Crime

Cover up! Nasarawa cops freed after murder of seven Lagos traders

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2025

Police authorities have released the three policemen accused of killing seven traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos State.

Our correspondent also gathered that the suspected land grabber involved in the incident had been released on bail.

Families of the deceased said they were being asked to pay huge sums for postmortems before the bodies of their loved ones could be released.

On August 30, 2025, Saturday PUNCH had reported how a suspected land grabber allegedly led policemen from the Nasarawa State Police Command to unleash violence in the market.

About 50 vehicles were reportedly destroyed.

Sources revealed that the three policemen involved in the incident were taken to Abuja instead of facing trial in Lagos where the incident occurred.

A source said, “The policemen were from Nasarawa command. They were brought from their state to Lagos by the suspected land grabber. After the killings, they were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial. But the Provost freed them on claims of self-defence.”

It was alleged that the provost and the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police were friends, which influenced the decision to free the cops. The claim could not be confirmed by our correspondent.

It was gathered that the alleged mastermind, identified as Abiodun Ariori, had also been released.

While in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, he reportedly filed a bail application at the High Court, which the police failed to challenge.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, condemned the development, saying his chamber was ready to prosecute the suspects.

“If the police are not willing to prosecute, we will. The offence was committed in Lagos, so there was no basis for the case to be transferred to Abuja. If they are claiming self-defence, they should come and say it in court,” Falana said.

Families of the deceased also accused the authorities of neglect, injustice, and extortion.

They lamented that while the suspected land grabber had regained his freedom, their loved ones’ bodies still remained in the morgue.

Moruf Olayemi, uncle to one of the deceased, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, said the demand for payment before postmortems was an exploitation of victims.

He said, “We were told there were about 600 bodies in the morgue and that if our association pays, the process will be done quickly. But it means families will indirectly bear the cost. Meanwhile, the land grabber who was handed over to the police has been freed. It shows there is no justice in Nigeria. When you have money, you can behave anyhow. The poor are always on the receiving end. Oluwaseyi left behind three children, aged seven, five and two.”

Owolabi Ganiu, the employer of another victim, Wale Adebayo, accused the police of monetising postmortems.

Ganiu expressed anger at the silence of both state and local governments.

“Not even a condolence visit has come. This is about human lives. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. Adebayo left behind a three-year-old child, and his mother-in-law even suffered a stroke after his death.”

Another bereaved father, Abiodun Temilola, who lost his son Abraham, described the process as unfair.

“They should release his body to us if they are not ready to conduct the postmortem. Abraham was a gentleman with no issues with the police. We cannot afford the amount they are asking for,” he said.

Similarly, Biliaminu Adeoye, father of Akeem Adeoye, said the widows and orphans left behind were struggling.

“Asking us for huge sums in this condition is wickedness,” he lamented.

The Chairman of the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Abiodun Ahmed, urged families to be patient, saying the government would be responsible for postmortems.

“We were informed that some funds might help speed up the process, but it’s not as though the police are demanding money from us,” Ahmed clarified.

He also confirmed that the suspected land grabber had been released after instituting suits against the police, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and the market.

He said, “We heard he was granted bail on medical grounds. But the police have since stationed officers at the market to protect traders and prevent further violence.”

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said this was the first time she was hearing about the case and would get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do so as of press time.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for comment.

But Saturday PUNCH gathered that the Inspector General of Police had ordered a review of the case.

The Lagos CP, Moshood Jimoh, is also said to be determined to prosecute the suspects.

punch.ng

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Crime

EFCC busts Chinese-linked illegal refinery in Ogun

Published

14 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission said the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence and surveillance on the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, he said operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said during the raid, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing the sludge oil were also discovered.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Oyo boxer, KBlaq stabbed to death during street fight

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.

According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.

Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.

An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.

“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”

Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”

Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”

Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”

Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Terrorists abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.

The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.

The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.

He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.

He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

Source: punchng.com

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