metro

Young Delta mother arrested for throwing her baby into river

Published

3 months ago

December 18, 2024

Commissioner of Police, Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda

Young Delta mother arrested for throwing her baby into river

The Delta State Police Command has paraded over 30 suspects involved in various crimes, including robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and murder.

Among the suspects was a young woman, Ms. Blessing Ibuku, who shocked the public with her confession of killing her 10-month-old baby, Prevail Jonathan, by throwing the infant into a community river.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Asaba on Tuesday. He explained that Ibuku’s heinous act stemmed from the emotional trauma of being mocked for having a “fatherless” child.

Commissioner Olufemi, who assumed office as the 22nd Commissioner of Police in February 2024, highlighted the command’s achievements in tackling crime.

The recent operations led to the recovery of 150 arms, including 32 AK-47 rifles, as well as the arrests of suspects linked to major criminal activities across the state.

“This incident involving Ms. Ibuku underscores the depth of societal challenges that fuel crime and violence. Our efforts are geared toward ensuring such acts are curbed,” Olufemi stated.

READ ALSO:

The arrests and recoveries are part of an ongoing strategy by the Delta State Police Command to rid the state of criminal elements. The commissioner assured residents that the command remains committed to maintaining law and order while addressing the root causes of crime, including socio-economic pressures and mental health issues.

While addressing the media, Commissioner Olufemi called on community members to assist the police with timely information to prevent similar tragedies. He also emphasized the importance of addressing societal stigmas that push vulnerable individuals to desperate acts.

“These suspects were arrested in the past month. While we have faced challenges, the support of other security agencies, stakeholders, and the good people of Delta State has enabled us to restore peace to a reasonable extent,” he said.

One of the cases highlighted was the tragic death of a 10-month-old baby, Prevail Jonathan, reported missing on December 4, 2024.

The police later recovered the child’s lifeless body from the Aviara community river.

During the investigation, the baby’s mother, Blessing Ibuku, confessed to throwing her child into the river on November 31, 2024.

According to her confession, she acted due to mockery from friends who teased her about the child being fatherless.

The suspect is currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Also on November 27, 2024, the CP said the command acted on a distress call regarding a kidnapping incident along DLA Road in Asaba.

Four hoodlums operating in a Toyota Camry with registration number BLF 490 AA abducted a man and a woman and stole a Toyota Camry belonging to one of the victims.

The command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad led by its commander, tracked the suspects to the Asaba-Benin Expressway.

Although the kidnappers had released the victims, they abandoned their operational vehicle upon sighting the police and fled into a nearby bush.

Recovered from the suspects’ vehicle was an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breach number, two pump-action guns, one magazine, eight rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and 21 live cartridges concealed under the engine.

In another operation on December 2, 2024, operatives of SAKCCS, in collaboration with the Rapid Response Squad and Buffalo Squad, raided a hideout behind Anioma Market, Asaba. Ten suspects linked to a series of robberies in Asaba, Okpanam, and Issele-Uku were arrested, and arms were recovered.

Olufemi also revealed the arrest of one Destiny Lawrence, who confessed to being hired by a native doctor, Jonah, from Otolokpo community, to kidnap a young boy for N30,000. He said Lawrence lured the victim to an uncompleted building, where Jonah reportedly slit the boy’s throat.

Providing a scorecard of the command’s achievements, Olufemi said a total of 678 suspects were arrested, while 150 arms, including 32 AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, were recovered within the review period.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Delta State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of residents while calling for continued cooperation from the public in providing actionable information.

Young Delta mother arrested for throwing her baby into river

Related Topics:arrested baby Delta mother

Up Next

Nigerians paid N2.23tn in ransoms to bandits – NBS Report

Don't Miss

Edo official allegedly involved in rigging nominated as electoral commission member

metro

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

READ ALSO:

Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

metro

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

READ ALSO:

Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.