Police operatives rescue kidnapped victim, arrest suspected cult members

The Police Command in Edo, has rescued one Osazee Okungbowa, who was kidnapped on Friday night in Owanoba community.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this on Sunday in Benin through a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Yamu said five armed men allegedly kidnapped the victim at about 9:45 p.m. in the presence of his family.

“However, on Feb. 8 at about 5:00 p.m, our operatives at Ologbo Division successfully rescued him.

“He has since been reunited with his family after receiving medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects,” Yamu said.

In another operation, he said the police arrested a 25-old suspected cultist, for unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted murder during a burial procession at Old Road, Aduwawa, Benin City.

The command’s spokesperson explained that the suspect, a member of the Vikings cult group, was allegedly invited to the burial by a fellow cultist known as “Nice.”

“During the procession, the suspected cult member allegedly fired shots into the air using a locally made pistol loaded with four live cartridges.

“One of the shots hit a bystander, Nzube Cletus Mbum, causing injuries to his hand, leg, and back.

“After the shooting, the suspect attempted to escape but was swiftly apprehended with the help of members of the public.

“He is currently in police custody and will face charges accordingly,” Yamu said.

Meanwhile, he said operatives of the Okuaihe Division recovered a stolen Toyota Yaris after a carjacking incident at Upper Mission Extension.

He said the vehicle, with registration number BEN 535 DR, was snatched at gunpoint on Feb. 6 at about 2:00 p.m.

“Following a distress call, our operatives pursued the car snatchers, who eventually abandoned the vehicle at Iguomon Community along Benin-Agbor Road.

“The car was recovered and returned to its rightful owner, while efforts to track down the suspects are ongoing,” Yamu added.

The police public relations officer quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Betty Otimenyin, as commending the officers for their swift response, urging the residents to remain vigilant.

“We appreciate the good people of Edo State for their support. We urge the public to ‘see something, say something’ to ensure a safer Edo State,” he quoted Otimenyin as saying.

The police boss reassured the citizens of the command’s commitment to tackling crime and maintaining law and order across the state. (NAN)

Police officer found dead, after reportedly committing suicide by hanging

Shafi’u Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to 61 Police Mobile Force, Kontagora, Headquarters of Kontagora LGA of Niger state, has reportedly committed suicide.

A police officer confided in Daily Trust that the deceased allegedly committed suicide on Saturday afternoon.

The officer’s lifeless body was discovered hanging from the ceiling of his room.

Sources said his father, Mallam Usman Bawa, first raised the alarm and reported the matter at the Kontagora police station

The Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.

According to Abiodun: “On 8/2/2025 at about 2pm, it was reported that one ASP Shafiu Bawah of 61pmf kotangora committed suicide by hanging himself on the ceiling due to a yet to be ascertained reason.

“The body was removed and released to the family for burial. The incident is under investigation to ascertain the reason for such action”.

Give South-East more states – Ohanaeze begs President Tinubu

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahamed Tinubu to exercise the needed political will and courage to address the historical state creation imbalance in the country.

The Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the demand through a press statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki with a title “A Call for Equity: Proposed 31 States Must Acknowledge Southern Needs” said there was the need to make up the states in the south to 19 to bring it to parity with states in the north.

According to him, the President and House of Representatives should be concerned about creating two states; one for the Southeast and the other for the South-south to bring to an end the intimidation against the aspirations of the Southern populace.

The Statement reads in part “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people and, by extension, the Southern regions of Nigeria, unequivocally voices its profound objections to the recent proposal put forth by the House of Representatives advocating for the creation of thirty-one new states. This proposal is an exercise in futility, characterized by a blatant lack of credibility and a fundamental misunderstanding of the criteria essential for the establishment of viable political entities.

“We commend the leadership of the House, particularly the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his forthright dismissal of this proposal, which fails to meet basic constitutional requirements. His remarks serve not only as a necessary disclaimer but as a vital effort to preserve the integrity and dignity of our legislative institutions. The suggestion to create an unwieldy number of new states is, frankly, premature and displays a level of immaturity unbecoming of our representatives. Such proposals do nothing but cast a shadow over the stature of the House of Representatives and compromise its essential role in governance.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo staunchly reaffirms its position that any discourse regarding state creation must prioritize the Southern region of Nigeria, which has been historically underrepresented. The Northern region, currently endowed with nineteen states—a configuration established by past military regimes—benefits from an unfair numerical advantage that has led to systemic inequities. This disparity has long been employed as a strategic instrument of intimidation against the governance and development of the Southern populace.

“In this context, we urgently appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon the political will and moral strength necessary to correct this longstanding imbalance in state representation. The political and economic advantages enjoyed by the North, due in large part to its nineteen states, must be counterbalanced by the creation of two additional states in the South. Our immediate recommendation is that the first of these new states be established in the Southeast, which currently consists of just five states. It is imperative that the Southeast achieves parity with other geopolitical zones, particularly the Northwest, which boasts seven states.

“Moreover, we propose that the allocation of the second new state be judiciously considered for either the Southwest or the South-South region. This strategic adjustment is not merely a numeric correction; it represents a critical step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the Southern populace and fostering a more equitable distribution of power across the federation.

“The imperative for action is now clearer than ever. By fostering this equity, President Tinubu will not only be advancing the cause of justice for the Southern regions but also dismantling the historical political and economic dominance that has marginalized our people for far too long. The establishment of these two states is essential for ensuring that the Southern regions are empowered to contribute significantly to the national dialogue and development agenda.

“In closing, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to achieve fairness and equity for our people. We assert that the time has come for President Tinubu to take decisive action. The creation of two additional states within the Southern regions is not merely a policy recommendation; it is a clarion call for justice, equality, and national unity. A stronger, more equitable Nigeria is possible if we take the necessary steps to right the imbalances of the past”.