metro
Nine persons kidnapped in Kwara, police rescue 7
No fewer than nine persons were kidnapped at two different locations in Kwara central and Kwara South respectively at the weekend, while the police rescued Seven out of the victims.
Two of the victims, including a woman, are still with the kidnappers while the police were still making frantic efforts at press time to rescue the victims and possibly arrest the kidnappers.
The two incidents occurred in Olla near OkeOnigbin in Kwara South in the morning, while the second kidnap happened in the evening same day at Sokosi village near Alapa in Ilorin South area of Kwara South.
Vanguard reliably gathered that at OkeOnigbin, Saturday morning, one Mr Olujala Adegboja while returning from his farm was abducted by six fully armed men and led into the bush.
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Spokesman of Kwara State police command, Ajayi Okasanmi who confirmed the development to journalists in a statement in Ilorin on Sunday said,”Efforts by a combined team of policemen, vigilante and hunters are still ongoing to liberate the victim and possibly arrest the abductors.”
The police Spokesman who said the second kidnap incident happened in Lafrcdeen Pure water factory at Sosoki village near Alapa outskirt of the state capital in Ilorin South later same day said seven fully armed gunmen speaking different languages stormed the company and kidnapped Eight workers including the owner, a woman Alhaja Fatimah Nurudeen and took them to the bush.
Okasanmi said the Manager of the company, who escaped the kidnap Mr Hadi Balogun reported the incident to the police.
Okasanmi said combined efforts of the police with local vigilantes resulted in the rescue of seven out of the eight victims, stressing that, “the command is getting close to rescuing the remaining victim who happens to be the owner of the factory and possible arrest of the kidnappers.”
As the yuletide season is fast approaching, and people are looking for a shortcut to get huge money to celebrate Christmas, he urged residents in the state to be careful of who they share their movements with.
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Okasanmi said,”The command wishes to advise the good people of Kwara State to always be conscious of whom they share vital information about their movements with and to be security conscious at all times especially at this period when the year is running to an end.
“Everybody including the good and the bad ones would want to celebrate Christmas and new year with pockets filled with money, even as they have no explainable means of livelihood.
“The Command will not relent in her commitment in ensuring that the good people of Kwara sleep with their two eyes closed at night and also ensure the peace and safety of the people before, during and after the yuletide.”
Vanguard
metro
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.
A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.
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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
metro
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.
During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.
It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.
In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.
He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.
The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.
He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.
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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.
He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.
“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.
“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
metro
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.
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The statement reads:
“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.
“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”
Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
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