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Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2024

Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

In Kogi State, five accused persons will die by hanging for killing three people amid tussle for the ascension to a traditional seat.

They were convicted and sentenced by a Kogi State High Court sitting at Ankpa, Ankpa LGA for the killing one Chief Sylvester Sule, a retired Navy officer, his brother Owoicho Sule and one other person.

The presiding judge, Justice Seidu Hussaini, found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97(1), 337 and 221 of the Kogi State Penal Code.

A perennial feud between two ruling family houses in Akwu community in Akpa local government over the right to produce the village head snowballed into a violent clash on January 29th, 2020.

In the ensuing full-blown melee, three people were killed, about 22 houses set ablaze and five vehicles burnt in the community.

After a protracted struggle to occupy the vacant stool for years, the then Ata Igala coronated one of the contenders to the throne, Sylvester Muhammedu Sule, on December 29, 2019 at his palace in Idah.

A month after, violence broke out in the community leading to the destruction of lives, including the beaded chief’s and two others, and properties.

The trial of the accused persons started in 2020, went through three different judges before the fourth judge, Justice Seidu Husseini, finally delivered judgement on October 7, 2024.

Justice Hussaini said in his ruling that the five accused persons – Aliyu Amadu Makolo, Yakubu Idaji, Danjuma Yusuf, Mohammed Yusuf and Muhammed Rilwanu (Dikadi) – were found guilty in a violent attack that led to the death of three people and destruction of properties in the community.

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The prosecution counsel, M. A. Abaji, averred during the proceedings that on January 29, 2020, the accused men, armed with various weapons, including matchetes and locally made guns, invaded the Aku community, and set properties on fire.

In the process, Abaji added, the accused men hacked Chief Sylvester Muhammedu Sule, his elder brother, Mr Owoicho Sule Onuh and one other person to death in the community.

The prosecution counsel added that the lifeless body of one of the victims, Owoicho Sule, was thereafter dismembered, tied in a sack and dumped in a well.

In his final written address, Barrister Abaji submitted that the defendants’ pleas of not guilty were only a mere denial.

He averred that the defendants utterly failed to raise a defence as to the commission of all the offenses established against them, rather, dwelt on mere denials and technicalities which he claimed were not material or fatal to the case under prosecution.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty as the charges when the case came up for hearing.

Their counsel, Isaac Ekpa, in his final written addresses, said the prosecution had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt to warrant the conviction of the defendants.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Seidu said the prosecution had proved its case beyond all reasonable doubts, noting that “denying the commission of offense did not amount to not committing it.”

The trial judge added that the burden of proof rested on the defense counsel which he failed to achieve in the case.

“I have full satisfaction with the evidence adduced by the prosecution. The prosecution has presented its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The five defendants (1,2,3,4,6) have been found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide punishable with death, contrary to sections 97(1) , 337 and 221 of the Kogi State penal code, and therefore sentences them to death by hanging,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Seidu has discharged and acquitted the two other accused persons in the case – Yakubu Ikoja and Abdulmumuni Sale, the 5th and 7th respondents – for the inability of the plaintiff’s counsel to prove his case against them beyond doubt.

The prosecution counsel said efforts are being intensified to arrest other suspects said to be on the run.

He said David Adoyi Abah, Tahir Abdul, Solomon Odawn Ogbo, Jibrin Okpanachi, Farouk Okpanachi and Francis Bala Abonny, who were at large, would be arrested and made to face the law.

Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

Related Topics:hanging Kogi Navy ‘die’

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Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Published

16 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Muhammad Sani

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Suspected gunmen have launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared dead and several others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck suddenly, firing sporadic gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.

Local sources disclosed that the exact number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained due to the scale of the attack and the displacement of residents. The incident has reportedly left the community, which has not experienced such violence in years, in a state of shock and trauma.

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Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said police operatives have been deployed to the area to assess the situation.

“The police are currently on ground to determine the number of casualties and injured persons. An official statement will be issued as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security agencies have mobilised to restore calm in the area.

Meanwhile, community members have appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to provide urgent intervention, describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Gebbe community.

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

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Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

No fewer than three persons were killed and several others injured following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.

The unrest reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, around 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm that attracted suspected gang members, who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession, as youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the confrontation.

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Police authorities confirmed that one of the victims died on arrival at the hospital, while the second is currently receiving treatment.

Amid the violence, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured victim is responding to treatment.

DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, the police team was attacked, an operational vehicle was damaged, and several officers sustained injuries. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.

“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.

He further disclosed that on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the funeral procession, attacked security personnel, burned the NSCDC outpost, inflicted a deep machete wound on a policeman, and damaged a police patrol vehicle.

The police spokesperson said calm has been restored following the deployment of additional police and NSCDC personnel to the area.

DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

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Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

At least two persons were killed and 16 others injured following a fuel tanker crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday evening.

The accident occurred near the Polo Field Club Roundabout, close to St. Louis College, when a laden fuel tanker reportedly lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Longsan, said emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.

According to Longsan, 18 persons were involved in the crash. Two male adults died on the spot, while 16 injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.

He explained that the accident was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49pm on December 28, 2025, prompting immediate rescue operations by the FRSC in collaboration with other security and emergency agencies.

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To avert a possible fire outbreak, the area was cordoned off and traffic diverted, while security agencies prevented looting. Fortunately, Longsan said there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of explosion.

Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

Following the rescue operation, the petroleum product was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was fully cleared, restoring traffic flow by Monday morning.

Commending the coordinated response, FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, Olajide E. Mogaji, praised stakeholders and community members for their cooperation and reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during the festive season, and advised the public to report emergencies using the FRSC emergency number 122.