Metro

Traditional Stool: Gunmen Invade Lagos Community, Kill One-yr-old Baby, 10 Others, Burn Houses

Published

9 months ago

April 14, 2024

Gunmen numbering over 100, invaded a riverine community in Egan Oriomi Otto Awori Local Council Development Area of Ojo, at the early hours of today, setting several houses on fire.

A 15-month-old baby, who was sleeping, was burnt beyond recognition.

Also, no fewer than 15 houses were burnt, with property worth millions destroyed.

Ten persons were shot by the gunmen, while others, among whom is a 90-year-old man sustained deep matchet cuts in parts of their bodies.

According to Vanguard, when its correspondent visited the riverine community today, Saturday, the burnt baby’s father, Taiwo Israel, was seen carrying the charred remains.

Explaining in tears, he said: “My baby’s name is Emmanuel. I went out yesterday (Friday) for our daily bread, leaving my wife with my two children.

“By 9.30 p.m., she called me on the phone to inform me that some cultists were shooting. I told her to go inside with the children.

“At about 1 a.m., she called again to inform me that the cultists had set our building on fire. She added that she ran out without carrying our baby who was sleeping.

“My father-in-law, who went inside to rescue the baby, was attacked with a cutlass. He is still in the hospital.

“When I came back this morning (Saturday), I met my baby burnt to death. He was our second child. The first one managed to escape.”

It was gathered that the affected community would stage a protest with the burnt baby tomorrow (Sunday), at the governor’s office, in Alausa, Ikeja.

Meanwhile, the affected residents blamed the gunmen attack on the position taken by the local government and some politicians in the area over the installation of a traditional ruler.

They alleged that a stranger was wrongfully installed as the traditional ruler. They said he should be from a family they described as “indigene of the community”.

Besides, Vanguard gathered that there had been a lingering tussle between two families in the community over who rules.

Explaining, one of the indigenes, Lawal Adesegun, who claimed to be a crown prince of the community, said: “The cause of this fight is ownership dispute.

“These people (invaders) are not indigenes of this community. We went to the tribunal set up by the Lagos State Government to fight for who would be the oba of this community and we won.

“There are documents from the tribunal, including judgments and clearance from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Attorney General of the State. These confirm us as the Oba of Egan, Ori Omi Atto Awori of Ojo Local Government.

“However, some politicians of the leading political party, the Otto Awori Local Government wrongfully installed our opponent as our king. They did it in a hotel, not in the community.

“The politicians brought the man that was wrongfully installed to the community on Thursday, to force him on us. But the police restrained them because they knew a fight would break out.

“This isn’t the first time they would be attacking us. A similar incident occurred on June 15, 2018. Some of our people were also killed.

“The local government intervened then and the case was dropped in court, frustrating our efforts to seek justice.

‘How politicians frustrate us’

“The House of Assembly deliberated on the matter for two years. It set up a committee that recommended justice. They also emphasised the need to install the right person in the chieftaincy position.

“But the recommendation was not implemented because these same politicians scuttled the process.

“Our king is Olarewaju Moshood Lawal. Yet they replaced him with a non-indigene. He left the community in 2018 due to insecurity.

“We are, therefore, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene before they wipe everyone out of this community.

“We have all our documents from the government. Yet, these politicians are blocking all our efforts to meet the governor, to hear us out.”

One of those shot in the neck was a 22-year-old farmer, Joel Babatunde.

He said: “I was sleeping in my house when I heard gunshots. I ran out in confusion, unaware of where the gunshots were coming from. Immediately I stepped outside, the gunmen shot me.”

Also, another resident, who gave his name simply as Moheed, said over 20 houses were burnt.

He stated that most of the affected houses belong to members of the Oba Moshood Olarewaju’s family.

According to Moheed, “One of the houses burnt belongs to the oldest woman in our community.

“She was lucky to have been taken out immediately the house was set on fire. She too could have died inside.

“Oba Moshood Olarewaju ought to be the rightful Oba of this community and we still regard him as our leader.”

Residents flee community

Many residents whose houses were spared were seen carrying their belongings, preparing to leave the riverine community.

Also, others who had become homeless were preparing to leave the community for fear of another attack.

However, armed policemen were sighted in the community to forestall further invasion by the gunmen.

Metro

SAD! NYSC Members Among 35 Passengers Abducted By Gunmen In Enugu, Millions Of Naira Demanded From Families

Published

5 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Naijablitznews

A yet-to-be confirmed number of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were among those abducted by suspected herders at Enugu-Ezike in the Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu State.

Recall how gunmen on Thursday, January 9, 2025, abducted about 35 passengers along Enugu-Nsukka Road in the community.

Three buses were attacked, and initially, four Nigerian Army personnel were taken, but one, PTE Usendu Emediong (24NA/87/7560), managed to escape.

However, PTE Usoro Ezekiel Paul (24NA/87/6751), Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas (24NA/87/7937) and PTE Victor Itiat Godwin (24NA/87/8348) were taken away with the other passengers.

“They successfully attacked three 18-seater buses and kidnapped at least 35 people from these buses forcefully. In the course of moving the victims into the bush, one of them managed to escape. It was when he came out that he narrated how they were kidnapped and we got to know he is a soldier,” a source had said.

“Yesterday, local hunters, about three of them from my village on their usual routine encountered the kidnappers in the bush but had to hide. They heard one of victims complaining that he couldn’t continue walking as he was tired but guess what? He was shot dead.

“Hours after, both the local hunters and the military operatives entered the bush and saw the dead body which was later taken to the morgue,” he said.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the source said two of victims were set free after paying a ransom.

He also confirmed that some NYSC members were among those abducted and still in captivity.

“Well, apart from the soldiers, some NYSC members were among the victims. The kidnappers had contacted family members of all the victims.

“However, since your report on Sunday, rescue operations have intensified. A soldier told me the army saw the report as an embarrassment to the military.

“Now, we have soldiers, police and others everywhere. They are even making use of helicopter to search for them.

“As at yesterday, two victims were released after paying an undisclosed amount while the others including the soldiers and corps members are still in captivity,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the kidnapped corps members identified as Abasifreke Victor Joseph said her abductors have threatened to kill her if they fail to pay a ransom of N20 million.

The media learnt that Abasifreke was en route to her NYSC duty in Kogi State.

A family source said, “Yes, she’s Abasifreke Victor Joseph from Akwa Ibom state. She was among those kidnapped along Enugu Road.

“She boarded a vehicle that was heading to Enugu State at Nasarawa Road, Uyo, since there was no direct vehicle from Akwa Ibom State to Kogi State on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

“Her sister was communicating with her throughout the journey till 2 pm when she (sister) called again and her number failed to connect.

“The kidnappers called the parents on Friday, January 10, 2025 at about 1:46 pm and demanded a ransom of N20 million or she would be killed.”

Metro

Nigerian Lady Shocks The Internet, Throws Lavish Birthday Party For Her Cat

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Nigerian lady has gone viral online after celebrating her cat’s birthday with a special cake, food, suya, and drinks.

The celebration was shared in a video posted on her TikTok page.

In the video, the lady announced that it was her cat’s birthday and proceeded to showcase the event.

She even filmed herself cutting a birthday cake for the cat.

Following that, she was seen distributing food, drinks, and several other treats as part of the birthday celebration for her beloved pet.

The video quickly gained attention, and concerned individuals flooded the comment section to share their thoughts on the unusual celebration.

WATCH VIDEO:

https://www.tiktok.com/music/son-original-7339196395654220586?refer=embed

Metro

They were not lovers, she was abducted -Friend of lady killed by gospel singer reveals

Published

9 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A friend of the lady recently murdered by a gospel singer, Salome Eleojo Adaidu has shared new insights about the incident.

She debunked reports that her friend was dating the suspect.

Abby in a post stated that her friend and singer Ajayi were not dating.

According to her, the deceased was kidnapped and killed by the singer.

Abby wrote: “She is my friends younger sister and she’s not his girlfriend he abducted her and killed her in the most gruesome way possible. I’m presently at their house and it’s nothing any family should experience. She’s not a spoilt child she keeps to herself and hardly hardly steps out unless it’s necessary. I have a lot to say but strength eludes me.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice for Salome and her family. The police are currently investigating the matter, and Timileyin is in custody pending further questioning.

Another friend of the deceased, identified on Facebook as Alli Stephen, also took to his page and disclosed that Salome had left her home on Sunday, January 12, 2025, to visit a friend in Karu, Nasarawa state, but unfortunately entered the wrong tricycle.

Abby wrote:

“She is my friends younger sister and she’s not his girlfriend he abducted her and killed her in the most gruesome way possible. I’m presently at their house and it’s nothing any family should experience. She’s not a spoilt child she keeps to herself and hardly hardly steps out unless it’s necessary. I have a lot to say but strength eludes me.”

The police are currently investigating the matter, and Timileyin is in custody pending further questioning.