Author: The Nation

The Abia state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest and detention of the General Overseer of Agape Evangelical Ministry identified as Bishop Timothy Otu.

It would be recalled that The Nation had reported that a female Evangelist attached to a Pentecostal church in Aba reportedly died during suspected rounds of sex with an unnamed General Overseer and Bishop whose church is in Aba, Abia state.

In a statement released by the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, it was revealed that the deceased female Evangelist has been identified as Happiness Echieze, a mother of five.

The incident reportedly took place at a guest house in Ovom Village, Obingwa local government area of the state.

Chinaka, who stated that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation into the matter, also disclosed that the body of the deceased has been deposited at a missionary Hospital’s morgue located around the Ogbor Hill axis of Aba.

Giving police account of the incident, the PPRO said: “On the 13th of August 2023, at approximately 09:30 AM, Mr Godwin Akpan (male), residing at Jubilee Guest House in Ovom Village, Obingwa LGA, reported to the Isiala Ngwa Police Division that an incident had occurred.

“It was revealed that on the evening of the 12th of August 2023, around 09:25 PM, a clergyman named Timothy Otu (male), associated with Agape Evangelical Ministry at Obikabia Junction in Obingwa LGA, had checked into the guest house along with a woman named Happiness Echieze (female) from Isiala Ngwa LGA, Abia State. Happiness Echieze was 43 years of age.

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“Further details provided by Mr Akpan indicated that on the same date, around 12:00 AM, he entered the hotel room of the aforementioned clergyman and discovered the lifeless body of Happiness Echieze.

“She was found unclothed, and a white substance was emanating from her mouth and nose.

The statement further read: “Regrettably, the clergyman was absent from the scene. We hereby inform the public that immediate preliminary investigations have been launched into this matter.

“The deceased’s body has been transported from the location and is currently at the SDA Mortuary in Aba, awaiting an autopsy examination.

“Additionally, we wish to convey that the suspected individual in this case has been apprehended. The case has been transferred to the State CID for discreet investigations.”

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had in the last two weeks neutralised 28 terrorists, apprehended 113 and rescued 82 victims in various operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the apprehended suspects comprised 92 terrorists, six gunrunners, three kidnappers, six collaborators and seven perpetrators of oil theft.

He said the troops also recovered 108 weapons and 564 ammunition comprising 22 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, six pump action guns, four dane guns, one fabricated rifle, one galil ace rifle, one RGP bomb, one RPG tube and 44 hand grenades.

“Also recovered are 322 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 12 rounds of 5.6mm ammo, 33 AK47 magazines, one empty case of 7.62mm special and 3 empty magazines.

“Other items include; 14 motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, 3 motorolla radio, one boafeng radio, 2 motorcycle tyres, 5 torch lights, 2 solar panels, 104 livestock and the sum of N2.8 million,” he said.

Buba said the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle and 75 cooking ovens during the period.

He added that the troops also impounded four pumping machines, five outboard engines and 33 illegal refining sites, as well as recovery of 1,166,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,491,250 litres of illegally refined AGO, 54,750 litres of DPK and 800 litres of PMS.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated seven terrorists, arrested five and rescued 31 hostages while 28 family members of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists comprising of nine adult females and 19 children were also rescued and taken into custody.

He said the troops recovered; 20 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one galileo rifle, three dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special, 154 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, among others.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven eliminated two gunmen, rescued two hostages and arrested six kidnappers as well as recovered arms and ammunitions during the period.

He said the troops apprehended a notorious kidnapper gang leader and other foot soldiers at Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau.

In the North West, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had continued to degrade the terrorists in Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

He said the troops neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested seven, two informants and two collaborators as well as rescued 16 hostages and recovery of seven AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, one AK47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62mm special, five AK47 magazines and 20 rounds of 7.62mm special.

“Others include; six motorcycles, three mobile phones, three motorolla radios, one radio charger, two solar panel, one old sewing machine, a par of woodland camouflage and the sum of N2.4 million,” he said.

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In the South East, he said the troops of Operation UDO KA eliminated three IPOB/ESN terrorists recovered four pump action guns, one single barrel loaded with 100 live cartridges, one locally fabricated rifle and three live cartridges.

“Troops also arrested 18 terrorists and rescued two kidnapped hostages.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

“The operations as enumerated is indicative of the professionalism of men and women of the armed forces, their courage and bravery.

“Troops will continue to use superior military force to eliminate any group or groups that constitutes a threat to the safety of citizens and own forces alike,” Buba said.

(NAN)