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JUST IN: Tension in Anambra as gunmen kidnap lawmaker

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Anambra State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga

JUST IN: Tension in Anambra as gunmen kidnap lawmaker

Tensions have escalated in Anambra State following the abduction of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha North State Constituency, by gunmen.

The incident occurred around 9:45 pm on Tuesday along Igwunakpamkpa Road as the lawmaker was returning home.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that operational plans have been activated to rescue the lawmaker and apprehend the perpetrators.

Ikenga disclosed, “The Anambra Police Command has activated operational plans for the potential rescue and arrest of the kidnappers of Mr. Justice Azuka, Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency.

Preliminary reports indicate that he was abducted on 24/12/2024 at 9:20 pm along Ugwunapampa Road by unidentified individuals. The Command is already working on some clues to aid in his rescue.”

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In a related development, the Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old man from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, over an alleged attempt to kidnap and extort money.

According to a statement by Ikenga, the arrest was made on Tuesday by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu. Obi is accused of demanding ₦1,200,000 as ransom through threats of abduction, claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ikenga explained, “The victim reported receiving a threatening message from Obi, demanding the ransom to be paid into a specified account. During interrogation, Obi confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying other gang members involved in similar criminal activities.”

The police also referenced a similar incident last month, where a couple was arrested for sending threatening messages and extorting victims under the guise of planned abductions. Investigations are ongoing in both cases.

JUST IN: Tension in Anambra as gunmen kidnap lawmaker

Related Topics:anambra Featured Kidnap Lawmaker

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Double tragedy as Nigerian governor loses son 24hrs after losing mother

Published

12 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi

Double tragedy as Nigerian governor loses son 24hrs after losing mother

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has once again been plunged into mourning as his eldest son, Abdulwahab, died in a motor accident today, Thursday, December 26, 2024.

This news comes just a day after the governor mourned the passing of his mother, Maryam Namadi, who died on Wednesday after a brief illness.

Abdulwahab was involved in a motor accident while returning from Kafin Hausa to Dutse with his friends.

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The vehicle he was driving lost control, causing it to somersault. Some of his friends are currently receiving treatment at the Dutse General Hospital, reports reveal.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Gumel, confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said, “With a heavy heart, Governor Umar Namadi announces the passing of his beloved son, Abdulwahab Umar Namadi.

“The 24-year-old departed this world on Thursday, December 26, 2024, due to a ghastly motor accident along the Dutse-Kafin-Hausa Road.

“The burial rites are currently underway in Kafin Hausa town in accordance with Islamic traditions.”

Double tragedy as Nigerian governor loses son 24hrs after losing mother

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Plateau killings: Troops arrest 20 suspects

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Plateau killings: Troops arrest 20 suspects

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested 20 suspects in connection with the killings in Tingbwa Gidan Ado community of Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Commander of OPSH, disclosed this at the Christmas luncheon organised for troops of OPSH and 3 Division of the Nigerian Army on Thursday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen on Dec. 22 attacked the community and killed 15 persons.

Abdulsalam, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, said its troops had also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

“Following hours of sustained night operations, we have apprehended 20 suspects directly and indirectly involved in the last attack on Tingbwa Gidan Ado village in Riyom LGA on Dec. 22.

“We have also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, which has greatly starved criminal elements of the freedom of action to carry out their nefarious activities.

“Let the spirit of Christmas renew our commitment to the values we hold dear; let it inspire us to serve with even greater passion and determination,” he said.

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The commander thanked troops of OPSH and the 3rd Division for their sacrifices toward ensuring the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

“On this special day, I acknowledge and applaud the sacrifices you have made; many of you are far away from home, unable to celebrate Christmas and the yuletide season with family and loved ones.

“While others enjoy the warmth of family and comfort of home, you endure the realities of duty.

“Your courage and resilience would never go unnoticed as they embody the highest form of sacrifice.

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Five Gaza journalists die in Israeli strike

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Five Gaza journalists die in Israeli strike

At least five journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian TV channel reports.

They were reportedly in a Quds Today van parked outside al-Awda hospital, where the wife of one of the journalists was about to give birth, in the central Nuseirat refugee camp.

The channel posted a video of what it said was the burning vehicle with “press” signage on the back doors.

The Israeli Air Force said it had attacked “in a targeted manner and with intelligence guidance” a vehicle with members of the armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) inside. It added that measures had been taken to minimise civilian casualties.

Quds Today is linked with the PIJ faction, which participated in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The unprecedented attack set off the war in Gaza.

In a related development, five individuals were reported dead in Israeli strikes on Gaza City on Wednesday.

The Palestinian Wafa news agency and the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry also reported that 20 more people were hurt in the city’s al-Zeitoun neighbourhood.

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The Israeli military has not responded to the purported bombing.

Meanwhile, the father of a two-week-old Palestinian girl has informed the BBC that his infant daughter died from frostbite in a tent in Gaza, becoming the third kid in a week to die in similar conditions.

Mahmoud Ismail Al-Faseeh stated he awoke in the bitter cold to find his daughter, Sila, having convulsions.

The head of paediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis told the Associated Press that she was rushed to the hospital but died of hypothermia.

The family was taking refuge in the al-Mawasi neighbourhood on Gaza’s coast, which the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) classified as a humanitarian zone but has been targeted by air attacks.

According to Ahmed al-Farra, the head of paediatrics, two more newborns, one three days old and the other a month old, were brought in within the last 48 hours after dying from hypothermia.

Hopes of progress towards a truce in recent days have begun to fade, with Hamas and Israel trading blame at each other.

Hamas accused Israel of setting “new conditions” that were delaying the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu iistated that the organisation was violating previously agreed-upon understandings over a potential truce.

Following encouraging signs, both parties’ most recent pronouncements reflect a significant shift in tone.

Following last year’s Hamas onslaught, the Israeli military started air strikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The attack killed approximately 1,200 individuals, while another 251 were carried back to Gaza as hostages.

No fewer than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, Gaza’s health ministry says. Almost two million people—90% of the population—have been displaced, according to the UN.