks out hundreds of Benue workers for late coming

Published

22 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Several hundred civil servants in Benue State who arrived late to work on Wednesday were locked out by stern-looking security personnel assigned to the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

At approximately 10:35 AM on Wednesday, the governor made an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat to inspect ongoing renovation work, including the installation of lighting.

As soon as the convoy of the governor drove into the secretariat, the gates were locked by security officers leading to hundreds of state civil servants locked out.

To the governor’s surprise, during his tour from one ministry to another, he found that several commissioners and other key officials were absent from work.

Angered by this situation, the governor later addressed a large crowd of workers gathered at the gate after his inspection.

He expressed deep concern about their attitudes towards government work and warned them against failing to fulfil their responsibilities for the salaries they receive.

According to the governor, “With what you are doing, you are creating a vicious circle for your families. You cannot get money and be uplifted because you are cheaters and because of the effect of what you are doing.

“The work I do is not for me, but for those who don’t know that am the governor and those who will see me and not recognize me.

“Am appealing to you because I have a quick way of getting your names and firing you as I have the power to do so. I am speaking to you as a priest and not as governor and telling you the dangers of what you are doing.

He added, “It is not about me, who is government? All of you here are the government. Even in the family, somebody governs the home and there are rules. And in every government; there are rules. Am not frustrated but I do not want you to be doomed.

“See what you can do if not for yourselves but for the people you are caring for and are behind you because they are the ones to take the heat”.