metro
Kidnappers of six Benue Links passengers demand N60m ransom
Abductors of six passengers on board Benue State owned transport vehicle known as Benue Links have opened talks with families of the victims, demanding N10m ransom for each person.
Our correspondent gathered that the vehicle, which took off from Gboko in Benue State on Saturday, was en route to Lagos when kidnappers struck at Ochadamu, Kogi State and abducted six occupants out of 13 passengers.
It was learnt that the victims included a pregnant woman and some National Youth Service Corps members who were on their way to orientation camp.
The driver of the affected vehicle, Emmanuel Owoicho, on Thursday told journalists in Makurdi that he was robbed and his passengers kidnapped.
Owiocho recalled, “On Saturday, I was travelling to Lagos. On reaching Ochadamu junction around after 4pm, I saw some men coming out from the bush and started shooting at us. I wanted to go ahead but later I realized that if I did, they would riddle the bus with bullets.
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“So, I parked. Many others came from the bush and started robbing us. They collected our money, phones; everything we had they collected. Then they asked us to lie on the road but on sighting a trailer on high speed approaching, their leader asked us to get up and stay by the roadside. He then asked six persons, three males and three females, to follow him into the bush.
“We got to a naval checkpoint and reported the incident to them. The naval officers and some vigilantes asked me to take them to the spot of the incident. After over 30 to 40 minutes search, they came back to say they could not find the kidnappers. The next day, Sunday, I went to the police station in Ayingba to formally report the incident and they instructed me to go. I then took the remaining passengers back to Gboko.”
He said the kidnappers collected N42,000 from him, adding that “they are now demanding N10m each ransom from those kidnapped but their families are negotiating between N750,000 and N450,000.”
The driver said, “There is an orphan girl whose family said they only have N80,000. Amongst those kidnapped is a pregnant woman. I feel sad and pray that they are all released.”
DAILY TRUST
metro
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.
It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.
A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.
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The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.
“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.
“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”
Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
metro
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.
In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.
“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.
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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”
IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.
The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.
“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.
By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
metro
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.
According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.
The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.
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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.
Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000
Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
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