Nigerian Army University Professor, others kidnapped by gunmen
Nigerian Army University Professor, others kidnapped by gunmen
On Sunday, suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists abducted Professor Abubakar Eljuma of the Nigeria Army University Biu (NAUB) and several other passengers traveling in commercial vehicles.
The abduction took place along the notorious Damaturu-Biu Road, near Kamuya village in Borno State, an area long plagued by violence. Professor Eljuma, who serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the university, was reportedly a prominent contender for the position of Vice-Chancellor at NAUB.
Kamuya village lies approximately 10 kilometers from Buratai, the hometown of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai (Rtd). This latest incident adds to the long history of abductions, bombings, and killings that have occurred along this stretch of road for over a decade.
“On 2/3/2025, suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists abducted unspecified number of travellers from 2 x Golf cars and a Borno Express bus along the same Damaturu-Biu road.
“Reports further indicated that all female passengers were freed except the males. It was also revealed that a potential candidate for the position of VC NAUB, Professor Abubakar Eljuma is among the victims.
“We are requesting for your prayers in this holy month of Ramadan for their quick release,” said a credible security source.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a staff member of NAUB, confirmed the incident, saying that, “the University Management is currently having crucial meeting over the abduction of the Professor.”
The incident took place in Bauchi’s Abujan Kwata neighborhood on February 24, 2025.
Safiyanu is accused by the police of assaulting his mother, causing her to sustain fractures to both hands and other injuries.
The Peace and Security Committee reported the incident to the police, who were on the spot right away.
After being sent to Bauchi’s Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), the victim was pronounced dead.
According to preliminary findings, the assault was caused by a fight between Safiyanu and his mother. The police have started a comprehensive investigation and have retrieved the pestle used in the crime.
The State Criminal Investigation Department has been instructed to handle the matter by Commissioner of Police CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, and the suspect will face charges in court after the investigation is over.
Crime
47-year-old Prophet sentenced to life in jail for r3ping 13-year-old Girl
47-year-old Prophet sentenced to life in jail for raping 13-year-old Girl
The Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, sentenced one Prophet Adeleye Akingbaso, 47, to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.
Akingbaso was first arraigned in September, 2022 before Justice Blessing Ajileye on a two-count charge of rape and coercion.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Ajileye said, “in conclusion, this court has found the defendant guilty on the two count charge of rape and coercion and convicted him accordingly.”
She said this would serve as deterent to others in the class of the convict who have not been caught up with by nemesis.
” On Count one (rape), the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment and on count two (Coercion), the defendant is sentenced to three years imprisonment, both terms are to run concurrently,” Justice Ajileye declared.
During trial, the Prosecution Counsel, Taiwo Ajibulu told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime in July 2022, in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that the defendant raped the 13-year-old girl (names withheld) and also coerced the victim to engage in sexual acts to the detriment of her physical and psychological well-being.
According to him, the offences contravened Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and Section 4 of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, No.18 of 2019.
In her testimony before the Court, the girl said “Prophet Adeleye was my mother’s man-friend, he comes and sleep in our house often, but on a particular day, my mummy was on night duty, Prophet Adeleye came to sleep in our house.
“He woke me up midnight and said I bedwet, I said no. He brought out a bottle of sheabutter and rubbed it on my virgina, that was all I knew.
“I later discovered I had been raped that night, he threatened me that he will curse me and I will die if I tell anybody.
” On the second day, my mother was not at home, he came to our house again.
“I was in the kitchen, he told me he wanted to complete what he started yesterday. He was trying to rough-handled me, but I managed to run out and shouted for help and our neighbours came to my rescue.
“They called my mother and narrated what happened to her, she slapped the Prophet when she came and later reported the case at the Police Station, she concluded.”
To prove its case, the prosecutor called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and the girl’s medical report as exhibits.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the counsel to the defendant, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, called no witness. (NAN)
Crime
JUST IN; Six Persons arrested over brutal killing of two Police officers
JUST IN; Six Persons arrested over brutal killing of two Police officers
In a breakthrough development, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of two police officers in Kolere village, located in the Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Operations, Yobe State Police Command, Abdu Abubakar Ozo, confirmed the arrests during a press briefing after a routine State Security Council meeting, which was chaired by the state Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Guban.
DCP Ozo revealed that the suspects are linked to the tragic deaths of two officers, DSP Ali Pindar and DSP Jantuku Philibus, who were killed earlier this year in separate incidents while attempting to arrest suspected gang members in the Kolere community.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation.
In an effort to bring all responsible parties to justice, the state police command has intensified its search for additional suspects involved in the officers’ killings.