Metro
Benue youths rescue kidnap victims, arrest three suspects
Vigilant youths in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, have thwarted an alleged kidnapping operation along the Ugbokolo-Aokpe road, rescuing several victims and apprehending three suspects.
A resident of the community, who identified himself simply as Adah, told journalists via telephone that the incident occurred late Wednesday night, prompting local youths to organise a search operation after reports emerged that travellers had been abducted by armed men.
According to him, “Several persons were abducted by armed men on the road on Wednesday night, a development which prompted local youths to mobilise and launched a search operation in the area.
“The youths however tracked down the suspects, leading to the rescue of five victims and the arrest of three of the alleged kidnappers while one escaped.”
The five rescued victims were reportedly reunited with their families, while the three arrested suspects were handed over to security operatives for further investigation.
Confirming the development, Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, said some travellers were indeed kidnapped along the Aokpe road on Wednesday night, but noted that authorities were yet to determine whether the three individuals apprehended by residents were actually involved in the crime.
Inalegwu said, “It’s true that some people were kidnapped yesterday (Wednesday night) on Aokpe road, and our vigilant youths quickly mobilised themselves and went after the kidnappers.
“When the heat was too much on the kidnappers they abandoned their victims and ran away, and the victims were successfully rescued yesterday (Wednesday) night.
“Today (Thursday) the community also saw three strangers and they presumed they were kidnappers but we are yet to get the full story whether they are Kidnappers or not.”
However, the Benue State Police Command said it had not received an official report of the incident as of the time of filing the report.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she was yet to be briefed on the matter.
Metro
Delta Police recover 1,600 counterfeit dollar bills from fraudsters
Delta State Police Command has arrested suspects involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public using counterfeit United States dollar bills.
Four suspects identified as Joshua Nwaosa, Daniel Arhewe, Prince Chukwuma, and John Egwuba were nabbed along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, Delta State, over the crime.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to operating from a hideout in Asaba and using a red, unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV.
A follow-up operation was immediately conducted at the location, where operatives recovered 1,600 counterfeit United States dollar notes and military camouflage concealed within the premises.
Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s activities.

In another operation on June 9, at about 11:15 hrs, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on actionable intelligence, stormed Owaliru and Alihame communities in Ika North-East Local Government Area, where two female suspects were apprehended.
The suspects, identified as Ifeoma Egbule (36) and Anayeokwu Florence (51), were arrested in possession of substantial quantities of suspected illicit substances, including GH Gold, Colorado, Cannabis, and Canadian Loud.
The exhibits were recovered and taken into custody alongside the suspects.
Edafe also said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were actively involved in the distribution of the prohibited substances within the area. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the drug distribution network.
Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, hailed the operatives for their professionalism, diligence, and commitment to duty.
He reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Delta State.
Metro
Child playing with lighter triggers fire disaster in Kwara
A child playing with a lighter in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Thursday triggered a fire disaster in a three-bedroom flat, DAILY POST reports.
According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, in Ilorin on Thursday, the incident occurred at about 5:08 p.m. at No. 38, Aduagbemi Street, behind Uniform Company, off Asa Dam Road in Ilorin metropolis.
He disclosed that “the incident involved a three-bedroom flat, where one room was affected by the fire.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a child playing with a lighter and using it to ignite pieces of paper.
“The burning paper subsequently came into contact with nearby combustible materials, resulting in a fire outbreak.
“The fire had already escalated before neighbours noticed the incident and raised the alarm.
“Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly brought the situation under control and prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the building and adjoining properties,” he added.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, advised parents and guardians to keep matches, lighters and other ignition sources out of the reach of children.
He emphasised that children should be adequately supervised at all times and educated on the dangers associated with playing with fire.
The director further urged residents to install basic fire safety equipment in their homes and to promptly notify the service whenever a fire outbreak is discovered, as early intervention greatly reduces the risk of extensive damage and loss of life.
Metro
Edo: Court sentences five to death by hanging over lawyer’s abduction, murder
The Edo State High Court in Benin City has sentenced five suspects to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of one Barrister Osiobase Omo-Iyoha.
DAILY POST reports that Justice Efe Ikponmwonba sentenced five out of the six suspects to death on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The convicts, who include Valentine Debbie, Solomon Onobu, Ambrose Amadi, Enoma Okunghae and Saturday Imagbe, were found guilty of conspiracy, abduction and murder.
They were also sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, while the sixth suspect, Solomon Esuike, who was arrested alongside the five convicts, was discharged and acquitted.
The convicts reportedly assaulted the Benin-based Barrister Omo-Iyoha on May 9, 2020, and took him away following his intervention in a street quarrel between a local chief’s family and another individual in the Aduwawa area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
It was also reported that after being beaten to a pulp, the lawyer was whisked away to an unknown location, only for his lifeless body to be discovered by the police in a shallow grave in Aduwawa.
In its judgment in the suit marked B/CD/136C/22 between the State and Valentine Dibie and five others, the court found five of the six accused guilty and sentenced them to 14 years in prison for conspiracy and abduction, and death by hanging for murder.
The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, said the sentence followed a detailed analysis of the statements of the accused persons and the arguments of both the prosecution and defence counsel.
She held that the prosecution proved its case against five of the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
She said the 14-year jail terms are to run concurrently.
According to her, the prosecution successfully proved its case against five of the defendants beyond reasonable doubt and they were sentenced accordingly.
“However, the evidence presented against the second defendant, Solomon Esuike, was insufficient to sustain the charges against him and consequently, he is discharged and acquitted,” she said.
Speaking after the judgment, Barrister Douglas Ogbankwa, counsel to the discharged and acquitted defendant, Solomon Esuike, described the judgment as commendable.
Ogbankwa said his client was discharged and acquitted after the court found that he had no link to the incident.
It was alleged that the prime suspect in the abduction and murder case, identified as Osasu Osadolor, is still at large.
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