Crime
I was framed up, Ex-Deputy Speaker’s son cries out
A Civil Engineer and native of Aji, Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North local government area of Enugu State, Mr. Egiji Atigwe has disclosed that some group of men have turned his community into a den for torture of innocent citizens.
Atigwe therefore asked the Nigeria Security agencies, the human rights commission, the civil Societies and the media to investigate his allegation, stating that he has video proves of his allegation.
He said that it was his disagreement with the alleged torture gang that operates as a vigilante group, and their eviction from his family property that made the group to turn around and asked innocent persons to frame him (Atigwe) up under duress and torture.
A media report based of a torture video had gone viral alleging that Atigwe was a gun rummer for armed robbers and kidnappers, sensationalizing a political dimension on Atigwe’s family other than the crime allegation.
But speaking to newsmen in Enugu, Atigwe, represented by his legal counsel, Chukwuemeka Abuguja, declared the story a false narrative intended for mischief and slander.
He said, “The local security operatives gathered themselves with some torturing equipment and forcefully entered Atigwe family property located at Aji Junction. They were catching people at random with the intention of torturing them and possibly to kill them there. Something similar happened in 2019.
“We saw that as an attempt to kill someone in that property and then start attacking the image of the family. People can’t just come and take over a family property and torture people there with clubs, machetes and guns even without our permission.
“On witnessing this, Egiji asked them out. Fortunately, we have everything on video. Their eviction was not done secretly. Just some weeks after we started noticing sinister moves to set Egiji up or to implicate him.
“Just recently we came across a viral video of one Emenike Egbuike, popularly known as Emzor. His hands were tied back and he was sweating profusely and was talking in a manner that suggested that he was under duress. He said that he was involved in a robbery and my client, Egiji Atigwe, was supplying guns to him.
“So I took my time and enquired from Ugochukwu Asanya because I heard his voice interrogating the boy. I was later told that the boy was in Igboeze North Police station. I requested for the boy and they brought him.
“I interrogated him and he said that he was in front of Aji High School when Ugochukwu Asanya and his team swooped in on him, started beating him from that point. He was torture from 6pm in the evening till 4am the next morning.
“You can see from the video that what they beat people with is logs of wood and not cane. He said that forced him to confess that he is an armed robber and then listed names of the people they want to indict. And they gave him two options, to indict them or he will be killed.
“He said they also made a bonfire and told him that it is either he implicates those persons or he dies in the fire. At that point he accepted to make the confessions to save his own life. If you see his body, you will see the scars of all the things they did to him.”
The lawyer said that the purpose of this whole thing is to defame the character of the Atigwe family.
He narrated that, “The next morning, the another person, Kosi Eya was arrested by the same security outfit who demanded that he mentions Atigwe’s name to corroborate the earlier story. But he refused.
He was able to say no because people were there and they couldn’t possibly kill him in full public glare.
“Till this moment, no exhibit has been recovered from any of these persons who were arrested. Neither has anyone come forward to say he has been kidnapped. At this moment, this case has no complaint.
“I also want to state that no one from the Atigwe family has approached the police to pervert justice. Since the suspects were transferred to anti-kidnapping, no member of the Atigwe family or myself have made any move to pervert justice. I believe investigations will reveal all those involved in this fake story.”
The President General of Aji autonomous Community, Slyverster Ayogu in a telephone interview confirmed that the vigilante group was actually ejected from the Atigwe’s property.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe could not respond to the inquiry made on him over the matter.
I was framed up, Ex-Deputy Speaker’s son cries out
A Civil Engineer and native of Aji, Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North local government area of Enugu State, Mr. Egiji Atigwe has disclosed that some group of men have turned his community into a den for torture of innocent citizens.
Atigwe therefore asked the Nigeria Security agencies, the human rights commission, the civil Societies and the media to investigate his allegation, stating that he has video proves of his allegation.
He said that it was his disagreement with the alleged torture gang that operates as a vigilante group, and their eviction from his family property that made the group to turn around and asked innocent persons to frame him (Atigwe) up under duress and torture.
A media report based of a torture video had gone viral alleging that Atigwe was a gun rummer for armed robbers and kidnappers, sensationalizing a political dimension on Atigwe’s family other than the crime allegation.
But speaking to newsmen in Enugu, Atigwe, represented by his legal counsel, Chukwuemeka Abuguja, declared the story a false narrative intended for mischief and slander.
He said, “The local security operatives gathered themselves with some torturing equipment and forcefully entered Atigwe family property located at Aji Junction. They were catching people at random with the intention of torturing them and possibly to kill them there. Something similar happened in 2019.
“We saw that as an attempt to kill someone in that property and then start attacking the image of the family. People can’t just come and take over a family property and torture people there with clubs, machetes and guns even without our permission.
“On witnessing this, Egiji asked them out. Fortunately, we have everything on video. Their eviction was not done secretly. Just some weeks after we started noticing sinister moves to set Egiji up or to implicate him.
“Just recently we came across a viral video of one Emenike Egbuike, popularly known as Emzor. His hands were tied back and he was sweating profusely and was talking in a manner that suggested that he was under duress. He said that he was involved in a robbery and my client, Egiji Atigwe, was supplying guns to him.
“So I took my time and enquired from Ugochukwu Asanya because I heard his voice interrogating the boy. I was later told that the boy was in Igboeze North Police station. I requested for the boy and they brought him.
“I interrogated him and he said that he was in front of Aji High School when Ugochukwu Asanya and his team swooped in on him, started beating him from that point. He was torture from 6pm in the evening till 4am the next morning.
“You can see from the video that what they beat people with is logs of wood and not cane. He said that forced him to confess that he is an armed robber and then listed names of the people they want to indict. And they gave him two options, to indict them or he will be killed.
“He said they also made a bonfire and told him that it is either he implicates those persons or he dies in the fire. At that point he accepted to make the confessions to save his own life. If you see his body, you will see the scars of all the things they did to him.”
The lawyer said that the purpose of this whole thing is to defame the character of the Atigwe family.
He narrated that, “The next morning, the another person, Kosi Eya was arrested by the same security outfit who demanded that he mentions Atigwe’s name to corroborate the earlier story. But he refused.
He was able to say no because people were there and they couldn’t possibly kill him in full public glare.
“Till this moment, no exhibit has been recovered from any of these persons who were arrested. Neither has anyone come forward to say he has been kidnapped. At this moment, this case has no complaint.
“I also want to state that no one from the Atigwe family has approached the police to pervert justice. Since the suspects were transferred to anti-kidnapping, no member of the Atigwe family or myself have made any move to pervert justice. I believe investigations will reveal all those involved in this fake story.”
The President General of Aji autonomous Community, Slyverster Ayogu in a telephone interview confirmed that the vigilante group was actually ejected from the Atigwe’s property.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe could not respond to the inquiry made on him over the matter.
The Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the criminals do not represent Islam or Muslims.
The position came as public and private schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas shut down in solidarity with the abducted victims.
Also, security analysts in separate interviews, offered differing views on how the Federal Government could respond to the terrorists’ demands.
The abductors, who attacked three schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.
In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community in Oyo State described the terrorists’ action as criminal and contrary to Islamic teachings.
The group said attempts by the abductors to justify their actions through religious rhetoric amounted to a distortion of Islam.
“Islam forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens. Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups,” the statement said.
The organisation added that terrorists could not claim to speak on behalf of Muslims.
“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it stated.
Quoting Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, the community stressed that Islam places a high premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those in captivity.
The development came amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted teachers and pupils.
A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to the government to secure the release of the victims.
“We are aware of the ransom demands of the terrorists, but we are helpless. We are looking up to the government and pleading for intervention,” he said.
Schools shut in 33LGAs
Findings by revealed that the management of private schools issued a statement on Wednesday directing all schools to shut down from Friday, June 5.
One of the internal memos obtained by our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday read, “Due to the situation at hand and the ongoing protest in the state, all pupils and students should stay at home until further notice. No school for now until further notice.”
Also, a message circulated to private schools by the Ibadan District Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Joshua Olaoluwa, and obtained by Saturday PUNCH, read, “Good day, all school owners/administrators. Due to the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire LGA and rising security concerns, all NAPPS member schools in Ibadan District will be closed on Friday, June 5, 2026, as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.
“If anyone tries to disrupt school activities before or after Friday, please record a video if it is safe to do so, report to the nearest police station, and inform your NAPPS LGA coordinator and the district office immediately.”
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fatai Hassan, had earlier disclosed that all public secondary and primary schools would remain closed until the abductees are rescued alive.
Speaking in Ibadan, the chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association of one of the affected schools, who requested anonymity, said, “We had already held a meeting over the closure of the school. You know this is more or less a remote area. It is not that remote, but we cannot compare schools in this environment with those around the Agbowo-UI, Bodija, Sango or Mokola axis.
“But we had to consider those students writing their terminal examinations. Otherwise, we would have joined the public protest since Monday. We eventually shut down the school on Wednesday,” the source said.
It was gathered that the bandits entered the community at about 1am, shooting sporadically to scare residents. They reportedly destroyed two houses before picking up the victim and whisking him away to an unknown destination. The boy, identified as Oluwatobi, is said to be the son of a pastor in the community, Isaac Olaosebikan.
A source said that, on hearing the sporadic gunshots, residents of the community fled their homes and ran to neighbouring communities for safety.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi, who confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
He said, “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday, 5th June 2026, at about 2:30 a.m. by Mr. Olaosebikan Isaac and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun. According to their reports, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the same day, a group of armed men invaded the community, firing gunshots sporadically and causing panic among residents.
He added that personnel of the command and the Amotekun Corps had been mobilised to the scene and had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
“Security operatives combed the surrounding forests and likely escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators,” the PPRO stated.
Jimoh also noted that investigations had commenced while relevant exhibits had been recovered and documented to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down those responsible.
“The State Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical teams, intelligence units and other relevant security assets to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victim unhurt and the arrest of the perpetrators.
“The Command is also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.”
Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other suspects before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the suspects were brought before the court after the conclusion of investigations into the matter.
The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Oriyimi subsequently requested the court to remand the defendants pending further directives from the DPP.
Ruling on the application, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Kano Times recalls that Ogunleye was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road.
Reports at the time indicated that she was allegedly abducted by suspected gunmen shortly after leaving the local government secretariat.
She was later found unharmed during a joint operation involving security agencies.
However, police investigations later alleged that the kidnapping was staged in a bid to raise money to offset financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged act.
Dada described the incident as embarrassing and unacceptable, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in government officials and security agencies.
He further stated that no public office holder would be protected from prosecution if found culpable of any wrongdoing.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain its crackdown on criminal activities through proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on May 30, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., stormed a drinking spot along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway following credible intelligence and arrested two suspected armed robbers and kidnappers identified as Ogbonna Chinonso, 22, and Nnachi Cypril, 35.
Items recovered from the suspects included a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one live cartridge.
Enugu CP
In a separate operation conducted earlier the same day at about 4:30 p.m., VCRU operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, where they arrested a suspected drug dealer, Izunna Ani, 36.
The police said large quantities of substances suspected to be “Loud” and “Kolos” were recovered from the suspect.
The Command noted that investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance, CP Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to ridding Enugu State of violent crimes and other forms of criminality. He also urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue providing useful information to assist the police in combating crime.
Posters bearing the photographs of seven teachers and 39 pupils and students allegedly kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have appeared across several cities and communities in the state.
The posters revealed that one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity.
The abducted teachers were identified as Mrs. Alamu Folawe, Mr. Ojo Jonathan, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus, Mr. John Olaleye, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, Mrs. Oladeji and Mrs. Mary Akanbi.
Also listed on the posters are 39 abducted pupils and students, including Rashida Tajudeen (11), Ahmed Ramoni (8), Abdulsalam Toyib (4), Baraka Abioye (16), Fatimo Jimoh (15), Hassan Azeez (14), Joshua Adeleke (13), Samuel Oyedele (7), Emmanuel Oyedele (4), Idowu Taiwo (4), Christianah Akanbi (2), Juwon Sunday (7), Sikiru Salami (3), Soliu Salami (4), Ojo Joseph (8), Lydia Adewole (8), Testimony Jacob (5), Kehinde Kadosara (7), Sewa Seyi (7), Waliya Bello (4), Lydia Olohunoluwa (7), Damilare Obeirinde (8), Deborah Adebowale (5), Aisha Oguntowo (10), Lege Taiwo (12), Balkis Ayanwale (8), Asa David (10), Shuaibu Aliyu (10), Ahmed Aliyu (7), Muiz Aliyu (5), Jomiloju Ogunlola (6), Agune Ndah (8), Elizabeth Abadi (5), Tosin Abadi (9), Pius Stephen (5), Hannah Ojo (14), Habiday Ayanwale (7), Mary Gabriel (6) and Jacob Gabriel.
According to information contained on the posters, the victims were abducted on May 23, 2025, during an attack on the two schools.
The posters carried the message: “Our teachers. Our children. Our future. They must all come home.”
They also appealed to government authorities, security agencies and members of the public to intensify efforts toward securing the safe return of the victims.
The campaign further called for unity, prayers and collective action, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of children remain non-negotiable.
-
Crime5 days agoOyo abduction: Teachers begin strike as Tinubu sends 1,000 forest guards to rescue victims
-
Education5 days agoEnugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
-
News5 days agoDSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
-
Crime5 days agoUS Announces $3.5m Religious Freedom Initiative, Questions Nigeria’s Response to Attacks
-
Crime4 days ago2 Police Officers Shot Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Chief of Staff’s Convoy
-
News3 days agoPower Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike
-
Politics3 days agoSpeaker suspended over anti-party activities
-
Crime4 days agoAbducted Army General: Gunmen Make Demands, Contact Family