Metro
Father demands justice over son’s death in Benue
By Francesca Hangeior
Joseph Onminyi, the father of 19-year-old Peter Onminyi, who was allegedly killed by men from the Operation Zenda unit of the Benue State Police Command, has called for justice.
According to Onminyi, his son was killed in the presence of family members on May 19, 2024, around 8 pm while they were having dinner at their residence located at Welfare Quarters, Makurdi.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, the father of the deceased alleged that some policemen invaded their residence, shot his son dead, and took away his corpse.
While crying out for justice, Onminyi demanded the immediate release of his son’s body for a decent burial according to Idoma’s traditional rites and customs.
He also demanded the immediate return of items taken from their house and access to their home, as they have been traumatised and are tired of sleeping outside.
The father, a retired civil servant, described his son as a complete gentleman and said that, to his knowledge, his son had not committed any offence that would have warranted his killing by the police in front of the family.
He said, “I am Mr. Joseph Onminyi, the father of the deceased, late Peter Onminyi, who was shot to death by the police on May 19, 2024, in my own house, not even outside.
“No reason was given by the police for their actions. They didn’t ask or tell anyone about the offence he committed; rather, they just killed him while he was eating in the dining room.
“The police didn’t approach me, the father, or ask any of my children who were with me in the room what offence my son had committed. They just jumped over the fence, entered the house, and began shooting sporadically. They even shot at one of my sons, who was eating at the dining table.
“Not only that, after killing him, they took his body away and removed all the home properties, including a radio, refrigerator, washing machine, gas cooker and gas cylinder, as well as two motorcycles and everything else in the house.
“I think this action could be seen as armed robbery because they came unannounced, and nobody was informed of what they were there for. Whether they came to search for something or to investigate someone, they didn’t say anything; they just shot and killed my innocent child.
“After killing him, the police took his body away to an unknown destination. Up to this moment, I don’t know where my son’s lifeless body is. Not only that, the police locked my house.”
He added, “They locked the entrance gate to my house. My house has been locked and the key withheld since the incident in May.
“My family and I have been sleeping outside our home in an uncompleted building. I therefore appeal to Nigeria and the entire world to come to my aid and address the police brutality against innocent citizens,” Onminyi stated.
While mentioning that he had filed a case for breach of human rights against the police, the deceased’s father accused the police of delaying the case in court.
“They have refused to appear in court, which means the police believe they are above the law and can disregard the judicial process,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, said that the case involved someone suspected of kidnapping and armed robbery.
She said, “I am aware of the case, which involved a boy who was suspected of kidnapping. I think the police went there to arrest him, and during the process, one of the boys exchanged gunfire with the police, and in the process, he was killed.
“However, I am not sure of the name, but I will get back to you. This happened around the Welfare Quarters in the Makurdi area.”
Metro
EFCC arrests 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Awka
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said they have arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters.
The commission stated that the all-male suspects were arrested in a sting operation at Commissioners’ Quarters, Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State.
According to a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, EFCC said that the development followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.
The commission listed the items recovered from them to include six exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones.
“They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement concluded.
Metro
Gov Alia locks out hundreds of Benue workers for late coming
Several hundred civil servants in Benue State who arrived late to work on Wednesday were locked out by stern-looking security personnel assigned to the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
At approximately 10:35 AM on Wednesday, the governor made an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat to inspect ongoing renovation work, including the installation of lighting.
As soon as the convoy of the governor drove into the secretariat, the gates were locked by security officers leading to hundreds of state civil servants locked out.
To the governor’s surprise, during his tour from one ministry to another, he found that several commissioners and other key officials were absent from work.
Angered by this situation, the governor later addressed a large crowd of workers gathered at the gate after his inspection.
He expressed deep concern about their attitudes towards government work and warned them against failing to fulfil their responsibilities for the salaries they receive.
According to the governor, “With what you are doing, you are creating a vicious circle for your families. You cannot get money and be uplifted because you are cheaters and because of the effect of what you are doing.
“The work I do is not for me, but for those who don’t know that am the governor and those who will see me and not recognize me.
“Am appealing to you because I have a quick way of getting your names and firing you as I have the power to do so. I am speaking to you as a priest and not as governor and telling you the dangers of what you are doing.
He added, “It is not about me, who is government? All of you here are the government. Even in the family, somebody governs the home and there are rules. And in every government; there are rules. Am not frustrated but I do not want you to be doomed.
“See what you can do if not for yourselves but for the people you are caring for and are behind you because they are the ones to take the heat”.
Metro
Jealous husband showers fuel on wife sets her on fire in SE
A woman who was set ablaze by her husband on Tuesday at Abagana, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State on suspicion of infidelity, has died.
A circulating video on social media showed the woman, Mrs Chioma Nwanna, mother of six children, tumbling on the ground with burns and cursing her husband.
A source in Abagana said the man had accused his wife of being wayward and flirting with other men, an allegation that sparked off an argument between them.
It was gathered that as the argument raged, the man poured fuel on her, setting her ablaze. She was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
The Anambra State police command has confirmed the incident. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said her husband had already been arrested, adding that an investigation into the matter has commenced.
“We are aware of the matter, but it is sad to announce to you that the woman just died this morning while receiving medical attention.
“Her husband has also been arrested and investigation has commenced,” the PPRO said.
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