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.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Awka High Court, on Tuesday, denied bail to the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly, Mr Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over alleged offences relating to his activities as a pastor.
Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds, but the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, rejected the application, citing concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
The development came as seven persons, believed to be members of the congregation, are expected to testify in the case.
The court adjourned the matter until October 16 for further proceedings.
Speaking shortly after the hearing, State Counsel, Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the Anambra State Government for its efforts to tackle alleged fraudulent activities by some religious figures.
She said, “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work is possible.”
According to her, the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Anazodo, although the state would still be required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
“Today, there is a prima facie case against the accused, Mr Harrison Anazodo, though it is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
“The court ruled on the bail application and denied him bail because of the witnesses, to ensure that they are not interfered with. The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 16,” she said.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, expressed optimism that the case would be concluded expeditiously, stressing that the ultimate decision rests with the court.
“We have been here since 9am. The court considered the bail application filed by his counsel and, after weighing its merits, the judge ruled that bail should be denied.
“We are looking forward to the quick dispensation of the matter and we assure you that justice will be done and will be seen to have been done,” Mefor said.
By Our Correspondent
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available assets, while issuing additional directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the search-and-rescue operation had been intensified, with additional tactical teams and operational assets deployed to identified areas.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence-led tracking of the abductors and coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
Nadada assured members of the public that the police remained committed to securing the safe release of the abducted persons.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.
The police boss urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
He assured the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The police said further updates would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.
Five men have been arrested and arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, after police allegedly found them wearing T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”
The defendants were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.
According to a First Information Report issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department, the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, near West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.
Police charged the five men with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri.
Their lawyer subsequently applied for bail. The court adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026, to rule on the bail application, while the substantive trial has been scheduled for October 26.
The case has drawn attention because the alleged conduct involved wearing clothing displaying a political message.
Amnesty International criticised the prosecution, describing the arrests as arbitrary and arguing that peaceful political expression is protected by fundamental human rights. The organisation called for the immediate release of the five men and urged authorities to discontinue the case.
Amnesty International also expressed concern that the prosecution could have implications for political expression and opposition activities in Borno State.
The case has generated reactions on social media, with some commentators questioning whether the display of political messages on clothing should constitute a criminal offence.
There have also been allegations that a prominent politician in Borno State may have influenced the arrests. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time of filing.
The defendants remain subject to the court process, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
The Jigawa State Hisbah Board has arrested eight people in Kazaure Local Government Area over alleged homosexual acts, according to the board.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Dauda Hadejia, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Hadejia said the arrests followed a complaint filed by a 22-year-old man, who alleged that nine individuals had engaged in sexual acts with him on different occasions.
According to the statement, the complainant also claimed that he later contracted HIV, which he attributed to the alleged encounters. He reportedly appealed to the Hisbah authorities for justice, describing the alleged conduct as deceptive and harmful to his life.
Following the complaint, Hadejia said Hisbah operatives launched an investigation and began searching for the nine individuals named by the complainant.
“So far, eight suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspect,” Hadejia said.
He added that the eight arrested individuals reportedly admitted during preliminary investigations to having engaged in sexual acts with the complainant.
Hadejia said the board had gathered information and evidence that would be presented before a court. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and that the suspects would be charged upon its completion.
The Deputy Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, Dr. Hussain Baban, reportedly urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s upbringing and the people with whom they associate.
He also called on members of the public to be mindful of the consequences of their actions and to uphold religious and moral values.
The board further expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for its support and cooperation in carrying out its responsibilities.
A newly married couple, Funmilayo Bamidele and her husband, Reverend Abiodun David, have been abducted along the Iyemero-Eruku Road, a border route linking Kwara and Kogi states.
The couple were reportedly returning from their engagement ceremony in Eruku on Saturday evening when armed men intercepted their vehicle and abducted them alongside four other passengers.
According to sources, the vehicle was initially expected to take the Isanlu Road. However, the driver reportedly chose an alternative route to drop off the best man and other members of the group at Iyamoye in Kogi State.
The vehicle was subsequently intercepted by armed men along the Iyemero-Eruku Road, leading to the abduction of all the occupants.
A photograph of the newly abducted couple has since emerged following the incident, while details about the whereabouts of the other passengers remain unclear.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said soldiers had been deployed to search the surrounding bushes and rescue the victims while also pursuing the suspected kidnappers.
Ojo disclosed that the vehicle used by the victims was later found abandoned at a former police station in Ayetoro, Ekiti State.
He added that police operatives from Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states were working jointly on the rescue operation because the incident occurred around the border communities of the three states.
Authorities have yet to disclose further details on the identities of the suspected abductors or whether any contact has been established with the victims.
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