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TB Joshua Died Of Stroke

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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TB Joshua

Prophet T.B Joshua, the popular Nigerian Pentecostal cleric who died four years ago may have died from stroke realted complications, according to Omoyele Sowore, a rights activist.

Sowore made this known during an interview with KaaTruths programme at the weekend, saying the late cleric concealed his ailing condition away from his congregation.

Joshua,  the  founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, a Christian megachurch that runs the popular Emmanuel TV television station in Lagos, died on June 5, 2021, with different speculations on what actually killed him.

But, Sowore said the late prophet tired all he could to survive his ailment, including seeking medical treatment in Turkey, but eventually succumbed to the pains of death four years ago.

According to Sowore, some Men of God, MoG, had deceived their congregation to seek spiritual solutions to their problems while they travel abroad to treat themselves whenever they are unwell.

“TB Joshua, when he had a stroke, didn’t even go to a Christian country. He went to Turkey. He spent time in Turkey treating his stroke. He was flown there by his private jet,” Sowore stated.

“But many people never heard that TB Joshua was treated in Turkey when he had a stroke,” he said.

“Part of what I heard killed him is that he was hiding his sickness, and when he was supposed to go for the treatment, he didn’t want the public to know that he had a stroke. It was never made public.

“I wondered, if TB Joshua had a stroke and this our brother in Port Harcourt (Prophet Umueke Miracle of Dynamic Flame of Fire and Miracle Ministries) has the ability to cure stroke, TB Joshua could have been one of the people he could have used. He shouldn’t have allowed a brother-man of God to die of stroke. That is unfair,” he said.

“TB Joshua died of stroke and we have a stroke magician in Port Harcourt. He could have just flown to Lagos, placed his hand on TB Joshua, and we would have TB Joshua with us today,” Sowore declared.

#Terrible President: NYSC Member Who Criticised Tinubu Remains Defiant, Atiku Backs Her

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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NYSC Uguamaye

Ushie Uguamaye, a member of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, who recently criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained defiant in the face of intimidation by some government officials.

A video had gone viral at the weekend where Uguamaye described President Tinubu as a ‘Terrible President’ who has failed to find solutions to the economic hardship in the country.

Under his watch, the NYSC member who is currently serving in Lagos said the conditions of Nigerians have gone from bad to worse, siting as an example, some bad roads in the state.

She also criticized the administration for paying NYSC peanuts which is not enough to meet their needs.

Following her outburst, an official of the NYSC had called and threatened her,  with a warning that she faced severe consequences if she refused to bring down the video from her Tiktok account.

She has been summoned by the NYSC management to appear before them on Monday.

The magazine reports that the video has attracted mixed reactions form not a few Nigerians, and across the world, among those supporting her and those who criticised her action.

For insatnce, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar described her as bold, and one of Nigeria’s  future leaders, noting that the country needs people like her who says it as it is without whose ox is gored.

In the face of this, Uguamaye insists that she had done no wrong by criticising the president, reinforcing  her right to speak out as a Nigerian.

According to the post on her Tiktok account,  she insist that being a corp member has now taken away her right as a Nigerian to criticised the government, warning the NYSC to ‘leave me alone’.

Apart from the NYSC, she claimed that some people have been threatening her for her action, saying that Nigerians should know who to hold responsible if anything happened to her.

Uguamaye wrote, “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. In less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board!

“Dear Nigerians, they have my address. In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong. I just asked that they work on the inflation.

“Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up for my right to complain.

“Why can’t the government listen to the criticisms of its citizens? They believe they have a chain on me, which is NYSC, and they are using it to hold me. #officialasiwajubat I didn’t do anything wrong. I criticised your government, and I demand that we are being heard.”

Uguamaye went further to state that she would not delete the post because it would amount to covering up whatever punishment was meted out to her.

She urged the NYSC authorities to desist from threatening her since she had been instructed to report to the office on Monday.

“She’s asking people to identify me? I’m not a criminal. Reading the NYSC rules, I didn’t commit any crime. Ask the NYSC lady to stop asking people to point me out. At this point, she’s acting scary.

“Dear NYSC, if you say a corper has faulted, you wouldn’t treat them like this and scare them! You are scaring me for my dear life. Please, leave me alone. You told me to report to the office on Monday. Okay! What else? Why are you looking for me?”

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Atiku applauds Uguomaye’s courage, urging Nigerians to support her, describing her as a symbol of a new generation of politically active Nigerians who are prepared to hold government accountable.

Atiku: “Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.

“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition.

“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future.’

Not a few Nigerians insist that Uguamaye had only said the truth about the current situation in the country. Many Nigerians will do the same thing if they have the opportunity and medium to do so, according to the critics of the Tinubu’s administration.

Over 50 Kidnappers’ Camps In South West, Act Now Afenifere Tells Govs

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Recently freed National Youth President of Afenifere, Eniola Ojajuni has called on the governors of the south west Nigeria to rise up to the threat posed by kidnappers in the region.

According to to him, the clarion call becomes necessary following his recent experience with some kidnappers, where he observed that the criminals have set up various camps across the zone. At least, 55 of such camps now exist across the six south west states, the Afenifre chieftain said.

The magazine reported that Ojajuni was abducted in Ondo state on his way to Abuja, the nation’s capital last month, and held him for 17 days before he was eventually released by the criminals after collecting over N30 ransom from his family.

The kidnappers had earlier demanded N100 million threatening to kill him if the family failed to raise the money.

Speaking during a press conference Ojajuni said the kidnappers have set up camps in forests across Ibilo, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos, where they keep their victims, who were either killed or release, whatever they decided.

He urged the governors in the zone to work with youths in the area, by setting up  a Southwest Youth Security Network in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Forest Guards Team to enhance intelligence gathering, which will help in stemming the rising tide of abductions.

He explained that the kidnappers are equipped with AK47 assault rifles and other equipment, including sophistication intelligent gathering tools that make it impossible for security agencies to track them.

He added that he is ready to work with security agencies such as the Nigerian police to help track the criminals, who he said have decided to make the Ijebu-Ode Sagamu expressway as their major base.

“I am ready to provide firsthand intelligence on these kidnappers’ operations, gained during my captivity, to help dismantle their networks.

“They revealed details of their operations along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road weeks before my abduction. If urgent measures are not taken, more innocent lives will be at risk,” he said.

In January, Governor Seyi Makinde revealed that some terrorists have set up camps in Fashola, one of the town in Oke Ogun part of the state, saying the government was on top of the situation.

Also recently, Ondo state have been under constant attacks of terrorists and bandits who set some villages on fire, and killed residents in four communities in the state.

Rivers State Budget: “We Have Not Received Any Letter From Fubara” – Lawmakers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Speaker Martin Amaewhule

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Sunday, March 26, 2025, claimed that it has not received any letter from Governor Siminalayi.

The Source reports that the Governor on Friday, March 14, publicly declared that he has again dispatched a letter to the lawmakers, indicating his willingness to re-present the budget estimate on Wednesday, March 19. 2025 ,at 11.00 am.

The Governor had, also, in the letter dated March 13, and addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewfule, expressed readiness to come to the House at any other date, as may be deemed fit by the legislators.

Governor Fubara in the letter informed that his quest to re-present the budget estimate to the House is in compliance with the February 28, 2025, Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers state crisis.

He also urged the Lawmakers to put aside any perceived political differences and work in the overall interests of the people of Rivers.

Curiously, the lawmakers proceeded on an  indefinite recess same day the Governor was expecting them to deliberate on his proposed visit for the budget presentation.

Before the letter of March 13, the Governor had been humiliated by the legislators during his first attempt at  presenting  the appropriation bill on Wednesday March 12. He was not allowed to enter the Assembly Quarters.

This was even as the Governor claimed that he had earlier written to the House to intimate it of his intention to present the budget on the day.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday  by Dr Enemi Alabo, the Chairman House Committee on Information, the Lawmakers challenged Governor Fubara to provide proof of the acknowledged copy of the said letter to the House as regards his intention to represent the budget.

“Last week Wednesday, we were told that the Governor was on his way to Ogoni for a programme when, suddenly, he made a stop over at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press.

“In that interview he claimed that he had sent a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his intention to visit and present the appropriation bill, a claim we found rather astonishing as no such letter was received by the House of Assembly.

“His aides later alleged that they forwarded a letter through WhatsApp to some members of the House which was also awkward, unprofessional and embarrassing.

“As I speak, the social media space is awash with stories about a purported letter from the Governor to the House of Assembly expressing his intention to visit the House to present the appropriation bill for the year 2025.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. We want to  state categorically that there is no such letter before the House of Assembly nor any of its staff.

“We challenge the Governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgement copy of such a letter or evidence that such a letter was sent or received by the House of Assembly.

“It is absolutely untrue and unfortunate. The general public must, as a matter of importance, ignore such claim.

“It is now very obvious that if at all there was such a letter, the intended recipient was not the Legislature, but the public, and the clear intention was to play to the gallery, whip up public sentiment, demonize the House of Assembly and set the public against us. This is demeaning.,denigrating and perilously unfortunate.

Recall that after the recent Supreme court judgment on the budget of our state, it became absolutely necessary for the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency ,Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara to present the appropriation bill to the legislature for consideration and passage.

Also recall that immediately after the judgment ,this House wrote to the Governor, calling on him to immediately present the budget for speedy consideration.

It was our hope that by 15th of March ,we would have concluded the process of passing the appropriation bill into law ,so as to give us enough time to approach the Federal Government to release funds meant for our state which have been seized by the judgment of the Supreme court.

This we deed in the interest of our dear state ,and in pursuit of peace ,recognizing that no Government can function optimally without a harmonious co-existence between the executive and the legislature.

This letter was rejected and the staff of the House of Assembly who attempted to deliver the mails were brutalized at the gate of Government House and sent back.

Undeterred ,by this ,the House resorted to the use of courier services to deliver the mail  .The Governor did not heed our call ,nor did he demonstrate any intentions to.” the Law makers stated.

According to the House Committee Chairman ,the Governor is the one frustrating the efforts of the House to work in harmony with the executive.

He insisted that the House has shown enough willingness to cooperate ,but that the Governor has continued to demonstrate insincerity of purpose.

The Assembly spokesperson however ,noted that as an  independent arm of the Government ,the Governor should accept the fact that they are not an appendage of the executive arm .

” We are an independent arm of Government in line the principles of horizontal separation of power as expressed in section 4 ,5 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended” the House noted

2027: Jandor Set To Announce His Political Move Tomorrow

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Olajide Adediran - Jandor

By Akinwale Kasali

Days after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Olajide Adediran, popular as Jandor, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate at the 2023 Gubernatorial Election in Lagos is set to announce the new political Party he is joining on Monday 17th March, 2025.

Jandor dumped the PDP few a days ago, citing Indiscipline and anti-party activities, betrayal by the party leadership on the eve of the Lagos Governorship election and false claims of an alliance that misled PDP supporters into voting for another candidate.

He had, particularly, blamed former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, for playing a significant role in his political struggles within the party.

Jandor’s spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, confirmed over the weekend that he will address the Press at Liberty Place, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos, to disclose his next political step.

Before meeting with President Tinubu at Aso Rock days ago, Jandor had met with several political leaders, including: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,  Former President Ibrahim Babangida, Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and 2023 SDP Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, before dumping the PDP weeks back.

According to Ogunleye, “Jandor has had meeting with several political leaders and stakeholders, these meetings are part of Jandor’s ongoing political consultations following his exit from the PDP.

“The National Secretary of the PDP and other party leaders had also reached out to Jandor, appealing for him to reconsider his resignation”.

Though, Ogunleye hinted that there have been intense interest from major political parties, disclosing that: “Overtures from major political interests are intense.

“Jandor cannot decide alone. The best decision will be made by the stakeholders this weekend and he will unveil his political moves by Monday”, Ogunleye stated.

Fresh Crisis Rocks Lagos Assembly

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda

By Akinwale Kasali

Despite the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the crisis bedeviling the Lagos State House of Assembly over the impeachment and reinstatement of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, another fresh Crisis has surfaced.

President Tinubu had told the Lawmakers, when he summoned them to Abuja, to rally round Obasa and support him to succeed.

Now, however, there is a brewing feud between re-elected Speaker, Obasa and his Deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, which has continued to divide the Assembly, setting the two parties on a collision course.

Days after the meeting and resolution, controversy has trailed the alleged purchase of N5 Billion Vehicles for 40 Lawmakers by the then Speaker, Meranda.

It was gathered that Meranda, who presided over the Legislative Arm for 49 days, purportedly led the purchase of about 40 Vehicles for the Lawmakers during the period Obasa was impeached.

Obasa was said to have, in December, 2024, approved the sum of N7 Billion for the Purchase of the SUVs  before he was impeached on January 13, 2025.

Following his reinstatement as Speaker, with the backing of President Tinubu, he is contending why the SUVs were purchased with funds withdrawn from the Assembly’s Account without his authorisation.

It was gathered that Obasa had plans of purchasing the Vehicles from Dubai, United Arab Emirates for N7 Billion, having contacted a bidder for the contract.

Sources said that before Obasa’s impeachment, he  had approved the money,  but Meranda proceeded with buying them.

Meranda was said to have saved N2 billion by purchasing 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV and seven units of Toyota Landcruiser, 2025, at the sum of N5 billion, rather than the N7 billion budgeted by Obasa.

A source in the Assembly who claimed anonymity stated that unlike Obasa who had planned to import the Vehicles from Dubai, all the Cars were locally supplied.

He stated that It is imperative to note that no money was withdrawn by Meranda; she only reviewed an existing approval.

“Interestingly, Meranda spent far less money to acquire better quality cars and didn’t even approve a single one for the office of the Speaker that she occupied,” the source stated.

Spokesperson to Meranda, Victor Ganzallo, declined to make a comment on the issue, saying that an official statement would be issued in due course.

2027: Lamido Lashes El-Rufai, Restates Commitment, Loyalty To PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Sule Lamido and Nasir el-Rufai

By Akinwale Kasali

Following Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to Social Democratic Party, SDP, he  has been luring opposition leaders to join the New Party he has pitched his political tent with.

But former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has outrightly rejected El-Rufai’s call to join SDP.

Though the former Kaduna State Governor never mentioned Lamido’s name, he invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP.

El-Rufai had made this call during an interview.

But reacting to El-Rufai’s call, Lamido, while answering questions fielded by the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service on Sunday, March 16, 2025, described the former Governor’s  invitation as an insult, saying the PDP laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.

“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido said.

He added, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria’s  politics, but now, he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

Lamido also questioned El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his leadership style.

“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” the PDP chieftain said.

Restating his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido said the opposition party has not done anything to warrant his defection.

“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed.

“What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone.

“The PDP has been working to rebuild its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election,” he concluded.

Unremitted FAAC Funds: Reps Public Accounts Committee Recovers ₦28.7 Billion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akin Rotimi Jnr

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives through its Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recovered about ₦28.7 billion from two oil companies indebted to the Federation Account.

The Committee’s investigation, which is based on findings from the 2021 Audit Report, focuses on 45 oil companies collectively owing $1.7 billion in outstanding liabilities to the Federation.

According to the report, the amount was recovered from two oil companies among several others being probed.

The spokesman of the green house, Akin Rotimi Jnr, in a statement on Sunday disclosed that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been furnished with evidence of these payments for final verification.

“Additionally, Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd. had made a $30 million payment towards its $100.28 million debt before the investigation commenced and has requested a structured repayment plan for the outstanding balance.

The statement named Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (formerly Mobil Producing) which it said now holds a credit balance of $211,911.09 for crude oil royalty, $33.01 million for gas flare penalties, and $163,046.40 for concession rentals, with no outstanding liabilities.

“The Committee commended Seplat Energy for its prompt compliance with its financial obligations.

“Furthermore, the Committee reaffirmed its commitment to deploying all constitutionally sanctioned measures to recover outstanding debts from the remaining 38 oil companies under investigation.

The report further highlighted that four companies have fully settled their obligations and are no longer financially liable.

“Also, the House Committee on Public Accounts has successfully recovered ₦199.3 million out of an outstanding ₦6.8 billion, comprising excessive charges levied between March and October 2015 and unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT) on transactions processed via the Remita platform from 2015 to 2022.

“The House of Representatives had, in 2024, mandated the Committee to investigate revenue leakages and non-remittance of funds by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through Remita.

According to the report, the Federal Government had previously directed value chain providers, including banks, Remita, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to refundbone percent transaction charges collected via Remita between March and October 2015.

“An audit of records from banks and Remita revealed that while ₦7,626,503,441.42 had been refunded, an outstanding sum of ₦1,984,355,431.08 remained unpaid.

-“Applying the prevailing Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 27.25%, the accumulated interest on the unpaid sum amounts to ₦4,842,928,161.36, bringing the total refundable amount to ₦6,827,283,592.44.

“Further investigations uncovered non-remittance of VAT on transactions processed via Remita. The CBN acknowledged an outstanding VAT liability of ₦521,765,134.17 for transactions between November 2018 and April 2024, which remains unsettled.

“Despite these recoveries, several other value chain providers are yet to comply with VAT remittance requirements and other under-remittances identified in the investigation.

“These recoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of the oversight function of the National Assembly in ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

“We will continue to engage with relevant institutions and deploy all necessary legislative tools to recover outstanding debts and prevent revenue leakages. Our objective is to ensure that every kobo due to the Federation is accounted for and remitted accordingly.

“The House of Representatives through the Public Accounts Committee remains committed to upholding financial discipline, strengthening institutional accountability, and safeguarding public resources in the national interest.”

Katsina: How Security Operatives Foiled Banditry Attack

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Aliyu Abubakar Musa - CP Katsina Command

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Katsina State Police Command on Sunday March 16, 2025, announced the killing of one insurgent and the abortion of a deadly bandit attack on  Dan Takuri Community in Danmusa Local Council of the State.

A statement from the State Police Command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq DSP, informed that the banditry attack was foiled by a combined team of operatives from the Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Katsina State community Watch Corps on Saturday March 15,

The bandits had targeted  residents of Dan Takuri in Danmusa for a  massive onslaught after amassing at Maijele Mountain, but for the timely intervention of Security personnel, the  Police statement noted.

The operation, the Police statement noted, was driven by the availability of credible intelligence.

“On the 15th of March, 2025 at about 12:30hrs, based on credible intelligence received from the operatives of Department of State Services in Danmusa that bandits in their numbers were assembling at Maijele Mountain of Danmusa LGA in a bid to launch an attack on Dan Takuri village of Danmusa LGA Katsina, we took note.

“Upon receipt of the information, promptly, a joint team of Police Operatives and members of the KSCWC led by the DPO, Danmusa, stormed the Mountain where the suspected bandits were assembling.

A fierce gun duel ensued, resulting in the neutralization of one of the bandits due to superior tactics and firepower of the operatives as several others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

“While scanning the scene, items were recovered, included one AK-47 rifle with three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one unregistered red Boxer motorcycle, 50 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 32 bottles of soft drinks one cutlass and dangerous drugs.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina Command Aliyu Abubakar Musa ,while commending the operatives for their professionalism and exceptional act of valour, reiterated the Command’s commitment towards collaborating with sister security agencies in ensuring the protection of lives and properties of the good people of Katsina” part of the police statement reads.

The Source reports that Danmusa Local Council remains one  of the operational fortresses of  bandits in the State.

Katsina state itself is regarded as one of the  epicentres of banditry and other related criminal activities within the North West region of Nigeria.

Six Killed, Four Rescued In Police Assault, As Otti Orders Demolition Of Building Used By Kidnappers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Danladi Isah - Abia State Commissioner of Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isah, has vowed to make the State unsafe for abductors ,and other criminal elements to operate.

This is just as the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, directed the immediate demolition of a bungalow used as detention cell ,and operational base by kidnappers in the Osisioma Local Council of the State.

The duo spoke at a joint media briefing Saturday evening, March 15, 2025, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia where they announced the killing of six members of an abduction syndicate, and the rescue of four of their victims.

The CP informed that the neutralization of the hoodlums and the rescue of the victims were as a result of an intelligence-driven operation by officers of the Command’s Tactical Unit, in Osokwa Community, Osisioma, Ngwa Local Government Area of the State.

“On March 9, four men were kidnapped along Umuahia New Road, in Obingwa Local Government Area, by unknown gunmen.

“On receipt of a distress call, our tactical team immediately swung into action, utilizing our technology to track the kidnappers’ location in Osisioma.

“Yesterday ( Friday March 14,) we moved in and encountered them in a fierce gun battle. Despite being under intense fire, our Tactical Team successfully rescued the victims and neutralized six of the kidnappers”, CP Isah stated .

A statement from the Police Command  further noted that two AK-47 rifles ,six magazines ,and 34 rounds of live ammunition were among the items recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout.

The Police Command noted that concerted efforts are underway to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State, CP Danladi Isah, has advised the good people of Abia State to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station”, the Police statement added .

The Abia State Governor warned that his administration will not spare any building and property identified as kidnappers’ cell or operational  base .

“I directed earlier today ( Saturday,March 15,2025) that the bungalow in Osokwa ,Osisioma Local Government Area used in holding the four rescued kidnap victims  be completely demolished.

“We will also identify and prosecute the owner of the building”, Governor Otti assured.

Similarly, the Abia state Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ,Prince Uzor Nwachukwu to demand for an official explanation from the Traditional Ruler of Osokwa Community on how kidnapped victims  could be held in his area for five days  without his knowledge.

This is even as he commended the Police Commissioner and his tactical unit operatives for their efforts in rescuing the kidnapped victims unhurt.

He also hinted on plans to handsomely reward the Police Officers who carried out the rescue operation.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve not to cede any parts of the State to criminal elements.

“We have made it clear that no part of Abia will be ceded to criminals .On behalf of the Abia state Government ,I thank you for your efforts . I have already whispered to the CP that a financial reward awaits you (the operatives)

“There have been a lot of operations going in the State against criminal elements, but the way this one happened has given us much hope that we are on top of the security situation in the state.

“I want to congratulate the CP and his team for doing the needful and rescuing our people who were kidnapped a few days ago.

“We thank God that none of them (victims) was wounded because in the exchange of gunfire, anything can happen. We thank God they were all rescued safely”, the Governor noted.

The Abia State Governor assured of his administration’s readiness to continue upgrading the State’s security framework, leveraging on modern technological tools

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