• 23 arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping, others
• Search for kidnapped legislator continues
• Alia talks tough on fresh killings in Benue
• Anglican Archbishop yet to be seen in Anambra
The Catholic community in Anambra State was yesterday thrown into mourning following the confirmation of the killing of a priest, Chukwujekwu Okonkwo, by kidnappers.
He was shot dead on Boxing Day on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in one of the security breaches recorded across the country during the Christmas holidays.
Seventy-five-year-old retired Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese also in the state, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, remains in kidnappers’ den two weeks after his abduction.
A member of the State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, was abducted on Tuesday night on Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
There is no information yet about his fate.
Security personnel are said to still be searching for him.
However, the police said yesterday that they arrested 23 suspects across the country for armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping and stalking of fun seekers during the period.
Soldiers arrested two suspected terrorists in Taraba State while Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia vowed to ensure that perpetrators of the Christmas Day attacks on Anwase Community in Kwande Local Government Area are brought to justice.
Ten persons were killed in the incident by suspected herders.
News of the killing of Reverend Father Okonkwo was announced by the Chancellor of Nnewi Diocese, Rev Fr Tobias Ezeogu.
“We announce with great sorrow the brutal murder of Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo, a devoted priest and pharmacist, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Ihiala, Anambra State, on Boxing Day, December 26, 2024,” Ezeogu said.
He added: “Fr. Tobias was killed between 7pm and 8pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, which is a devastating loss. But we take solace with faith in divine consolation.”
The deceased was born on August 11, 1984, and was ordained as a priest on July 11, 2015.
At the time of his death, he was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala” the statement said
Also on Christmas Day, the Anambra State Police Command dismantled an alleged criminal camp located in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.
Several makeshift structures within the alleged camp were destroyed while 19 unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) recovered.
The security operatives, through the police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said they inflicted significant injuries on fleeing suspects.
Besides, the Command arrested one Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old male from Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion.
Also, the command arrested one Pablo Mamu from Ughelli, Delta State for alleged armed robbery.
Reports from other parts of the South East said there was relative peace.
In Kogi State, a young man allegedly lured his friend to a burial ground in Lokoja and slit his throat on Christmas Eve.
The victim was identified as 19-year-old Usman Tijani, a student of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Lokoja.
A relation of Tijani, Zainab Avosuahu, told journalists in Lokoja that he was lured to the burial ground where he was dispossessed of N200,000.00.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Aya Wiliam, did not respond to the SMS sent to him on the issue after calls to him were not picked.
23 arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping, others during Christmas – Police
The Nigeria Police yesterday confirmed that they arrested 23 suspects in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism, among others.
The force said the arrests were in furtherance of the directive of Police Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun to commands and formations to emplace unalloyed anti-crime strategies for adequate safety and security during the festive period.
Three of the arrests were effected at Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State on Christmas Day following a distress call that hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons were operating in the area.
Weapons allegedly used by them to rob fun seekers were recovered.
On the same day, police operatives attached to Saminaka Division of the Kaduna State Command apprehended one Sule Muhammad ‘m’, 25 years, alleged to have been actively involved in kidnapping in the area.
Further investigation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspect.
The police said they would remain steadfast in their mission to protect all citizens and ensure that “the spirit of festivities during this period remains unmarred by criminal activities.”
Plateau security improving but not perfect yet — Mutfwang
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, reviewing the security challenge that has plagued the state for many years now, said yesterday that the situation though not perfect was showing signs of improvement.
Speaking with journalists after a visit to President Bola Tinubu’s Lagos residence, Mutfwang said “things are getting better. Security-wise, certainly we are better off this year than we were last year.”
He said a combination of efforts, including enhanced technology, community mobilization and proactive measures by security forces, were key drivers of the improvement.
Reflecting on the strides made, Mutfwang noted that Plateau State, which mourned during the holiday season in 2023, was able to celebrate Christmas this year with “relative peace.”
However, he admitted that isolated incidents still occur, emphasising the need for sustained vigilance.
“With the support of Mr. President, I can assure you that we are not going to take our foot off the pedal. We are going to make sure that we cross the Ts and dot the Is as far as security is concerned,” he said.
“The President has been very concerned about the security situation on the Plateau,” Mutfwang said, adding that Tinubu’s support has been instrumental in the state’s journey towards stability.
Fourteen residents of Gidan Ado were killed during an attack on December 22,2024 while herders were killed in a community between Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGA on Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day, a soldier allegedly stabbed a cattle breeder Abdullahi Muhammad to death in Jos.
On the whole, the State Police Command said it arrested a total of 794 suspects for criminal activities this year.
Police Commissioner Emmanuel Adesina told reporters in Jos that 415 of the suspects were charged to court.
The crime statistics also shows that 46 kidnapped victims were rescued within the period.
Alia vows to apprehend perpetrators of attack on Benue community
In neighbouring Benue State, Gov. Hyacinth Alia vowed yesterday to bring to book the perpetrators of the Christmas Day attack on Anwase Community in Kwande Local Government Area.
Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, expressed sadness over the attack that led to the death of at least 10 innocent residents.
The governor condemned the continued attacks on unarmed innocent citizens of the state by the bloodthirsty attackers.
“Such heinous acts have continued in the state despite the efforts of my administration to ensure the safety of his people,” he said.
“I can assure you, the perpetrators of this act will pay dearly for it.
“They may think they are not known, but they cannot be allowed to continue perpetrating this. It is a matter of time.
“We are determined to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people,” he assured.
Alia charged security personnel to improve their surveillance and also ensure that vulnerable communities are not left unguarded.
The governor condoled with the families that have lost their loved ones in the attack and sympathised with the injured, saying his thoughts of comfort and prayers were with them at the difficult time.
Police arrest four suspects, recover tricycles in Kano
The Kano State Police Command arrested four suspects and recovered two tricycles that were returned to the owners during Christmas celebration days.
Police Spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, a Superintendent of the Police (SP) said the arrest followed the deployment of police detectives to Kofar Mata/Zango junction near Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital Kano.
The Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, has transferred the suspects to the Command’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The police in Kano also yesterday said the command had recovered two stolen tricycles and returned them to the owners.
How Katsina police foiled attempt to kidnap 10 passengers on Christmas Eve
The Katsina State Police Command said the prompt response of his men to a distress call on Christmas Eve saved 10 passengers from being kidnapped at Kwanar Makera in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson for the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said bandits armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically had attacked a commercial vehicle conveying the passengers at Kwanar Makera on Katsina-Magama-Jibia Road in an attempt to kidnap them.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia swiftly led a team of operatives to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun duel,” he said.
“The team successfully foiled the kidnap attempt, and rescued all the 10 victims.”
Aliyu further disclosed that four of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the bandits’ attack and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
In addition, soldiers from the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fasan Yamma destroyed several terrorist camps around Birchi Hill in the Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State on 19 December 2024.”
The operation involved precision airstrikes conducted by the Air Component on identified terrorist locations during multiple passes.
Sources said the operations claimed the lives of some gunmen who had been terrorising the area.
Two suspected terrorists arrested in Taraba
Troops of Six Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered weapons in Taraba State, according to the Brigade Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Abdul Musa.
Musa said the arrests followed intensified intelligence-driven operations after the kidnapping of a district head in Jalingo Local Government Area on November 27. The victim was released after a ransom payment, prompting the military to track and apprehend the perpetrators.
“On Dec. 18, troops arrested Musa Suito, a vigilante operative in Jalingo metropolis, who exploited his role to provide information on potential targets for kidnappers. Items recovered from him included one Dane gun and two cartridges,” he said.
