Crime
Gunmen Demand N620 Million In Ransom For Kidnapped Railway Passengers.
....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Odia stated that the demand was absurd, calling on the authorities to intensify efforts in rescuing the 31 hostages in the custody of the kidnappers.
He also said that the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo and the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidel Okhiria were at Igueben to assess the situation.
Odia said the authorities promised to deploy helicopters on Tuesday to locate where the victims were kept in the bush.
He said, “I can tell you that the kidnappers have demanded N20m, totalling N620m. This is absurd and I don’t know where poor people will be able to raise that amount of money.’’
The Edo state police spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor could not confirm the veracity of the claim.
However, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, disclosed that six victims had been rescued, adding that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining 26 victims.
The commissioner in a statement noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki had given directives that the criminals should be arrested.
He added that two wanted kidnappers who were not connected to the present case have been arrested and would also help the police in their investigation.
The statement read, “Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six persons have been rescued.
“The six persons are: a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother and her baby, a six-year-old girl and two siblings; aged two and five years old.
“We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are rescued and reunited with their families.
“We are confident that the other victims will be rescued soon as the highly motivated security personnel are in high spirits and have doubled down on the hot chase of the kidnappers.’’
“As events unfold in the bushes, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media, to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress. Operation Bush Combing continues,” Nehikhare added.
Also, the NRC MD, in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, said the agency had got approval to acquire sophisticated security systems.
On whether lessons were learnt from the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, he stated, “We learned a lot from the last attack.
improved our security by increasing the number of personnel; vigilantes, army, police, and some technology but we are not there yet.“We have to continue to improve and make sure that we get the required result.
“On Itakpe-Warri, we have engaged the local community to protect and also support the security architecture we have in place.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 19 individuals in Benin City, Edo State, for their alleged involvement in internet fraud activities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to a statement issued on Monday via the EFCC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the arrests were carried out by the Benin Zonal Command on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The operation was based on actionable intelligence that linked the suspects to a series of fraudulent cyber activities.
The EFCC disclosed that several high-value items were recovered from the suspects during the operation, including five luxury vehicles and multiple smartphones believed to have been used in perpetrating the crimes.
“Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Benin City, Edo State. The arrests were made based on credible intelligence connecting them to cybercrime activities,” the agency’s statement read.
Although further specifics regarding the alleged schemes have yet to be made public, the EFCC has assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be prosecuted once inquiries are concluded.
This operation is part of the Commission’s broader strategy to combat the rise in cybercrime across Nigeria, a crime trend colloquially referred to as “yahoo-yahoo.”
At least 40 individuals have lost their lives in a renewed wave of violence that struck Zike, a community in Kimakpa within the Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The assault, which unfolded in the early hours of Monday, left residents in terror as unidentified gunmen invaded the village, indiscriminately opening fire on civilians. Many who tried to escape were tragically caught in the barrage of bullets.
Community leader Wakili Tongwe, speaking to Channels Television, disclosed that he and security agents were patrolling a nearby area when the attack erupted.
“Despite engaging the attackers and pushing them back, the toll was already severe,” Tongwe said. “Thirty-six people died on the spot, and four others later succumbed to their injuries. Several victims are still receiving medical attention.”
This latest incident follows a disturbing trend of violence in Plateau State, coming just two weeks after a similar attack in Bokkos LGA claimed 52 lives.
Plateau’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, expressed strong condemnation of the act, describing it as “one attack too many” and a threat to the state’s fragile peace.
“It’s devastating to face another tragedy in Bassa, barely weeks after the Bokkos killings,” she lamented. “This appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace we’ve been working hard to restore.”
Ramnap urged residents to stay calm and vigilant, affirming that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration remains committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
“The state will deal firmly with any individual or group involved in such barbaric acts,” she assured, warning against retaliatory violence.
As of press time, security agencies had not released an official statement on the latest attack.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Alhaji Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations tied to a ₦70 billion fraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Jaja was released under the condition that he returns for upcoming court hearings. His arrest and prosecution have sparked speculations of political motivation, especially due to his previous criticisms of federal government policies.
Alongside Jaja, two others were also detained in relation to the case: Aliyu Abubakar, an unregistered bureau de change operator, and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a PoS operator. All are being investigated for their roles in what’s being described as a massive financial scandal.
The case has generated national attention and added to ongoing scrutiny of public officials’ handling of state funds.
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