Police

By Uzair Adam Imam 

In a troubling incident in Idu community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, two siblings, Collins Ugorji and Newman Ugorji, met a tragic end allegedly at the hands of the OSPAC vigilante group.  

Wade Ugorji, cousin of the deceased, recounted the events, stating that the brothers were visiting a relative when OSPAC members detained them, erroneously labeling them as kidnappers.

Despite their innocence, the siblings were fatally shot while in custody. “On the 1st of May 2024, my cousin, Mr Collins Ugorji… and his younger brother Mr Newman Ugorji… went to Idu community… They were arrested by the OSPAC officials, who killed both of them claiming that they were kidnappers,” Wade lamented. 

The news of the siblings’ deaths spread rapidly, with images circulating on social media purporting to show slain kidnappers.  

Recognizing his cousins, Wade swiftly reported the matter to the Omoku Police Division, prompting an investigation. Amid escalating tensions, the police, led by the Divisional Police Officer, ventured to Idu community.

However, they faced resistance from OSPAC members, who brazenly challenged the authority of the police. 

“The vigilante member threatened and warned the DPO not to come back to the area again,” Wade recounted. 

Despite attempts to conceal the crime, evidence emerged, including Newman Ugorji’s bloodstained slippers found in the OSPAC office. 

Wade appealed to state authorities and concerned citizens for justice, urging the governor, the Inspector General of Police, and the state Commissioner of Police to intervene. 

Confirming the incident, Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko, stated that one OSPAC member and four other suspects had been apprehended in connection with the murders.  

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department for further inquiry.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a decisive operation on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway, the Ogun State Police Command has neutralized two suspected kidnappers in a shootout, as announced by Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson.

According to Ms. Odutola, the suspects met their fate during a daring rescue mission executed by police personnel to liberate abducted Indian nationals.

The successful operation, aided by local vigilantes, led to the safe recovery of the hostages.Identified as Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan, and Medani Kathiwada, the Indian nationals had fallen victim to abduction on Friday.

Alongside their rescue, authorities seized a substantial sum of N7.9 million, along with 1,500 Indian Rupees, believed to be part of the ransom extorted by the kidnappers.

The ordeal began when the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited, situated on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway, reported an attack to the Divisional Police Officer, Mowe Divisional Headquarters.

The incident involved gunfire directed at vehicles transporting the manager’s principals at Kajola junction along the Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta expressway.

While the police escort accompanying the first vehicle managed to repel the assailants and safeguard all occupants, three Indian nationals in the second vehicle were abducted.

Prompt response from the anti-kidnapping section, in collaboration with local security units, initiated a thorough search of the area.

A fierce confrontation ensued in the forest along the Benin-Sagamu Papalanto route, resulting in the rescue of the hostages unharmed.

Two of the six kidnappers were incapacitated during the exchange of fire, with authorities recovering two AK-47 rifles, a single-barrel locally made gun, a sword, cell phones, criminal paraphernalia, and 65 rounds of ammunition.

The deceased suspects have been transferred to the public mortuary, while intensive efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 30-year-old actor, identified as Praise, over accusations of abducting and defiling a 14-year-old girl in the Mowe area of the state. 

Omolola Odutola, the command’s Public Relations Officer, affirmed the arrest in a statement released to the press in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. 

According to Odutola, the arrest followed a report filed by the teenager’s grandparents, who stated that their granddaughter had gone missing since April 27, 2024. 

“The Divisional Police Officer of Mowe Division apprehended one actor, Praise, a 30-year-old male, on allegations of defiling a 14-year-old female,” the statement disclosed. 

It continued, “The arrest came after a report on May 1, around 2:05 PM, from the grandparents of the teenager, who reported that their granddaughter had been missing since April 27, 2024.” 

The grandparents claimed that the suspect had sexually assaulted their granddaughter, leading to severe bleeding upon her discovery. 

Furthermore, the statement mentioned that medical examinations have been initiated, with forms issued for examination and treatment at a government hospital to gather more credible evidence. 

While a preliminary investigation has commenced at the Mowe Divisional Headquarters, the case is slated for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation. 

Odutola noted, “No child in Ogun State should endure such inhumane treatment, sexual assault, and abuse.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Enugu State Police have apprehended two male kidnapping suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of a heavily pregnant woman along Eke-Egede Road in Udi LGA.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered a manhunt for other members of the gang.

The victim’s husband, Mr. Ekene Igwe, praised the Enugu State government for swiftly intervening and covering medical expenses.

The woman, Chinwendu Igwe, gave birth to a baby boy after being rescued and is now in good condition.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Chinwendu embarked on the journey alone with her two children from Lagos to her paternal home, where she was abducted.

The CP dismissed misinformation regarding the incident and urged media accuracy. Mr. Igwe thanked Governor Peter Mbah for the government’s support.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

An unimaginable tragedy occurred when 26-year-old Anosikwa Patrick was fatally stabbed by a police officer at Skymall in Ajah, Lagos, where he had gone to unwind with his girlfriend, Joy Ebere.  

Recounting the horrific ordeal, Ebere lamented, “Perhaps he would have survived the injury, had the hospital he was rushed to attended to him.” 

She described the harrowing sequence of events, stating, “Some minutes later, he was shouting for help… Upon hearing the commotion, I went outside and saw him in the pool of his blood.”  

Despite frantic efforts to save him, Patrick was denied treatment by four hospitals, ultimately succumbing to his injuries on the way to General Hospital Marina. 

In the midst of grief, questions lingered about the officer’s actions.

Ebere questioned, “Why would a policeman act that way?”

Meanwhile, Augustine, the deceased’s elder brother, expressed the family’s anguish and demand for justice. 

The Lagos State Police Command, through its spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, assured the public that an investigation was underway, with the arrested policeman in custody.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Police Command in Kano State clarified that the recall of police officers from the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) is solely for the purpose of conducting a staff audit, contrary to speculations of political vendetta. 

The Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, explained to reporters in Kano that the recall aims to ascertain the precise number of police personnel seconded to the commission since 2015. 

Gumel noted that the move is a response to numerous complaints received through the Command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU), alleging highhandedness and deviation from assigned duties by the police attached to the commission. 

“The exercise was simply a response to series of reports received through the Command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU),” Gumel stated. 

“They portrayed policemen attached to the commission as being highhanded and deviating from the expected role of providing static guard and other duties at the commission.” 

Gumel further clarified, “For the purposes of clarity, members of the public are to note that the object of the ongoing staff audit is basically to address the litany of complaints as reported by sections of the media.” 

He expressed that the audit became necessary to rectify anomalies in the commission’s operations, where police officers were reportedly involved in arrests and investigations, deviating from their original mandate. 

“In summary the step is towards ensuring a better and effective service delivery by the policemen devoid of abuse of process in the interest of the people,” Gumel added. 

The Commissioner also revealed that similar audits were conducted in the past, with officers returning to their duty posts upon conclusion. 

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has approved the immediate return of some police officers providing guard duty at the commission who have undergone the audit process. 

“Should the commission require more policemen for other duties than what has been expressly approved by the IGP, it should apply to IGP for approval and deployment,” according Gumel.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Joshua Rogers, a reporter for Channels Television, has been liberated after a harrowing abduction from his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor area of Rivers State.  

His release, occurring around 10 p.m. on Friday, came unscathed, less than 24 hours after his capture on Thursday. 

Confirming his freedom, his colleague Charles Oporum shared the relieving news late Friday, stating, “Yes, he has been released about an hour ago, and has reunited with his family.” 

The television station’s management also affirmed Rogers’ safe return in a succinct statement, expressing gratitude to viewers and well-wishers for their concern during the distressing incident. 

In a heartwarming video, Rogers can be seen celebrating with his loved ones following his regained freedom.  

However, the circumstances surrounding his release remain shrouded in uncertainty, as it’s unclear whether security forces intervened or if a ransom was paid for his liberation. 

Both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) launched rescue operations during his abduction, underscoring the collaborative efforts to secure his safety.  

Rogers, known as Channels TV’s Government House Correspondent in Port Harcourt, can now breathe a sigh of relief as he reunites with his colleagues and resumes his journalistic endeavors.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

Lovelyn Onyekachi and her suspected lover, Uchenna Ekwenye, find themselves in police custody amid disturbing allegations of serial sexual attacks and defilement involving Lovelyn’s three children, aged 5, 7, and 9. 

The case, originating in Lagos, has been moved to Abuja as investigations intensify. According to police sources, the children, lacking proper attention from their mother, reportedly fell victim to the assaults facilitated by Lovelyn’s relationship with Ekwenye.  

Neighbours, troubled by the children’s distress, alerted authorities, leading to the arrests. 

Lovelyn, who returned to Nigeria from South Africa with her children after a reported dispute with her husband, Pastor Paul Onyekachi, allegedly entered into a relationship with Ekwenye, who frequently visited their home in Lagos.  

The situation escalated when Ekwenye allegedly moved in and took advantage of Lovelyn’s absence to abuse the children, warning them against disclosure. 

However, a petition from the accused’s legal representatives challenges these accusations, asserting them as tactics orchestrated by the children’s father to gain custody through coercion. 

In a twist, Lovelyn’s lawyers claim that she was detained unlawfully by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency after being summoned for questioning regarding the allegations. 

 By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Borno State Police apprehended a young man and woman for engaging in an inappropriate act within the premises of the All Saints Protestant Church on Monday, located in the Police College, Maiduguri, Borno State. 

The two defaulters involved have been identified as Kaka Ali Umar, a resident of Damboa Road, and Khadija Adam, who resides in the Ngomari area of Maiduguri.  

Rev. Danjuma Adamu, the pastor of the church, recounted how the couple was discovered engaging in an inappropriate act inside the sacred space.

Rev. Adamu expressed profound disappointment at the desecration of the church premises, describing the incident as deeply regrettable and unacceptable. 

Upon discovery, prompt action was taken, and the police were alerted immediately. They defaulters were subsequently arrested and detained at the Metro Division of the Police.

They did not deny the allegations and admitted to their involvement in the incident. 

The news of the duo’s behaviour has stirred widespread condemnation and disbelief among members of the community, who view such actions as a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the church.

Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation and pursue appropriate legal measures against the individuals involved.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Police Command has successfully raided a criminal hideout in Oderereke community, Ahoada-West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a notorious cultist and armed robber named Silas Oderereke.

The suspect, who had been on the police’s wanted list for four years, was taken down during a crossfire as he resisted arrest.

Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, revealed that the police operatives encountered armed resistance from the criminals upon entering the den in Oderereke community.

The exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of Oderereke, known as ‘General,’ while two other suspects sustained injuries, and two managed to escape.

Oderereke, the leader of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada West, was notorious for various criminal activities, including armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and violent attacks on those opposing his gang.

The criminals were involved in terrorizing the community, seizing land, vandalizing property, and engaging in robbery and kidnapping.

The police received information about the gang’s robbery operation on January 11, 2024, prompting a swift response to chase the criminals out of town.

However, Oderereke and his gang retaliated by attacking a community-owned tank farm, aiming to loot its contents.

In the ensuing shootout, Oderereke and an accomplice were neutralized, while others sustained injuries.Among the seized items were a G3 rifle, nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition, and various weapons and military camouflage.

Superintendent Iringe-Koko commended the officers for their exceptional work, and Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu warned cultists in the state to renounce their criminal activities or face the full weight of the law.