Metro
Kidnappers Kill Banker in Anambra After Collecting Ransom
Tragedy struck in Anambra State as suspected kidnappers reportedly murdered a female banker identified simply as Ifeoma after collecting ransom from her family.
Ifeoma was said to have been abducted in Onitsha by unknown gunmen. Despite the payment of ransom, her abductors allegedly killed her and dumped her body around Ideani junction along the Nnobi/Alor Road.
The grim incident was brought to public attention on Tuesday by human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishi, through a Facebook post. He condemned the growing insecurity in the state and shared a distressing image of the victim’s corpse lying by the roadside.
Gwamnishi wrote: “Ifeoma, a banker, was kidnapped in Anambra State. Ransom was demanded, and the family paid, but her abductors still killed her and dumped her body around Ideani junction Nnobi/Alor road.
Lives are being taken daily, and it’s sad nothing is being done to end all these killings. WHO IS NEXT? If we keep folding our hands and do nothing, it may get to you.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the victim’s body had been recovered from the scene.
Ikenga said: “The command received the information about an abandoned female corpse found along the Nnobi-Alor Road allegedly dumped by suspected kidnappers.
The corpse has been evacuated, the pictures have been escalated, and investigations have begun to unravel the circumstances behind the death of the victim.”
The killing of Ifeoma adds to the growing concerns over the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in Anambra State. Residents are calling on security agencies and the government to intensify efforts to curb the menace and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As investigations continue, the family of the deceased is left in mourning, grappling with the painful loss of their loved one despite complying with the kidnappers’ demands.
Metro
Five Dead, One Injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash
Five persons lost their lives in a tragic accident late Sunday night along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Fatgbems Bus Stop, Ogun State.
The incident, confirmed by the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, occurred around 11:30 p.m. A reckless driver of an unidentified Mercedes Benz SUV was reportedly involved in the fatal crash.
According to Odutola, the vehicle was heading towards Mowe Bus Stop via Longbridge when the driver lost control, crashed into a culvert, and flipped over, landing in the opposite direction.
“Three male and two female adults in the SUV were confirmed dead, while one passenger sustained injuries. The roof of the vehicle was completely torn off, and the vehicle was extensively damaged,” Odutola stated.
She added that officers from the Warewa Police Division promptly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. “Photographs were taken, and the injured individual was transported to AZ Carezone Hospital in Magboro for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased were taken to Real Divine Hospital in Ibafo for preservation.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that family members of those involved in the crash have been contacted.
The Ogun State Police Command urged road users to exercise caution and prioritize safety while driving.
Metro
Suspected Cultist Shot Dead in Owo
A 40-year-old man, alleged to be a member of a cult group, was shot dead on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to eyewitness accounts, the deceased was attacked by two masked gunmen who fled the scene after carrying out the act.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, revealed in a statement made available to journalists that the deceased had been on the police’s wanted list for multiple criminal activities.
Odunlami stated that the man was a known participant in the 2020 EndSARS protest, during which he allegedly attacked a police station, stealing an AK-47 rifle and a bulletproof vest. Additionally, she noted that the deceased was implicated in the murder of a local resident, further solidifying his notoriety within the community.
“The remains of the suspect have been deposited at a hospital morgue in the town,” Odunlami disclosed, adding that the police have launched an investigation to track down the perpetrators of the shooting.
The killing comes just weeks after the Ondo State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Owo due to escalating violence between rival cult groups. The clashes, which claimed four lives, had prompted heightened security measures in the area..
Metro
Ogun: Gunmen Kill Celestial Church Prophet During Sunday Service
Tragedy struck in the Odo Eran Idiroko area of Ogun State on Sunday as gunmen stormed a church during service, shooting and killing a 54-year-old prophet, Yomi Adetula, of the Celestial Church of Christ’s Eagle Parish.
The attack occurred at about 10:30 AM, disrupting the service and leaving worshippers in shock. The gunmen, three in number, reportedly entered the church along Old Baggage Road, brandishing a long double-barreled gun.
They targeted the cleric, firing a fatal shot that caused panic among congregants before escaping toward the border area.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
“On January 19, 2025, around 10:30 AM, the divisional police officer of Idiroko received a report that someone had been killed at a Celestial Church located along Old Baggage Road, Odo Eran, Idiroko,” Odutola said.
She revealed that officers arrived at the scene to find the lifeless body of Prophet Adetula lying face up in a pool of blood that had soaked his white Celestial garment.
“Upon closer inspection, his body was riddled with bullets, and his head was severely damaged with an axe, confirming his death,” she added.
According to Odutola, initial investigations revealed that the assailants caused chaos during the attack before fleeing.
No arrests have been made yet, but the police assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The body of the deceased prophet has been deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Ilaro for further investigation and autopsy.
Residents and church members have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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