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No abduction of 15 Akwa Ibom students, says CP

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The Akwa Ibom Police Command has described as misleading media reports that armed men raided a students’ lodge, abducted 15 students and carted away valuable properties in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state

A local tabloid report, titled “Unknown gunmen raid students lodge” with a rider, “Abduct 15 students, cart away valuable properties in Ikot-Ekpene,” has generated controversy in Uyo, the state capital.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Sunday, stated that there was no incident of abduction as reported in the story.

The statement reads in part, “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been drawn to misleading publications in the media that armed men raided a students’ lodge, abducted 15 students and carted away valuable properties in Ikot Ekpene.”

“The command wishes to categorically state that the incident was not an abduction by unknown gunmen and no student was abducted from the lodge.”

“It is imperative to set the record straight and reassure the general public that the operation in question was a lawfully conducted exercise by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Uyo Zonal Office.”

“For clarity, the command on October 24, 2025, at about 0430hrs, received a distress call alleging an armed robbery operation at Ikot Uboh Village, Ikot Ekpene. In a swift response, our teams were mobilised and deployed tactically to the scene, cordoning off the area to engage the supposed threat.”

Furthermore, she claimed that ‘’Upon arrival at the scene and subsequent professional challenge by our officers, it was established that the operatives at the location were from the EFCC, conducting a sanctioned operation. Some persons were arrested by the EFCC during this operation and not abducted as claimed by the media reports.

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“While we acknowledge the vital role of the press in society, we urge journalists and media houses to cross-check facts with the Police Command before publishing stories of this nature, as inaccurate reporting is capable of causing unnecessary panic.”

The CP who commended the operatives of the command for their professional conduct urged all law enforcement agencies to synergise with the police when carrying out operations within our Area of Responsibility to prevent such a mix-up.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, has commended the officers involved for their professional conduct and restraint, which averted a potential ugly incident.”

“CP Azare also urges all law enforcement agencies to always notify and synergise with the Police as the lead security agency in the state when carrying out operations within our Area of Responsibility to prevent such mix-ups.”

“Our doors are always open to journalists and members of the public who seek to verify any security-related information.”

The command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Akwa Ibom State.’’

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Crime

Police declare factional Osun NURTW chief wanted for murder

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The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, has declared a factional chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, Nurudeen Alowonle, wanted over the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir.

Zungura disclosed this on Monday while parading suspects arrested for various crimes at the command headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said six suspects, including Alowonle’s personal assistant and an operative of the Amotekun Corps, had been arrested in connection with Emir’s killing on September 13 at a motor park in Ile-Ife.

The commissioner added that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest Alowonle and another NURTW chief, Ojo Adeyemi, also known as Sibi, over the incident.

According to him, preliminary investigations and confessions by some of the suspects indicated that they had allegedly been mobilised by Alowonle and Adeyemi to carry out the killing.

The suspects in custody were identified as Tijani Ismail, Akinsola Ekundayo, Sijuade Moruf, Ayeni Adegbola, Hammed Dada and Waliyu Adejare.

Zungura said investigations led to the arrest of Hammed Olalekan Dauda, also known as Jagaban, who was allegedly involved in the crime and found in possession of a locally made, cut-to-size firearm.

He said, “During interrogation, he reportedly confessed that the firearm was given to him by one Nurudeen Alowonle. Subsequent investigations also resulted in the arrest of Waliu Adejare, aka Jay Jay, a personal assistant to Nurudeen Alowonle, in connection with the incident. All the suspects were mobilised by Nurudeen Alowonle and Adeyemi Ojo, aka Sibi.

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“Alowonle is declared wanted. The command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Nurudeen Alowonle, Adeyemi Ojo, aka Sibi, and other suspects currently at large who are alleged to have participated in the heinous crime.”

On other criminal cases, the CP said six suspects had been arrested over an alleged robbery involving a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle along the Ile-Ife/Ibadan Expressway.

He identified the suspects as Olaiya Sunday, 27; Akintunde Mariam, 28; Agoro Kudus, 27; Timileyin Idowu, 23; Adekunle Ibrahim, 30; and Temitope Opeyemi, 29.

According to him, the suspects allegedly robbed a commuter of the motorcycle, while five mobile phones were recovered as exhibits. He added that the suspects had confessed to committing the crime.

The police commissioner also disclosed the arrest of Oniyefa Olayemi in connection with the killing of four people during a violent clash between rival groups at Alapa Village, Toro Road, Ile-Ife.

The deceased were identified as Toyin Olagbaju, Emmanuel Agunbiade, Akeem and Ademola, popularly known as Small.

Zungura said the incident was reported on October 5, 2026, at about 8.30am, when a complainant from Odo Ogbe, Ile-Ife, told the police that armed men had invaded Alapa Village between October 4 and 5, shooting sporadically and killing his 40-year-old mother, Toyin Olagbaju.

He said detectives from the homicide section subsequently launched an investigation into the incident.

“Preliminary findings revealed that two rival groups, allegedly led by one Awosunle Tosin, who is currently at large, and Emmanuel Agunbiade, also known as Abore, were engaged in a violent dispute over the control of a vast cocoa farm situated at Alapa Village. The clash reportedly resulted in multiple casualties,” he said.

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The CP added that Olayemi was arrested and was assisting the police with the investigation.

He said detectives who visited the scene found evidence indicating the use of different firearms and ammunition during the clash.

Items recovered included two dane guns, a small axe, 11 expended cartridges, one live cartridge, three empty shells of AK-47 rifle ammunition, three empty shells of LAR rifle ammunition, an empty shell of assault rifle ammunition and locally made charms.

Zungura assured residents that the command would sustain efforts to rid the state of criminal activities, urging them to continue supporting the police in maintaining law and order.

PUNCH Metro reports that the Osun Amotekun Corps had earlier said it handed over four operatives to the police to assist in the investigation into Emir’s death.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Police arrest 17 over violent witchcraft allegation in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged violent attack on a family following accusations of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available on Monday, stating that the incident occurred at about 1 am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the suspects allegedly conspired with three others, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru, who are currently at large, to invade the residence of a 60-year-old man.

The statement read, “The suspects conspired with three others now at large, Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.”

The police said the attackers allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, Abubakar, whose other names were withheld, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries.

The victim’s 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were reportedly damaged during the attack.

The police explained that preliminary investigations linked the attack to the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, on October 16, 2026.

The statement added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of one Halilu Ahmad, male, 20 years old, of the same address, on October 16, 2026, which the suspects attributed to witchcraft or wizardry by the son of the victim.”

Following the incident, detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18.

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The suspects were identified as Dayyabu Umar, 18; Malam Sule Muhammadu, 50; Usman Dabo, 20; Umar Suleiman, 22; Aminu Ahmad, 18; Bello Umar, 20; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abubakar Ayuba, 25; Auwal Abdullahi, 22; Ayuba Ahmad, 30; Halilu Ahmad, 22; Umar Rabi’u, 18; Dauda Rabi’u, 20; Ashiru Alhaji Abdulkarim, 20; Abubakar Lamiru, 25; Adamu Ibrahim, 22; and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.

The police spokesperson said the victim was initially taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his health condition deteriorated.

The statement noted that “the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.”

It further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for further investigation.

According to the statement, the directive was intended to ensure that the fleeing suspects were apprehended and all those found culpable were diligently prosecuted.

The commissioner condemned resorting to self-help and jungle justice based on unverified superstitious beliefs.

He warned that the command “will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order,” while assuring the victims and members of the public that justice would be served.

The command urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

PHOTOS: Two officers lose their lives, three others injured as gunmen attack Abia police station

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Two senior police officers attached to the Abia State Command were murdered and three others were injured after gunmen attacked the Uratta Divisional Headquarters in Aba, Abia State at about 2am on Saturday, October 17.

According to reports, the gunmen used explosives to destroy part of the building.

The hoodlums were also said to have burnt the station’s patrol van and operated for close to an hour without any challenge.

Unconfirmed report has it that the gunmen were at the scene in search of guns and ammunition, but that they were unable to get any.

Confirming the incident, the police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Maureen Chinaka, said at about 02:26hrs, the hoodlums attacked the division with explosives, resulting in a fire that damaged part of the building and the divisional patrol van.

She said two senior police officers lost their lives, while three inspectors sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

The Command further clarified that no firearms or ammunition were carted away by the attackers during the incident.

According to the PPRO, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, personally led an operational team comprising tactical units of the Command to the area.

The team combed the surrounding environment and restored calm, while intensified security operations and monitoring are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators. she said

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