Military Personnel guarding pipelines attacked by gunmen

An armed assault by suspected cultists has left several soldiers injured while on duty at an oil pipeline facility in the Okporowo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The attack, which occurred on Monday, has raised alarm across the region, with authorities now on high alert.

Sources close to the scene suggest that the ambush was orchestrated by a notorious gang leader, who is reportedly on the security agencies’ watchlist.

While no fatalities have been reported, some soldiers sustained serious injuries after the gunmen opened fire on the security personnel.

Authorities have confirmed that a significant military reinforcement has been dispatched to the area in response to the violent assault.

“The situation is still unfolding, but it appears at least one soldier may have suffered severe injuries. However, there are no confirmed fatalities at this time,” the source disclosed, adding that the military response was swift.

The local monarch, Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Prince Ike Ehie JP, also known as Eze Ehie II, condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

He described the assault as a blatant challenge to the authority of the state and a direct insult to those fulfilling their constitutional duties.

The Eze expressed grave concern that civilians would resort to violence against soldiers carrying out official responsibilities.

“This attack on our soldiers is unacceptable. It is an affront to the rule of law and an insult to all those who work to ensure peace and security in our community,” Eze Ehie said.

“I call on the government to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

The monarch also emphasised the importance of maintaining law and order, urging the security agencies to exercise professionalism while ensuring the safety of the community’s residents.

Eze Ehie pledged his kingdom’s full support to authorities in eradicating illegal arms proliferation and combating youth involvement in crime.

He issued a stern warning to other community leaders, stressing that any failure to uphold security and prevent breaches could result in severe consequences, including removal from office.

Eze Ehie expressed his deepest sympathy to the military, the government, and the injured soldiers, wishing them a speedy recovery.

He reaffirmed Orlukwor’s commitment to peace, describing the kingdom as historically peaceful and hospitable.

Students abducted by gunmen, demand N300 million as ransom for their release

Three interns from the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, at Oke Oge in the Oba Ile area of Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, were abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday evening.

The three victims, who are undergoing Industrial Training and were assigned to work on a farm, were kidnapped while returning from the farm, which is not far from Akure Airport.

According to a source, “The kidnapped individuals are students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, but are currently undergoing their Industrial Training on the farm.

“It is a pepper and tomato farm that belongs to a commissioner in the state. One of the victims is very close to me, and I have been calling since yesterday.

“I even spoke with the kidnappers, and they have demanded a ransom of N300 million for the release of the three young men, at N100 million each.

“The phone has been switched off since yesterday, but we have informed the provost of the school and the state governor.”

The state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the incident, said his men had been deployed to rescue the victims.

Adeleye stated, “I can confirm to you that we are on top of the situation. They were kidnapped while returning from the farm.

“Our men have been deployed to rescue them from the kidnappers’ den.”

Meanwhile, the abductors have reduced the ransom to N15 million for the release of the young men.

A family source, who confirmed this, said the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families.

Suspected gunmen kidnap Ohanaeze Youth Council President

In a shocking turn of events, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), was kidnapped by a group of armed gunmen in Imo State.

The brazen abduction took place on the evening of Saturday, February 8, 2025, around 7 p.m. at Works Layout in Owerri.

The assailants, described as a group of up to seven men dressed in black, reportedly arrived in two vehicles—a Sienna minivan and a Lexus SUV.

The gunmen swiftly abducted Igboayaka and whisked him away to an undisclosed location, leaving his family in a state of disbelief and alarm.

Chilos Godsent, the President of the Igbo National Council (INC), confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday, February 9.

Godsent expressed deep concern for Igboayaka’s well-being and called on the Imo State Police Command to act swiftly in locating and rescuing him.

“The family is in shock,” Godsent stated, urging the authorities to intensify their efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

As the search for the abducted leader continues, calls for immediate action are growing louder.

“The Igbo National Council (INC) wishes to call on the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, Imo State Command, to immediately swing into action to determine the identity of the gunmen who forcefully took the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, captive on the evening of Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Owerri Metropolis, and to make the findings public,” the statement partly reads.