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Kidnapped Edo residents regain freedom after 11 days in captivity

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Seven kidnapped indigenes of Imoga Community in Akoko Edo Local Government have regained their freedom.

They were released on Monday evening after the payment of an undisclosed ransom.

The Coordinator, Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Dr Bode Ekundayo, who disclosed in a message to The PUNCH on Tuesday, said that the victims have been reunited with their families.

Ekundayo’s message read, “Victims have now been released after the payment of a huge ransom.”

However, when probed in a telephone interview on how much was paid for the release of the victims, he stated that he was not in a position to give the information.

He also said that the eighth person who escaped during the kidnapping is also receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

He stated, “I can tell you that they have been reunited with their family after the community secured their release. It is a sad experience and we hope that they will overcome the effect.”

He also said that the police have been informed about the release of their indigene, noting that the community is happy about the return of their brothers and sisters.

The Royal father of Imoga, Oba Patrick Abudu, also told The PUNCH that he met with the victims on Tuesday and that the community is in a jubilant mood.

He said that a large entourage went to receive them at the border of the community and Okene when the news of their release filtered into the town.

He added, “It is like we are having a special festival in the community. Everyone came out to rejoice and I also met with them. A large entourage went to receive them and I have never seen such in the community.

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“Despite the sad ordeal, people were united to ensure our indigenes were released. With unity, everything is achievable.”

Also, the PPRO of the Edo State Police, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the release of the residents.

Ikoedem said, “Yes, I can confirm that the kidnapped victims have been released.”

Recall that the January 9 victims were kidnapped on January 9 while lodging at Stay Boy Hotel on Imoga-Ibillo. The owner of the hotel, also an indigene of Imoga, was also abducted along with the guests.

However, on January 11, the gunmen demanded N100 million for the release of the victims. After negotiation, the ransom was reduced to N70 million and later to N40 million.

On January 16, the kidnappers threatened to start killing the abductees if the ransom was not paid.
This was to show the community and families of the victims that they “meant business”.

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Crime

PHOTOS: 130 supects arrested as FBI raids Ghana fraud center

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One hundred and thirty persons have been arrested after men of the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI raided a suspected fraud compound in Ghana and arrested more than 130 people.

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday.

Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, was carried out in the week as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle global scam centres.

“OPERATION BLACKOUT: This is the FBI’s global scam-centre fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel wrote.

He said the operation had so far resulted in nearly $10m in identified losses, 89 victims identified, more than 130 individuals arrested or detained, including victims who would be repatriated to their home countries, and more than 300 devices seized.

“Investigation is ongoing. These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.

Patel also gave an update on the overall Operation Blackout figures, saying roughly $17bn had been seized, hundreds of alleged scammers arrested and thousands of trafficked workers freed.

He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670m in losses had been prevented.

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See also  Troops foil kidnapping attempt on Otukpo-Enugu expressway, rescue 24 passengers
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Crime

Police arrest prophet’s son in Ogun over N18m online fraud

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The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Adewale Arojah, identified as a prophet’s son, for allegedly impersonating a renowned cleric on Facebook and defrauding multiple victims of over N18m under the guise of offering prayers and spiritual assistance.

According to a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, on Thursday, the arrest followed a complaint lodged on October 3, 2026, by Muyiwa Akogun, popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr. Muyiwa Akogun”.

The command said Akogun alerted the police after members of the public complained about “fraudulent activities being perpetrated in his name through a duplicated Facebook profile.”

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, immediately detailed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the perpetrator,” the statement said.

It added that “through sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis, the suspect was tracked to a nearby village in Ajegunle, via the Ilaro/Ibogun axis, where he was successfully apprehended.”

The police said the suspect confessed during interrogation to impersonating the cleric on Facebook.

“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook.

“He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora,” Babaseyi said.

The command said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect allegedly targeted people seeking spiritual assistance through the prophet’s Facebook page.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gains their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over ₦18 million,” it said.

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The suspect has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The command said the investigation would be used to ascertain the extent of the crime, identify potential accomplices, and ensure possible prosecution.

The command said the arrest was part of its efforts to tackle online fraud and identity theft in the state.

“The swift arrest highlights the Ogun State Police Command’s resolve to dismantle online fraud networks, curb identity theft, and deny cybercriminals safe space to operate across the state,” Babaseyi said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for what the statement described as their “vigilance, tactical discipline, and swift response”.

The CP also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents from digital and physical threats.

The command advised members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with religious leaders and public figures on social media.

“The Command advises members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence when engaging with religious leaders or public figures on social media platforms,” the statement said.

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Crime

Adeleke summons security chiefs over Osun cult killings

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has summoned heads of security agencies in the state to a meeting following a spike in security breaches, particularly recent killings involving rival cult groups in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, disclosed this during an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, saying the meeting would be held on Wednesday.

Ojo said the meeting would deliberate on and address the killings by suspected cultists in the state.

He added that the meeting would also discuss measures to make forests in the state safer, in view of the recent killing of an ISWAP leader in Owo, Ondo State.

“We are holding a security meeting on Wednesday, by the special grace of God, to reassure our people and put our security agencies on their toes.

“What happened in Ondo is a lesson to those criminals hibernating in the forests.

We will not take it lightly with anyone using the forest as a hideout,” he said.

He further said, “Aside from that, we are also using the meeting to address the incessant killings by rival cult groups in the past weeks.

“We need to meet and discuss how to stop these killings by cult groups or any other violent crimes hiding under that canopy.”

The governor’s aide, who stressed the need to stop the killings to protect Osun’s corporate image, warned perpetrators of violent crimes to desist or face dire consequences.

“We need to stop it, so as not to give our state a bad name, because nobody knows what they are fighting for or why they are killing themselves,” Ojo said.

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The PUNCH reports that two separate attacks by members of rival cult groups, which occurred in Osogbo, the state capital, between last Friday and Sunday, left two people dead and about five others injured.

In reaction to the latest cult attack, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, subsequently ordered tactical teams to raid suspected criminal hideouts in Osogbo.

Source: punchng.com

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