“The bodies of the victims were recovered and joint operations are still ongoing. Further development shall be communicated, please.”
metro
Unknown gunmen kill four Anambra vigilantes, bomb five buildings
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have attacked men of the Anambra Vigilante Service in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the state, killing four of the operatives.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the assailants, who stormed the area around 2am on Thursday, also set five buildings ablaze.
A source said one of the burnt buildings belonged to the State Independent National Electoral Commission.
The source said the hoodlums, after killing the vigilantes at the local government secretariat, beheaded one of them and took his head away.
He noted that the hoodlums used improvised explosive device to burn down the buildings.
A community leader, Innocent Ozuru, said the incident created panic, as the corpses of the victims littered the road and caused gridlock before the police cleared the scene.
READ ALSO:
- Setback for Labour party as NLC, TUC declare support for Tinubu, Sanwo- Olu
- Robber arrested for raping housewife in daughter’s presence in Ilorin
- 2023: PDP in talks with 11 parties for alliance
He said, “Ihiala community has been under siege in recent times and it is just a pity that security operatives have not matched their words with action. For example, Ihiala is a border town with many thick forests, which have become a nest for these criminals. What will it cost those in authority to start clearing these forests and converting them into more productive uses?
“People are fleeing their ancestral homes in droves; for how long will this continue in a country where there is government? Our local government headquarters has been destroyed and these hoodlums have continued to unleash terror without looking back.”
The reason for the attack could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that the police killed one of the hoodlums.
He said, “Following the police/military operations ongoing in Ihiala and its neighbouring town, operatives responded to a distress call around 2.55am, today, January 12, 2023, of an attack on Ihiala local government headquarters.
“The police neutralised one of the attackers, recovered two locally-made IED launcher, seven undetonated IED, 40 pieces of live cartridges, 15 live 7.62MM AK-47 ammunition, knives, charms, and other weapons.
“The attackers had already murdered three vigilantes on duty, beheaded one and set five buildings ablaze with IED and petrol bombs.
“The joint force operatives engaged the arsonists/attackers, and obstructed them from causing further damage, while some escaped with bullet wounds.
metro
Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos
Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos
One Onyeka Ubaka has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for sexual assault and maltreatment of a 16-year-old girl in Lagos State.
He was convicted and sentenced by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday.
Justice Rahmon Oshodi convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the two amended charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
Ubaka was initially arraigned on January 12, 2024, and was initially charged with defilement through one-count information filed on October 26, 2023, to which he pleaded not guilty.
In the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, presented a single witness, the prosecutrix, whose testimony proved particularly significant in establishing the case against the defendant. The prosecutrix who provided a testimony, identified the defendant as her boyfriend and disclosed that she was 16 years old in 2023 and that her relationship with the defendant began in her mother’s shop.
The victim testified to the court that the defendant had multiple instances of sexual intercourse with her, which resulted in pregnancy and childbirth.
“The defendant is the father of my child. He impregnated me, and the child is five months old.”
According to PUNCH, the victim, during cross-examination, gave testimony evidence that incriminate the defendant.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers
- Nigeria’s foreign reserves records marginal increase, now $40.88bn – Cardoso
- Naira rises to N1,755/$ in parallel market
In one instance, she disclosed that the defendant took her to a bar, gave her yogurt to drink, and after she drank it, she lost consciousness. She further disclosed that she woke up in a hotel room and realised that the defendant had non-consensual sex with her and told her to keep the incident a secret.
At the court proceeding on Tuesday, Justice Oshodi disclosed to the court that the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, had informed the court that the parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement dated and filed on November 25, 2024. The court then charged and convicted the defendant on the amended charge of indecent acts and sexual assault to which the defendant pleaded guilty.
Justice Ramon, in his judgment, stated that the prosecution had established beyond a reasonable doubt the charges brought against the defendant, and found the defendant guilty of indecent act and sexual assault.
“From the evidence presented by the prosecution, I am satisfied that the essential elements of indecent acts and sexual assault have been established. There is an abundance of evidence to support this conclusion. The defendant’s guilty plea further justifies his conviction for the offences contained in the amended information.
“Therefore, I find the defendant guilty and convict him under Sections 134 and 263 of the Criminal Law Supra”, he ruled.
When asked what he had to say, the defendant begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
“Temper justice with mercy so that I will take care of my responsibility,” he appealed.
It is gathered that the defendant’s father had paid the sum of N300,000 and had undertaken to sponsor the prosecutrix first degree and take full responsibility for the child until the child is eight years old.
The prosecution counsel in her final statement asked the court to convict the defendant according to the plea bargain.
“We ask that the convict be sentenced according to the plea bargain agreement starting from the day of remand, March 23, 2023, and this will pass a message to society that sexual offenders are not tolerated in our society.
“We also ask that the name of the convict be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register”, Okeowo said.
Justice Oshodi then found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to four years imprisonment.
Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos
metro
Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers
Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers
CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, announced the arrest of 53 suspected criminals in Gowon Estate.
Akerele said this operation aimed to boost safety, security, and environmental decorum in the area.
“The agency apprehended drug peddlers, addicts; miscreants; street urchins; illegal street traders and people of shady business dealings.
“We found various illicit drugs and narcotics, including Indian hemp, codeine syrup, and colorado,” Akerele said.
The operation brings relief to residents of Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Egbeda, Idimu, and surrounding areas affected by these criminals.
“Residents have endured trauma and safety risks due to these unauthorized squatters.
READ ALSO:
- Nigeria’s foreign reserves records marginal increase, now $40.88bn – Cardoso
- Naira rises to N1,755/$ in parallel market
- Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada
The taskforce is committed to safeguarding residents and ridding the metropolis of individuals preying on law-abiding citizens,” Akerele said.
The agency will monitor other criminal hideouts, blackspots, and abandoned properties.
“This vigilance aims to deter individuals with sinister motives.
“These arrests demonstrate our determination to maintain a safe environment.
“We will hold every individual involved in these illegal practices accountable,” Akerele said.
The 53 suspects will face charges for narcotics-related offenses.
Residents are urged to report suspicious activities through the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.
Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers
metro
Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada
Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday returned 21 luxury vehicles worth over N1.8 billion to Canada after they were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria by a criminal syndicate.
Speaking to Newsman in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the seriousness of the growing trade in stolen vehicles and its impact on Nigeria’s economy and security.
According to Adeniyi, Nigeria has become a significant hub for stolen vehicles in West Africa, with syndicates exploiting the country’s ports and borders to traffic vehicles from regions such as Europe, North America, and South America.
He highlighted data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered between 2013 and 2015, illustrating the scale of the problem.
“This trend undermines our legitimate automotive market, strains our security infrastructure, and damages Nigeria’s international reputation,” Adeniyi said.
READ ALSO:
- Pro-Wike Rivers lawmakers move to prevent probe of FCT minister tenure as governor
- Bianca raises hope Tinubu will free Nnamdi Kanu to restore peace in South-East
- Canada, Mexico, China respond to Trump tariff threats
He further noted that the illegal trade affects President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which aim to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce.
To combat this challenge, Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS launched Operation Hot Wheels, a collaborative initiative involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Canadian authorities, and international law enforcement agencies. The operation focused on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and interdiction to disrupt vehicle trafficking networks.
Adeniyi further disclosed that the operation uncovered sophisticated smuggling techniques, including false cargo declarations and containerized shipments used to conceal stolen vehicles.
During one operation, officers intercepted a container at Onne Port in Rivers State declared to contain used vehicles and spare parts. A physical examination revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed stolen from Canada.
-
metro24 hours agoBREAKING: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
-
Business3 days agoJust in: Dangote refinery reduces petrol price for marketers
-
metro2 days ago40-foot container falls on car in Lagos
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Lagos Speaker, Obasa joins gov race, may battle Seyi Tinubu, others
-
Politics2 days agoLagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary
-
International2 days agoTrump to sack 15,000 transgender officers from U.S. military: Report
-
Education16 hours agoUS University opens 2025 scholarships for international students
-
Entertainment2 days agoPolygamy best form of marriage for Africa – Okey Bakassi