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Lagos billionaire kidnappers: Last-minute conversation before they struck at Ladipo

Published

5 months ago

July 24, 2024

Henry Odenigbo

Lagos billionaire kidnappers: Last-minute conversation before they struck at Ladipo

As if in a movie, the conversation between the leader of recently killed billionaire kidnappers in Lagos, said to be a Nollywood actor/producer, Prince Henry Ode and another member of the notorious gang planted at the market on the day of their operation, has been exposed.

Police sources said they had stationed one of their members inside the popular auto spare parts market on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Lagos, to monitor the movement of their target, hours before they struck at the market.

It was learned that he was giving them minute by minute information on the movement of their victim, and when it was ripe to strike, he gave the go-ahead information.

It was gathered that details of their conversation emerged after detectives at the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad led by Kehinde Oni unearthed vital digital and electronic information about their preparation for the operation, during which the squad swooped on them and in an exchange of fire, they were neutralised.

It learned that the hoodlums had arrived the market not knowing that they were being watched by detectives, who were personally selected by state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, strategically stationed.

Intelligence revealed that a voice recorded message was going on between the popular Nollywood actor and a-yet-to be identified member of the gang posted to the market to monitor their victim.

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The voice recorded conversation in Igbo language ran thus:

Actor: How far, is he out now? Which road leads to that place, is it through airport or 7/8?

Member: I don’t know the road he uses. I am still watching him. Where are you people now? Have you taken off? He has entered his car, no time.

Actor: Do you know your problem? You are never calculative. You are a drunk. Drink will make you not to achieve anything in life. So you have the compass about the man’s movement and you did not tell us earlier? Continue drinking. All I want is for you to give me the information I need. After we must have succeeded and given you your share, you can finish it on drinks, no wahalla. How many times did I call you. We don dey come.

Member: Please don’t be angry with me, no vex. You know how Ladipo is now.

Actor: Be careful and know how you are picking calls, be careful oooo.

Member: That’s what I am doing and you said I was drunk. I am always very careful. Please forgive me. I always step out each time I wanted to answer your call, biko (please).

Actor: No wahalla, just hold your phone steady. Monitor the guy. Let me know all his movement.

Member: I have heard, no wahalla.

Actor: We are on our way. We are at Bucknor.

Member: Where exactly are you people? What is happening? I need to know how far. The man is still there. I am still in the market. You know they are about closing for the day. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.

Meanwhile, more revelations emerged with details of how the killed Nollywood actor, identified as Prince Ode had cleverly avoided both arrest and prying eyes of members of the public after abducting their victims.

Sources said unknown to his colleagues in the industry, he normally dumps his victims in another wing of their location and most of the time, he plays the role of either a sharp shooter or a lone ranger which involved handling weapons

Sources said some of his victims revealed that they always hear noise of rehearsals from where they were confined and most times, they will hear many people talking loudly followed with laughters.

At press time, Vanguard gathered that detectives were still making frantic efforts to unravel names of all the dead kidnappers, including their background and other necessary information about them.

According to sources, “It is only then that we will be able to tell the world their identities and it will not be long.”

Lagos billionaire kidnappers: Last-minute conversation before they struck at Ladipo

Vanguard

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Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash

Published

13 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Ogun State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola

Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash

The Police Command in Ogun State has confirmed the death of three university students in a single-vehicle accident on the Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye Road.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, revealed that the victims were suspected to be students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

The incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, involved an Opel car with registration number AAA-126 HE. The vehicle was reportedly driven by Adekunle Adebiyi, a resident of 5 Sunmibare Street, Awa Ijebu.

“The accident was caused by overspeeding, leading to the driver losing control and the vehicle flipping into the bush,” Odutola explained.

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She further disclosed that one male passenger, whose identity is yet to be confirmed but is believed to be an OOU student, died on the spot. His body was taken to the mortuary at General Hospital, Ijebu Ode.

“Two female students from Olabisi Onabanjo University — Dada Oluwanifesimi, 18, and Miracle Daniel, 19 — were rushed to Love and Care Hospital but sadly passed away while receiving treatment,” she added.

The vehicle involved in the crash has been recovered and is now in police custody.

Odutola assured the public that further updates on the tragic incident would be provided and advised motorists to adhere to traffic regulations, particularly during the festive season.

Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash

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Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

Published

20 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

Dangote Refinery has announced a partnership with MRS to make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, available at ₦935 per litre nationwide through MRS retail outlets.

This development follows the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) recent move to lower petrol prices below ₦1,000 per litre.

In a statement shared on Saturday via X, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, praised President Bola Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira-for-crude swap initiative on the Nigerian economy. He noted that the policy had contributed to a reduction in the cost of petroleum products.

“To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

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“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre,” the statement read.

Dangote further revealed that the new pricing had already been implemented in Lagos and would be extended nationwide starting Monday.

He urged other oil marketers, including NNPC Retail, to collaborate to ensure Nigerians benefit from affordable and high-quality petrol.

“The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high-quality petrol at cheaper prices,” Dangote stated.

“Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high-quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.”

The naira-for-crude initiative was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in September under President Tinubu’s administration. The policy, which came into effect on October 1, has eased demand for the dollar and helped stabilize the naira, contributing to the reduction in fuel prices.

Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

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How another Nigerian was allegedly murdered by four South Africans

Published

35 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

How another Nigerian was allegedly murdered by four South Africans

The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa has condemned the alleged murder of another Nigerian, 37-year-old Julius Chukwunta, by four South Africans.

The native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024 while driving to his residence.

Chukwunta stayed in Midrand Protea Estate until his death.

NICASA President-General, Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, said Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

According to him, after attempting to pass through, he was met with resistance, prompting him to seek help at the security office.

Onyekwelu said: “At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

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“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu confirmed that the case, reported by Chukwunta’s partner, had been registered at the Midrand Police Station under file number: 262/12/2024.

He said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

He added: “The court proceedings on December 18, 2024 saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail.

“The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu expressed disappointment at the proceedings and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.