The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hoodlums

  • JUST IN: Hoodlums kidnap A’Ibom monarch

    JUST IN: Hoodlums kidnap A’Ibom monarch

    Hoodlums have kidnapped the paramount ruler of Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom state, HRM Ogwong Okon A. Abang.

    The monarch was reportedly abducted  in his palace at Ebughu at about 9pm Saturday.

    Recall that doctors in the state have suspended services over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr John Robbin Esu, who is still being held by his abductors.

    Similar to the kidnapping of Dr. Esu in Oron LGA, the abduction of the Paramount Ruler of Mbo, another area within the Oron nation, raises further concerns about the collapsed security infrastructure.

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    This has made the Oron nation increasingly vulnerable to criminal activities in recent times.

    The wife of Chief Asukwo Eweme Ulap Okon, aka Levile, a prominent political figure was also abducted in Oron last week.

    Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Waheed Ayilara and other service Commanders were moving to the Ebughu Palace of the victim at the time of filing this report.

  • JUST IN: Hoodlums on rampage, set Lagos market on fire

    JUST IN: Hoodlums on rampage, set Lagos market on fire

    Hoodlums on Thursday, May 2, clashed at the Ile-Epo area of Lagos state, leaving many people injured while some shops were set on fire.

    Many goods were destroyed in the process.

    The Nation learnt that a fight broke out in the market situated in the area on Wednesday night and continued till Thursday morning.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Many injured as hoodlums attack Ekiti LG secretariat over land disputes

    The police tried to intervene but the hoodlums resisted and hurled stones at the fire service truck that arrived to put out the fire.

    Details shortly…

  • Hoodlums behead Police Inspector in A’Ibom

    Hoodlums behead Police Inspector in A’Ibom

    Fear has enveloped residents of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, over the gruesome murder of a Police Inspector identified as Osang.

    Inspector Osang was beheaded Wednesday night by a gang of 10 hoodlums who attacked him

    at his private residence around Enen Afaha and Afaha Ube, a suburb within Uyo metropolis.

    An eyewitness said that there was heavy shooting as residents and passersby scampered to safety.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Mac-Don, confirmed that the command had received the news of the unfortunate murder of the police personnel.

    “We have received that information and it is an unfortunate situation. Already, an investigation is ongoing and we are committed to ridding the streets of criminal elements.

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    “Again, we are not deterred and we are committed to ensuring that criminal minded persons will account for their actions,” said the PPRO.

    Relatedly, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, read the riot act to criminals, warning that against testing his administration’s resolve on security matters.

    Eno gave the warning at a gala-night for service commanders who have been posted out of the state, and the newly promoted military Generals from Akwa Ibom State.

    He said: “if criminals believe that Akwa Ibom State is a place for them to hibernate, I am warning them to stay away. We have credible intelligence that there are those living among us…we will come after you and we will use every layer of our intelligence available to track you,” said Governor Eno.

  • ‘Hoodlums’ attack church, kill three worshippers 

    ‘Hoodlums’ attack church, kill three worshippers 

    It was a tragic Christmas Eve in Ebonyi State as gunmen invaded Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu in Abakaliki Local Government, killing three parishioners 

    Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, confirmed the incident which occurred during a vigil mass on Sunday night.

    He made this known during yesterday’s Christmas service at Saint Theresa Cathedral Church.

    He said the killing occurred at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki Local Government of Ebonyi State at 11:30pm.

    Read Also: Hoodlums attack govt agency in Abuja

    The bishop, who described the incident as sad, prayed for the repose of their souls.

    He said the suspected killers invaded the church while a priest was celebrating a vigil mass service, killed and injured many others.

    Nworie said such an unfortunate act had never happened in the church.

    “This is the first time such an incident has happened in the church and in Ebonyi State in general,” the bishop said.

    Police Commissioner Augustina Ogbodo could not be reached for comments at press time.

  • Hoodlums attack govt agency in Abuja

    Hoodlums attack govt agency in Abuja

    • Police arrest 19

    The Joint Task Force Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on City Sanitation, yesterday arrested 19 hoodlums who attacked Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Wuse, Abuja.

    The hoodlums stormed the premises in the early hours of yesterday, over the demolition of a Mechanic Village in Kubwa, by officials of the AMMC Department of Development Control.

    The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, told reporters after the incident that the workers in the building were going about their official assignments when the hoodlums besieged the premises.

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    He said 19 of the protesters were arrested for the violent disruption of peace in the area.   The Secretary, FCTA’s Command and Control, Dr Peter Olumuji, said that the task force was out on enforcement duty when the distress call came in from development control over the protest.

  • Hoodlums kill four in Plateau community

    Hoodlums kill four in Plateau community

    • Mutfwang condemns attack.

    Suspected gunmen have killed four persons at Gundum village, in Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.

    Shedrack Gambo, a relative of the victims, said four persons died in the attack, while some sustained injuries.

    “Four persons died in the attack and others were injured. The community is in shock and grieving. Please, pray for us,” he said.

    Spokesman for the Military Task Force, Captain James Oya, confirmed the incident to The Nation in Jos yesterday.

    “I have called the commander of the FOB and he confirmed the figure. He explained that when the troops got to the village, it was like the assailants went there for a specific person, with the village head as the target.

    “According to what the troops were told, the assailants on arrival were asking for the house of the village head. When the people saw what was happening, they started running away,” he said.

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    He said the bandits razed the house of the village head with his family members inside before troops who were alerted rescued the victims.

    Oya said: “The village head also escaped, but the assailants set his house ablaze. But for the intervention of the soldiers, the wives of the village head and his children, who were locked inside the house, would have died because the house was still on fire when the troops got there and everywhere was filled with smoke.”

    He added that the troops had to break into the house and rescue the people.

    Governor Caleb Mutfwang has condemned the attack.

    In a condolence message, he sympathised with the affected families, decrying the barbaric and unacceptable nature of the orchestrated attack.

  • Hoodlums burn houses, vehicles

    Hoodlums burn houses, vehicles

    • Protesters storm Anambra Govt House
    • Soludo: troublemakers will be arrested

    Protesters from Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State yesterday stormed Government House, Awka to protest the burning of their houses and vehicles by suspected hoodlums

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo warned that anyone trying to cause mayhem would be arrested and prosecuted.

    The protesters carried placards and blocked the gate of the Government House, with security men on hand to guard the area Soludo condemned the action by the suspected hoodlums.

    He said anyone involved would be apprehended and brought to book.

    He spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, while addressing the people of Iyowa community under the umbrella of Iyowa Community Landlords Residents Association in Ogbaru Local Government.

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    The governor said government would intervene. He assured the protesters that justice must surely take its course.

    According to him, the government will take the matter seriously to ensure that it is resolved amicably.

    “My humble self and the state at large condemn the act.

    “The current administration will not relent its efforts to make sure the vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous state in Nigeria is achieved.

    “We advise you all, particularly, members of Iyowa Community Landlord Residents Association, to remain calm and give us time to look into the matter for a peaceful resolution”

    The leader of the protesters, Dr. Tony Chukwunoso Princewill, who addressed reporters after the protest, informed the government that those behind the attack were still moving around the streets of their houses for further destructions.

    He said 10 storey buildings and 30 vehicles were torched by the hoodlums alleged to have been led by one of the indigenes of Odekpe community on November 7, 2023 at about 7am.

    He added that the hoodlums also inflicted injuries on residents during the attack.

    He said they marched on the Government House to draw the governor’s attention, for immediate action.

    According to him, “Iyowa is a layout owned by Odekpe community and residents in the layout are strangers; Igbo, Yoruba, Hausas and others.  “The problem started when we refused to continue to pay multiple levies to the hoodlums.”

  • Hoodlums invade Rivers varsity females hostel, rob, rape students

    Hoodlums invade Rivers varsity females hostel, rob, rape students

    Hoodlums armed with guns and machetes have broken into a female hostel at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, robbing and raping students.

    The Nation gathered that the raid occurred at hostels D and C where many students are accommodated close to the school’s back gate.

    It was learnt that the attackers gained entry into the premises by forcing their way through the laundry at about 1:45am when the girls were sleeping.

    They carted away mobile phones, cash and other valuables in a 45-minute operation.

    One of the students, who spoke in confidence, said: “About four female students were injured. They (the attackers) were armed with guns and machetes.

    “They operated for about 45 minutes, collected phones, cash and other valuable items belonging to the girls”, he said.

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    It was gathered that angered by the incident, the students began to protest within the campus at about 8am blaming the school management for what they called poor security.

    The management was said to have shut the two entrances of the school to prevent the riot from escalating.

    RSU Students’ Union Government President, Anele Miracle, was said to be holding meetings with the Chief Security Officer of the school.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident but said no student was raped.

    “It is not true. They only stole their phones,” Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said

  • Hoodlums shoot police escort, snatch N10 million

    An expatriate with a ceramic company at Obajana in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State was reportedly attacked on Tuesday by yet-to-be identified gunmen, who snatched N10million from him.

    The expatriate, who was said to be returning from a bank in company of a police escort, was attacked at a filling station close to Ganaja village a suburb of Lokoja.

    Initial reports indicated the sole police escort was said to have been killed by the suspected robbers.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap woman in Oyo

    But when contacted, Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Busari, who confirmed the attack, said the policeman was shot on his legs.He disclosed that several arrests have been made in connection with the robbery.

    The CP added that investigation into the matter has commenced and the outcome will soon be made public.

  • Benue set to crack down on hoodlums, says Ortom 

    THERE will be a statewide crackdown on criminals in Benue State beginning from tomorrow, Governor Samuel Ortom declared yesterday in Agasha, Guma local government area.

    He spoke at a thanksgiving service at NKST Church, Agasha, which was organised in his honour by the Nongov Community Development Association.

    The governor stated that with the end of the one-week prayer and fasting programme organised in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), it was time to match faith with works.

    Ortom warned that criminal elements would have no hiding place.

    The governor said a task force comprising the military, the police, civil defence, as well as other security agencies will be engaged to fish out the criminals.

    He said the operation would be targetted at kidnappers and cultists, who have been harassing innocent people.

    He reminded them of the Benue State law prohibiting kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes.

    The governor stated that the objective of the crackdown would be to restore peace to troubled areas, particularly in the Sankera, Gboko, Kwande and other places across the state to enable economic and other activities to flourish.

    Ortom said he was confident that the war against crime would also be won.

    He urged the people to reconcile with one another, noting that the time for politicking was over.

    He reiterated his call on others who contested elections against him to join hands for the state’s growth.

    In his sermon, Reverend Thomas Chieve enjoined Christians to imbibe thanksgiving, which he said was pleasing to God.