The Anambra State Police Command said it recorded significant security breakthroughs in the past two weeks, including the rescue of four kidnapped victims, the arrest of 10 suspects, and the recovery of various arms and ammunition.

The state Commissioner of Police , CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Friday.

Orutugu explained that among the arms and ammunition recovered were 10 arms of assorted brands, 16 expended cartridges and 46 live ammunition, four vehicles, and other incriminating items, adding that three of the recovered cars have been released to the owners.

He said the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, including the Anambra State Vigilante Group and other security operatives, have intensified patrols and carried out targeted security operations to tackle criminal activities across the state.

He noted that among the four rescued victims was a Catholic reverend father, Rev. Father Stephen Echezona, who was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida on March 23, 2025. He added that the police, alongside the military and other operatives, successfully freed the priest during a gunfight with the kidnappers, who were using an unregistered white Lexus SUV.

He said, “On March 23, 2025, a joint security team comprising the police, military and other security operatives secured the release of Rev. Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest who was rescued unharmed, was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in an unregistered white Lexus SUV subdued the criminals and rescued him.

“Also, on 22 March 2025 by 7.20 am, the police rescued three kidnapped victims along Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu. The victims were rushed to the hospital by the joint security team following various degrees of injury already inflicted on them by the criminals. The victims are currently responding to treatment and have been debriefed by the police, and operations are ongoing for the possible arrest of the assailants.

“On the same date, 22 March 2025, police operatives attached to the Obosi division on intelligence-led patrol along the Obosi/Nkpor motorway arrested one kosiso Okonwko ‘M’ and recovered one Berreta pistol. The suspect confessed to being a member of Aye Confertanity.

“Similarly, the command acting on complaints to nip in the bud all incidents of robbery of phones and personal belongings of innocent road users along Club Road Awka popularly known as Abakaliki Street, police operatives attached to the Special Anti-cult Unit Enugwu Ukwu in the early hours of 18th March 2025, arrested one Chibuike Ozoekwem ‘M’ 22 years and Favour Patrick ‘F’ 19 years respectively in an uncompleted building at Onwurah Street, Awka. The Operatives recovered one pump action gun, 16 pieces of expended cartridges, a battle Axe, and two suspected stolen phones.

“Subsequently, a victim identified one of the recovered phones and stated that she was robbed on the 13th of March, 2025 at gunpoint by four armed men along the said Club  Road. The Police Operatives have expanded the investigation aimed at arresting other fleeing gang members.

“Recently, on 26th March 2025 by 5.48pm, a police surveillance team from the B Division on a Stop and Search along Book Foundation Ifite Awka intercepted a tricycle with three passengers and the driver. One of the passengers acting suspiciously was searched and the Operatives recovered one locally made Beretta pistol.

“The suspect was later identified as Somtochukwu Okoye a native of Umuike Village, Awka, who confessed to being a member of the Junior Viking secret cult, mentioned that the gun belonged to one Augustine Okafor aka ABOY, a native of Ore village, Amansea who is already in Police custody over a case of unlawful possession of a firearm.

“In a similar development, yesterday 27th March 2025, by 3.05 pm the Operatives from the same B Division while on Stop and Search along Dynamo junction, Ifite Awka arrested one Richard Onwugbufo of Ugbulu village Oraifite and recovered one Beretta pistol with three live ammunition.”

The CP said all the suspects involved shall be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigation

He urged the Muslim brothers and sisters in the state to a hitch-free Happy Sallah celebration and noted that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, will continue to work in synergy with the military, other security agencies, and local vigilante groups to enhance operational capacity, security dominance, and tactical efficiency in ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

The Indian police have arrested a 31-year-old Nigeria-born man, Chijioke John Okoye, for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money from a woman who later died by suicide on March 1.

According to Indian Express, an Indian online news outlet, Okoye had been residing in India’s capital since 2020 and was apprehended in New Delhi’s Palam Colony on Friday after a detailed investigation.

The report states that the police brought him to Cuttack on Sunday for a court appearance.

Cuttack police launched an inquiry after the victim’s family filed a complaint following her death.

A suicide note revealed that she had been repeatedly blackmailed and threatened by an unknown individual on WhatsApp.

The Cyber Cell of Cuttack Urban Police District traced the suspect through international phone numbers linked to the case.

Okoye had allegedly created over 3,000 fake Facebook profiles, impersonating professionals such as doctors.

Using these identities, the police said he would send friend requests to individuals in similar fields, build relationships, and obtain their contact details.

DCP Khilari Dnyandeo explained, “He used those fake profiles to send friend requests to other profiles in similar domains.

“After developing a friendship with them, he cunningly used them to obtain their mobile and WhatsApp numbers on the pretext of having a relationship with them.”

Once he established contact, the police said he would allegedly convince victims to share private and intimate photos or videos by sending them fake images of the individuals he was impersonating.

According to the police, he would then use this material to blackmail and extort money from the victims.

The report disclosed that Okoye used the same tactics on the Cuttack woman, threatening to release her private content unless she continued paying him.

Overwhelmed by fear and unable to escape his demands, the 37-year-old woman ended her life, the police said.

Following his arrest, police recovered a laptop, five mobile phones, and eight SIM cards from different countries.

Though Okoye is Nigerian, the police said he was found in possession of a passport issued by Côte d’Ivoire, which is currently under verification.

The Cuttack police added that they were investigating whether he acted alone or was part of a larger cybercrime network.

“He will be taken on remand for further investigation to ascertain whether he was operating alone or working as part of a larger cybercrime syndicate,” Dnyandeo stated.

This latest incident in India comes just days after the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency raised concerns over the growing threat of sextortion gangs operating from Nigeria and other West African countries.

The NCA warned that British teenage boys, some as young as 14, were being targeted by cybercriminals posing as young women on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.

These gangs reportedly use fake identities to manipulate victims into sharing explicit images, which they then use for blackmail.

Similarly, in 2024, TheNigerian Metro reported that two Nigerian brothers were sentenced in the United States to 17 years and six months in prison for a related crime.

The Ogoshi brothers, originally from Lagos, lured 17-year-old Jordan DeMay by pretending to be a girl his age.

They coerced him into sending explicit photos before using them to extort him. Tragically, DeMay took his own life less than six hours after their Instagram exchange began.

Eight males suspected to be herdsmen terrorising the Omoku-Ahaoda area of the East-West Road in Rivers State in kidnapping and other criminal activities have been apprehended, while six of their victims were rescued by security agencies in Rivers State.

The police said the feat was achieved when the joint operatives stormed their hideout in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

Also, the joint team arrested two suspected bombers with four dynamites and other Improvised Explosives Device enablers in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Adepoju confirmed the death of some vandals who attempted to blow up a pipeline in Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

He stated, “Over the past week, the joint efforts of the security agencies in Rivers State have amongst other successes thwarted attempts by miscreants to vandalise pipeline which led to the death of the vandals in the process of trying to detonate a pipeline as a result of the quick response of the state security agencies at Allu- Rumuekpe in Ikwerre LGA on 16 March 2025.

“In another case of anti-criminal activities in the state, the men of the security forces stormed the hideout of kidnappers along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East LGA on the 21 March 25 at about 0710 hours where eight male suspects were arrested, and six male victims were rescued.

“Items recovered during the arrest include two English-made pump action guns, two locally made pistols, four locally made single-barrelled guns with assorted rounds and cartridges, three Q-link motorcycles, and communication equipment amongst other items.

“Another case of criminality was voided in Onelga LGA on 19 March 2025, where two suspects were arrested with four dynamites, four switches and detonating pods and other Improvised Explosive Device enablers.

“This is in addition to the destruction of 30 illegal refining sites, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, 50 dugout pits, 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO which were handled in line with extant regulations.”

Adepoju commended the ‘Joint Patrol Operations’ conducted by the Police, the Armed Forces, and other sister agencies, who he said had diligently executed their mandate to support the objective of the state of emergency in Rivers State.

“Our collective effort has been instrumental in sustaining the peace and calm currently enjoyed in our dear state. It is imperative to emphasise that this phase of security activities is a necessary measure aimed at preventing any potential breakdown of law and order,” he explained.

While noting that a State Operations Room had been established to provide real-time surveillance and facilitate rapid response to security threats within the state, he announced the commencement of a one-week targeted enforcement operation to impound vehicles operating without registered number plates and those displaying improperly affixed or altered plate numbers.

“Such violations facilitate criminal activities. Vehicle owners in non-compliance are advised to utilize this grace period to ensure full compliance with vehicle registration requirements,” Adepoju said.

He further said the proactive policing strategy employed is aimed at stemming a situation that could have been exploited by troublemakers to plunge the state into insecurity and chaos, noting that “It is a temporary phase and in due time, we will all witness a more peaceful and secured state.”

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued three yet-to-be-identified persons who were abducted by gunmen along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

In a statement on Saturday, the Anambra State police spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said the victims were rescued at about 7:20 am on Saturday.

Our correspondent gathered that the kidnapped victims had been abducted along the Nsugbe-Nneyi, Umuleri Anambra State on Friday evening.

A video of the incident which surfaced on social media showed when the kidnappers shot one of the victims in the foot, as a means to show their seriousness and compel their relatives to pay ransom.l

Ikenga, who reacted to the development, said the joint security team in coordinated operations on Saturday today, rescued the three kidnap victims along Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu.

He said different security checkpoints in the state were alerted when the information of their abduction was reported for possible rescue and arrest of the criminals.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu charged the operatives to redouble their efforts for possible arrest of the criminals and assured of sustained onslaught to deny the criminals the space to commit havoc.

He said, “The Joint Security Team in coordinated operations today March 22, 2025 by 7:20am, rescued three kidnap victims along Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu. The victims were rushed to the hospital by the joint security team following various degrees of injury already inflicted on them by the criminals.

“They are currently responding to treatment and shall subsequently be debriefed by the Police.

“Different security checkpoints in the state were alerted when the information of their abduction at Nkwelle-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area was reported for possible rescue and arrest of the criminals.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, while charging the operatives to redouble their efforts for possible arrest of the criminals has assured the good people of Anambra of the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and properties and sustained onslaught to continue to deny the criminals the space to commit havoc.”

The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, has called for stricter enforcement of restrictions on articulated vehicle movement at unapproved hours following the tragic truck explosion at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.

Speaking during a Friday visit to victims receiving treatment, Jaji expressed deep sadness over the incident, which claimed 10 lives and left many others injured.

The explosion occurred on Wednesday when a truck lost control and crashed into vehicles caught in traffic, igniting a massive fire that destroyed several cars beyond recognition.

Jaji, accompanied by his management team, emphasized the need for security agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, Police, and Fire Service, to collaborate in enforcing traffic regulations to prevent similar disasters.

“There should be a ban on the movement of articulated vehicles at some hours, particularly during the early hours of the morning when workers are resuming work and early evenings at the peak of retiring from work to their home.

“If truck drivers have been mandated not to move at a particular period, security agencies that are concerned must be there to make sure that they don’t move. Otherwise, this kind of calamity will continue to happen,” he said.

Jaji further revealed that while assessing the accident scene, “his team prevented another potential disaster at the same location.”

A consultant anaesthetist at Cedacrest Hospital, Dr Kate Edionhon, confirmed that “two of the patients under their care were stable, while one remained in critical condition.”

Meanwhile, Adedoye Temitope, a sister to Inspector Chukwuemeka, expressed gratitude to the hospital for admitting her sibling after “several failed attempts at other facilities.”

Jaji reassured all that the “Federal Fire Service remains committed to responding swiftly to emergencies,” stressing that “fire prevention is far more cost-effective than disaster mitigation.”

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, ordered priority treatment of persons injured in Wednesday’s tanker explosion at various medical facilities in Abuja.

He also directed a thorough investigation into the incident that resulted in multiple accidents and loss of lives that occurred near Karu bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, on Wednesday.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed the directive in a statement he signed Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu directs investigation into tanker explosion in Karu, sympathises with victims.’

He said, “The President directed security agencies, particularly those concerned with road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the capital city’s entry and exit points.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department has confirmed that 10 persons have died in the truck explosion.

The FEMD’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, confirmed the number in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

TheNigerian Metro reports that the acting Director General of the Emergency Department, Abdulrahman Mohammed, earlier confirmed that eight persons had died as of Thursday morning, with five confirmed dead on the scene, and four others burnt beyond recognition.

“Five people were taken dead from the scene yesterday. Out of the people who were injured, one died, making six. Then this morning, when I asked my people to go round, they discovered that two had already died again, making eight. Four of them from yesterday were burnt beyond recognition.”, he explained.

However, in her statement, Isa said the Head, Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mr Mark Nyam, said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one body at the Asokoro Distinct Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

He added that some victims had been referred to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, and Cedercrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.

Part of the statement reads, “The FCT Emergency Management Department can confirm that 10 persons lost their lives to the truck explosion that occurred at Karu bridge along Abuja-Keffi Expressway.

“The Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mr Mark Nyam, said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one body at the Asokoro Distinct Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

“He informed me that over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns. Some of the victims have been referred to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi and Cedercrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.”

Eyewitnesses at the scene of the incident said the truck lost control while descending the slopy service, before swerving into the busy expressway, and crashing into a long vehicle, carrying construction workers.

One of the eyewitnesses, who gave his name as Omotoso Biodun, narrated that the crash resulted in three different explosions, with parts of vehicles and CNG tanks flung in different directions, adding that the vehicles were engulfed in flames for more than an hour before first responders and men of the fire service arrived on the scene.

“I was across the expressway on the other side when it happened. The truck was in the service lane. While the truck was coming, I think the driver observed that the brake was failing, so he halted a little bit, creating a little space in front. But you know, because it was a trailer, no car was ready to overtake and stay in front. But all of a sudden, he released the brakes, and then the truck started descending at full speed. It was carrying cement bags of about four to five layers.

“I was wondering why the trailer was speeding like that when there was so much traffic. Before I knew it, the truck swerved from the speed lane. I guess the driver wanted to use the construction truck that it later crashed into to wedge itself. While it was going, it started crushing other vehicles in its path, then shifted to the other lane, had an impact, and then what we saw was the explosion.

“People were emerging from the construction truck, while on fire, coming out with burns all over their body. Where you see police vehicles parked, I held somebody with blood all over his mouth. Where you see a wreckage of vehicles, a guy’s legs were twisted and broken, and we just had to call his family. We were trying to evacuate some people, when another explosion occurred. You will see one of the CNG tanks that flew across the road and damaged a transformer. All of these happened between 6:30 and 7 pm. Forget emergency services, for more than an hour, this place was burning and there was no emergency service,” he said.

Another eyewitness, who gave his name as Joe, in his narration, said the fire service officers arrived within 30 minutes of the incident, adding that it was impossible at the time of the incident to ascertain the number of cars involved as many of the cars were already engulfed in flames.

“Where I was sitting down when that thing happened at the Oasis Hotel, it didn’t take up to 10 minutes before I got here. I was coming out of the hotel when I heard the first blast, and then the second, and I told my friend it wasn’t ordinary. So, I decided to come and check. I came here and met the firefighters here. That was around 7 pm after it happened. The fire service officers were here in an interval of between 20 minutes to 30 minutes. Apart from that, both roads were blocked. They came from Nyanya station.

“You couldn’t even count how many vehicles were involved, because there was fire everywhere, on this side of the road and the other side. But the firefighters were at the centre trying to quench the fire,” he said.

A victim of the incident, William Jakurum, a security guard at a nearby children’s playground equipment store, who spoke in Hausa, narrated that the force of the explosion propelled one of the CNG tanks to where he was performing his duties, noting however that although he sustained only minor physical injuries, there may have been internal injuries as well.

“When the accident happened, there was fire, the vehicles were burning. And then while the vehicles were burning the cylinders exploded and one of them flew across and hit my leg. Luckily for me, my colleague was here and picked me up, that was how I escaped the other explosions. It happened around 7:30 pm yesterday. I haven’t been to any hospital, but I sustained some injuries on my legs and some little bruises. But there may be some internal injuries, I don’t know.”, he said.

At the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital in the Central Business District, our correspondent was denied access to the victims. A hospital staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he did not have authorization to speak on the matter however stated that only nine victims out of the 10 brought to the hospital were still receiving treatment, as one of the victims had died.

He added that the victims were in critical condition, having sustained serious burns from the accident, adding that doctors were making efforts to attend to the patients round the clock.

One of the victims’ wives, Chiamaka Uju, who spoke with our correspondent, said that her husband suffered injuries on his hands, thighs and back, and was transferred to the National Hospital after being initially taken to a hospital in Jikwoyi.

“Yesterday evening, around 6 pm or 7 pm, he just ran into the house on a bike, after the explosion. He said there was fire everywhere and he had to run to the fire and run to the house. After that, we took him to Sisters Nativity Hospital in Jikwoyi. He stayed there overnight, but this morning, he was referred here, and we brought him here. He sustained injuries on his hands, his lap and his back. They took him in on a stretcher this morning. They just started treatments on him, so unless the doctors tell us anything, we don’t know what is going on.”, she said.

Similarly, Kelechi, said his friend, who had been admitted at the hospital since 8:30 pm on Wednesday sustained injuries across the left side of his body, adding that doctors had also restricted access to see him.

“My friend was affected in the accident. He was brought in here amidst the traffic and all that, at about 8:30 pm yesterday. They commenced treatment immediately and he was a bit stabilised as of last night when we spoke with him. Since morning the doctors have been there, but they have not allowed us in. The last time we spoke, he is gradually getting better. He sustained serious injuries on his left arm, his left leg and his face, the left side of his face. I think he was trying to get out of the vehicle. He was going home to Mararaba from work. He was in public transport when it happened. But I have not seen him to hear details of what happened.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has commiserated with victims and families of the incident, while praying for the quick recovery of those who were hospitalised.

The Minister for Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, expressed sadness at the incident while describing the loss of lives and property as a “painful reminder” of the need for increased safety measures to prevent such occurrences.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic gas tanker fire explosion that occurred at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi Highway on Wednesday evening. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this unfortunate incident. The loss of lives and property is a painful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to prevent such occurrences.

“As we mourn, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a swift recovery. May God grant them strength and comfort during this difficult time.”, the statement read.

Similarly, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulation Authority, Ogbugo Ukoha, commiserated with the victims and their families on behalf of the President and the Ministers of Petroleum, while calling for better security measures on the roads.

“The Ministers of State (Petroleum) and Mr. President would like to commiserate with the victims of this incident. Sadly, we’ve been advised that there were several fatalities and there were also other casualties that were rushed to the hospital. Trucks-in-transit accidents remain a very big priority for us, because every life that is lost, and every investment that is lost is a very, very depressing fact. And the NMDPRA with all its stakeholders, have been working very hard to make sure that we zero down on trucks-in-transit accidents.

“Indeed, on Wednesday, we had a stakeholders engagement meeting, and we reviewed the data of the resolutions taken earlier this year and how we were implementing them in the last month. We found that there had been a drastic reduction in fatalities on the road because we have enforced strong safe-to-load initiatives at the depot. “There are additional measures that we are kicking off in the next week or two, including colour-coding of all trucks.”, he said.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a life in a tragic accident involving a state-owned luxury bus and a truck.

The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed the life of the driver of the government bus that was conveying civil servants, while four other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries when the truck rammed into the vehicle.

Visiting the injured victims at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Oyebanji, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, extended his sympathies and assured them of the government’s commitment to their recovery.

“I want to thank the medical personnel for their quick intervention. You know the welfare and safety of Ekiti people are vital and paramount.

“Please take good care of the injured so that they can reunite with their family members within the shortest possible time,” the governor said.

He lamented the loss of life, describing the incident as painful.

“We are not happy that we lost a life during the accident and that some people who were going about their normal duties sustained injuries. It was one incident that really pained us as a government,” Oyebanji stated.

The governor warned truck drivers operating in the state to desist from reckless driving, emphasizing that his administration would not tolerate any form of negligence that could endanger lives.

“The safety of our people is paramount to us, and under this context, we appeal to road users, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and trucks, to shun reckless driving that can cause unwarranted loss of lives,” he warned.

Oyebanji also directed the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment to facilitate their recovery.

Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Ekiti residents.

“The governor’s visit further amplifies his passion for the well-being of our people. The government of Ekiti State really sympathizes with the victims.

“We are really pained that this happened, but we are doing everything to manage the situation. The lives of Ekiti populace are precious to this government,” Olatunbosun said.

He further urged motorists to exercise caution and patience while driving, stating that such accidents could be avoided with proper road discipline. “This terrible carnage would have been averted if drivers took precautions,” he added.

EKSUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olabanji, commended his team for their swift response, which he said helped reduce the number of casualties.

“Our team swung into action immediately the injured persons were brought in, and this played a crucial role in preventing more fatalities,” he noted.

Olabanji reassured the public of the hospital’s commitment to providing quality healthcare.

“Here at EKSUTH, which is a government hospital, what we value is safety, and we will continue to do that,” he stated.