Metro
Ebonyi prophet arrested for allegedly maltreating child accused of witchcraft
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State have arrested a self-proclaimed prophet, Mr Nwankpu James, following a viral video in which a child accused of witchcraft was allegedly subjected to severe abuse.
The child has since been rescued and is currently receiving medical treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, FETHA, according to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Hope Okafor.
The statement, issued in Abakaliki on Tuesday and signed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Joshua Ukandu, said the incident occurred in Isohumini Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
Authorities said the arrest was triggered after the circulation of the disturbing video showing the child being maltreated in an inhumane manner under the guise of spiritual deliverance.
“The operatives of the Command were immediately directed to ensure the arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the child,” the statement read.
It added that acting on the directive, police operatives traced both the suspect and the child’s parents to the community, where the prophet was apprehended and the victim successfully rescued.
The police confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.
Commissioner of Police Hope Okafor reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of citizens, especially children, warning against all forms of child abuse and degrading treatment.
Meanwhile, a resident identified as Mr Mather Nwachukwu alleged that the child had been experiencing frequent illness, which reportedly led the parents to seek spiritual intervention.
He further claimed that the prophet accused the child of witchcraft and subjected her to abusive and humiliating practices in the name of deliverance.
Metro
Fresh attacks trigger 24-hour curfew in Taraba
Following worsening security challenges leading to the destruction of property and killings by armed militia, the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has imposed a 24-hour curfew.
A statement by the chairperson of the LGA, Mrs Virginia Baba Bambur, said the decision had become necessary due to the worsening violence, continued attacks, and loss of lives and property, adding that the militias had carried out several attacks on Wurkum communities around Didango, Mutum Daya Kodai, Gurum and other neighbouring settlements, leaving several people dead and forcing many residents to flee.
The statement said fresh attacks were launched on Thursday and Friday, further worsening the security situation in the area, adding that the latest escalation prompted the imposition of the curfew in the affected communities within the local government area.
She directed all security agencies, including the Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to enforce strict compliance with the directive, saying that government would carry out a thorough investigation into the root cause of the crisis and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Mrs Bambur urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to restore peace and stability in the affected communities.
Metro
DSS, forest guards intercept suspected ISWAP medical supplies in Borno
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working with forest guards, have intercepted a large consignment of medical supplies suspected to be intended for fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The development was contained in a post shared on X on Friday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.
According to the post, the interception took place in Kaga Local Government Area during a coordinated operation along a route believed to be used by insurgents to move supplies through forest areas.
Security sources said the items recovered include pain relief drugs, anti-malaria injections, antibiotics, and other medical materials, as well as basic consumables believed to support fighters in the field.
“The supplies were likely meant for ISWAP members who were injured during recent military operations in the North-East,” he stated in the post.
Those behind the movement of the items reportedly attempted to transport them in small quantities to avoid detection by security operatives.
According to Makama, the intercepted materials have been taken into custody for further examination, while investigations are ongoing to track those involved in the supply network.
Metro
Troops rescue six kidnapped travellers in Plateau State
Six travellers abducted by kidnappers have been rescued by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) along the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sanyin road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday when suspected kidnappers reportedly intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers from Lafia, Nasarawa State, to Jos, Plateau State.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Polycarp Oteh, who confirmed the incident, explained that troops of Sector 6 Operation Enduring Peace immediately responded to a distress call and successfully rescued six of the abducted victims.
Upon arrival at the scene, he said, “The troops discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned by the roadside, with its occupants missing, and the troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes and succeeded in rescuing six victims.”
He added that deliberate efforts were currently ongoing to rescue the driver, assuring that there was no cause for alarm, as troops were on top of the situation.
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