metro
Late Edo youth wandered into military checkpoint naked, mother picked him up alive – Army
The Nigerian Army has denied torturing one Christian Ehima to death in Edo as claimed by the deceased’s mother.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday and made available to journalists in Benin, described as misleading the report on social media alleging that troops tortured one Ehima to death in Igbake, Edo State.
The statement read, “While we sympathise with the family of late Christian over this unfortunate incident, it is instructive to put the records in proper perspective, contrary to the misgivings peddled on the social media.
“Incontrovertible evidence indicates that Christian Ehima wandered into a military check point at Wire -Ake in Edo State on the December 10, 2021, without his clothes on, and was halted by soldiers on duty.”
Nwachukwu said upon interrogation, the deceased could not say anything meaningful on where he was coming from or heading, adding that his behaviour was rather weird and indicative of one who was under some sort of influence.
He added, “The Guard Commander, who observed his abnormal behaviour, immediately requested for his phone in an effort to contact any of his relations, friends or associates.
“Shortly afterwards, a call came through to his phone and the caller identified herself as his mother and a police officer and was invited to pick up her son, who was still very agitated and unstable.
“When she was briefed about her son’s observed abnormal behaviour, she attributed it to influence of alcohol but the soldiers maintained that whatever was responsible for Christian’s behaviour at that time was way beyond alcohol.”
Nwachukwu explained that on sighting his mother, his behaviour aggravated while some passers-by were thereafter mobilised to help her take him to the hospital.
“The incident was recorded both on video and audio, showing the behaviour of Christian Ehima and his mother commending the soldiers for their kind intervention.
“The evidence, including audio recordings of the police officer and her son, are there for all to peruse,” he said.
He expressed surprise that the incident has been falsely reported in the social media without recourse to the reality of what transpired during the incident
He called on the public to disregard what he described as misguided information and an attempt to bring the Army to disrepute.
Recall that there had been report on social media in which Christian’s mother, Ehima Mercy, alleged that her son died as a result of torture in the hands of soldiers.
Punch
metro
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a fake Inspector who engages in armed robbery and car snatching, among other crimes.
This was disclosed by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu while parading the suspect among other suspected criminals on Wednesday.
According to the Dosu, Monday Igbali, the fake inspector, was a former sergeant who was dismissed after being charged in a kidnapping case in 2021.
He noted that three fancy cars were recovered from Igbali, who runs a gang of five criminals.
Dosu states, “The command commenced an investigation in response to a report filed on August 11, 2023, by one Fibika Kingsley that his Lexus EX330 had been stolen at gunpoint along Agip Road by five gunmen.’’
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“The investigations led to the arrest of one Monday Igbali, aged 43, a native of Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
“He is a former police sergeant who was dismissed after being indicted in a kidnapping case in 2021.
“Since his dismissal, he has continued to parade himself as a police officer, even claiming to be an Inspector of Police, a rank he did not attain before his dismissal.
“He works with a gang of five, with four gang members still at large.
“He has robbed a total of nine cars and sold them for between N1.3m and N2.5m each. He was arrested on March 8, 2024, at his home in Chokocho, Etche, after the police conducted due surveillance following investigations.
“We have recovered three cars from him: a Lexus 330, a Lexus IS250, and a Toyota Highlander.”
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
metro
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
The military has finally released Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15.
Olatunji was released on Thursday to Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and The Nation Deputy Editor Yomi Odunuga under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.
It was also learnt that the documents for his release were signed inside a security vehicle with heavily armed operatives.
The security agents were said to be masked and the number plates of their vehicles covered up.
The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15.
His family members were kept in the dark on his whereabouts and why he was arrested.
Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, almost daily mounted pressure on the government for Olatunji’s release.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
metro
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of at least 313 suspected terrorists detained by the military.
The court ordered their release due to a lack of evidence to charge the suspects after the investigation.
Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
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He said, “The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters.
“Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
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