Crime

Police arrest man for defiling 13-year-old girl in Ondo

Published

8 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, James Osita, for defiling a young girl at Asio community, in Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Monday.

Jimoh said the investigation was ongoing.

According to the statement, the crime was committed on Thursday at the agrarian community.

The PPRO said, “The Ondo State Police Command is to inform the general public of the arrest of a suspect in connection with an alleged case of defilement in Ile-Oluji.

“On 5th February, 2026, a report was made at the police station by one Uchena (male) that earlier the same day, at about 1600hrs, a 13-year-old female (name withheld) was allegedly sexually abused at Asio, Ile-Oluji, by one Osita James, aged 32.

“Upon receipt of the report, the victim was promptly rescued and taken for medical examination. The suspect was immediately apprehended and is currently in custody, where he reportedly made useful statements and confessed to the commission of the crime.”

Jimoh added that during preliminary investigation, the victim alleged that the suspect had committed similar acts against her on several occasions prior to the incident.

“The suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the police spokesman stated.

While appreciating members of the public for their timely and courageous reporting of crimes, the command urged all residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and actionable information to the police for swift intervention.

Recall that in January, the Oyo State Police Command arrested a 27-year-old man, Usman Azeez, for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl.

The girl was defiled when she went to fetch water from a nearby river in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.

The command revealed that a preliminary investigation revealed that Azeez allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl during the incident.

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Crime

Bandits abduct nine worshipers in Benue

Published

7 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

At least nine worshipers were abducted on Sunday by suspected bandits in Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.

Local sources who spoke to journalists on Monday said the bandits stormed St. John’s Catholic Church at Ojije in Utonkon district around 2 a.m.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the LGA, Jude Onwe, said the abductors invaded the church while the victims were attending a night vigil.

“Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, those women and youths—about nine worshippers—were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA, while they were at night vigil,” he said.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Monday, Chairman of the local government, Sunday Oche, said the abduction occurred during a night vigil in the early hours of Sunday.

He noted that the church was holding a 30-day vigil and regretted that organisers ignored advice to involve security operatives during night activities.

Oche said, “That is what we have been battling with. We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies, and we are working seriously.

“We had earlier advised the people that whoever is conducting any activity, especially at night, must involve security agents. If people hold a program that has been going on for the past 30 days without recourse to security agencies, then they are endangered.

“There was a similar incident where some people attempted a kidnapping, but they were chased and rescued.

“We assure that the victims will be rescued. Our concern is that people have refused to adhere to advice to constantly involve the police whenever a night activity—be it marriage, burial, or festival—extends beyond 9 p.m.”

While insisting that security agents were on the trail of the abductors, Oche said the situation in the community was normal, adding that the state government is managing the security challenges confronting the area.

Also confirming the incident, State Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said that security personnel have been deployed to the area.

Edet said, “Tactical team already deployed to rescue the victims.”

The latest incident highlights the resurgence of insecurity in the state following last year’s June massacre in Yelwata, which left about 200 people dead and drew national and international outcry.

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Crime

Canada-based Nigerian faces trial over alleged hate-motivated harassment

Published

15 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A Canada-based Nigerian, Kayode Roberts, has been charged by the Toronto Police Service following an investigation into what authorities described as a suspected hate-motivated criminal harassment case.

PUNCH Metro gathered from a statement published on the Toronto Police website on Sunday that the charges stem from a series of incidents alleged to have occurred between July 1 and December 29, 2025.

Police alleged that Roberts assaulted and harassed a neighbour during the period, issued threats of harm, and kicked the victim’s dog.

Investigators also claimed that he made anti-2SLGBTQI+ remarks directed at the victim during the confrontations.

The statement read, “During three incidents occurring between July 1 and December 29, 2025, the accused is alleged to have assaulted, threatened to harm, and harassed the victim, as well as kicked the victim’s dog.

“During these incidents, the accused is also alleged to have made anti-2SLGBTQI+ comments directed at the victim.”

According to the police, the 40-year-old Toronto resident was located and arrested on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

He has been charged with assault, wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal, uttering threats, and criminal harassment.

Authorities explained that under Canadian law, when a criminal offence such as assault or mischief is believed to be motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, investigators may consult the Crown prosecutor.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence by the Hate Crime Unit,” the statement added.

“If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the judge may consider hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.”

Police further clarified that charges relating to hate propaganda — including the wilful promotion of hatred or advocating genocide — require the consent of the Attorney General and could be considered at a later stage.

Roberts is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 2 p.m., in Courtroom 202.

The police emphasised that all charges remain allegations and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

His arrest adds to a growing list of Canada-based Nigerians facing prosecution for various offences.

PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that another Nigerian, 38-year-old Oghenemaro Ejerua, was arrested by Toronto police for allegedly assaulting vulnerable adults while working as a caregiver in the Sibley Avenue and Dentonia Park Avenue areas. He was apprehended after being declared wanted in December 2025.

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Post Views: 59

Crime

PHOTOS: Hisbah arrests 3 men and 8 women and over ‘immoral activities’ at Kebbi hotel

Published

1 day ago

February 8, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Kebbi State Hisbah Command has arrested 11 persons for allegedly engaging in immoral and illicit activities at an unregistered hotel in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi metropolis.

The Commandant of the Hisbah in the state, Malam Suleiman Muhammed, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, February 7, 2026 in Birnin Kebbi.

According to the statement issued by the spokesperson, Surajo Usman Kamba, the suspects, made up of eight women and three men, were arrested around midnight on Friday during a routine patrol by operatives of the command in the state capital.

Muhammed said the individuals were found engaging in unlawful intimate activities at the facility, which was operating without proper registration.

He added that preliminary investigations showed that none of the suspects were indigenes of Kebbi State, noting that they hailed from different states across the northern and southern parts of the country.

The Hisbah commandant said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He also cautioned residents against engaging in illicit relationships, stressing the command’s commitment to upholding moral and social order in the state.

“The Kebbi State Hisbah Board hereby informs the general public that it has successfully apprehended some individuals in different rooms at Destiny Hotel and Madona Hotel, located at Badariya Area, Birnin Kebbi, over acts suspected to be contrary to the law and religious moral standards,” the statement read.

The individuals apprehended include: Yusuf Abdul’aziz – Birnin Kebbi, with Nafisa Bello from Aleiro, Khadija Aminu – Ambursa, Shamsiya Attahiru – Maru, Zamfara State (stayed for two weeks) Amina Nasir – Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State, Fatima Ahmad – Badariya, Birnin Kebbi, Maimuna Hussain – Tungan Makeri, Kaoje Local Government Area (identified as a solo dancer), Laminu Salisu – Jega, with Aisha Sani from Jega, Ubaidah Yusuf – Shinkafi, Zamfara State and Abdussalam Abubakar – Gusau, with Fatima Adamu from Birnin Kebbi.

“The Hisbah Board strongly warns the public, especially hotel owners, guest house operators, and managers of recreational centers, to desist from providing rooms or facilities that may encourage or aid immoral or illegal activities.

“Anyone found violating the law will be dealt with accordingly, without favoritism.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious or immoral activities to the Hisbah Board.”