Crime
Abia Court Adjourns To Tuesday Attempted Murder Case Against Electricity Vandal
A special court in Aba, Abia State, has adjourned to Tuesday the attempted murder case against a man described as a notorious thief of the power electricity infrastructure in the leading Southeastern industrial city who is accused of planning and mobilising a mob to lynch four Aba Power staff members on field duty.
Uche Maduabuchi, 40, will remain with the Police Anti-kidnapping Unit in Aba till next week for his effort to kill Chinonso Nwabundu, Stephen Ngozi John, Samuel Nwachukwu and Onyeka Ezeaguba, all employees of Aba Power.
He is on a holden charge before a special magistrate court with The Hon Ukaegbu presiding at the Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force because judiciary workers have for weeks been on strike in Abia State over nonpayment of salaries for several months and other welfare issues.
“Afraid that the four electricity employees would stop him from further vandalism against electricity infrastructure that day and report him to their organisation or even to higher authorities”, according to a policeman looking into the case who does not want his name in the media because he is not allowed to speak to the press on the issue,” Maduabuchi began to scream hysterically that the workers were electricity vandals always throwing the city into darkness through their stealing critical electricity distribution parts.
“ Despite the fact that the workers wore their corporate field dress, had their name tags on their clothes, and were in their company vehicle, complete with the company colours, a crowd of about 100 persons quickly gathered and beat the workers to stupour.
“As the mob was about to set the electricity workers ablaze with petrol and match sticks, gallant security men appeared on the scene, and that was what saved the day”.
The police officer advised citizens against taking the law into their hands, explaining that criminals have been found to be responsible for most mob actions.
“Criminals use the opportunity of mob action to steal from victims believed to be with big cash or to settle scores or to kill innocent persons on legitimate duties, as in this case”.
He expressed optimism that a successful prosecution of the suspect “will go a long way to prove that criminal conspiracy or any other form of crime does not pay.
“It will rather expose criminals to the long arms of the law, especially those who vandalise critical infrastructure like power facilities which serve the public”.
Crime
Police Arrest 32 Suspected Bandits in Kwara Forest Crackdowns
the operation targeted criminal hideouts in forest areas around Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, and Babanla, where the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes
Photo: IGP Tunji Disu
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested thirty two suspected bandits during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks operating in forest corridors across the state.
The police said that two of those arrested are foreign nationals from Niger Republic who are suspected to have collaborated with local bandits in cross-border criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids carried out by operatives of the Kwara State Police Command and detectives of the Intelligence Response Team.
The police assures that the suspects will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
She explained that the operation targeted criminal hideouts in forest areas around Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, and Babanla, where the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during an operational visit to Kaiama, commended officers of the command and the Intelligence Response Team for what he described as a successful operation against forest-based criminal gangs.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday 6, at Eha-Amufu and Umuhu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State, arrested a suspected notorious Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander, Sabastine Odo Odam, and Ejike Daniel, a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Security sources revealed that the arrest followed months of sustained intelligence gathering on activities of the suspects.
The arrests came on the heels of series of violent attacks on police stations and killings between 2024 and 2026, all in Isi-Uzo LGA.
“Both men have confessed to being masterminds of a chain of attacks on police stations and carting away of weapons. The attacks include the February 26 killing of 11 labourers, and that of five policeman between December 24, 2025 and January 26, 2026.
“The arrests represent a major success for the DSS in the fight against insecurity in the southeast and country at large,” remarked the source.
Residents of Isi-Uzo LGA expressed excitement as news of the arrests filtered in. Many noted that the arrests will restore some peace to the affected communities.
Both suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS and awaiting arraignment in court, the source added.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge alleging non-declaration of assets, brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt against Kyari and his co-defendants, including his two brothers.
The judge held that the NDLEA did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that the disputed properties allegedly linked to Kyari belonged to him or that he failed to declare them. He described aspects of the case as unsubstantiated and lacking credible proof.
This acquittal pertains specifically to the asset declaration and related allegations. Kyari continues to face separate ongoing charges, including those related to drug trafficking matters.
Kyari, once celebrated as a top police investigator, has been suspended amid multiple legal battles. The ruling marks a significant development in one of his high-profile cases.
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