A Kabusa Grade I Area Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the remand of a tenant, Chris Okoye, 44, for beating his landlord.

The Judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, gave the order after listening to the plea of the defendant.

The defendant who lives at 2A Niger Avenue villa nova, Apo is charged with criminal conspiracy, intimidation, force, assault and causing hurt.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The prosecutor, O.S. Osho had earlier told the court that the landlord, Mr Ochengele Isaac, reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on Jan. 3.

He said the defendant, his two children and Gideon now at large beat up the landlord and inflicted injuries on him.

Osho said the defendant’s two children and Gideon were now at large.

Sadiq adjourned the case until Jan.16 for a hearing.

On Thursday, the police arrested a 20-year-old cleaner, Ali Hassan, in Abuja for allegedly stealing bicycles worth N1.9 million.

The police charged Mr Hassan with no fixed address before the Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Stanley Nwaforaku, told the court that the complainant, Mr Mohammed Aliyu of Durumi, Abuja, reported the case at the Durumi Police Station on December 23.

Mr Nwaforaku said that on December 17, at about 6:00 a.m., the defendant and another person stole three bicycles worth N 1.9 million.

He said the bicycles belonged to Jonah Izuka of Durumi, Abuja.

The prosecutor said that during a police investigation, one of the bicycles worth 400,000 was recovered from the defendant.

The judge, Aliyu Kagarko, granted the defendant bail of N2 million with one surety in like sum.

Mr Kagarko ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case until February 16 for a hearing.

A soldier has slammed the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for ordering the arrest of his colleague alongside three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The yet-to-be-identified soldier, who appeared to be defending his colleague in a viral video on Thursday, faulted Sanwo-Olu for calling a soldier ‘useless’ in the presence of ‘bastard civilians’.

Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

In a viral video, Sanwo-Olu was seen ordering his men to put one of the motorcyclists who claimed to be a soldier into the vehicle, stating that he was going to lock him up.

Reacting to the arrest, the soldier who believed that his colleague had done nothing to have deserved an arrest, said the state governor had no right to arrest a soldier, especially in front of his barracks.

He claimed that soldiers are not under the control of any state governor but their senior officers.

He said, “Did I just hear your governor calling a soldier, lance corporal useless? a lance corporal…This man broke his arm, they fired at the man. There is iron in his hands.

“You are calling a soldier useless in front of those idiots, those bastard civilians. DSS was pushing a soldier. In any situation where you find yourself as a soldier, the Army only gives you five seconds to compose yourself, so after that, you must know how to reply to any attack or anything that comes your way.

“Because he is a governor, I know he (arrested soldier) was shocked that the governor was arresting him. I know I am not perfect and I am not saying I am but in any situation I find myself, especially beside your barracks, nobody can arrest you. I repeat, nobody can arrest you because you have to stand your grand and nobody will slap you there.

“No DSS or police can slap you because you refuse to go. Why will you arrest me when there are IP and military police?

“Okay, will it be because I took one way beside my barracks? What if I just took the bike out to buy something? Do I have to take the long route because I want to buy something? Who does that? In which Army?”

He added that the governor’s action was because Lagos was peaceful, saying that could never have happened in the North East where he is based.

He said, “So, now, your governor has the guts to arrest and even call a soldier useless. To be sincere, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let’s tell the truth, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let us assume this happened in the North East where I am, is it here the governor’s convoy that is taking one way will arrest a soldier for taking one way?

“The governor constituted a nuisance. You are there pursuing civilians, what if they get involved in an accident along the line? The governor was there acting like a tout, a governor! When you are supposed to respect yourself. If the soldier said he is not going anywhere, nobody has the power to slap him. If the governor tries it, he knows he is already a bygone. The governor dare not slap a soldier.

“If I am directed by the MP, any of my senior, or any other officer to go to the guard room, I will go. But of the governor says so, I will never go. He doesn’t have the power. Who does he want to lock up?”

PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Wale Ajetunmobi, revealed in videos shared on his X handle on Tuesday that lawless okada riders plying one way along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway left their motorcycles and passengers upon sighting the convoy of Sanwo-Olu.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a notorious 18-year-old thug, Yusuf Haruna, also known as Lagwatsani, for allegedly killing a popular Imam identified as Malam Sani Shuaibu.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, on Wednesday.

According to the commissioner, the suspect was said to have stabbed the Iman to death with a knife for daring to warn him and his gang to stop smoking Indian hemp on the premises of the mosque. The cleric was confirmed dead at a hospital.

The statement read in part, “Haruna attacked and stabbed one Mallam Sani Mohammed Shuaibu, aged 45 years, with a sharp knife at his back while performing ablution, simply because the victim warned him and his gang to stop smoking Indian hemp on the mosque premises.

As a result, the victim sustained deep injury and was rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and was confirmed dead by the doctor.

“The incident shocks the community and our officers have worked tirelessly to identify and capture the assailant. This arrest is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and bringing justice to those affected by such heinous acts.’’

The Kano Police Command has arrested a quack doctor, Chidera Ugwu and one Ukasha Muhammed for injecting and drugging a pregnant lady, Amina Balarabe, to death.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, on Wednesday, said that Mr Ukasha impregnated his sister Amina, and took her to the quack doctor, Mr Ugwu, to terminate it.

The CP, who stated that the suspects had since confessed to the crime, added that further investigation revealed that the quack doctor had allegedly been administering fatal injections to pregnant women, leading to tragic consequences.

The statement read, “On 20/12/2023 at about 1030hrs, report was received from one Nura Balarabe, ‘m,’ of Tofa LGA Kano that one Ukasha Muhammed, aged 19 years, ‘m’, of Langel Village Tofa LGA Kano impregnated his sister, Amina Bala, aged 19 years, ‘f’ of Kwanar Mahuwa Tofa LGA Kano and the said Ukasha Muhammad conspired with one Chidera Ugwu, aged 24 years, ‘m’ of Lanbum Banki Tofa LGA Kano and administered injections and drugs to the said Amina Balarabe with intent to cause miscarriage which resulted to her death.

“The suspects were arrested and had confessed to the crime. Investigations revealed that the said Chidera Ugwu has allegedly been administering fatal injections to pregnant women, leading to tragic consequences.

“The arrest of the quack doctor signifies a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives and well-being of residents in the state.’’

A ward in the COVID-19 Centre, situated in Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin, Kwara State and owned by the Kwara State Government has been razed by fire.

The inferno was said to have been caused by an unidentified person who reportedly set a part around the facility on fire before it spread to one of the wards in the COVID-19 centre.

The Head of Department, Media and Publicity of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said, “On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 08:47 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire incident at Sobi Specialist Hospital (COVID-19 Centre) Alagbado, Ilorin.

“Upon arrival, the firemen found one of the six wards were set ablaze and immediately began fire-fighting efforts to contain and extinguish the flames, showcasing their expertise to prevent extensive damage.”

According to him, the swift response by the service prevented major damage at the COVID-19 Centre, as well as any loss of lives.

A Mobile Police officer attached to the 43 PMF of the Lagos State Police Command has been murdered on New Year’s Day in Adamawa State.

PUNCH Metro exclusively gathered that the officer, identified as Inspector Richard Felix, was attacked at Sangamu Hotel, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa by some men at about 12:10 a.m. on Monday.

The police in Jambutu were said to have raced to the scene of the incident, where the 46-year-old policeman was discovered with severe injuries on his chest, our correspondent reliably gathered.

The cop was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Yola, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

It was learnt that some thugs attacked the policeman who was not in uniform. We did not know why he was attacked. When police officers in Jambutu got to the scene, they rushed him to the Specialist Hospital in Yola, but the doctor said be was brought in dead already.

It was gathered that the body of Inspector Felix had been deposited at the mortuary for an autopsy.

Our correspondent reports that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The arrested suspect, who also sustained injuries during the incident, is said to be in hospital for medical attention.The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Monday.

Nguroje said, “It’s true. We got the report; we rushed him (Inspector Felix) to the hospital. He was killed. One suspect was even arrested. The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State CID for us to know who were the attackers, who were behind it and what prompted it. As soon as that is done, we will make sure the law takes its course.

“We condemn the incident in totality. The life of a policeman is equally the life of a Nigerian. So, we cannot in anyway fold our hands to allow somebody take the life of an officer, simply because he is a policeman or because they are thugs. Whatever it may take, the law must take its course.”

Asked to know why the Lagos cop was in Adamawa State, Nguroje replied: “We’ll investigate. Already, somebody who has been attacked and killed can’t be asked questions. What we are doing now is that, the command has taken over investigations.

“We have to communicate them officially (in Lagos) to let us know why he was in Adamawa. Was he on casual leave, annual leave, on special assignments or whatever? But right now, I cannot ascertain what brought him here. But actually, he is confirmed dead and the command is investigating the circumstances that led to his death.”

An early morning fire on New Year Day razed shops and goods worth millions of naira at the Orba International Market in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The fire which started midnight affected sections of the market where drinks, foams, gallons, provisions and other materials are being sold.

The market located at Orba community, the country home of former Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, is the second largest market in Enugu State.

A resident of the area, Chigbo Odegba, who spoke to journalists on Monday morning, said the fire started around midnight, destroying several shops and goods worth millions of naira.

Another resident, Chinyere Eze, said, “It (fire) started around midnight. Millions of naira lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops were destroyed. It is a sad New Year for us. The incident occurred along Obollo Road.”

Meanwhile, the state’s Chief Fire Officer, Mr Daniel Ohaa, has confirmed the fire incident but thanked God that his men with the support of residents were able to put it off.

Ohaa said the state fire service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire.

He said, “It was a midnight fire incident. We got the information, and our office in Udenu responded swiftly, and extinguished the fire from destroying more property. Much was destroyed, and much saved.

“It’s fortunate that we have an office close to Orba. It was significant for the rescue operations. We thank the residents who contacted us, and I commend our operatives who responded swiftly.”

The Benue State Police Command has arraigned Terver Agwa and Terna Agwa, all of Mbapen in Kendev, Tombo community of Buruku Local Government Area, before a Makurdi chief magistrate court for allegedly killing a Gboko-based businesswoman and robbing her of over N490,000.

The two suspects were also charged with criminal conspiracy, robbery and culpable homicide.

Insp. Godwin Ato , the prosecuting police officer, while addressing the court said the two suspects had tricked their victim that they had bags of rice for sale.

He further told the court that when the woman came to their residence at Buruku to buy the said rice, both accused conspired and lured her to an isolated bush where they strangled her to death, buried her remains in a shallow grave and fled with her N490,000.

Ato further stated that the matter was later reported to the police by the husband to the deceased, who said his wife received a phone call from one of the accused, Terver Agwa, concerning the said bags of rice.

During police investigation, the two accused persons were arrested and both allegedly confessed to committing the crime.

The Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongon, ordered the remand of the two suspects at the Makurdi Correctional Center and adjourned the case to February 19 for further mention.

Two children died in a lone accident involving a Toyota car on New Year day at Ade Best axis, Isara, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The spokesperson, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ogun, Mrs Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Monday.

Okpe said the incident occurred at 8:00 am and was caused by speeding and loss of control.

She further explained that the car ran into a ditch.According to her, five people- comprising three children, one man and a woman – were involved in the accident.

“One Toyota car with registration number TTD 985 AA. The suspected cause of the lone crash was excessive speed and the vehicle suddenly lost control and ran into a ditch.

“The injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention while the deceased corpses were deposited at Isara General Hospital morgue,” she said.

At least, four cows, three goats and an office building belonging to the National Council of Arts and Culture were lost to a late-night Saturday fire that gutted the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos State.

The Head, Public Education Unit of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, disclosed this in a telephone conversation on Sunday.

PUNCH Metro reports that a late-night gas explosion caused damage to some sections of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos State on Saturday.

Shakiru said, “There’s been an exploded gas cylinder resulting in a fire which the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is managing within the National Arts Theatre.”

Meanwhile, in a follow-up conversation, the LSFRS spokesperson noted that the fire started following a gas explosion in one of the offices within the site of the incident while stressing that four cows, three goats and an office complex were destroyed by the fire.

He said, “The cause of the fire was gas explosion. About four 50kgs of gas cylinder were stored in one of the offices. Affected properties included four cows and three goats that were recovered suspected dead.

An office building said to belong to the National Council of Arts and Culture located opposite the artists’ village was also razed down by the fire. Firefighters were able to contain the spread of the fire thereby preventing further danger without casualties.”

He however warned Lagos residents against storage of gas facilities inside the house as it is a volatile item that can cause fire incident.

“Our people need to understand that gas is a volatile item and should not be stored inside the house. That is why we always advise people to situate their gas cylinders outside of the building but in a situation where you want to store gas in large quantities, as it is the case with this incident, get the necessary approval from the fire service.”

Similarly, no fewer than four persons reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries as fire gutted Fat Noble filling station, an independent marketing oil firm along the Old Road, opposite Torikoh, Badagry, Lagos State on Wednesday, December 27.

Also, several shops and goods were destroyed following a gas explosion that occurred at a market at the Council bus stop in the Ikotun area of Lagos State, last Saturday.

The current fire incident at the National Arts Theatre is the third fire incident reported in the last seven days in Lagos State.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has distributed mobility aids worth millions of naira to people living with disabilities (PLWDs) to improve their living standards in the state.

At the brief ceremony in Ilorin on Saturday, Mr AbdulRazaq said the programme is one of numerous interventions of his administration to address the social needs of the physically challenged and the less privileged across the nooks and crannies of the state.

Mr AbdulRasaq, represented by his chief of staff, Abdulkadir Mahe, said, “I am here to flag off the distribution of mobility aids to people living with disabilities.

“It is an annual event of this administration to put smiles on the faces of those people.

“Today’s programme is again one out of the numerous social intervention programmes this administration has executed for the benefit of the citizens.

“We have continually provided succour to the needy, downtrodden and the less privileged across the nooks and crannies of the state.

“Items distributed included wheelchairs, tricycles, guide canes, hearing aids, walking sticks and crutches,” he said.

The governor said his administration has been showing kindness to people living with disabilities.

“We had done this through skills acquisition, such as sending them to Farm Craft Centre, at Isheri-Olofin, Lagos state, to learn certain trade for them to be self-reliant and be productive members of the public ” he said.

He called on the public-spirited individuals, philanthropists and corporate bodies in the state to complement the government’s efforts at improving the living conditions of persons with disabilities.

“With such skills and support, we hope to guarantee their dignity as human beings who do not need to beg for alms to survive,” he added.

He congratulated the recipients and urged them to keep the items in good use.

The state commissioner for social development, Opeyemi Folashade, said Mr AbdulRazaq approved the procurement of mobility aids and appliances for physically challenged people.

“These aids will help to ease their movements and ensure full participation and inclusiveness of people living with disabilities,” she said.

The commissioner appealed to key stakeholders and government agencies to work closely with the ministry and bring up implementable plans to ensure that people living with disability enjoy basic human rights.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event, such as Adesola Alasi from Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ekiti local government; Omotosho Badmus (Asa); Shittu Muyideen (Offa); and Rihanat Yinusa (Ilorin West), appreciated the governor’s gesture, especially his love and passion for the welfare of people living with disabilities.

They prayed to God to continue to guide the Governor and grant his administration a huge success.

Anambra police command has reassured the residents and visitors of the state of their safety during the yuletide.

The commissioner of police, Aderemi Adeoye, said this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Saturday.

Mr Adeoye urged members of the public to report any security challenges in any part of the state to the police station nearest to them for prompt response and advised that nobody should engage in jungle justice.

The CP had declared the festive period as special working days for all officers and men in the command.

He expressed confidence in the officers of the command as nothing has dislodged their abilities in security matters.

Mr Adeoye tasked police officers not to relent in efforts to secure the state.

He said that any person or persons trying to sabotage the security capability of the command will be dealt with.

The police chief said, “The police have launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 6.30 p.m.

“The gang, disguised in camouflage and seemed to be on a kidnap mission, shot two police officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock.

“Other police personnel returned fire, careful not to hit innocent motorists who were in the traffic gridlock, forcing the bandits to flee,” he said.

The police-led mobile Forward Operating Base (FOB), which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas Celebrations, promptly responded to the situation.

“Police recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. They also recovered an AK-47 Rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.”

The CP said, “This is an assurance to everyone that the police are determined to provide security and safety to the people and enjoined all to be at peace in doing their legitimate functions,” he said.

He urged officers of the command not to be demoralised by the death of officers in action but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gangs.

Mr Adeoye, however, condoled with the families of the deceased officers and the Enugu State police command and vowed that the officers would not die in vain.

He urged all officers and men of the Anambra State police command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant.

“We are confident that with modern technology, all forms of criminality would be tracked down and unpatriotic persons put in check,” he assured

The police in Lagos State have arrested two women and a man over alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying, abduction, a threat to life and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The suspects were arrested following several petitions from different persons.

The spokesperson of the state police, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday, said a preliminary investigation established the cases against the suspects.

Mr Hundeyin said the police would investigate the cases further for possible prosecution.

He added that the police had approached a court of competent jurisdiction and got a remand order for the suspects till January 10, 2024, to ensure a thorough investigation.

“The force would continue to enforce extant laws of the nation, particularly those relating to cyberstalking and cyberbullying, which can trigger violence if not adequately managed or curtailed.

“Members of the public will be kept abreast of developments as the investigation progresses,” he said.

The Police in Zamfara have rescued a 52-year-old guard, Mallam Hassan Abdullahi, abducted on December 29 in Gusau.

According to the state police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, Mr Abdullahi was abducted at about 1:30 am on Friday when gunmen raided a house he was working at Sabon Garin Damba.

Mr Abubakar said in a statement on Friday that the armed men had invaded the house of one Alhaji Kabiru Umar, an employee of Zamfara College of Art and Science, Gusau, and went away with the guard.

He said, “On receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Damba Division, mobilised a team of detectives for a search and rescue operation.

They intercepted the abductors on the outskirts of Sabon Garin Damba and on sighting the police, the hoodlums shot the victim on his right hand and took to their heels with possible gunshot wounds.

The victim was rescued and taken to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau and he is responding to treatment.’’He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Shehu, commended residents for alerting the police on time to the incident.

Mr Shehu also commended the police operatives for their timely intervention which led to the immediate rescue of the abducted victim.

He pledged that the command would continue to fight the war against bandits and other criminals in the state until normalcy was restored.

Emmanual Ijewere, the former President of the Institute of Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, has reportedly passed away at age 77.

His death was confirmed to journalists on Friday by the Senior Manager of the Corporate Communications Directorate of ICAN, Dare Muyiwa.

Ijewere, born in Plateau State on October 30, 1946, served as the 32nd president of ICAN from 1996 to 1997; he played a pivotal role in leading the accounting body.

He commenced his accounting career in 1965 at Coopers & Lybrand; he later established Ijewere & Co., a chartered accountancy firm in Nigeria, in 1979.

The accounting icon has held various positions as the president of renowned organizations like the Institute of Directors (IOD), the Nigerian Red Cross, and a National Economic Forum (NEF) member.

Also, he served as the chairman of Best Foods Group, Emson, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Drum Resources Nigeria Limited, Apel Capital & Trust Limited, Countrywide Direct Mortgage Company, Kerildbert Holdings, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Gemini Pharmaceuticals, among others.

Ijewere was a member of the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council (ATIC), under the chairmanship of former President Goodluck Jonathan and also served as a resource person for the transition committee of former President Muhammadu Buhari regarding agriculture.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who was abducted by gunmen on Wednesday.

The lecturer, Isaac Igbawua, who resides at Old Barracks, Kokona Local Government Area of the state, was whisked to an unknown destination after the kidnappers invaded the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the State, Ramhan Nansel, who made this known in a statement on Friday, said the rescue followed an order issued by the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada.

According to him, operatives of the Command, upon receiving information about activities of the assailants in the area, mobilized to the scene alongside vigilante operatives.

He said the security operatives engaged the criminal elements in a gun duel, leading to the rescue of the victim.

The police spokesman also revealed that one Daniel Favour Chukwuebuka, a 200 level student of the Department of Social Works, Federal University of Lafia, was arrested in connection with the incident.

Parts of the statement said, “On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire but were gallantly repelled; they took to flight, and the victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family after undergoing medical examination at Police Clinic, Lafia.

“Also, on 28/12/2023 acting based on credible information, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Daniel Favour Chukwuebuka ‘m’ 25yrs, a 200 Level student of the Department of Social Works, Federal University of Lafia.

“A search warrant was executed at his residence where one locally fabricated Beretta pistol, four (4) live ammunition, and Criminal Charms/Herbs were recovered as exhibits.”

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said that the police have commenced special operations to tackle the security challenges currently confronting Plateau State.

He disclosed this when he paid a condolence visit to the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Friday in Jos.

“We have commenced a special operation in this state, and I have directed the DIG in charge of Zone 4 to relocate to Plateau State. We are committed to ending this cycle of violence in Plateau, and we call on communities not to be collaborators in this evil act.

“Citizens should rather cooperate with the police and other security agencies, so we can deal with these criminals once and for all,” Egbetokun said.

Responding, Mutfwang commended the police and other security agencies for their efforts towards restoring lasting peace in the state.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for sending the delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to the state. It is a clear demonstration of the political will to deal with the situation once and for all.

“I also commend the security chiefs for demonstrating their commitment to ending these killings. But we urge the security agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind this heinous act; that’s the only way the people will know that justice is served,” Gov Mutfwang said.

The governor expressed his readiness to work with the police and other security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity in the state

The Ogun State Police Command says it has rescued a pregnant woman (name withheld), who was abducted at a community in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the state.

Men of the Police Command, alongside operatives of the Amotekun Corps, rescued the woman at about 11:05 pm on Monday, Christmas Day.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the development on Friday.

The Police spokesperson explained that some unknown gunmen had ambushed a couple in front of their house, kidnapping the pregnant wife and leaving the husband behind.

Odutola said, “The Divisional Police Officer in Ijebu-Igbo received a distress call about a suspected kidnapping incident.

“A team of policemen was dispatched to the scene, when they got to the scene, they saw the husband, but the wife had been kidnapped.”

Odutola quoted the husband as saying that, “while they were entering their house, six armed men from nowhere suddenly came out from the bush in front of their house and kidnapped the wife”.

She added that the DPO, his men, operatives of the So-Safe Corps, Amotekun Corps and others formed part of the rescue team.

“They searched through the bush for hours and were able to rescue the woman on Tuesday. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment.

“The Ogun State Command under the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, will not relent until criminals are flushed out of Ogun, wherever they are,” Odutola added.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Ogun Command, said a truck crushed a woman to death in the Dalemo area of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday night.

Me Anthony Uga, Ogun Sector Commander of FRSC, who confirmed the incident to NAN on Friday in Ota, said the accident occurred at about 11:00 p.m.

Uga explained that a truck with registration no.XA 354 WDP and two persons were involved in the accident.

The sector commander said the truck lost control due to excessive speeding and hit a female adult standing beside the road, resulting in the death of the victim.

The corpse of the victim had been deposited at the Ifo General Hospital, Ogun.

The FRSC boss implored drivers against reckless driving and to always conduct routine checks on their vehicles to ensure the brake systems are functional before putting them on the road.

Uga, however, commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed that God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.