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Tag: killers

  • Fish out killers of Sokoto district head – Matawalle to CDS

    Fish out killers of Sokoto district head – Matawalle to CDS

    Dr Bello Matawalle,  the Minister of State for Defence, has urged the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen, Christopher Musa to fish out the killers of Alhaji Isa Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State.

    Matawalle gave the charge in a statement on Friday in Abuja, by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.

    The minister who condemned the brutal killing of the District Head in strong terms described it as heinous and unacceptable.

    “The killing of Bawa is a senseless and brutal act that will not be tolerated. We will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

    ”Consequent to this, Chief of Defence should immediately launch a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

    “Security is one of the top agenda of President Bola Tinubu and he has been giving full support to the military,” he said.

    Matawalle assured the public that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous crime and bringing them to justice.

    “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians,” he added.

    The minister expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the late District Head, the people of Gatawa, and the entire Sokoto State Government.

    NAN reports that the district head was reportely kidnapped alongside his son while returning from Sokoto, and killed by his abductors 26 days after.

  • Absence of AGF stalls arraignment of alleged killers of Imo traditional ruler

    Absence of AGF stalls arraignment of alleged killers of Imo traditional ruler

    The absence of the Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF) in court on Monday, stalled the arraignment of four suspects alleged to have kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze-Obowo autonomous community in Imo, Mr Basil Njoku.

    When the matter was called, the  four suspects and their counsel were present in court but there was no representation from the office of the AGF who had on the last adjourned date, announced that he was taking over prosecution of the case.

    The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako then shifted hearing in the matter until noon but there was still no representation by the AGF or his representative.

    The situation prompted the judge to invite the lawyers of the defendants into her chambers.

    She then adjourned the matter until April 30 and ordered that fresh hearing notice be served on the AGF.

    The lead counsel to the suspects, Mr Solomon Akuma, SAN had applied that the case be dismissed, but the judge opted to give the AGF another chance to lead a diligent prosecution.

    The four suspects are Jude Iheme, Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie  Ejike and Victor Obumneke.

    The three counts earlier slammed against them had been increased to five in an amended charge.

    NAN reports that on the last adjourned date, the AGF represented by Mr David Kaswe had taken over prosecution of the case from the Inspector- General of Police who initially filed the charge.

    Kaswe told the judge that the AGF invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)  to take over trial of the case.

    NAN reports that Iheme, 52 years old of Amagwu Amanze Obowo Local Government Area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years old of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo Local government Area also of Imo, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on Dec.17, 2022.

    The suspects were accused of killing the monarch while he was coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million from his family.

    In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

    The other suspects were  accused  of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to the apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to Section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

    The charge read in part;  “That you Nwokorie  Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo  between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical  Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of the offence of kidnapping and terrorism of  Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with intent to cause Nwigwe Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku.

    “You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

    “That you Nwokorie  Ejike, 45 years  and Victor  Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo  between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical  Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe  Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

    “That you Nwokorie  Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo  between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical  Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.”

  • Troops arrest suspected killers of community leader, retired military personnel

    Troops arrest suspected killers of community leader, retired military personnel

    Troops have arrested some suspects in connection with the murder of Alhaji Saleh Umar, the Ardo of Kamuru, Dutsen Bako community in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The assailants abducted and killed Alhaji Umar after collecting N2 million ransom.

    Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna states, effected the arrests.

    Its Media Officer, Maj. Samson Zhakom, told a news conference on Saturday in Jos that the troops also arrested suspected killers of retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Hamza Musa.

    Zhakom added that troops of OPSH also arrested the killer of some residents of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.

    They also arrested suspected vandals of rail tracks in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “We have arrested the prime suspects in the gruesome murder of Alhaji Umar, the Ardo of Kamuru, Dutsen Bako village, Ikulu Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “They abducted and killed the community leader after collecting a ransom of N2 million.

    “We have also arrested three persons who conspired and killed their father and uncle, Hamza Musa, a discharged Nigerian Air Force Master Warrant Officer.

    “We also apprehended the suspected shooter of one Istifanus Musa, 55, at Bokkos in Plateau, during which one person sadly lost his life and another was injured.

    “Similarly, we conducted joint sting operations with the DSS to the hideout of rail vandals and economic saboteurs in Plateau and made significant breakthroughs,’’ he said.

    Zhakom added that investigations showed that the killers of Alhaji Umar were behind the attempted kidnap of Mr Sidi Kukah, the paramount Chief of Ikulu.

    The media officer explained that items recovered from some of the suspects included railway slippers, two articulated trucks, five car batteries and one 12.5kg gas cylinder.

    Others were one generator, one tyre and one vehicle number plate.

    Zhakom thanked residents of its general areas of operation for their continuous support and called for more collaboration to stem insecurity in the areas.

  • Fresh details emerge on murder of Kwara’s monarch, Olukoro of Koro

    Fresh details emerge on murder of Kwara’s monarch, Olukoro of Koro

    Fresh facts have emerged on how the killers of Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro plotted his death in a pub popularly called beer parlour in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    Oba Aremu-Cole, a retired senior military officer, was shot dead on Thursday night by the assailants, who invaded his palace, and his wife and two natives who live near the palace were whisked away to an unknown destination.

    He was crowned in 2017 and he would have been 66 this year as he was born in 1958.

    According to PUNCH, It was gathered that the killers also lured a salesgirl at the pub to lead them to the palace, which is located in the area.

    A source in Koro, who did not want his name in print said on Friday that when the assailants arrived in the town on Thursday evening, they settled in the pub to take some drinks.

    The source stated, “After spending several hours at the relaxation centre and being good customers t, they now asked the salesgirl to lead them to the palace to pay obeisance to the monarch and discuss the progress of the town.

    “The girl ignorantly led the three men to the palace to see the monarch and went back to continue her work at the joint.”

    Another native of Koro, Funsho Akorede, said the monarch had just returned from a journey and was relaxing when the gunmen attacked him.

    He added that following the killing, a team of soldiers had been dispatched to comb forests in Kwara and neighbouring Kogi and Ekiti states to smoke out the assailants.

    The immediate junior brother to the monarch, Mr Adelaja Aremu, on Friday, narrated how gunmen killed the Oba.

    Adelaja noted that the assailants shot his brother dead for refusing to follow their orders to stand up and come with them.

    He said, “I am his immediate younger brother and I live very close to the village. Immediately gunshots were heard in the palace, I was contacted and told the gunshots.

    “They (gunmen) came into the palace and met him (the monarch) and asked him to stand up. They wanted to abduct him. He refused to get up, saying that nobody could command him like that. He refused to take orders from unknown people, so they shot in the air to scare him but he wasn’t afraid.

    “Of course, they knew that they met a stubborn person and that was how they shot him. This was what the houseboy told us. He (houseboy) bolted out of the palace through the back door when my brother was shot, but he saw all that transpired.”

  • Ogun Govt. places N50m bounty on killers of Finance Director

    Ogun Govt. places N50m bounty on killers of Finance Director

    The Ogun Government has announced a reward of N50 million for any information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) attached to Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi.

    Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the reward in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday.

    According to the statement, Information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

    ”Such information can be sent to the underlisted telephone numbers:
    08037441955
    08033074371
    08081775020
    08034062773
    08032136765. ”

    Recall that suspected armed robbers on Nov. 29 shot dead Oyekanmi, and carted away government funds.

    Oyekanmi had cashed an undisclosed amount of money from a branch of Fidelity bank in Abeokuta, and was heading back to the office when he was waylaid by the gunmen.

    According to source, the gunmen, about five of them, shot the accountant dead at Kuto bridge in Abeokuta and went away with the government’s money.

    It was gathered that Oyekanmi and other aides who sustained gunshot injuries during the attacks, were rushed to the State General Hospital, Ijaye, where the accountant later died.

  • Military arrest 8 suspected killers of catholic seminarian, others

    Military arrest 8 suspected killers of catholic seminarian, others

    The Special Military Taskforce, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have arrested suspected killers of Na’aman Stephen, a Catholic seminarian.

    Capt. James Oya, the Media Officer of OPSH disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Jos.

    According to reports, Gunmen killed Na’aman when they attacked the rectory of St Raphael Catholic Church, Fadan-Kamatan of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The seminarian was killed when the criminals set the rectory ablaze after a failed kidnap attempt on the two priests working in the parish.

    According to Oya, among the arrested suspects were those who killed Dorathy Janothan at Afana community of Zangon Kataf, after they failed to have carnal knowledge of her.

    ”Among these suspects are those in connection with the murder of Mrs Dorathy Jonathan on Sept. 1 at Afana Village in Zango Kataf.

    ”Also, these suspects involved in the attack and burning of St Raphael’s Catholic Church Fadan Kamatan on Sept. 7, are also here.

    ”Recall that the attack led to death of Na’aman Stephen, a seminarian serving at the parish.

    “The  swift response of our troops rescued Rev. Frs. Emmanuel Okolo and Noah Monday, the parish priest and his assistant.

    ”On the whole, we have eight suspects in our custody who are arrested for committing the above crimes and also running a gun manufacturing factory in the area,”he said.

    The media officer said that 31 weapons of various categories were recovered during the operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.

    ”These weapons include three AK-47 rifles,10 locally fabricated pistols, five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, nine revolvers, three locally fabricated submachine guns, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and machine tools

    ”Other items recovered include one pistol holster, one military camel pouch, one police combat helmet, two masks, foru identity cards, gunpowder, charms, amulets, among others, ”he said.

    Oya thanked residents of its area of operations for their support to OPSH and other security agencies in their bids toward ending all forms of criminalities.

    The Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, at a stakeholders security meeting in Zango Kataf, vowed to arrest killers of the seminarian and other criminals terrorising the area.

    NAN

  • Police launch manhunt for killers of woman accused of witchcraft

    Police launch manhunt for killers of woman accused of witchcraft

    Police Command in Cross River has launched a manhunt for the alleged killers of a woman accused of witchcraft in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, has directed that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

    This is contained in a statement by the Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo, on Saturday.

    The commissioner who described the incident as unfortunate, noted that no person had the right to take another life under any guise.

    The deceased, Mrs Martina Itagbor, a mother of four, was accused of witchcraft following the death of two young men in a car crash that also left many injured.

    Following the accusation, the mother of four was beaten and burnt to death by some youths of Old Ntem community in Akamkpa council area of Cross River.

    The Police said the heinous crime was one the police frowned at and would do everything necessary to ensure such did not repeat itself again.

    According to him, “The issue of jungle justice is one crime that the Police does not take lightly and as such, we have already commenced manhunt for those responsible for the dastardly act.

    “Those responsible, no matter highly placed, will be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land.”

    Meanwhile, Gov Bassey Otu has said that the state, like every other parts of the country is governed by constitutional order and that no form of brigandage and criminal acts will be tolerated.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, Otu directed the law enforcement agency to arrest and ensure that the perpetrators met with the full weight of the laws.

    The governor said that the allegation if proven true, was repulsive and against all civility.

    “My attention has been drawn to the alleged burning to death of a citizen of the state in Akammkpa Local Government Area of the state by some unscrupulous, wild and criminally- minded youths,

    “It is sheer savagery and cowardice for the youths or anybody to take the laws into their hands, more so, involving a helpless woman.

    According to the governor, “Such abhorrent acts have no place in our constitutional democracy that Nigeria practices which our state is part of.

    “Our people must do away with all relics of culture that promotes violence, murder and criminality such as in this instance.

    “To this end, I am directing the Commissioner of Police in the state to mobilise all tactical and investigative assets and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.

    “I further wish to warn against all of such acts as we have laws and statutes to deal with such of wrongdoings and disagreements.”

  • Police parade suspected killers of naval officer in Ondo

    Police parade suspected killers of naval officer in Ondo

    Three suspects alleged to have killed Sub-Lt. Samuel Akingbohun of the Nigerian Navy in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been arrested by the police.

    Parading the suspects before journalists on Thursday in Akure, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said that the men were arrested while trying to flee the community afterwards.

    She said that two of the suspects were aged 20, while the third was 17.

    The command’s spokesperson said the investigation revealed that a misunderstanding ensued between the naval officer and one of the suspects, which led to a fight.

    Odunlami-Omisanya said that the two other suspects later joined in the fight, and one of the suspects struck the officer with an iron rod on the head and groin.

    “Later, Akingbohun became unconscious, and was rushed to the hospital in the town where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” she said.

    The command’s spokesman said that the suspects would soon be prosecuted in court for alleged murder.

  • Kogi Govt vows to fish out abductors, killers of traditional ruler

    Kogi Govt vows to fish out abductors, killers of traditional ruler

    The Kogi Government on Wednesday vowed to fish out kidnappers and killers of traditional ruler of Aghara Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

    The traditional ruler, Chief David Obadofin, was reportedly kidnapped in his resident last week by yet-to-be-identified attackers, who later killed him.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, State Commissioner for Information and Communication, in a statement issued in Lokoja described David’s abduction and murder as “horrendous , criminal and reprehensible. ”

    “The APC-led administration of Gov Yahaya Bello will not rest until the abductors and killers of the innocent traditional ruler are arrested and brought to book.

    “The joy of our action on this heinous act is that we are making significant progress at apprehending the suspected masterminds.

    “This is because we are working in collaboration with security agencies to ensure those behind the attack and kidnap face the full wrath of the law, ” he said.

    Fanwo expressed sadness over the attack on the hitherto very peaceful community of Aghara Bunu community by “coward anti-socials” who also killed a woman and a young lady during the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.

    The commissioner said that the state government would stop at nothing to ensure it gets to the roots of the attack and also ensure the masterminds are brought to book.

    He said, “In as much as we wouldn’t want to give out much information about our ongoing investigations, we wish to state that significant progress has been made.”

    Fanwo disclosed that few suspects apprehended were giving useful information to law enforcement agents.

    According to him, reports of the investigations would be made public once concluded.

    “Government will continue to strengthen its anti-crime architecture to prevent breach of the peace and respond rapidly to any breach of the peace.

    “It is the responsibility of Government to protect her citizens are we remain unbending in our unwavering commitment to secure the lives and property of our people,” he assured.

  • Fish out killers of Rev. Fr. Achi, assembly tells Niger govt

    Fish out killers of Rev. Fr. Achi, assembly tells Niger govt

    The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the executive arms of government to fish out the killer of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi at Kafin-Koro area in Paikoro Local Government of the state.

    The call followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance brought before the house by Mr Andrew Jagaba (APC-Munya) during the plenary session in Minna on Thursday.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr. Abdullahi Bawa, while reading the resolutions of the house, called on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, deploy resources toward apprehending the killers.

    He said that the state government should also carry out its constitutional duty of protecting the lives and property of citizens.

    Bawa said that a delegation should be sent to condole with the Catholic Diocese of Minna and the families to the deceased.

    Earlier in his motion, Jagaba said that Section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

    The lawmaker recalled that Achi of St. Paul and Peter’s Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro, died on Jan. 15 when he was burnt by unknown assassins at the parish residence.