Crime
Benue Robbery: One hour of shooting, killings; No police, no vigilante — Witness
•We did not know that they first attacked police, disarmed them, locked them inside their station
There was complete pandemonium, last Friday, in the ancient town of Otukpo, the South District of Benue state town, nick-named “Texas” by residents. That day, daredevil armed men in a commando fashion stormed five commercial banks in the town in a manner never seen before by residents of the town.
The armed men who were said to have assailed the town on motorbikes had earlier attacked Otukpo Police Station where they disarmed the personnel on duty and carted away arms and the two operational vehicles at the station.
After effectively taking charge of the police station, the invaders who could be well over 20, moved to the commercial banks which are all located within the heart of the town and a stone’s throw from each other.
How security barriers were ripped open
With the use of explosives and sophisticated weapons, all security barriers in the banks were ripped apart, allowing the armed men easy access to the banks and their vaults. Huge sums of money were reportedly carted away by the marauders who also seized a car from one of the banks.
The bloody attack also claimed the lives of some police personnel and bank customers who were trapped in the bank premises when the armed men struck. Among those who lost their lives in the bloody attack were, Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who was an indigene of the area, Superintendent John Adikwu and three other police personnel including a female police officer, Emmanuella Ankyov.
Also on the list of those who were felled by the bullets of the armed men were the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Township Ward 1 Chairman, Mr. George Uloko, a staff of UBA, Emmanuel Uche who recently joined the bank after having completed his Youth Service.
After accomplishing their task, the armed men drove confidently through the town, heading towards the Otukpo-Aliade road with their loot.
Attack expected because of lack of synergy
There’s no synergy between the vigilante men and the police. While the Vigilante men don’t consult the police, the police do not seek the input of the Vigilante men in any way.
State government insensitivity to security
To worsen the matter, the police force in the state is banking on support from the state government. It has become the normal practice for the police to rely on state governors for operations in the state. This is because of the poor funding they face.
Security usually breaks down in any state where the government doesn’t fully back the police. police sources in Benue say the new government has not invested in them.
Military swings into action
It was, however, gathered that the gang had not gone far when the military and other security agencies gave them a hot chase and intercepted them before neighbouring Taraku in Gwer Local Government Area, LGA, where an exchange of gunfire ensued.
The security person successfully neutralized two members of the gang and recovered one of the snatched vehicles while other members of the gang escaped into the forests.
The State Police Command in a statement confirming how the armed men went berserk in Otukpo stated that “on October 20, 2023, at about 4:15 pm, armed robbers invaded Access bank, First bank, Zenith bank, UBA and Stanbic bank in Otukpo simultaneously.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Otukpo, CSP. John Adikwu and other Police teams in the area engaged them in a gun dwell but were unable to prevent the attack on the banks.
More Police teams, in collaboration with other security agents, were deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilizing the area and prevent these robbers from escaping.
DPO confirmed dead
“The robbers who were intercepted along Otukpo-Taraku road engaged officers in a gun duel and two of the robbers died in the process. Other gang members abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest area and are being chased by the police.
The DPO who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital. Other persons who sustained injuries in the bank have been moved to hospital for treatment. Investigation is ongoing at the moment. The command also promised that the fleeing armed men would be apprehended and brought to justice.”
Residents still in shock
While residents of the town are still in shock and are yet to come to terms with how the bandits sneaked into the town and audaciously operated and pulled out seamlessly, not a few have gone into fervent prayers to have them arrested.
One of the witnesses, identified as Ene who said she owned a shop close to Zenith Bank and saw how it happened said that about 3:30pm “we suddenly started hearing sounds of gunfire and explosion.
“People started running in different directions. Nobody knew what was happening. It was like what we used to see in the movies. Young men numbering about 20, carrying guns marched into the bank and started shooting, ransacking the bank.
At this time, everyone started wailing and running. Even a customer who came to buy some goods in my shop that afternoon had his car badly damaged by the explosives. He ran and left his car in front of my shop.
“From that bank, they moved to another until they visited the five banks. The operation lasted about an hour. The people of Otukpo town were held hostage for an hour. There was no police or vigilante to come to their rescue.
We did not know that before the attack on the banks, the gang had already demobilized the police. They earlier attacked Otukpo Police Station, disarmed them and locked up the gate of the station.
Police station was attacked first
“Not knowing what happened, we thought that the police ran and locked their gate. We did not know that they were the first to be attacked by the criminals.
In the course of robbing the banks, they killed innocent people who were out trying to eke a living in this difficult time, leaving several families in mourning.
After successfully robbing the bank, we even learned that they threw some of the loot into the street as
they confidently drove past and headed towards Taraku-Aliade Road.
“But shortly after, we learned that some military personnel and the police had gone after them and two of the robbers were gunned down while others escaped into the forests. Our prayer is for every one of them to be arrested and punished accordingly.”
Vanguard
Crime
Estate Developer Commits Suicide After Emotional Farewell Video, Leaves Properties to Wife, Children
A prominent estate developer in Ondo City, Mr Akinbolusere Kayode, popularly known as Tolufe, has reportedly died in a suspected suicide incident after leaving behind an emotional farewell video containing messages to his family.
Kayode, the owner of Esther Estate, reportedly recorded a video which subsequently surfaced on Facebook, addressing his family, speaking about his properties and paying a heartfelt tribute to his wife.
In the recording, the deceased reportedly stated that he was acting without coercion, although he did not disclose the circumstances that informed his decision.
He appealed to his relatives and other concerned individuals to ensure that all his properties were handed over to his wife and children, who currently reside in Canada.
In what appeared to be an emotional farewell, Kayode described his wife as a wonderful woman who stood firmly by him throughout his life, expressing appreciation for her loyalty, sacrifices and unwavering support during their marriage.
News of his death has thrown parts of Ondo City into mourning, with residents, friends and associates expressing shock over the tragic development.
Members of the Celestial Church of Christ, Omolore Parish, Yaba, Ondo, where the deceased was reportedly a prominent member, were also said to have been deeply saddened by his passing.
The video has since generated reactions on social media, with sympathisers extending condolences to his family.
However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, while official confirmation of the suspected cause of death was not available at the time of filing this report.
Kayode’s passing has left his family, associates and members of the Ondo community mourning a man whose final message centred largely on the welfare of his wife and children.
Source: Myexclusiveinfo
The Asankragwa Divisional Police Command in Ghana has dismissed 10 reported cases of alleged missing manhood after medical examinations confirmed that all the complainants had their genitalia intact and medically normal.
The Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Vitus Napen, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asankragwa on Monday, October 26, 2026.
According to him, the first complaint was recorded at Wassa Dunkwa on October 17, with nine additional cases subsequently reported across the division.
Giving a breakdown, Napen said Wassa Dunkwa recorded six cases, Asankragwa two, while Aboi Nkwanta and Breman recorded one case each.
He explained that the complainants alleged that their genitalia disappeared after coming into physical contact with other individuals.
However, medical examinations conducted on all 10 complainants established that none had lost their genitalia.
The police chief attributed the growing scare to panic, anxiety and misinformation, warning residents against raising false alarms capable of triggering violence and public disorder.
He cautioned that individuals found responsible for spreading false claims could face prosecution for offences relating to the publication of false news and deceiving public officers.
Mob Attacks Police Vehicle Over Alleged Missing Manhood
Meanwhile, the police commander condemned an incident at Breman, where an angry mob vandalised a police patrol vehicle during an attempt by officers to rescue a suspect accused of causing a man’s genitalia to disappear.
Napen disclosed that the mob smashed the rear windscreen of the patrol vehicle while attempting to lynch the suspect.
Describing the attack as criminal, he warned that anyone found assaulting security personnel or destroying public property would be arrested and prosecuted.
He urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and allow security agencies to investigate complaints through appropriate procedures.
The commander also appealed to traditional rulers, opinion leaders and assembly members in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality to intensify public enlightenment and discourage the spread of unverified allegations.
He encouraged residents to report suspected criminal activities to the police rather than resorting to mob action.
Napen added that no arrests had been made in connection with the vandalism as of the briefing, but assured that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Source: Graphic Ghana
…Suspect allegedly targeted female POS operators, used Facebook to lure victims
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Ugbor Chika Paul, over allegations of serial rape, armed robbery and sextortion involving female victims in different parts of the state.
The Command disclosed that a mobile phone recovered from the suspect contained nude photographs and video recordings of several identified and unidentified female victims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly specialised in luring female Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to isolated locations under the guise of conducting financial transactions before robbing and sexually assaulting them.
According to the police, the suspect also operated a Facebook account under the fictitious name, Franklin Umeh, which he allegedly used to lure another victim into his trap.
Giving details of the incidents, Ndukwe said the first victim, a 20-year-old POS operator at Akwata Market, Enugu, was allegedly lured to a bush behind St. Peter’s Church, Coal Camp, around 11 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
The suspect reportedly raped the victim and dispossessed her of N600,000.
In another incident on August 11, 2026, a 30-year-old female POS operator from the same market was allegedly taken to the same location around 5 p.m., where the suspect attempted to rape her before robbing her of approximately N120,000.
The police further disclosed that a third victim, aged 21, was allegedly contacted through Facebook by the suspect, who introduced himself as Franklin Umeh.
She was reportedly lured to Old Park, Enugu, around 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2026, before being taken to a secluded bush around Udi Siding.
At the location, the suspect allegedly raped and sexually assaulted her, recorded her nakedness and robbed her of N100,000 and her mobile phone.
He subsequently demanded an additional N200,000 from the victim, threatening to circulate her nude video if she failed to comply.
The police alleged that he also used the victim’s stolen phone to contact some individuals on her WhatsApp contact list.
Ndukwe confirmed that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon their conclusion.
The Command appealed to other persons who might have fallen victim to the suspect’s activities to come forward with useful information to assist investigators.
It equally encouraged women experiencing cyberstalking, sexual blackmail or sextortion to report such incidents to the police rather than suffer in silence.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to tackle sexual violence, robbery and other criminal activities across Enugu State.
He urged residents, particularly women and business operators, to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police formation.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested one Ugwumba Enyinnaya for allegedly posing as a qualified legal practitioner and engaging in legal practice for over 11 years without the required credentials.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the suspect was apprehended following investigations into a petition bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the police, Enyinnaya allegedly collected N650,000 from one Chukwu David in March 2026, claiming he would facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming request in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The petitioner reportedly entrusted the money to the suspect after he presented himself as an experienced lawyer capable of handling the transaction.
However, investigations by police operatives subsequently revealed that Enyinnaya had allegedly been impersonating a legal practitioner for more than a decade.
Police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was not a qualified lawyer.
A search conducted at his residence reportedly led to the recovery of several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him dressed in barrister’s attire, a legal wig and gown, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Other exhibits recovered included court judgments allegedly obtained by the suspect and several legal documents purportedly prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.
The command confirmed that the suspect had been charged to court.
Reacting to the development, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, commended the investigating officers for exposing the alleged impersonation.
She urged residents to exercise caution when engaging individuals offering legal services and ensure that their professional qualifications are properly verified.
The commissioner further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious individuals and activities to the police to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to fraud.
By Our Reporter
The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen has called on President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and the international community to intervene in Ebonyi State over allegations of political intimidation, attacks, abductions, killings and restrictions on opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum, led by its chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, made the call at a press conference in Abakaliki, where it accused Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration of creating an atmosphere of fear for opposition members.
The allegations were contained in a statement in which the forum expressed concern over the reported attacks on PDP leaders, candidates, executives and supporters, as well as the alleged destruction of property and unlawful detention of party members.
“No governor owns the state, no political party owns the people, and no public office holder or office confers a licence to intimidate, assault or silence citizens,” the forum declared.
It called on Nwifuru, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser and President Tinubu to take urgent steps to protect lives, investigate the allegations and safeguard democratic participation in the state.
The forum alleged that the PDP state secretariat was sealed on May 25, 2026, following an order reportedly issued by the governor, with more than 150 security personnel deployed to cordon off the premises.
According to the group, the action prevented members of the party’s State Working Committee from accessing their offices.
It further alleged that the governor made threatening remarks against opposition members in June and September, including a reported directive to local government chairmen to deal harshly with the PDP.
The forum cited several incidents of alleged political violence, including an attack on PDP members attending a rally in Ezza South Local Government Area on August 1, which reportedly left 10 people critically injured.
It also alleged that the residence of a 73-year-old party leader, Chief Christopher Ngwuta, was attacked on August 4 during a consultative meeting.
The statement claimed that Ngwuta’s wife, Blessing, subsequently lost a four-month pregnancy following the incident.
Other incidents highlighted included an alleged attack on the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohanaivo Federal Constituency, Igboke Felix Ogbonna, and his aides on August 16, as well as the reported destruction of property belonging to PDP leader Arinze Oyibe in Abaomege on September 9.
The forum further alleged that armed men disrupted a PDP political and economic summit at Veneza Hotel in Abakaliki on September 19, injuring participants and robbing attendees of valuables.
It also expressed concern over the reported arrest and continued detention of the PDP State Woman Leader, Chinyere Nwele, on October 15.
The group urged the police to disclose the legal basis for her detention and ensure that due process was followed.
The forum also alleged that Jimo Guest House, owned by PDP youth leader Jimo Abu, was sealed by government agents on October 20, before Abu was reportedly abducted the following day.
According to the statement, Abu was allegedly forced at gunpoint to renounce his PDP membership and declare support for the governor.
The group called for an investigation into the reported attack on security personnel in Amaezekwe village, Ezza South Local Government Area, on October 22.
It also demanded an investigation into the alleged abduction and killing of Elder Onwe Obochi of Oshege village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
On the conduct of security agencies, the forum expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the police response to complaints involving alleged attacks on opposition members.
It also raised questions about a reported accommodation arrangement involving the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Meritona Hotel in Abakaliki, which the forum alleged was owned by the governor.
The group acknowledged that the reported arrangement did not, in itself, establish wrongdoing but called for clarification to protect public confidence in the impartiality of the police.
The forum urged the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team to examine the reported attacks, threats, abductions, killings, armed robbery and destruction of property.
It also called on the DSS to conduct an independent security assessment of the allegations and work with relevant agencies to prevent further attacks.
The National Security Adviser was urged to coordinate preventive measures and brief the Federal Government on the reported security concerns, while President Tinubu was asked to ensure impartial investigations and equal protection for citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The forum also appealed to the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to monitor credible reports of political violence and restrictions on democratic freedoms in Ebonyi.
On political activities, it alleged that some parties enjoyed access to public facilities while PDP gatherings faced restrictions, insisting that public authority should not be used to disadvantage opposition parties.
The group urged Nwifuru to publicly condemn political violence, clarify the alleged threats against PDP members, explain the legal basis for the reported sealing of the party secretariat and Jimo Guest House, and cooperate with independent investigations.
It maintained that anyone found culpable after a credible investigation should face the appropriate legal consequences, irrespective of political affiliation or official position.
The forum concluded by urging the PDP governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to remain focused and continue engaging residents peacefully ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The allegations require independent investigation, and responses from the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security agencies would be important in establishing the facts surrounding the reported incidents.
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