Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom - Newstrends
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Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom

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Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom

The two Reverend Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, along with an Anambra High Court Judge, have been released after being kidnapped last week.

The Reverend Sisters were abducted while returning home from a meeting, while the judge, whose identity was not disclosed, was kidnapped on Saturday at the entrance to his home in Awka.

A source close to the judge’s family confirmed his release on Sunday, just 24 hours after the abduction.

In a statement titled “Notification of Release and Expression of Profound Gratitude,” Sr. Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, IHM Secretary General, announced the release of the Reverend Sisters.

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“I bring to your notice in joy that our dear Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, who were kidnapped in the evening of Tuesday, 7th January 2025, have been released unconditionally and in good health.

“We thank God and thank you all for your prayers and support all through these rough and uncertain days. May God forever be blessed through Mary our Mother,” her statement read.

The release of the kidnapped victims has brought relief to the people of Anambra State, who have been living in fear of kidnappings and other violent crimes in recent times.

 

Kidnapped Anambra High Court judge, 2 Rev. sisters regain freedom

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Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape

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Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu

Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in two separate cases involving alleged illegal firearm possession and fabrication and the alleged rape of a 50-year-old woman in the state.

The arrests involved three suspects in Misau Local Government Area, who were allegedly linked to the fabrication and possession of locally made firearms, and a 26-year-old man arrested in Gamawa Local Government Area over an alleged sexual offence.

In the firearm case, police operatives attached to the Misau Division reportedly intercepted Abubakar Ahmad, 30, also known as Tino, on September 25, 2026, while on duty at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Misau.

According to the police, Ahmad was found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a live cartridge and was allegedly attempting to hand the weapon over to Tijjani Yakubu, 35, of the same address.

Yakubu was already being held at a correctional centre over allegations of criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property, police said.

During preliminary investigation, Yakubu allegedly admitted ownership of the firearm and told investigators that he had given it to Ahmad for safekeeping.

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He also allegedly identified Bappah Kawu, 48, a welder from Tashar Masu in Misau, as the person who supplied the weapon.

Police subsequently arrested Kawu, who allegedly admitted that he fabricated and sold the pistol to Yakubu for ₦30,000.

A search of Kawu’s workshop reportedly led to the recovery of two locally made Dane guns and tools allegedly used for firearm fabrication, including a hacksaw, files and long iron pipes.

The three suspects were taken into custody, while the firearm case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation.

In a separate incident in Gamawa Local Government Area, police arrested Lukman Alhaji Nasiru, 26, of Garin Malam Village over the alleged rape of a 50-year-old woman.

Police said the alleged incident occurred on September 22, 2026, at about 12:15 p.m., when Nasiru allegedly lured the woman to an isolated area on the outskirts of Garin Malam.

The police alleged that the suspect had unlawful sexual intercourse with the woman.

The woman’s 40-year-old younger brother, who resides in Gauya Village in Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State, reportedly lodged a complaint at the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters on September 25.

Following the complaint, police arrested Nasiru and took both the suspect and the woman to General Hospital, Gamawa, for medical examination as investigations continued.

Police did not disclose further details of the medical examination.

The Bauchi Police Command said the separate investigations were ongoing, while Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu reiterated the command’s position against illegal firearms and sexual offences.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the police to assist investigations and prevent criminal activities.

The latest arrests form part of the command’s broader operations against crime in Bauchi State. The command had earlier reported the arrest of 29 suspects in September over various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, sexual assault, drug-related offences, vandalism and theft.

The allegations against the four suspects have not been established in court, and investigations into the cases are continuing.

Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape

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Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

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Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in Delta State following the death of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

The decision followed growing tension among workers over the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death at the Prof. Chike Odozien Secretariat in Asaba, with organised labour demanding a thorough investigation and assurances over the safety of workers in government offices.

The Delta State NLC, led by Goodluck Ofobruku, directed workers to withdraw their services indefinitely as it protested the death and demanded accountability over what it described as an unacceptable incident involving a public servant.

The development led to the shutdown of the state secretariat, with workers staying away from their offices as the labour union escalated its response.

The circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death remain the subject of investigations, with different accounts emerging over what happened before the Deputy Director died.

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Labour-linked accounts alleged that Adeda was assaulted during a confrontation at the secretariat. However, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, denied ordering anyone to attack the deceased.

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Ashibogwu also gave a different account of the incident, alleging that Adeda physically confronted him.

The conflicting accounts have heightened calls for an impartial investigation to establish what happened and determine whether anyone bears responsibility for the Deputy Director’s death.

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an investigation and arrested Lucky Adoh in connection with the incident.

Police also declared a manhunt for Enos Attah and Oputa Okestine, who were identified as persons allegedly connected to the incident.

Investigators are expected to examine available video recordings, eyewitness accounts and medical records as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events and circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.

The Delta State Government has also established an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the incident.

The panel is chaired by Charity Ehimen, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, and includes representatives of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council.

The panel has been given two weeks to submit its report and findings.

The government’s decision to constitute the panel followed the escalation of the dispute and the labour union’s declaration of an indefinite strike.

The investigation is expected to determine what happened before Adeda’s death, the circumstances surrounding the confrontation reportedly involving him and other individuals, and whether any action or omission contributed to his death.

As of the latest reports, there has been no conclusive official finding establishing the cause of Adeda’s death or confirming allegations of a fatal assault.

The police investigation and the administrative inquiry are therefore expected to provide separate but complementary findings on the incident.

The Delta NLC strike will remain in force pending further developments, while workers and organised labour await the outcome of the investigations into the death of the Deputy Director.

Deputy Director’s Death: NLC Shuts Delta Secretariat, Begins Indefinite Strike

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Woman Busted With Alleged Alcohol Hidden in Water Pack at Ogun Prison

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Woman Busted With Alleged Alcohol Hidden in Water Pack at Ogun Prison

Woman Busted With Alleged Alcohol Hidden in Water Pack at Ogun Prison

A woman identified as Shobowale Balikis has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle alcohol into the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said.

Balikis was reportedly arrested on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during routine screening at the custodial facility.

According to the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the incident occurred at about 3:50 p.m. when correctional officers subjected items brought into the facility to security checks.

During the screening, officers allegedly discovered a substance identified as ethanol concealed inside a bottled-water pack. The item was reportedly intended for an inmate at the facility.

The NCoS said the interception prevented the suspected contraband from getting into the custodial centre and reaching inmates.

Following the arrest, Balikis was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The correctional service said the development underscored its commitment to preventing the introduction of prohibited substances and other unauthorised items into custodial facilities.

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The command reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on contraband, stressing that visitors and other persons seeking access to custodial centres are subjected to screening procedures.

The latest incident comes weeks after another woman was arrested at the same Ibara Custodial Centre over an alleged attempt to smuggle a suspected psychoactive substance into the facility.

In that case, Iyabo Sowunmi was reportedly arrested during a screening exercise after officers allegedly found a substance suspected to be “Colos” concealed in a sachet of Milo beverage. She was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation.

The August incident reportedly involved a visit to an inmate identified as Dare Sowunmi, who was said to be on death row.

The two incidents highlight the continuing security checks being carried out at the Abeokuta custodial facility to prevent drugs, alcohol and other prohibited items from reaching inmates.

However, authorities have not indicated that the two cases are connected, and there is no official information suggesting that Balikis was acting with any accomplice or that the latest incident involved the inmate linked to the earlier case.

The police investigation into the latest arrest is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted introduction of ethanol into the Ogun custodial centre, including who the substance was intended for and whether any other person was involved.

Woman Busted With Alleged Alcohol Hidden in Water Pack at Ogun Prison

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