Metro
Nigerian Police Parade Eight Suspected Kidnappers Behind Abduction Of Ekiti School Pupils
The state police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu in a statement on Friday said the command had apprehended some of the suspects allegedly involved in the incident.
The Nigerian Police Force, Ekiti State Command, has confirmed the arrest of eight notorious kidnappers responsible for the abduction of school children in the Emure Local Government Area of the state.
SaharaReporters had reported that the bandits abducted some pupils, a head teacher and a driver of Apostolic Faith School in Emure, Ekiti.
According to the video seen by SaharaReporters, sources said the children were kidnapped after school hours on their way to Eporo Ekiti in their school bus.
The state police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu in a statement on Friday said the command had apprehended some of the suspects allegedly involved in the incident.
He explained that the syndicate were responsible for various kidnapping in the state, adding that one of the suspects was killed during a gun battle with policemen.
He also affirmed that the group were behind the abduction of the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Mr Paul Omotosho in the state in the year 2023.
The statement reads in part; “On 8/02/2024 at about 1300hrs, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) received a credible tip-off that a gang of armed men has invaded a farmland at Eda-Oniyo-Ekiti and were planning to kidnap some Expatriates in Dairy Farmland, Ikun-Ekiti.
“Upon receipt of the information, a team of RRS operatives swung into action and arrested one ABUBAKAR ALIYU a.k.a SMALLIE who was on a mission to spy on the actual location of the Expatriates.
After the arrest of Abubakar Aliyu a.k.a SMALLIE, the leader of the kidnapping gang identified as one Sumo Karami sent two (2) vigilante members, one Saliu Ibrahim and Umaru Saliu, to secure the bail of the arrested gang member from Police custody.
“The two (2) vigilante members were arrested and they led the RRS operatives to Oro-Ago town where one Mohammed Bashiru, the leader of Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State, was arrested.
During interrogation, Mohammed Bashiru revealed that he is a relative of Sumo Karami who is a leader of a dreaded kidnapping gang and that Abubakar Aliyu a.k.a SMALLIE is one his gang members who have been terrorizing and kidnapping innocent citizens with AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
“Initial investigation revealed that Sumo Karami and his gang members were responsible for the kidnapping of the Pupils and their Teachers in Emure-Ekiti on 29th January, 2024.
“Meanwhile, the phone used to demand for ransom for the release of the Pupils and the Teachers was recovered from the suspects and effort intensified led to the arrest of two (2) among the gang members, namely: Yahaya Jubril and Usman Garba in Owo forest, Ondo State.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Kenneth Ugwu in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 14/02/2024. The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to be a member of a kidnapping syndicate who kidnapped 5 Pupils, three (3) teachers and a driver in Emure-Ekiti who was allegedly killed by the kidnappers. The suspect led a team of RRS operatives to the kidnapper’s hideout inside Agric Reserved Forest between Ise-Ekiti/Emure-Ekiti.
“On sighting the Police, the armed hoodlums engaged the team in a gun duel. In the process, one of the gang members who was later identified as AYUBA was neutralized, one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Smallie was captured alive while other gang members escaped through the forest.
“Investigation revealed that the syndicate was responsible for the kidnapping of one Paul Omotosho, the APC Chairman, Ekiti State, along Agbado/Imesi, Ekiti road on 08/07/2023, the kidnapping of Mr. and Mrs. Awoniyi along Ikere/Itaogbolu road in the month of January this year and the kidnapping of teachers and pupils of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure-Ekiti on 29th January, 2024.
“EXHIBITS RECOVERED: One (1) AK 47 assorted rifle; One(1) pump action gun loaded with five (5) lives cartridges; Twenty-one (21) AK47 live ammunition;Expended shells of AK-47 ammunition; One (1) face-mask; One (1) Nose mask; Two (2) pairs of hand glove; Twenty (20) different handsets; One (1) National ID Card bearing Salisu Mohammed; Two (2) MTN sim card; One (1) airtel sim card.”
“I wish to reiterate that under my leadership, Ekiti State will be made hot and unbearable for all criminal elements as I have ordered a vigorous, constant and sustained bush combing operations as well as raiding of black spots across the State.
“Citizens are therefore implored to support and cooperate with the Police by supplying timely and credible information that could lead to the arrest of criminal suspects in the State,” the statement added.
There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.
Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.
Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.
It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.
A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.
The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
-
News18 hours agoTinubu Endorses Establishment of Forest Guards to Counter Terrorism, Banditry
-
Opinion11 hours agoHuman Capital Devt: The Rep Paul Nnamchi
-
News6 hours agoAlleged cyber bullying: IGP re-arraigns VDM
-
News18 hours agoNNPCL failed to remit N500bn revenue in 2024 – World Bank
-
News18 hours ago
FG launches smart police station in Abuja
-
News7 hours agoBREAKING: PDP, NNPP Rep members abandon parties, lace boots with APC
-
News11 hours agoNnamdi Kanu’s family wants court to ban NAN coverage of son’s trial or allow live streaming
-
News11 hours agoSEE Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate