Metro
Security agencies arrest “Evangelists” selling kidnapped children

Security agencies in Plateau State have broken a child trafficking gang that poses as evangelists.
This followed the arrest of five people for trafficking and selling of children.
Those arrested included Pastor Di Bernard, the head of the “End Time Army Ministry” in Bukuru, Plateau State.
Other individuals apprehended are Peter (a male), Namman Pel (a female), Victoria Ugu (a female), and R. Au (a female from Karu, Abuja).
According to a recent report by Symfoni TV, the gang specialised in kidnapping children and selling them for between N350,000 and N750,000 to members of the public.
However, five children between the ages of two and four were rescued on December 2, 2024, through an intelligence-led operation carried out by the law enforcement agencies.
The kids were said to have been kidnapped from Jos and other places in Plateau State.
During interrogations, the suspects provided information about the operations of the trafficking network.
Pastor Di Bernard confessed that he had been using his position as an evangelist to deceive parents into handing over their children.
“I went to Quanpan District in Plateau State under the disguise of evangelism, I told the parents that I had an NGO offering sponsorship for education, from primary school all the way to higher institutions.”
The investigation showed that between April and November 2024, Pastor Di Bernard had worked with R. Au to abduct no fewer than eight children from different communities in the Kanke and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The children were then sold to buyers in various states, including Plateau, Abia, Enugu, and Lagos, at prices ranging from N350,000 to N750,000 per child.
The children were sold under the guise of adoption, with the buyers subsequently changing the children’s names. Law enforcement agencies have so far successfully rescued 13 children, aged between two and ten years.
The children were returned to their families through the efforts of the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“This case is so pathetic, young children are being traded by certain individuals,” an official involved in the investigation remarked.
Metro
Tension in Ondo community as herdsman dies in clash with vigilance group

There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.
Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.
Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.
It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.
A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.
The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.
Metro
Armed herdsmen kill Benue traditional ruler

The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
Metro
Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
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