Crime
UNIZIK: Again, Cult war claims another life in Anambra
Death tolls arising from suspected rival cult groups have continued to rise as persons suspected to be cultists late on Tuesday killed a middle-aged at the UNIZIK temporary site junction in Awka, Anambra State capital.
Although the details of the killing were still sketchy, it was gathered that the man whose name was given as “Nwanayoeze” by residents around the area, was shot dead around the Tricycle Park, UNIZIK Junction.
A source and a trader around the area said, “The assailants fled immediately after gunning down the young man. It was later that his cult members quickly arrived at the scene and took away his corpse to avoid security agencies confiscating it.”
Traders around the UNIZIK Junction confirmed that the victim was a very prominent youth in the entire area and is feared by many people.
The ongoing cult war around Awka environs has claimed many lives since last Sunday, which happened to be Easter as rival cult groups have continued to target members of opposing groups.
Residents in the area also said the rising cult clashes are fuelled by the struggle for revenue control from the tricycle and shuttle bus operators through tickets, emblems, and others.
On Easter Sunday, six persons were said to have been killed in the city as a result of cult-related issues.
“Our operatives were immediately drafted to the scene, and there was no trace of such. Meanwhile, we are working with the residents of the area to ascertain what happened.
“Also, the police patrol has been intensified in Awka.”
PUNCH
A student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), identified simply as Ademola, has alleged that she was assaulted when soldiers from the Army Depot in Osogbo reportedly invaded student hostels.
Speaking in a video shared by OsunDefenderNG, Ademola recounted that the incident occurred while she was alone in her room preparing a meal.
According to her, she initially noticed soldiers around the hostel but assumed the situation had calmed down before they allegedly returned.
The development follows Monday night’s reported invasion of student hostels by soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo. During the incident, several students were allegedly assaulted, while more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic devices were reportedly taken away.
There were also allegations that some female students were stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed by some of the soldiers, who were said to have participated in the Army Depot’s passing-out parade held last Saturday.
Recounting her experience, Ademola said she was cooking in her room when the soldiers returned to the area.
“They started shining their torch into my room and asked who was inside. They told me to open the door, and I did. One of them asked how many people were in the room, and I told him there were two, explaining that my roommate was not around,” she said.
Fighting back tears, the student alleged that one of the soldiers became physically aggressive.
“He pinned me against my bathroom door, told me I would like it and warned me not to shout. I begged him and struggled to free myself. I managed to get to the door and told him to leave, but he asked if I really wanted him to go,” she alleged.
Ademola further claimed that another soldier entered the room and attempted to calm her while encouraging her not to resist.
“His colleague came in and told me to calm down, saying I would enjoy it and shouldn’t shout. When they started moving towards me, I screamed loudly. After I shouted, they both left, and I quickly forced the door shut,” she said.
She added that shortly afterward, a fellow hostel resident knocked on her door to check on her after hearing the commotion.
In response to the allegations, the Army Depot, Osogbo, on Tuesday announced that it had launched an investigation into the alleged misconduct following a complaint by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.
The Army said the investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the incident and assured the public that any personnel found culpable would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Executive Committee of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church.
According to the church, the victims were abducted in the early hours of Tuesday from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State.
“It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation, in the early hours of today, 30 June 2026.
“They were abducted from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State,” the statement read.
The church called on its clergy, members, congregations and friends to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted persons.
The statement also said, “The leadership of the NKST calls upon all clergy, members, congregations and friends of the Church to unite in earnest prayer during this difficult time for the safe and unconditional release of Rev. Dr. Gbinde and the two church members.
The church also appealed to security agencies and the Benue State and Federal Governments to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We further call on the relevant security agencies, as well as the Governments of Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and ensure that those responsible for this criminal act are apprehended and brought to justice,” it said.
It urged both governments to adopt more proactive and sustained measures to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges.
“Furthermore, the Church urges both the Benue State and Federal Governments to adopt more proactive and sustained measures in addressing kidnapping and other forms of insecurity. It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,” the statement read.
The church expressed confidence that the victims would return safely and prayed for peace and security across the country.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to issue a statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts are ongoing to obtain the command’s reaction.
The attackers stormed the school at about 9 a.m. on Monday, shooting sporadically before abducting students and women selling food items within the school premises.
Confirming the deployment to PUN, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said security operatives confronted the attackers, preventing a larger-scale abduction.
“Around 9 a.m. in the morning, ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students have been abducted.
“Security forces confronted them. For now, we have an unspecified number of students who were abducted. The CP deployed the Area Commander in Askira/Uba. They are currently combing the bush,” Daso said.
The Special Adviser to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Media and Strategy, Mr Solomon Kwamagar, a resident of Lassa, also confirmed the incident Monday morning.
He disclosed that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and invaded the school.
“Today is Lassa market day. I was informed that they came through the market on motorcycles and went to Government Day Secondary School, Lassa. They shot and killed one teacher and took away all the students who were in their classrooms,” he said.
Kwamagar added, “Lassa in Borno State is predominantly inhabited by my people, the Margi. We are in both Adamawa and Borno states. I am from Lassa, but I chose to reside in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.”
He further said, “I’m still making contacts to ascertain the total number of students and teachers who were kidnapped from the school.”
Earlier, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, said that the attackers wore military and forest guard uniforms.
Kaigama said one teacher was killed while another sustained gunshot injuries.
“They killed one teacher from Chibok. They shot another, but not dead yet. They also kidnapped some students and women selling on the school premises. The numbers are not yet out,” he said.
When contacted, the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, declined to comment.
“I am very busy now. We are in a situation,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages.
However, residents claimed that two teachers and one student were killed during the attack.
“They killed two teachers and one female student. The student was shot in her mouth,” a resident who requested anonymity said.
On May 16, 42 students and pupils were abducted after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, had said the abductees comprised four students of Government Day Secondary School, 28 primary school pupils and 10 children abducted from their homes.
The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has wrapped up marathon strategy meetings involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; national leader, Seriake Dickson; National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders ahead of Monday’s (today) appeal against the court ruling that nullified its registration.
The development comes barely 48 hours after the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC.
The ruling has intensified political tensions and drawn condemnation from opposition leaders who insist the decision is aimed at weakening opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election.
A senior party official disclosed that the party leadership had been holding back-to-back emergency meetings to finalise its legal strategy before approaching the Court of Appeal on Monday.
According to him, Obi, Dickson, the party’s national chairman, national secretary and other members of the party’s leadership attended Saturday’s closed-door meeting, while another emergency session was held on Sunday to fine-tune preparations for the appeal.
“Yes, a number of closed-door meetings have taken place since the Kogi High Court judgment went viral. For instance, Obi, Senator Dickson, the party chairman, the secretary and other executives were in yesterday’s meeting.
“Even as we speak, there is another emergency meeting ongoing ahead of tomorrow’s appeal.
“However, we are not privy yet to who will lead the legal team. What I only know is that the NDC National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, will play a key role in it,” the source said.
The National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, who spoke to our correspondent on the sidelines of a recent press briefing, confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday.
Enekweizu, however, declined to disclose the identity of the counsel that would lead the legal battle.
He said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate at this time for us to announce who our legal team leader will be. By the time we file our processes on Monday, you will know those who are in the team and who the leader is. I don’t know if that answers your question.”
The lawyer described the Lokoja judgment as unprecedented and lacking any legal foundation, insisting that the party remained convinced it would secure victory on appeal.
“This is the worst thing that can happen in judiciary. That ruling has no legal basis. There is no precedent in law that can justify it.
“So, obviously, we see it as part of the attempts by the powers that be to further shrink the democratic process in Nigeria.
“I’m sure we are aware that recently, some parties, by virtue of a judicial ruling, were ordered to be deregistered.
“What they were attempting to do was to ensure that we do not take part in the democratic process that is still ongoing. But I can assure you that it will not happen. Our candidates will definitely participate in the forthcoming elections.
“Of course, we have a strong conviction that the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man in Nigeria. The court that delivered the ruling is not the highest court and it’s not the last court in the land. We’ll see our appeal process through to its ultimate end.
“I can assure you that all our candidates, from presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, his running mate and all our candidates up to the House of Assembly level, will all be on the ballot,” he stated.
Kwankwaso meets Dickson
The National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that no temporary setback would weaken the Nigeria Democratic Congress as the party grapples with the recent court ruling setting aside its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Kwankwaso stated this after paying a courtesy visit to the National Leader of the NDC, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, in Abuja on Sunday.
The former Kano State governor disclosed the visit in a post on his verified Facebook page, saying the meeting formed part of efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Today, I paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of our party, the NDC, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, at his residence in Abuja,” Kwankwaso wrote.
“The engagement forms part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s unity, resilience and strategic readiness as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.”
He expressed confidence that the party would overcome its current legal challenges, insisting that its members remained committed to democratic principles and the rule of law.
“As true democrats, we remain committed to the rule of law and have absolute confidence in the judicial process,” he said.
“No temporary setback can weaken the spirit of a movement built on hope, justice, equity and the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
Kwankwaso also appealed to members and supporters of the party not to be discouraged by the recent developments.
“I urge all party members, supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to stay calm, resolute and focused on our shared mission. Together, we will rise above every challenge,” he added.
“Nigeria will be OK.”
…Hails Gov Mbah’s investment in modern security infrastructure
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has hailed the Governor Peter Mbah Administration for setting up what he described as a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre for effective surveillance of the state.
Disu, who expressed surprise at the sophistication of the security infrastructure, wished every other state could come over to understudy the Command and Control Centre and set up one to boost security of lives and property in every part of the country.
The IGP spoke during a tour of the facility on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation, Enugu, strategic partnership between the Mbah Administration and the Godfrey Okoye University to promote scientific evidence-based justice and war against criminality.
“I must confess that I am surprised we have this kind of facility here in this state because you know I worked for Lagos. I know we had something like this in Lagos, but the advancement of this present one amazed me.
“This is a control room that has a lot of facilities with the ability to see almost everywhere in this state. There is no place that is left ungoverned from the control room. We can see the forest. We can zoom in – I think over 40 per cent – to be able to see far away. We can zoom in close to 30 kilometers away. That is great security.
“I wish every state in Nigeria will come here and emulate what is happening. I have seen AI-embedded cameras. I have seen officers dedicated to certain areas of the state watching, seeing what is happening.
“I have also seen records of the successes recorded through this control room. One more time, I wish all the states in Nigeria will come around, see what is happening here and emulate it,” Disu said.
He equally commended the Distress Response Squad, a special police unit with over 150 security vehicles installed with AI-enabled cameras and also linked to the Command and Control Centre.
“I moved around. I saw the state’s DRS and then we put them to test. They did not know I was listening to them. We put them to test. We asked them to move to a certain part of the town and within two, three, four minutes, they were there. It shows their efficiency.
“Then I am sure you know I was the former commander of the Rapid Response Force in Lagos too and then I do not want to mention here which is better – whether the DRS here or the Rapid Response Force. But the most important thing is that they have shown efficiency. They have shown capacity and I thank the governor of this state for investing in security of the people of the state,” he stated.
It is recalled that the Command and Control Centre was formally inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu during his official visit to Enugu State on January 4, 2025.
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