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Police launch manhunt for abductors of Kaduna PFN chairman, wife
Kaduna State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of the state Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel Bako, and his wife, Cindy, on Christmas Day.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, said one other person identified as Douglas was kidnapped alongside the cleric and his wife.
The gunmen were said to have kidnapped the cleric and his wife at their residence at Albarka Camp, Fadan Kagoma, near Kafanchan in the Jema’a Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, who also confirmed the incident, said the suspected gunmen that attacked the Albarka Prayer Camp shot indiscriminately before abducting their victims.
Aruwan, in a statement titled ‘Cleric and wife kidnapped in Jema’a LGA,’ said troops arrived at the location and pursued the kidnappers, who later escaped with the victims.
It added, “According to the report, suspected gunmen attacked the Albarka praying camp along the Afana-Fadan Kagoma-Kwoi road. They fired sporadically, hitting a vehicle as can be seen in the attached pictures, before abducting Apostle Bako, his wife and one Mr Douglas from the camp.”
The police spokesman said the command had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers to rescue the victims unhurt.
Jalige noted that the gunmen invaded the Albarka Prayer Camp at about 8pm on Friday (Christmas Day) and took away the cleric, his wife and one Mr Douglas.
He said following a distressed call, the police immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident where other people were evacuated safely and taken to Kafanchan, Jema’a council area.
Aruwan stated, “We are seriously on the issue trying to see how we can rescue the victims unhurt, arrest the culprits with the view to bringing them to book.”
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Hayab, lamented that the Christmas celebration had come and gone with the sad abduction of the religious leader and his wife.
He said, “Apostle Bako is the Secretary, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association.’’
According to the CAN leader, Bako is a strong member of the Jema’a network, a father to many, a frontrunner of peace, justice and unity in Southern Kaduna. Hayab, therefore, called on security agencies to assist in ensuring the release of the cleric and his wife from their captors unhurt.
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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
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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
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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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