Metro
How I Formed Kidnap Gang During My 11yrs In Prison- Suspected Kidnapper
The goals of Correctional centres, otherwise known as Prison , are to strike a balance between punishment, rehabilitation and public safety while preparing inmates for a productive life after release.
However, in Nigeria , these goals have suffered severe set back as most inmates rather than being transformed into a better version of themselves, return back to the society hardened than they were before going to jail.
This was the case of a suspected leader of a kidnap gang arrested by the Rivers State Police Command under the watch of CP Olatunji Disu.
The suspect, Gift Ogbo (39), who is receiving treatment in the hospital, from injuries sustained during a botched kidnap operation , disclosed that he formed his gang while serving his 11 years jail term for a murder case.
Ogbo, who said he had never been to a classroom since birth, recalled how he roamed his village in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, during school hours, searching for opportunities to pilfer.
Due to his alleged villainous disposition, he was nick named ‘Akwa Ndele’, with parts of his body designed with bold scars .
Vanguard gathered that on March 29, 2024, Ogbo, led three members of his gang on a kidnap mission, in their operational tricycle, on Nkpolu road.
They reportedly intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz ML 350 4matic , parked on the road, with two occupants in the driver and passenger seats.
But in an act of bravery, driver of the Mercedes who attempted to reverse and escape, hit a wall.
He reportedly drove menacingly towards two suspected members of the gang that stood in front of the car ,and ran over them.
The two suspects were Ogbo and another member identified simply as Oyi-Baba, who were the gang’s muscle men. They were abandoned at the scene by their fleeing colleagues.
A mob was said to have descended on them and was at the verge of setting them ablaze when a Rapid Response Team that was contacted arrived the scene.
While Oyi-Baba reportedly died in the hospital, Ogbo , is still undergoing treatment, according to Police sources.
From the hospital bed, Ogbo, said, “ In 2012, I attacked one of my uncles during an argument over a parcel of land and he died in the process.
“I was arrested and charged for murder. While serving my 11 years hail term, I made friends with some inmates.
“Upon my release in December 2023, I returned to Ndele and rallied two old friends, Gift Kpanuku, aka Oyi-Baba and one Sunny, aka Onye-meme.
”We teamed up with two released members of the gang I formed in prison: Isaac and Ugo and immediately devised a plan to start a kidnap-for-ransom gang.
“We stole from residents of Ndele to raise money for arms. We raised 370,000 and used it to purchase two locally made shot guns in Akwa-Ibom from Smart, a gunrunner I also met in prison.
“We went on the first mission on March 13, 2024, at about 8.45 p.m. We snatched a red Mazda 323 from a local taxi driver to use as operational vehicle. On that same evening, we met a man and his wife who parked their car in front of a doctor’s office at Nkpolu. We ordered them out of their Volkswagen Touareg, pushed them into the back seat of the car and drove off with them, abandoning the stolen Mazda.
“But on the way to our hideout, there was traffic .While contemplating an alternative route, the woman jumped out of the car. In anger, I shot her husband in both thighs, and we sped off.
“We took him to a compound in Eleme, took his gold chain, gold wristwatch , his phone and wife’s phone which she left . We used his ATM card to withdraw N530, 000, via.”
VANGUARD
Metro
Police arrest suspected ritualists for abducting woman in Ogun
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.
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.
She, however, noted that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Eleweran for further investigation and likely prosecution.
Metro
UNIZIK lecturer killed in Anambra by suspected carjackers
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.
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.
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.
Metro
Surrender Now and Be Pardoned, CESJET Cautions Lakuruwa Sect
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.
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.”
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.
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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