Crime
Reign Of Terror As Gunmen Takeover Bayelsa, High Court Judge Kidnapped
He was kidnapped in front of a popular eatery known as Kilimanjaro at about 7 p.m. after a struggle.
The judge, according to many legal practitioners in the state, was in the company of two of his daughters to buy a loaf of bread from the eatery before the gunmen struck.
He was described as a confident judge who usually drove himself around town without designated security during off-duty hours. He was also a former State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Eyewitnesses at the eatery and those across at Ekeki Park confirmed that the abducted judge was trailed to the eatery by the armed men dressed in full police combat regalia with masks covering their faces.
Two of the men were seen alighting from a Nissan Hilux vehicle and tapping on the car window, which was rolled down by the judge, who was on a call with his mobile phone.
One eyewitness said he overheard the men telling the judge, “Our Oga wants to see you,” but the judge responded, “Are you aware I am a judge? Tell your Oga to come and see me here.”
The two armed men were seen walking away from his vehicle and making some calls to an unknown person. They later returned, knocked loudly on the judge’s car, forcefully opened the door, and dragged him out.
The judge, who seemed offended, was seen struggling with the gunmen while passersby watched in awe.
He was eventually forced into the white Nissan Hilux vehicle after much struggle. The incident lasted over 50 minutes.
A military personnel was sighted on the close-circuit camera of the eatery contemplating intervening in the altercation between the judge and the gunmen, “but thought better of it.”
However, a loud gunshot fired into the ground made the decision for him, and he scampered back into the eatery to avoid getting killed.
“I thought they were police or men of the DSS. But they were not carrying that funny (uzzi) rifle like the DSS, neither was their uniform marked ‘Police’. But they wore black on black with bulletproof jackets like the police. After the real police arrived, many people realized those others were kidnappers,” an eyewitness said.
Some staff of the eatery told newsmen that, in the midst of the struggle, the kidnapped judge’s mobile phone and a pouch containing his identity cards, ATM cards, and National ID card fell. Two mobile phones belonging to the kidnappers also fell.
A police source at the Ekeki Divisional Headquarters corroborated the claims, stating that a passerby picked up the judge’s phone and handed it to the police.
Contacted on the development, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mohammed Musa, confirmed the incident and said the command has started a discreet investigation.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed that the killer of the four-year-old boy, Godspower Ebisimiagh, also known as Bobby, is a member of a notorious cult group.
He was reportedly contracted to procure a boy for a charm-related human ritual.
According to the police, although an autopsy has been ordered on the corpse of the deceased boy, a discreet investigation is ongoing to verify the claims that the killer was paid the alleged sum of a million naira to kill the boy.
The suspect, who spoke with journalists in police custody, confirmed that he is 24 years old and a member of the notorious Greenlanders cult gang.
He, however, denied being paid N1 million to kill and bring the boy for cult-related ritual. “I was not paid to bring the boy for ritual,” he said.
On why he murdered the 6-year-old boy and kept the corpse in a sack, Bobby, whose head was wrapped in a heavily blood-stained bandage after a mob tried to lynch him, said he was on drugs when he smashed the boy on the floor and kept the remains in a sack.
“On that fateful day, I took ice (cocaine), and while I was eating with the boy, I stood up and smashed him on the floor,” he said.
A claim one of the senior policemen contradicted, accusing him of lacing the food given to the boy with poison: “If he smashed the boy on the floor, why was there no sign of injury on the body?”
A question Bobby could not answer as at the time our correspondent left the State Police Headquarters.
The State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, while speaking with our correspondent, said he allowed media interaction with the suspect to dismiss the claim of a cover-up or that he had died in police custody after the angry mob tried to lynch him.
He confirmed that the police are investigating the allegations of the suspect being contracted to procure a small boy for human sacrifice by his cult group. “We are also conducting an autopsy to know if the food given to the boy was laced with poison.”
He said he has assured gender advocacy groups and the Federation of Women Lawyers, who earlier paid a courtesy visit to the deceased boy’s family, that due diligence would be followed to ensure justice.
Recall that 6-year-old Muhammadu Bilah was allegedly murdered last Tuesday by Godspower Ebisimiagh, also known as Bobby, at the Aritalin area of Ovom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking on insecurity in the state over the last six months, former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Udengs Eradiri, said over 40 persons had lost their lives to cult-related killings in the last four months.
He called on the State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri—whom he accused of remaining silent since the unholy incidents began—to take decisive action to end the cult war.
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he engaged with claimed they could not abandon their violent activities because they feared being killed if they surrendered or gave up their weapons.
Gumi said the armed men described the persistent attacks as a cycle of revenge, alleging that military operations and killings in their communities had fuelled their resolve to continue attacking.
According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that the bloodshed had become excessive but insisted they felt compelled to sustain the violence in retaliation for attacks against their communities.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.
He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts from the conversation circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.
Explaining the grievances of the armed groups, the cleric said they accused security forces and local vigilantes of killing women and children during operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling.
He said the bandits questioned the killing of civilians in their communities and viewed such incidents as justification for retaliatory attacks.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.
Gumi said the armed men believed the situation had degenerated into a cycle of violence characterised by revenge, attacks and counterattacks.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
The cleric called for negotiations to end the killings, arguing that religious leaders should help create an avenue for dialogue between the parties.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
Asked why the bandits could not abandon their activities, Gumi attributed their reluctance to fears that they would be killed if they surrendered.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.
The cleric also alleged that financial sponsorship and rivalry among armed groups were contributing to the proliferation of sophisticated weapons.
Asked whether individuals were financing the bandits, Gumi said such a possibility could not be ruled out.
“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now,” he said.
He explained that rival groups were acquiring more powerful weapons to outmatch and intimidate one another, creating what he described as an arms race.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.
“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.
On the source of the firearms, Gumi claimed that the armed groups obtained weapons through illegal markets, where buyers could access them if they had the money.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
Gumi further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.
Asked whether foreign countries could be supplying weapons to Nigerian bandits and terrorists, the cleric said it was possible, suggesting that countries with strategic interests in Nigeria could be involved.
“It’s possible,” he replied.
…Ondo State Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Three Bags of Fake Dollar Notes
Men of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected counterfeit United States dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake dollar notes.
The operation followed a complaint by a businessman, Yusuf Nasiru, from Sabo, Okitipupa, who allegedly lost $6,000, equivalent to about N8.6 million, to two men in a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction.
The suspects reportedly approached Nasiru for a currency exchange transaction but allegedly returned counterfeit dollar notes to him.
According to Nasiru, the incident occurred on October 25, 2026, when two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, visited his shop and requested to exchange United States dollars for their naira equivalent.
He said he handed over $6,000 to the men but they later returned the money, claiming they did not have enough funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
Nasiru said he subsequently discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police on October 28.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest and discovery of the suspected printing factory, said detectives immediately commenced an investigation following the complaint.
Jimoh said operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation, while intelligence gathering and technical tracking led them to Kiniso Village, where one of the suspects was traced.
He disclosed that police operatives raided the suspected hideout on October 29 following intelligence provided by members of the community.
However, some occupants reportedly escaped through the perimeter fence during the operation.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box believed to be connected to the alleged illegal printing operation.
The arrested suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, reportedly provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman said the command had ordered an intensified investigation to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network and establish the full extent of its operations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to bringing all those found culpable to justice and warned members of the public against engaging in suspicious foreign exchange transactions with unverified individuals.
Jimoh also advised residents to authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while attempting to collect a ₦200,000 ransom from a female resident of Nasarawa State.
The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was apprehended at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area of the state during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives.
The arrest followed intelligence reports that the suspect had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid him ₦200,000.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement.
According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the threat on October 29, prompting the deployment of security personnel to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.
In a coordinated operation, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom.
The suspect was subsequently arrested while collecting the money, with operatives recovering the sum of ₦200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim.
The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-driven intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping and demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling criminal activities.
Following his arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination.
Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to combat kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.
He also emphasised the importance of continued cooperation among security agencies in protecting lives, securing communities and maintaining peace in the region.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a Benue-based pastor, Edwin Nwabueze, and his alleged accomplice, Sadiq Jamiu, in connection with the theft of a Toyota Camry in Abuja.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen at UTC Plaza in Garki, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of Nwabueze at his residence on October 27, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that Nwabueze identified himself as a pastor with Salvation Power Bible Ministry in the North Bank area of Benue State.
The suspect, who hails from Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, reportedly led police operatives to another location where Jamiu was subsequently arrested.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Nwabueze had previously been arrested by the Benue State Police Command in connection with vehicle theft cases.
The command further alleged that both suspects belonged to an interstate car theft syndicate specialising in stealing and selling vehicles across different states.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and track down other members currently at large.
The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The family of a 46-year-old Ondo State businessman, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has raised suspicions over the circumstances surrounding his death, calling on security agencies to investigate claims that he may have been forced to record a farewell video before his demise.
Akinbolusere, who owned Esther Estate in Ondo State, was reportedly found dead in his office in Igba on Thursday after allegedly ingesting a poisonous substance.
Before his death, the businessman reportedly recorded a video in which he reflected on his personal struggles, acknowledged his wife’s support over the years and expressed his intention to leave his properties to her and their three children residing in Canada.
In the footage, which subsequently circulated on social media, Akinbolusere maintained that he was making the declaration voluntarily and had not been pressured by anyone.
He recalled starting his business from scratch and praised his wife, Esther, for standing by him during difficult times, particularly when he worked as a barber.
However, the deceased’s uncle, Femi Akinbolusere, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the recording, suggesting that his nephew’s statements and mannerisms raised serious concerns.
Speaking with newsmen, Femi wondered why the businessman repeatedly spoke about surrendering his properties, alleging that he might have been acting under duress.
He urged investigators to critically examine the footage to establish whether another person was present or exerting pressure on the deceased.
The grieving uncle further demanded an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death, insisting that the family deserved answers.
According to him, the circumstances surrounding the incident were too suspicious to be dismissed without a comprehensive investigation.
He also called on the police to question individuals who might have information about the businessman’s final moments, including his wife.
Police Recover Suspected Poison Bottles, Rule Out Visible Signs of Violence
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that an investigation has commenced into the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the businessman, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, was discovered dead in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday.
According to the police, operatives from the Bolorunduro Division visited the scene following a report of the incident and recovered two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide from a nearby bush.
The command also acknowledged the existence of the viral video in which the deceased reportedly lamented his personal difficulties.
Police said his remains had been evacuated to the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination.
Although preliminary examination revealed no visible injuries or signs of violence on his body, the command maintained that investigations were ongoing.
The family’s allegations of possible coercion have not been independently established, while the precise circumstances surrounding Akinbolusere’s death remain under investigation.
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