Tag: Gunmen

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have killed a man and abducted a businesswoman in Ayede Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, The Nation has learnt. 

The victim, identified as Okudili Okoro, 34, was shot dead on Thursday night when the attackers stormed the community to abduct Mrs Orogun, a popular provisions store owner.

According to local sources, the incident happened around 10:30 p.m. when the assailants, numbering about ten, arrived in two unregistered vehicles and began shooting sporadically before seizing their target.

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“It was a sad incident. They came in two vehicles to kidnap two women who sell provisions and cosmetics. Unfortunately, in the process, they shot Okoro dead and whisked away Mrs. Orogun,” a resident, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter.

It was gathered that the gunmen reportedly escaped through the Akure/Owo road with the victim, bypassing the military and multiple security checkpoints.

When contacted, the Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the killing and abduction.

Ayanlade said the gunmen fled in two unregistered vehicles – a silver EOD car headed toward Akure and a grey Toyota Camry headed toward Owo.

He said the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, visited the crime scene on Friday and ordered all tactical commanders to ensure Mrs. Orogun is rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators brought to justice.

“We urge the good people of Ondo State to cooperate with us. Anyone with relevant information should please come forward,” Ayanlade appealed.

The Nation reports that the latest attack and abduction case comes barely two weeks after Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), was kidnapped by a seven-man gang and released after his family paid a N5 million ransom.

Police later arrested the suspects, including a commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, who allegedly facilitated the abduction.

Others arrested are Wasiu Ogungbemi (42), Audu Shaibu (25), Ismaila Abdullahi (24), Nuru Bature (18), Usman Baba (20), and Yusuf Muhammed (23).

• Driver, six others escape

Gunmen have abducted nine passengers at Ogbabo Junction on the Itobe-Anyigba Road, Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State.

The driver of the commercial vehicle conveying the passengers and six others escaped the abduction.

Sources revealed that the incident occurred near Ogbabo Junction at about 4:20 p.m. on Friday.

It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the highway as the Hummer bus conveying the passengers approached.

The bus, which belongs to a transport company, was said to be heading for the Eastern part of the country.

The gunmen were said to have started firing shots, forcing the bus to halt.

The driver of the bus, identified as Sunday Okechi, escaped into the bush along with six passengers while the remaining nine passengers were abducted and marched into the surrounding bushes.

Sources added that the scene of the abduction was about 300 metres to a military checkpoint along Ogbabo-Ochadamu Road.

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Security personnel were reportedly mobilised to the scene, where the bus with registration number ENZ-55 XS and a blue Toyota Carina ‘E’ were found abandoned.

The two vehicles have been taken into safe custody.

Security agencies in collaboration with Vigilante Group of Nigeria members and local hunters have since commenced a search-and-rescue operation to track the kidnappers and the victims.

Spokesman for the state police command, SP William Aya confirmed the incident, assuring that security operatives were working towards rescuing the abducted passengers.

“Yes, we are in touch with our men. The Command is making efforts in collaboration with the military, vigilantes and hunters to rescue the victims and arrest the criminals,” he said.

The Police in Ondo State have confirmed the abduction of two staff members of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) by gunmen on Monday evening.

The duo were reportedly abducted from their residence in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Akure.

“Yes, two AAUA staff were abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. However, our men responded quickly and were able to rescue one of them.

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“The commissioner of police have directed that the rescued individual be debriefed for possible intelligence that may assist in our ongoing efforts to rescue the remaining person,” he said.

NAN gathered that one of the victims, Mr Omoniyi Eleyinmi is a faculty officer in the Faculty of Education and member of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of the university.

Eleyinmi was abducted around 7:00p.m. on Monday at his house located on Supare-Akoko road, Akungba-Akoko.

(NAN)

• Police, human rights activists condemn gruesome killings

Many youths were brutally killed in an attack by gunmen in Umualaoma, Ndiakunwanta and Ndiejezie communities in Arondizogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday night.

The barbaric killing of the defenceless youths has left the communities in shock and fear.

According to eyewitnesses, three yet-to-be-identified gun wielding men on a motorbike opened fire and killed people indiscriminately in the said areas between 10pm and 11pm.

The victims included shop owners and their customers, as well as others who were enjoying the night breeze.

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In Umualaoma Arondizuogu, the gunmen stormed the community, shooting at youths who were playing draft (game) while others were inside shops.

The attack was sudden and deadly, leaving in its trail dead bodies and blood-littered floor, and men and women weeping and wailing.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the community is calling for swift action from the authorities to restore peace and ensure security.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage, with many demanding justice for the victims and their families.

The Imo State Police Command, in an official statement on the incident, strongly condemned the gruesome attack it blamed on “members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN.”

Gunmen suspected to be herders has killed 14 residents of Bokkos, a community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state.

A statement by the chairman of Bokkos Community Development Forum, Barrister Farmasum Fuddang, and the Secretary, Ambassador Duwam Bosco, said the attack took place on Thursday.

The forum said: “The Bokkos Cultural Development Forum is profoundly shocked and saddened by an ambush attack that claimed the lives of at least 14 of our members on Thursday, July 24.

“The scene of the violence has been the site of repeated assaults, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities, including over 60 deaths during the brutal Christmas Eve attack two years ago.”

The statement added that residents had reported sighting large numbers of armed terrorists marching in the direction of the affected villages, with the military confirming ongoing shootout with the terrorists.

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“The latest attack, which occurred near Chirang village in Mangor District, Bokkos Local Government Area, followed an incident two days earlier which resulted in the death of a young man in the same vicinity.

“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies.

“This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts by those who deny the realities of genocide and benefit from the distortion of the issues at hand.

“The facts are clear: this attack, along with ongoing village burnings and takeovers in the Mushere area, is orchestrated by terrorists identifying as members of the Fulani ethnicity.

“Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognised as the potato headquarters of Nigeria.

“This is part of an initial step towards seizing the entire state, with over 150 native villages across central and northern Plateau so far forcibly occupied.

“We unequivocally state that this attack serves as a stark reminder that our adversaries remain active and relentless. We are fully aware of our constitutional rights and will utilise them to the fullest.

“For now, we mourn our fallen members and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying for God’s comfort and the repose of their souls.”

Suspected kidnappers on Thursday night attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting three students.

Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa of the Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the incident on Friday, saying the gunmen stormed the school around 9:00 p.m.

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He condemned the repeated attacks on Catholic institutions, revealing that this is the second assault on the seminary in just 10 months.

“Ten months ago, a priest was kidnapped. Now, three seminarians have been taken and a civil defence officer killed. A local vigilante also sustained gunshot injuries,” Egielewa lamented.

He called on the government at all levels to rise to the challenge of protecting personnel and facilities of the Catholic Church.

“We expect urgent and decisive action from security agencies to restore peace and ensure the safe return of the abducted students,” he added.