Military rescues three pastors, 13 others kidnapped in Kogi

No fewer than three pastors and 13 other victims who had been kidnapped by gunmen in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi state have been rescued by security operatives.

The 16 victims, including the three pastors, were abducted after a crusade in Ejule, Ofu LG.

However, they regained their freedom following the intervention of a combined team of security personnel in the state.

The pastors, who were guest ministers at the crusade, were on their way to their guest house after the second day of the three-day crusade when they were abducted.

They were attacked by hoodlums approximately 11 p.m. on Monday, January 20, in a street off the Ejule-Anyigba road.

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Upon being warned, the Nigerian Army rapidly recruited other security operators, initiating a hunt that lasted two nights before locating the kidnappers in a jungle.

After a two-hour gunfight, the kidnappers fled with varied degrees of wounded, leaving behind the victims.

On Wednesday, Kogi State Deputy Governor Joel Salifu praised the Nigerian Army and other security services for their gallantry in the rescue operation.

In a statement published by his press secretary, Emmanuel Unubi, Salifu expressed his satisfaction that the victims “were safely freed” and praised the security personnel’s efforts.

He further stated that under Governor Ahmed Ododo, Kogi will no longer be a safe haven for criminals, citing the state’s commitment to maintaining security and defending lives and property.

Military rescues three pastors, 13 others kidnapped in Kogi

Bishop sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for raping minor

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced a prominent Abuja-based clergyman, Bishop Kenneth Duke, to 20 years behind bars without an option of fine for rape.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons revealed this in a statement on Wednesday by its National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, titled, ‘An FCT High Court sentenced a 52-year-old bishop to 20 years imprisonment for rape.’

NAPTIP had sued the 52-year-old, who hails from Cross River State, for raping a 12-year-old girl (name withheld).

Adekoye said the victim is the daughter of the bishop’s church member “who was entrusted under the care of his family.”

In case no: CR/702/2023 Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Bishop Kenneth Duke, the Defendant was arraigned before Court 16 on 02/11/2023 on two counts for the offence of rape and intentionally caused emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.

The offence stated that the convict, who lives behind Dantata Construction Company, Dakwa, Abuja, on March 6, 2023, had carnal knowledge of the victim without consent, committing an offence punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

NAPTIP said its investigation revealed that the victim, an indigene of Ondo State, was living in Lagos before she was brought to Abuja to live with her mother.

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The report indicated that on March 5, 2023, “her mother took her to the church located at Dantata Zuba Expressway, and after the service, she was taken to the family house of the bishop, who is also the pastor of the church, so that she could stay with them to enable the bishop’s wife to take her to where she would learn a skill which both families had earlier discussed.

“It was gathered that the following day, March 6, 2023, the convict, father of five children, sent his children on an errand, and being alone with the victim at home at about 10:00 a.m., gave her some mathematics work to solve and as she was trying to do it, the bishop pounced on her, covered her mouth and violently raped her on a chair despite her crying and pleading,” NAPTIP said.

In the judgment by Justice Adebiyi Osolo, the clergy was found guilty of one count of rape and was sentenced accordingly without an option of a fine.

The development came on the heels of the rescue of nine pregnant girls by NAPTIP operatives at a suspected baby factory located inside one of the sprawling estates in the Ushafa area of Abuja.

The victims were confined to a rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.

NAPTIP’s raid on the facility followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed the unusual situation and movement around the area.

Speaking on the conviction, the agency’s Director General, Binta Bello, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for the landmark judgment, saying that it would serve as a deterrent to others.

“I want to thank the judiciary for this judgment. It will certainly serve as a deterrent to other people. As I warned a few weeks ago, NAPTIP will not spare anyone found to have violated any of the laws irrespective of status, either on human trafficking or violence against persons.

“Rape is a serious crime with everlasting psychological effect and lasting trauma on the victim. We must all rise to say no to this heinous crime and ensure the protection of our children.

“How can you imagine a 52-year-old man violating a 12-year-old girl? It is painful, and it is criminal. I am relieved that the judiciary has served the convict the commensurable punishment for his action. This is a warning to others,” the DG stated.

Bishop sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for raping minor

Gunmen murder prominent lawyer in Imo

Tragedy struck in Imo State on Wednesday as gunmen assassinated a prominent lawyer, Chinedu Nwowu, in Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred around 7 p.m. while Nwowu was driving along the Mgbidi highway. The assailants intercepted his vehicle and carried out the fatal attack, leaving the community in shock.

As of now, the motive behind the killing remains unknown, and authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

One source recounted, “We just saw a car overtake the man’s car dangerously, and right before our eyes, the boys carrying guns jumped out and stopped the man’s car.

“The gunmen dragged him out of the car and shot him many times. Then they entered their car and drove off. We were lying on the floor for fear of our lives and watching helplessly.

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“The incident did not last up to five minutes to enable people to rally help from the security operatives.”

The source further revealed, “People later came out and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Thursday and assured the public that the police had begun an investigation into the killing.

“The police are pained by this incident.

“But I can assure you that we will apprehend the hoodlums behind this dastardly act. We have already commenced an investigation and will stop at nothing to catch the gang,” Okoye stated.

Efforts on Thursday morning to speak with the Owerri branch chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chris Ihentuge, proved unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to his phone.

Gunmen murder prominent lawyer in Imo