Drunk police officer 'frees' 13 suspects to celebrate new year – Newstrends
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Drunk police officer ‘frees’ 13 suspects to celebrate new year

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Drunk police officer ‘frees’ 13 suspects to celebrate new year

A Zambian police officer, Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, is under investigation and faces potential arrest and disciplinary action after allegedly releasing 13 detainees from custody on New Year’s Eve.

The incident occurred at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, where Phiri, reportedly “in a state of intoxication,” seized the cell keys from Constable Serah Banda.

According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Phiri proceeded to unlock the male and female cells, instructing the detainees to leave and “cross over into the new year.”

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The detainees, who were being held on serious charges such as assault, robbery, and burglary, are now on the run. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fugitives. Of the 15 detainees in custody at the time, 13 escaped, while Detective Phiri fled the scene after the incident.

The event has triggered widespread reactions across Zambia. Former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere weighed in on Facebook, describing the situation as “comical.”

He also recalled a similar incident in 1997 when the late Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 detainees, citing their prolonged detention without trial as unjust.

Authorities have assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously. Investigations are underway to locate the escaped suspects and ensure that Detective Phiri is held accountable for his actions.

 

Drunk police officer ‘frees’ 13 suspects to celebrate new year

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25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano

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25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano

Operatives of the Kano Police Command on Saturday said it has arrested a 25-year-old man, Abubakar Musa for allegedly kidnapping a 2-year-old boy, Al’amin Ahmad Garba.

It was gathered that the suspect kidnapped his victim, took him to an unknown destination and demanded for a ransom of N50 million for the victim’s release.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna said the suspect was arrested after a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation led to the victim’s rescue after 3 days in captivity.

According to SP Haruna, “The Kano State Police Command has successfully arrested a 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Musa, from Rijiyar Lemo Quarters, Kano. The suspect was apprehended for kidnapping a two-year-old child, Al’amin Ahmad Garba, and demanding a ransom of fifty million naira (N50,000,000) for the victim’s release.

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“The suspect was arrested on December 25, 2024, following a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation. The victim was rescued from a house in Unguwar Liman, Dorayi Quarters, Kano, where he was hidden for three days.

“The rescued victim was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital Kano, treated, and discharged. He has since been reunited with his family.

“The suspect was charged to Magistrate Court Number 25 Nomansland Kano on January 3, 2025, and is currently remanded.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Salman Dogo Garba, assures the public that the Command will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all residents in Kano State.

“The Kano State Police Command encourages members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing useful information that can lead to the arrest of criminals. In case of emergencies or to report any suspicious activity, contact the Kano State Police Command on the phone numbers,” SP Haruna however stated.

 

25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano

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Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch

There was a peaceful protest in Okeigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Locàl Government area to push for a stop to an alleged plot by the Ondo state government to install a traditional ruler from the Aare Kugbayigbe ruling house.

The protesters said it was the turn of the Kuole Oloje Ruling House to produce the next Oluoke of Okeigbo.

Okeigbo has been without a king since 2023 when Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide died.

The protest was in support of the Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council and kingmakers appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to allow the rule of law to prevail in Okeigbo to avoid anything that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the kingdom.

Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers at a press briefing in Okeigbo, Chief Dele Odunwole, the Ojomu Okeigbo, said a stay of execution has been filed against the lower court judgment which sacked late Oba Babajide.

The Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to allow the case in the Appeal Court to be determined before embarking on any other action about the vacant stool.

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They said the Kuole Oloje Ruling House was the next to produce the next candidate for the vacant stool in line with the Oluoke chieftaincy declaration as contained in the Adeloye Chieftaincy Commission’s report.

“We, the Chiefs-In-Council, especially the kingmakers, are people of integrity and law-abiding citizens who would not do anything that could let the community and Ondo State at large down.

“We plead with all our sons and daughters of Okeigbo, within and outside, to please maintain peace at this trial time. All the problems of today will soon be over.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Elder Ebenezer Oniwiede, said the community does not want trouble but peace.

He called for swift action to ensure peace and justice in the community.

“It is the turn of Kuole Oloje to produce the king for Okeigbo. Others have had their turn and should step aside under tradition. In the history of Okeigbo land, two Obas from the same ruling house have never been buried in the palace. This must not change now.

Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch

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You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani

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President Bola Tinubu and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani

You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani

 

President Bola Tinubu has praised former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, for his decisive role in frustrating the infamous third-term agenda.

This is seen as taking a jab at former President Olusegun Obasanjo believed as being behind the third-term agenda.

Though Tinubu never directly named Obasanjo, the insinuation was clear. Obasanjo, who reported to be the mastermind of the controversial attempt to amend the constitution and secure a third term in office, faced a rebuke from President Tinubu during his visit to Enugu.

Acknowledging Nnamani’s pivotal role, Tinubu stated that Nnamani and his colleagues’ intervention saved Nigeria’s democracy from those who sought to derail it with the third-term agenda.

The meeting in Enugu on Saturday was part of Tinubu’s official visit, where he met with South East leaders to discuss critical issues concerning the region’s development.

The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the Eastern Rail line, connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

Tinubu expressed firm support for the development of the Anambra Basin, an area believed to hold substantial energy reserves, including an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.

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This move, he said, would drive Nigeria’s energy future forward.

The President responded to calls from various leaders, including former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, and Enugu State’ Chris Ugoh.

Nebo urged Tinubu to prioritize completing the remaining sections of the Eastern Rail line, emphasizing the link’s potential to significantly boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports and economic growth.

Ugoh, in his plea, pointed to the untapped energy potential of the Anambra Basin, calling on the Federal Government to harness this resource not only for the South-East but also for the Middle Belt and the North.

Security also featured prominently in the discussions, with Onyemauche Nnamani, National Commissioner for the Police Service Commission, recommending modern security strategies for the region, similar to the advanced CCTV systems and surveillance patrol vehicles already implemented in Enugu.

Nnamani urged the government to reduce reliance on checkpoints and roadblocks, citing their inefficiency and the heightened risks to security personnel.

Responding to the calls, Tinubu said efforts were already underway to address these issues.

“This is a work in progress,” he affirmed. “I inherited these critical problems, but I am committed to solving them.”

On the issue of energy infrastructure, Tinubu stressed that gas would be key in Nigeria’s transition from petrol.

“We will invest in it, and we’ll do it together. I’m fortunate to have strong governors by my side,” he declared confidently.

With his leadership, Tinubu is charting a new path for Nigeria’s development, one where security, infrastructure, and energy resources are central to the country’s growth.

 

You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani

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