Metro
Suspected hoodlums set ablaze NOUN, senator’s buildings in Imo
The residence of a former Senator, Frank Ibezim and some facilities in a study centre of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN at Ezeoke-Nsu community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State have been set ablaze by persons suspected to be arsonists on Tuesday.
The dastardly attacks were coming on the heels of a viral video report that the Federal Government planned to renovate the NOUN facitlity as a training ground for repentant Boko Haram insurgents.
The video followed a recent inspection visit by the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Mohammed, to the national training facility for the vulnerable, located inside the NOUN study center.
Mohammed, who was accompanied on the visit by Ibezim, reportedly said in a TVC News interview that the inspection was in view of a training programme for vulnerable persons, which would commence at the centre before the end of the year.
A member of the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the incident occurred at about 9p.m. on Monday.
The source suspected that the attacks might have been prompted by the false video report that repentant insurgents would be relocated and trained at the NOUN facility.
“A lot of our people raised their voices against this Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) training project in that place, especially where there are no existence of IDPs in the state.
“The planners of that project were insensitive to the agitation in the area,” the source said.
A community leader, who also pleaded anonymity, lamented over the destruction of the NOUN buildings by the suspected arsonists.
He regretted that the NOUN facility also housed Ezeoke Girls’ Secondary School, with boarding facility.
“With the razing down of the buildings there, the community has lost the only boarding school and a NOUN facility in our area,” he further said.
Confirming the attacks, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, described them as barbaric and condemnable.
The Spokesman of the Imo Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, quoted the commissioner in a statement issued in Owerri on Tuesday.
Okoye said that the police boss had deployed the command’s Tactical Unit to identify and apprehend those responsible for the act.
The statement partly read: “Additionally, the Commissioner has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the incident.
“This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence that undermines the safety and security of our communities.
“The command stands firmly against such acts and will take all necessary measures in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Furthermore, Danjuma urges the public to refrain from spreading fake news or making inciting statements that could destabilise the current peace in the state.
“He warns that anyone found guilty of spreading false information will face strict consequences.”
A 35-year-old man, Gaddafi Isah, and Badamasi Isah, aged 30, have been beaten to death by a mob over the suspected theft of livestock at Katsayal village in the Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
A counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on his X handle on Monday.
According to him, intelligence sources revealed that the two victims had driven their father’s vehicle to the outskirts of the village to learn to drive.
He stated that, in the process of the practice, a mob approached and accused them of stealing livestock.
He added that the mob surrounded the two men and beat them severely, causing them to sustain varying degrees of injuries.
“The victims were rescued by the security forces who were deployed to the scene and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Sandamu for treatment, but they were later confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he posted.
He also disclosed that the vehicle the deceased victims were driving was also damaged during the attack.
He noted that the police had launched an investigation into the incident, and efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Abubakar Aliyu, did not respond to calls made to his telephone line.
A text message sent had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
A tragic incident unfolded on the evening of Saturday, along the Bwari-Dutse Road in Abuja, where a shooting linked to a VIP convoy claimed the life of a bystander and left several others injured.
According to intelligence sources available to Zagazola Makama, the chaos began after a Daf Trailer Truck reportedly lost its brakes and rammed into five tricycles around 6:50 p.m., resulting in a deadly crash. Eight people were injured in the accident, and two later died from their injuries at Kubwa General Hospital.
As emergency responders and commuters grappled with the aftermath of the crash, a VIP convoy approached the gridlocked scene. Eyewitnesses reported that security personnel in the convoy began firing shots into the air, apparently in an attempt to clear the road.
Amid the confusion, a stray bullet hit Timothy John, a passerby from Dutse Baupma, in the chest.
He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The identity of the VIP or those responsible for the gunfire has not yet been disclosed, sparking public outrage and concern over the reckless actions of convoy security operatives.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into both the accident and the shooting, with the body of Timothy John taken for autopsy.
Operatives of the Mabushi Division of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have foiled a robbery attempt at the Royal Court Estate, Jahi II, Abuja.
The operatives arrested two suspects following a gun battle.The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 27, at about 3:20 a.m. after a distress call was received.
Upon arrival, the police officers were engaged in a shootout by the robbers but eventually overpowered them with superior firepower.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Sunday, the suspects, Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi—were arrested after a hot pursuit.
Adeh said, “On March 27, 2025 at about 3:20 a.m., operatives of the Mabushi Division responded swiftly to a distress call reporting ongoing robbery at Royal Court Estate, Jahi II.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the police operatives were engaged in a gun duel by the hoodlums. However, the suspects were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police and attempted to flee with gunshot injuries.
“A hot pursuit ensued, leading to the arrest of two suspects—Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi. ”
Adeh added that items recovered from the suspects include two locally made firearms, three suspected stolen vehicles— a black Toyota Matrix (Reg. No. NBS 348 CP), a black Toyota Venza (Reg. No. ABJ 105 AV), and a grey Lexus IS350 (Reg. No. RSH 295 CB).
She stated that electronic devices such as two MacBook Pro laptops, a Lenovo laptop, an iPad, a PS4 gaming console, a Canon IP1224 camera, and a drone camera were also recovered.
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, ” Adeh added.
Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, urged residents to adopt proactive security measures, especially by installing tracking devices in their vehicles to aid recovery efforts in case of theft.
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