metro
We trekked for hours, ate like slaves – UNIABUJA kidnap victims
Some of the people abducted at the University of Abuja Senior Staff Quarters and rescued by the police have recounted their ordeals in the kidnappers’ den.
According to them, on the first day, they drank garri with dirty water, while on the second day they were given leftover food.
They said they trekked for hours and were moved around different areas.
Gunmen had abducted six persons, including two professors, a deputy registrar and three family members, during an early hour raid on the university’s staff quarters last Tuesday.
The hoodlums had demanded N300m for their release before the police rescued the victims on Friday.
Narrating his ordeal to PUNCH Metro on Saturday, a victim, Professor Joseph Obansa, said he never imagined he would go through what he suffered in the hands of his abductors.
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He said, “They made us walk over a long stretch, day and night, and when it’s day time, they blindfolded us. On the first day, they fed us with garri with unclean water.
“The second day, they harvested yams from people’s farms and roasted them. They gave us the yam to eat after they finished eating. We were fed like slaves.
“There was a time when I couldn’t move again after trekking for a long time. They kicked and threatened to waste me if I didn’t stand up. My son had to help me up. It was a very terrible experience; I never trekked continuously for that long in my life.”
He noted that the abductors called for a swap after some of them (kidnappers) were arrested.
Obansa said, “They foresaw getting a ransom from us was not feasible. They said they were not interested in the ransom again. They said if they released their friends, they would release us or they would kill us. They freed us around 2am on Friday.”
Joseph’s son, John, said he lost hope after the hoodlums demanded a huge ransom.
He said he was happy he went with his father into the forest, adding that he (John) carried him (Joseph) after he was exhausted and the kidnappers threatened to kill him.
“I thought the police had abandoned us, but they made some moves which eventually paid off,” he added.
Another victim, Sambo Mohammed, said he could not confirm if a swap was made by the police, but he overheard when negotiations were on.
He said, “I speak Hausa language well; it gave me the opportunity to interact and I became close to them. For this particular operation that they undertook, there were some people that sponsored and led them to this place.
“They don’t stay in a place; they pushed them from Kaduna and Zamfara states. Because there is no network, they decided to come to this area where network is available.
“They are not from here. I can confirm that, they even told us that they would move us to Zamfara if they did not get their ransom.”
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, said neither was a swap made nor ransom paid to rescue the victims.
She said, “The victims were rescued through the joint efforts of all security operatives in FCT. We engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and arrested
Punch
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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