metro

Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji

Published

1 year ago

August 18, 2024

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe

Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have abducted a yet-to-be-ascertained number of students from the College of Health Technology, Oji, in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a separate incident, the gunmen also abducted a popular prophetess in the area.

It was learnt that the assailants first traced the woman to her residence but did not meet her; then they proceeded to her church where she was found and abducted.

A community leader who did not want his name in print confirmed the incident, adding that no one knew the reason for the attack. He, however, doubted if the attack was carried out by herdsmen.

The situation had caused gloom and uncertainty among students of the school and the entire Oji community as no one has been able to establish contact with the abductors neither have they made any demand for ransom about the time this report was filed.

In a viral video on Friday, a young man, who was seen wearing blood-stained clothes, was heard narrating how the incident happened, adding that he was lucky to escape alive.

READ ALSO:

“I am the only person who managed to escape. They have abducted everyone.

It happened at the School of Health. I have reported at the police station,” he said, while some persons were heard urging him to rush to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Confirming the incident in a late release on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Daniel Ndukwe, said that only five students were abducted, but two were promptly rescued

He described the viral video as misleading, adding that efforts were under way to rescue the remaining victims, apprehend the culprits.

“The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the viral video alleging that a countless number of students were kidnapped at the Enugu State College of Health Technology Oji-River is false and an act of mischief and misinformation aimed at misleading and creating panic among unsuspecting citizens.

“Contrary to the spurious narrative in the viral video, in the evening hours of August 15, 2024, police operatives at the Oji-River Division of the Command received information alleging an act of abduction around the said college.

“They immediately hastened to the scene, rescuing two of the victims allegedly abducted, while three others are yet-to-be found. However, vigorous operations are ongoing to locate and rescue them, as well as apprehend the abductors.

“Preliminary investigation proved that the victims were driving out of the college, when the seemingly targeted incident occurred.”

Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji

Related Topics:College students Gunmen Kidnap

Up Next

Bandits in fresh attack on Zamfara community abduct 10 people

Don't Miss

Chemist accused of raping 9-year-old girl to death in Kano

metro

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Published

6 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus paid into their personal bank accounts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unsolicited, unapproved, and a violation of constitutional provisions on public expenditure.

The lawmakers made their position known in a statement issued on Tuesday night and signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Alabo George.

According to the statement, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each on December 30, 2025, following a directive from the governor. However, the Assembly said the funds were transferred without legislative approval and were therefore rejected.

George explained that upon discovering the transfers, lawmakers immediately took steps to refund the money to the Rivers State Government, stressing that the Assembly would not participate in any action that falls short of the law.

READ ALSO:

The House recalled that Governor Fubara had approved the payment of ₦100,000 as a festive bonus for civil servants and some public office holders, but insisted that such expenditure must comply with due process and receive legislative backing.

The lawmakers further accused the governor of persistently withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of Rivers State without the approval of the legislature since assuming office in 2023, despite repeated warnings, court judgments, and constitutional provisions.

“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers State House of Assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval,” the statement read.

The Assembly also warned civil servants and government officials alleged to be collaborating in what it described as unlawful withdrawals to desist, noting that the House is aware of actions that contravene the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

metro

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Published

7 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Army headquarters reviews troops combat readiness

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Barely days after a deadly suicide bomb attack at Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, which claimed the lives of several worshippers, troops of the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials in Borno State.

The successful operation followed sustained intelligence-led security operations aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, carried out by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.

In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, it was revealed that the suspect was apprehended at the Banki Central Mosque.

“At about 1740 hours on Monday, December 29, 2025, troops deployed at Banki Central Mosque arrested a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” the statement said.

READ ALSO:

According to the military, the suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, suggesting an imminent terror attack. Preliminary investigations revealed that Mustapha hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of other incriminating items linked to terrorist activities.

“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with JAS/ISWAP terrorist networks operating in the area,” Uba added.

In a related development, troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical IED precursor material. The vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody.

Further intelligence exploitation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea, bringing the total seized to 12 bags. All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Lt. Col. Uba said troops of JTF NE OPHK continue to dominate their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, sustained presence, and intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

He assured the public that the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remain high, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in North East Nigeria.

The military also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

metro

VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Published

7 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Traders at the Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening following a fire outbreak that engulfed sections of the busy commercial hub, destroying several shops and goods.

The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. LASTMA disclosed that emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the inferno.

“There’s a fire outbreak inside Arena Shopping Mall along Agege Motor Road, Oshodi. Men of @LagosRescue are on ground to extinguish the inferno,” the agency stated.

READ ALSO:

Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly through parts of the market, forcing traders and customers to flee for safety as thick smoke billowed into the sky. Several container shops were reportedly razed, with traders lamenting the loss of valuable merchandise, including textiles, electronics, and household goods.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, alongside other emergency agencies, worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining sections of the market and nearby buildings. As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been officially confirmed, while the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over frequent fire outbreaks in Lagos markets, particularly in densely populated commercial centres such as Oshodi, where traders have repeatedly called for improved fire safety measures, better electrical standards, and faster emergency response.

Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Wike | Sina Ghami | #NIGUGA | Accident | Diogo Jota | #โดมปกรณ์ลัม | Anthony Joshua pic.twitter.com/UrFd9MZnt1

— Newstrends.Ng (@Newstrends_ng) December 30, 2025