Hoodlums kidnap six women, four children, impose levy on Rivers community – Newstrends
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Hoodlums kidnap six women, four children, impose levy on Rivers community

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Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers State PPRO

Hoodlums kidnap six women, four children, impose levy on Rivers community

Hoodlums believed to be Creek dwellers have reportedly abducted 10 persons including four children in Isua, JK2 community in Engenni, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The victims, six women and four children with them were taken when the former had gone to their farms to harvest crops to avoid destruction from the impending floods.

A source in the local government simply identified as Ezuwa told newsmen that the hoodlums came from a nearby community called Oshobele, after crossing the River.

He stated that the development has left villagers and residents terrified, describing the kidnap as one, out of the many security issues confronting the community.

Ezuwa stated, “These women went to their farms to harvest crops because of the floods coming. And these boys (abductors) have to cross from the neighbouring Oshobele areas to the farm and kidnap them and their children.

“This is just one out of the many that have been going on in the local government. The people have raised concerns to the local government chairman and the Police Division in Akinima, but nothing has been done so far.”

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He disclosed that the latest incident was capable of igniting a communal crisis, ” Because it is now seen as an Ekpeye and Engenni thing.”

Ezuwa also said the hoodlums had hitherto demanded N450,000 from the community which they term a security vote and was paid by the community last Sunday.

He decried the absence of policemen in the community, which he said was why the miscreants operate with audacity.

While noting that many persons have fled the community, Ezuwa said, “The few one’s at home they ask them to pay a kind of living allowance, N450, 000 or else they are going to kill everybody in the community.

“Out of fear, they paid the money. They now brought new guidelines for each household to be paying N1,500 every week which will be remitted to the criminals.

“And because of fear, nobody can even go outside. So this is what is going on. We can’t really tell the community they hail from, but they came through Oshobele community, kidnapped these people at Isua and cross back to Oshobele community again which is their hideout.”

While calling on the Rivers State Government to ensure the release of the women and their children, he said i not properly handled, it could spark a communal crisis between Isua and their neighbouring Oshobele community.

“My call is for the Rivers State Government to come in because it is obvious that the Division (Police) in Ahoada West, even the local government authorities too can’t handle it.

“The people have written several to the Local Government Council, yet nothing has been done. So, our call is for the Rivers State Government to come and help us. That is the only hope we have.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said, “Yes, and efforts are on to ensure the release of the women and the children, and as you know the command is not sleeping.

“We are after the kidnappers. As we speak, the Commissioner of Police has deployed the tactical team to ensure they are arrested and made to face the law for their actions.”

Hoodlums kidnap six women, four children, impose levy on Rivers community

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Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa

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Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje

Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa

In Adamawa State, a policeman, Ibrahim Maizabuwa, has lost his life after he was beaten to death.

Two persons Ezekiel Kefas, and Stephen Zabadi from Wamsa Suwa Ward in Lamurde LGA of the state have been arrested in connection with the murder of a policeman.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

He stated that the suspects were arrested on November 19, 2024 after the deceased officer’s son, Danlami Ibrahim Maizabuwa, reported the incident to the Police.

According to him, investigations revealed that the officer was killed and buried in the community after visiting his friend, Ezekiel Kefas.

The Police image maker said during interrogation, Kefas claimed that the officer was killed by a group of thugs after he allegedly destroyed property and assaulted people in his (Kefas’) house.

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“My friend came and started destroying property including a pot of soup and water in my house and assaulting people as a result of which women and children raised alarm which attracted thugs who beat him up to death.

“Those who killed him include Yakubu, Suleiman and Kilyobas. They beat him up with sticks to death.

“Yesterday, we went to the houses of those who killed him, but we didn’t meet any of them,” Ezekiel was quoted as saying.

The State Police Commissioner, Morris Dankombo, has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and prosecution of the suspects

 

Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa

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Court remands Yahaya Bello, two others in EFCC custody till Dec 10

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Yahaya Bello

Court remands Yahaya Bello, two others in EFCC custody till Dec 10

Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, will remain in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 10 this year, an Abuja High Court has ruled.

Justice Maryann Anenih ordered on Wednesday that he should remain with the anti-graft agency till December 10, when the court would rule on his application for bail.

Also remanded in custody are Bello’s two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge the EFCC preferred against them.

EFCC had specifically urged the court to deny the former governor bail.

The agency, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that Bello, who is the 1st defendant in the matter, repeatedly refused to make himself available for trial.

It told the court that several efforts to secure his presence before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he is facing another charge, proved abortive.

Consequently, the commission opposed a bail application that Bello filed through his legal team that was led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN.

Daudu, SAN, had after the former governor and his two co-defendants—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—pleaded not guilty to the charge, called the attention of the court to a bail application his client filed on November 22.

In the application he predicated on six grounds, the former governor argued that he enjoys the presumption of innocence under the law.

Insisting that he ought to be seen to be innocent of all the allegations the EFCC levelled against him until his guilt is established, Bello contended that granting him bail would enable him to effectively prepare his defence to the charge.

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His lawyer told the court that his client was only served with a copy of the charge against him around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26.

He said the former governor’s presence in court was in obedience to the summons that was issued to him.

More so, Bello’s lawyer urged the court not to be swayed by EFCC’s claims with regards to a matter not related to the instant charge before it.

The prosecution counsel had informed the court that some of the witnesses billed to testify in the matter were available.

He, therefore, prayed the court to allow the EFCC to open its case immediately, an application that was opposed by the defence counsel.

Besides, EFCC argued that Bello’s bail application was incompetent since it was filed before the defendants were arraigned before the court.

“This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants.

“It is only after arraignment that the bail application can arise and be heard.

“The application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the meaning of bail,” EFCC’s counsel, Pinheiro, SAN, submitted.

Ex-governor Bello and his co-defendants are facing trial over their alleged complicity in a N110 billion fraud.

The charge against the defendants, marked CR/7781, borders on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).

The defendants were also accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.

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Police rearrest popular singer, Speed Darlington

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Speed Darlington

Police rearrest popular singer, Speed Darlington

Police rearrest popular singer, Speed Darlington

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