29-year-old Man sentenced to 7 years in jail for Cult membership

The Special Anti-Cultism Court 2 in Abeokuta on Thursday sentenced a 29-year-old man, Kazeem Popoola, to seven years in prison for belonging to a secret society and gun possession.

Popoola, also known as “K-Show”, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, belonging to an unlawful society and being in possession of one locally-made gun and two live cartridges.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Mr S.O Banwo, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and pronounced Popoola guilty as charged.

Banwo then sentenced him to two years in prison for conspiracy, and seven years for belonging to an unlawful society.

He also sentenced the convict to five years in prison for unlawful possession of locally-made gun and two live cartridges without licence.

The magistrate ordered that the sentence would be without an option of fine and the terms were to run concurrently.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Pendosoji, had told the court that the convict committed the offences on Oct. 14, 2023 at Ijeja area in Abeokuta.

Pendosoji said while the police team were on a stop-and-search duty, the team recovered the items from the defendant who was on a motorcycle.

“The police team while on duty recovered a locally-made gun with two live cartridges which has no licence, and upon his arrest, he made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity,” he said.

The prosecutor said this contravened Sections 34, 45(b) and 36 of a law of the state.

This law is the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Kidnapping and other Anti-Violent and other Related Offences Laws of Ogun 2016.

He also said the offence committed contravened Section 3,(I) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.(NAN)

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.