Three Residents shot dead by suspected cult members in night attack
Three Residents shot dead by suspected cult members in night attack
Armed Cultists suspected to be members of the Greenlanders, on Wednesday night, invaded Igbogene Community a suburb of Yenagoa , the Bayelsa capital, allegedly killing three persons.
The cult boys, numbering about 10 and allegedly armed with dangerous weapons, were said to have invaded the community at about 8pm, causing residents to scamper for safety.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent on Thursday, that the first person shot dead was the son of the former head of the Community Vigilante Group.
According to him, he was shot close to his house. While the second person, who was not a cultist, was shot when he could not disclose the whereabout of his elder brother.
Investigations show that the attack was sparked off by rivalry between two notorious cult groups, the Bobos and Greenlanders; while the cultists involved in the fight are residents and indigenes of the community.
Also speaking, the Youth President of the Igbogene Community, Mr Ezekiel Igbenivie, who confirmed the development, said those involved had absconded, but “one of the persons shot is still alive and receiving treatment in the hospital.”
The arrival of the Police teams of operation Door Kapoor Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Rapid Response Team calmed down the situation.
The Spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Musa Mohammed, who also confirmed the incident, said those shot included: Donaldson Mison, 28; Addy Mulan, 27; and Greenboy Dudella, 29. (NAN)
Okechukwu was the pastor of St Mary Catholic Church, Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev.Fr. Jacob Shanet, said Okechukwu was killed in the early hours of Wednesday after being kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday night.
“After being taken by his abductors, we regret to inform you that Fr Sylvester was cruelly killed in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5.
“It is yet to be determined why he was killed,” he said.
Shanet described the deceased priest as a dedicated servant of God who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord.
“This untimely and brutal loss has left us broken and devastated. He was always available and accessible to his parishioners.
“His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who loved him,” Shanet said.
He appealed to members of the Takad community to remain calm and steadfast in prayer as well as desist from taking the law into their hands.
According to him, funeral arrangements of the late priest will be communicated in due course. (NAN)
Crime
Man arrested by Police operatives with two human heads, three locally made guns
Man arrested by Police operatives with two human heads, three locally made guns
The Police Command in Ebonyi has arrested a suspect, Chigozie Ovuta, in possession of two human skulls and three locally made guns.
SP Joshua Ukandu, Spokesman of the command, communicated this in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
Ukandu said that Ovuta was arrested in Okoffia community, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said the command also recovered three stolen tricycles in another operation.
“During further interrogation, Ovuta confessed that the human skulls were given to him for the preparation of a spiritual concoction.
“The command is actively pursuing the individual mentioned in connection with this case.
“In a separate operation, while tracking a stolen tricycle, operatives of the command uncovered a criminal syndicate specialising in altering the colours of stolen tricycles from neighbouring states.
“This operation led to the arrest of four males, Nweke Chukwudi, Nwankwo Obinna, John Abba and Uche Abba.
“Three stolen tricycles were recovered from the suspects, who admitted to receiving the vehicles from accomplices for colour modifications.”
Ukandu said that the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the command through the control room number 07064515001,’’ he said.(NAN)
Crime
20-year-old Suspect allegedly hacks his Mother to death, arrested by Police
20-year-old Suspect allegedly hacks his Mother to death, arrested by Police
The Bauchi State Police Command has detained 20-year-old Safiyanu Dalhatu on suspicion of using a pestle to kill his 40-year-old mother, Salma Abdullahi.
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.