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Police arrest notorious interstate kidnap syndicate in Delta

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2025

Delta Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright

Police arrest notorious interstate kidnap syndicate in Delta

Operatives from the Delta State Police Command’s CP-Special Assignment Team successfully disrupted a notorious interstate kidnapping organisation operating in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states.

This was said in a statement signed by SP Bright Edafe, the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, and copies were made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday.

The police statement reads, “On May 16, 2025, at about 1745 hrs, the operatives followed a trail to Port Harcourt, where they arrested a syndicate member named Idirisu Yakubu, a 21-year-old male suspect from Kwara State but a resident of the Elelenwo area, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Upon interrogation, on May 17, 2025, at about 1320 hrs, he led operatives to the arrest of their gang leader and coordinator viz.: Bello Amodu (40), of Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State, but a resident of the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who is coordinating the various syndicates within the South-South and South-East regions.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed Beto (38), of Tsamiya village, Bagudu LGA, Kebbi State, a resident of the Oil Mill Area, Port Harcourt area of Rivers State, who is said to be the one heading the Enugu axis.

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“Upon further interrogation, at about 0635 hrs of the same date, they led operatives to a bush along Ughelli – Ozoro Road where one AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump action with seven rounds of live cartridges were recovered.”

The police PRO stated that the investigation is ongoing to unravel the crux of the matter.

In a related incident, operatives of the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based at Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, while acting on intelligence, trailed a kidnapping/armed robbery suspect to a residence located in Warri South LGA, from where they arrested one 53-year-old Benjamin Benemor.

“Upon search of his residence, the exhibits recovered included one English Beretta pistol with a magazine, one English double-barrel pump-action gun, one English single-barrel gun, one locally made single-barrel gun, one locally made short double-barrel gun, one battle axe, and fifteen live cartridges.

“Also, on May 15, 2025, at about 0630 hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while on stop and search along the Asaba-Benin Motorway, flagged down a Jetta vehicle with reg no: ASB18BH with two male occupants named Blessing Ngbajime, aged 49 years, and Okpako Oghenhovo, aged 27.

“Upon search of the vehicle and the occupants, the operatives discovered one fabricated Beretta pistol from Okpako Oghenhovo,” the statement added.

Police arrest notorious interstate kidnap syndicate in Delta

Related Topics:delta kidnap syndicate notorious

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Published

8 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Published

9 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

9 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.