Police arrest 17 for killing suspected wizard, rescue kidnap victims – Newstrends
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Police arrest 17 for killing suspected wizard, rescue kidnap victims

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Police arrest 17 for killing suspected wizard, rescue kidnap victims

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued four kidnapped hostages and arrested 17 persons for the murder of an alleged wizard in two separate operations in Imo and Ebonyi states respectively.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, January 5.

Adejobi said police operatives attached to the Imo State Command successfully executed a daring rescue operation that led to the safe liberation of four kidnapped hostages.

He said the operation was carried out on Saturday, January 4, after the operatives received a distress call reporting the abduction of four persons in Umuokanne, Ohaji LGA, Imo State.

“The police operatives swiftly swung into action, locating the criminal hideout and engaging the kidnappers in a fierce gun-duel, during which two of the kidnappers were neutralised.

“The success of the operation led to the rescue of the four victims and the recovery of one Ak-47 rifle, one Ak-47 magazine and 21 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition,” the statement reads in part.

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Adejobi reaffirmed the NPF’s resolute devotion to combating heinous crimes such as the abduction and assured members of the public that efforts to rid off criminal elements from the society would continue relentlessly, ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

Meanwhile, on January 3, police operatives attached to the Ebonyi State Command arrested 17 suspects in Enohia Itim village, Afikpo LGA for the murder of one Uromchi Okorocha, who was accused by local youths of being involved in the killing of several individuals through alleged witchcraft and spiritual means.

Adejobi said the suspects had mobilised and apprehended the deceased, but rather than handing him over to legal authorities and committing to the rule of law, they decided to take laws into their hands, becoming judge, jury and executioner.

He said police operatives attached to Uwanna Division mobilised tactical teams to the scene on a rescue mission but the angry mob had already killed and burned Okorocha before the arrival of the police team.

Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun condemned this act of jungle justice in totality.

“Citizens are once again urged to refrain from taking laws into their hands and report any suspected criminal activities to the nearest police division or formation around them for necessary action.

“The efforts of the police are constant reaffirmations of the dedication to bring to book perpetrators of heinous acts of crime in our societies.

“The IGP once again reiterates the unwavering commitment of the force to public safety and justice for victims of violent crimes.

“Citizens are encouraged to engage with security agencies, providing any information that may assist in the ultimate goal of creating a utopian society for all,” the FPRO said.

Police arrest 17 for killing suspected wizard, rescue kidnap victims

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Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

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Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the death of two persons in a bomb explosion at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area.

The explosion which took place at about 11 O’clock, yesterday morning, was said to have left two other persons critically injured.

FCT Command Police Public Relations Officer,  Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the incident was reported to the police by the Sarki of Kuchibuyi. The Police deployed a team of operatives, including the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa to the scene.

She said the owner of the school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu, has been taken into custody for questioning, after men operatives of the FCT Bomb Squad confirmed that the explosion was that of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), adding that remnants of the device have been recovered. She said investigation was ongoing and promised to make the outcome public in due course.

Adeh’s statement read: “The FCT Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident involving a suspected bomb explosion that occurred on January 6, 2025, at approximately 11am at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area of the FCT.

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“Upon receiving a distress call from the Sarki of Kuchibuyi, a team of police operatives, including the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa, swiftly mobilized to the scene. The area was immediately cordoned off to protect residents and facilitate a thorough investigation.

“During the rescue operation, victims were promptly evacuated and rushed to the  Hospital for medical attention.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that three men from Katsina had visited the owner of the Islamic school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu. The three visitors are suspected of having brought the explosive device with them. Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device (IED), on the school Veranda  while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.

“The FCT Bomb Squad has confirmed that it was an IED explosion, as remnants of the device have been recovered.

“Mallam Adamu Ashimu, the owner of the school, has been taken into custody for questioning, and further findings will be communicated in due course.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, behavior, or items that may resemble improvised explosive devices to the police…”

Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

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Two brothers reportedly kill, bury sibling in Anambra

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Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam

Two brothers reportedly kill, bury sibling in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two brothers for allegedly killing and burying their sibling in a shallow grave in Oko community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

During a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, revealed that the suspects, Chidiebere Okeke and their cousin, Emebo Ogochukwu, are accused of causing the death of Chibuzor Okeke, their brother.

According to the police, Chibuzor was accused of burglary and theft by the suspects. The two reportedly caught him in the act and subjected him to severe beating, which resulted in his death.

In an attempt to conceal the crime, they allegedly buried him in a shallow grave within their compound.

He said, “We have suspects who murdered their brother and buried him in a shallow grave in a compound at Oko. The deceased, Chibuzor Okeke, was accused of burglary and stealing.

“His brother, Chidiebere Okeke and his cousin, Emebo Ogochukwu, caught him and beat him to a stupor. As a result, Chibuzor became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed him dead.

“The two suspects, in order to cover up for the incident, dug a shallow grave in their compound and buried Chibuzor.”

Meanwhile, Itam also disclosed that the command rescued four children allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State and sold to another person in Anambra State.

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“The operatives also arrested four suspects including an illegal foster mother. The suspects confessed to the crime and narrated the role that each of them played. One of the children has been identified and efforts are already emplaced to unite the child with his parents.

“The command wishes to use this opportunity to request that you assist in sharing the pictures of these innocent children for possible identification and unification with their parents,” he added.

Similarly, Itam revealed that on December 24, 2024, a joint security operation led by the Nigeria Police Force and comprising the Military, Civil Defence, and Anambra Vigilante operatives successfully dismantled a criminal camp located in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.

According to him, the operation resulted in the destruction of several makeshift structures within the camp, the recovery of 19 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices and inflicted significant injuries on fleeing suspects.

He added that the decisive action followed credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal gang in the area, coupled with information obtained during the interrogation of suspects arrested in ongoing police operations across the state.

The CP also said police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, acting on credible information, raided an identified black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LGA.

“During the operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko (M) aged 27 years of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (M) 22 years of Umuneri Village were arrested. Other incriminating objects recovered include one pump action gun, four live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.

“The operatives also rescued two female victims who the suspects have forcibly abused sexually,” he added.

Two brothers reportedly kill, bury sibling in Anambra

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13 children rescued as police smash Plateau trafficking syndicate

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13 children rescued as police smash Plateau trafficking syndicate

13 children rescued as police smash Plateau trafficking syndicate

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a child trafficking syndicate led by one Pastor Dayo Bernard and rescued 13 children in Jos, Plateau State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, January 6, 2024, said the pastor confessed to have sold the 13 children at varying prices.

Pastor Bernard further confessed to traveling to Kwande District, Quan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, under the guise of evangelism, where he deceived parents by claiming to run an NGO/Orphanage offering sponsorship from nursery to higher education, convincing them to release their children to him.

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“Police operatives apprehended a child-trafficking syndicate led by one Pastor Dayo Bernard ‘m’ of End Time Army Ministry, Bukuru, Plateau State on the 2nd of December 2024,” the statement read.

“The operation led to the rescue of five children between the ages of 2-4, abducted from various homes in Jos, Plateau State, and the arrest of other members of the syndicate identified as Rita Agboeze ‘f’, Victoria Ugwu ‘f’, Nanman Puntel ‘f’, and Peter Ukwuani ‘m’.

“Upon interrogation, the principal suspect confessed to having abducted and sold 13 children at varying prices, all of whom have been recovered by the police and reunited with their families through the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.”

13 children rescued as police smash Plateau trafficking syndicate

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