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Brutality! Human Rights Violation: Police Dehumanises Two Journalists in Delta

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Two journalists were Thursday, brutalized by Police officers attached to Ughelli A’ division in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The journalists, Comrade Andrew Unutame of the Galaxy Television, and Comr. Oghenekaro Awodeha, publisher of The Periscope were attacked by the officers and Vigilantes at the premises of Ughelli A’ division, at the presence and instance of one of the Senior Police officer, Ogwu Chukwutem.

It would be recalled that on November 28, 2022, Police from Ughelli A’ Division led by one Asp Edet brutalized two Journalists attached to Pointer Newspaper and Galaxy Television, under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer, while covering the visitation of the immediate past Deputy President of Nigerian Senate to religious leaders at Oduaran street, Ughelli, Delta state.

Narrating his ordeal, Comr. Gabriel Oghenekaro said, “I boarded a motorcycle, as we were on our way the rider, on sighting the police on stop and search duty, wanted to turn back and run, that he was not having papers, that he left it at home. I then encouraged him not to run but to meet them, that if he is stopped, I’ll plead on his behalf, and I only said so because I was suspicious, I didn’t really believe somebody will ride his motorcycle without photocopy of his particulars.

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“When the police stopped us and demanded for his particulars and the man said he is not with them, one of the officers ordered us to alight and then drove the motorcycle to the police station. At this point the rider was blaming me for allowing the police to hold him because I refused to plead for him. I then told him that if truly he has his papers at home, he should go home and bring them. That once it’s established that he has his papers I’m ready to go with him to the station to assist in securing the release of his motorcycle.

“When the man brought his papers, as promised, I called a colleague and we went to the station with him. We were then directed to a police woman identified as, Corporal Ebi who said “The particulars are not authentic, that it could be forged. She asked us to bring N50,000. She now ordered us to leave her sight to go and look for the money when we tried to speak to her.

“At this point we decided to leave and went to our vehicle. As we were about going she ran towards us and asked the bike man to give her the papers, that we were running away. I was shocked when she said so. I asked the bike man to give her the particulars which he did.

Immediately she started raining abuses on us, when I told her that the insults were uncalled for, she said who am I to challenge her, just as she was shouting another male officer, one Inspector Erasmus Ikperinwa came and grab me on my trouser, cut my belt and started manhandling me before others around, but police and local vigilante joined in the beating.

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“They handcuffed me, and forced me to lay down on the floor, threatening that they’ll throw me inside the cell where I will rot.

The woman Coporal, Ebi stated that she is a lawyer that has been call to the Nigerian Bar and nothing will happen, you can call the IG of Police and if it is case that you want, I will give you to the fullest.”

When my colleague saw what was happening and tried to intervene, they attacked him with woods and gave him the same beating. I only saw him runway towards the Area Commander’s section in the station. After then, the woman Corporal identified as Ebi from Ughelli A’Division brought paper that they force me to write statement and throw me inside cell.

“It was at this point that my colleague who ran to the Area Commander’s section came with a police woman on the instructions of the A.O summoning us to the office to hear what has happened.

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“We did not commit any crime other than trying to do a humanitarian service, so I don’t see why we should be manhandle in such a way. I think it is high time the Inspector General and Delta State Police Command do something about the excesses of the police in Ughelli A Division. Assault on journalist by officers and vigilante attached to the division has been a routine, and must be stopped.”

Corroborating what his colleague said, Comrade Andrew Unutame said, “We come see how we can be of assistance to the bike man, because according to my colleague who called me to accompany him, the bike man told him he is new in Delta and has no one. When we got there we met the lady, she asked us to go and bring N50,000.

We don’t have that kind of money. And she was not ready to listen to any plea. At this point, we went back to our vehicle and wanted to go back, because my colleague said, he left his phones in the office, that he wanted to call someone to do some clarifications.

“This was when one Erasmus Ikperinwa came on the scene and start manhandling my colleague. When I tried to intercede they attacked me.

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One of the vigilante took a 2by2 wood to hit me on my back.

When I saw that they were ready to kill me, I ran to the Area Commander’s office, that was when the A. O, tried to intervene in the matter.” particulars, that we wanted to run away.

We asked the bike man to give her the particulars. We then tried to explain to her that we’re not running and besides we didn’t commit any crime to So what are we running away from? She started raining all manner of curses, we she was not ready to stop, we told her that the fact that she is a police officer was not a license to defame or dehumanize lawful citizens.

“This was when one Erasmus Ikperinwa came on the scene and start manhandling my colleague. When I tried to intercede they attacked me.

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One of the vigilante took a 2by2 wood to hit me on my back.

When I saw that they were ready to kill me, I ran to the Area Commander’s office, that was when the A. O, tried to intervene in the matter.”

For the timely intervention of the Ughelli Area Command, Admin Officer, A.O, we would have been dead or incarcerated by now.

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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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