Police neutralise kidnappers, rescue victim in Imo

The Police Command in Imo on Friday, said it had neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued a victim at Avu near Owerri. The command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement, said one locally made cut-to-size gun, two cutlasses, and charms were recovered from the suspects. He said the Police swung into action following a distress call made by a “Good Samaritan” on Aug. 29, at about 12:30p.m. along Umuezorokam- Avu in Owerri West Local Government Area in an attempt to kidnap a man (name withheld). “The DPO in-charge of Nekede Divisional headquarters swiftly mobilised his men and stormed the scene with the assistance of some local vigilance group. “The hoodlums on sighting the Police immediately opened fire but were overwhelmed by the professionalism and stiff resistance showcased by the ever-gallant operatives, who maneuvered into vintage position and returned fire. “In the ensuing gun duel, two of the criminal syndicates were neutralised while others escaped to the adjoining bushes with various degrees of gunshot injuries. “Efforts are on top gear to arrest other fleeing members of the criminal syndicate,” Okoye said. The command’s spokesman said the victim was rescued with a deep machete cut on his hand and other parts of his body and was immediately rushed to Federal Medical Centre Owerri, where he is currently receiving medical attention. He said the lifeless bodies of the neutralised hoodlums have been deposited at the morgue for preservation. He commended the DPO Nekede, his men, and the local vigilantes for a job well done. Okoye reiterated the commitment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Barde, to ensuring that the life and properties of all and sundry in the state are adequately protected. “The Commissioner of Police stated in strong terms that there will be no hiding place for criminally minded elements across the length and breadth of Imo. “He has beckoned on residents to continue to support the Police and other sister security agencies in the onslaught against all forms of crime and criminality in the state. “In case of emergencies, the command can be reached via 08034773600 or 08098880197,” Okoye added. 

Police seize 820 cartons of counterfeit, expired drugs in Kano

The Kano Police Command reported on Saturday that it successfully confiscated a total of 820 cartons of suspected counterfeit and expired drugs from Malam Kato Market in Fage Local Government Area of the state. According to a statement released by SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the drugs were discovered in two warehouses situated within the market premises. The confiscated drugs encompassed a variety of items, with 514 cartons of emistxmin/emstifer syrup, 219 cartons of 5mg Lisinopril tablets, 7 cartons of 5mg amlodipine tablets, 87 cartons of 50mg atenol, 40 cartons, and 3 cartons of Frusemide injection among the seized products. Acting on the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, a team of detectives was dispatched to the scene to oversee the evacuation and recovery of the drugs. Subsequently, the recovered drugs were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action. SP Abdullahi Kiyawa emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining public safety. He urged residents to promptly report any suspicious individuals or items to the police, ensuring that necessary actions can be taken to safeguard public health and well-being. This operation underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat the distribution and sale of counterfeit and expired drugs that pose significant risks to the population.

Police neutralise 2 suspected kidnappers, rescue victim in Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu State has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued one male kidnap victim at the outskirt of Enugu metropolis. The Command also recovered the victim’s black-coloured Lexus 350 SUV alongside one locally made revolver gun loaded with four cartridges and another locally fabricated pistol belonging to the criminal elements. This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu. Ndukwe said that police operatives, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Olasoji Akinbayo, carried out the successful operation on Aug. 20 at about 8:00 p.m. at Centenary Layout along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway. He said that the police operatives were drawn from the NPF Special Forces, Awkunanaw Police Division and tactical teams of the command. “Following the policing thrust and renewed crime fighting impetus of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, a combined team of police operatives rescued a male kidnap victim after a gun fight with the hoodlums. “One of the miscreants, simply identified as “Baron”, was neutralised on the spot in the ensuing shootout, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. “However, further manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang led to the discovery and recovery of the lifeless body of the second neutralised hoodlum. “The second neutralised hoodlum was simply identified as Chukwunonso a.k.a. “Nolly”, in the morning hours of Aug. 21 in a forest at the location of the gun duel,” he said. Ndukwe said that the two neutralised criminals had been on the watch-list of the command. According to him, the operational success was due to the swift response to a distress call on the kidnap of the victim along Agbani Road, Enugu, in the night. The police spokesman commended the operatives for quickly adapting to his newly introduced crime-fighting strategies. He said that the commissioner had previously tasked police officers and other personnel of the command to sustain the tempo. “There will be no breathing space for unrepentant criminals in the state, under his (Uzuegbu) watch as the Commissioner of Police,” he added.

Elevator Tragedy: Sanwo-Olu hands installer over to police for questioning

The Lagos State Government has handed the installer responsible for the faulty elevator that led to the death of medical doctor Vwaere Diaso at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, over to the police for questioning. NIGERIAN ANCHOR had reported that the incident occurred last Tuesday, prompting the government to initiate an inquiry into the accident. In a statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olumide Sogunle, stated that a panel has been set up to investigate the incident. The panel includes experts who will conduct a thorough mechanical and electrical examination of the elevator. The lift installer was immediately interviewed by the panel and handed over to the police for further interrogation to ensure his availability for additional questioning. Representatives of the medical associations and six house officers were appointed as witnesses and allowed to be part of the panel. The panel has been given 48 hours to complete their investigation, and a report of their initial findings is expected on Saturday. The appropriate authorities will take any necessary further actions based on the panel’s report. Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has continued its indefinite strike in three hospitals to protest the death of their colleague. Further updates on the investigation and the strike are yet to be confirmed by the appropriate authorities.

Police foil bandit attack on police station, Juma’at prayer in Zamfara

The police command in Zamfara said its operatives repelled bandits who attacked the Divisional Police Station in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state. The command said it also arrested a 35-year-old suspected female informant. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar disclosed this at the weekend at a media briefing in Gusau. Abubakar said police operatives attached to the police station acted on credible intelligence that a group of armed bandits was planning to carry out the attack. “The police operatives mobilised, confronted the bandits, and engaged them in a gun battle which lasted for hours. “As a result of this, one of the bandits was neutralised while the others escaped to the bushes spilling blood on their paths because of the wounds they sustained. “Police investigation that followed the incident resulted in the arrest of a 35-year-old female suspected to be an informant from Rukudawa village. “The suspect confessed that she has been working with bandit kingpin Dankarami Gwaska as his informant and has given her the task of monitoring activities at the police stations for him. “Two handsets containing bandits’ telephone numbers were recovered from her,” Abubakar said. “On July 28 Police Tactical Operatives attached to 34 PMF, deployed to Magarya community in the same Zurmi local government area acted on an intelligence report that suspected armed men were on their way to attack Muslims during Juma’at prayers at Kwata village in Magarya district. “The police operatives confronted them and succeeded in foiling the attack and the bandits escaped to the bushes. “Two AK47 rifles, four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and Bajaj motorcycle were recovered at the scene while the command is still pursuing the suspects with a view to arresting and prosecuting them. “On July 27 at about 1330hrs, Police Tactical Team attached to Area Command Gusau acted on intelligence that led to the arrest of two suspected bandits and kidnappers terrorizing the Saminaka area in Gusau Metropolis,” the command’s spokesman added. 

Sit-at-Home: Police nab 15 suspects over Ebonyi shooting

The Police in Ebonyi have announced the arrest of 15 persons suspected to be involved in the shooting by IPOB members on Tuesday at the new market and Ishieke axis of the state. The shooting was carried out as the suspects forced people to abide by the order issued by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stopping all residents from coming out of their homes for seven days, from July 3 to 10. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Faleye Olayele told reporters in Abakaliki that among the 15 suspects arrested from their hideouts, were two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali. “They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorizing the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday. “I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended, together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds. Olayele said that the suspects were preparing for another attack on Friday when they were arrested by the police. “This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got,” he said and warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Ebonyi. However, one of the herbalists told newsmen that he was forced to join the gang. “I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi; they came to me and requested for medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them to the bush for further preparations. “Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” Otozi claimed. 

Police recover body of drowned UNIBEN student, arrest 2 friends

The Edo Police Command has arrested two students of the University of Benin over the death of their friend, Francis Anuide, who drowned in Ekosodin River, Benin, where the trio had gone swimming. The arrested students are Samson Kennedy, a 200-level student of Biochemistry, and Wilfred Emmanuel, a 500-level student of Optometry. The deceased was said to have been invited by the two friends for swimming in the river close to the Ugbowo campus of the University where he allegedly drowned. Confirming the arrest, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the duo were apprehended to assist the police in investigating the circumstances leading to the victim’s death. Nwabuzor explained that after the case was reported at the Ugbowo Police Station, Benin, the Divisional Police Officer and his men led a team of local divers to the scene of the incident. “Luckily, they were able to recover the body. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations. “Two persons were arrested because they went together to swim in that river when the ugly incident occurred. “Arresting them is very important so that we can know what made them leave their hostel and go to that river at that time and what happened right there in the river,” he said. Sources told newsmen that the two students were arrested as a result of the discovery of blood on the lips of the deceased and peeled skin around his neck region. These, the sources said, raised suspicion amongst the victim’s family members and relatives who are demanding an autopsy. “After the deceased got drowned, the duo ran back to the Ekosodin community to seek help from the community and vigilante members but the deceased died before help could come his way,” one of the sources said. 

Police rescue 6 abducted UniJos students

The Police Command in Plateau has rescued six out of the seven students of the University of Jos that were kidnapped by gunmen on Monday. DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement in Jos. According to Alabo, five of the students were rescued, while one escaped from the kidnappers’ den unhurt. ”The Police command is pleased to announce to the general public that six of the seven victims who were kidnapped on June 13, have regained their freedom. ”The command swung into action immediately after the incident was reported, worked tirelessly in collaboration with its Anti-Kidnapping unit, family members of the victims and the community to secure the release of the victims. ”Five of the victims were rescued, one escaped from the kidnappers den, while one victim is still in captivity,” Alabo said. He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, has ordered the Area Commander Metro, and the Divisional Police Officer Nasarawa Gwong, to ensure that the seventh victim is rescued unhurt and the perpetrators arrested. The victims were abducted from their hostel which is located off campus on Monday night in Jos while preparing for their second semester examinations.