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KOGI: 21 Ajaokuta kidnapped victims rescued within 48 hours as Governor Bello reiterates zero tolerance for criminal activities

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The 21 victims kidnapped along the Ajaokuta-Itobe road in Kogi State, on Thursday, have been rescued, within 48 hours, by a joint team of security operatives, comprising personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, Civil Defence and local vigilantes.

The victims, predominantly travelers, had been whisked away to an unknown destination within the dense forest around the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The kidnapped victims

Upon receiving report of this distressing incident, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON, the Governor of Kogi State, promptly issued directives to both security agencies and local vigilantes to embark on immediate actions that will lead to the freedom of the captives.

He said the perpetrators of this reprehensible act must also be fished out.

This directive underscored Governor Bello’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens/residents under his charge.

The determined efforts of the combined security forces yielded results within 48 hours, leading to successful release of the 21 captives.

Furthermore, the operation led to the apprehension of some of the kidnappers while those still at large are being trailed.

Expressing his relief and satisfaction at the positive outcome of the operation, Governor Yahaya Bello commended the security operatives for their rapid and effective response.

The Rescued Victims

The governor emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining peace and security within Kogi State, reiterating his administration’s steadfast commitment to leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of keeping Kogi as one of the safest states in the country.

Governor Bello, while commending the security agencies in the state, reiterated his government’s commitment and collaborative efforts in the ongoing battle against criminal elements.

He seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to those with nefarious intentions and warned criminals against migrating to Kogi for illicit activities.

The Governor unequivocally declared Kogi as a no-go area for all forms of criminalities, making it clear that his administration would spare no effort in safeguarding the peace and security of the state.

The successful rescue operation stands as a testament to the coordinated and decisive efforts of the security apparatus in Kogi State under the guidance of Governor Yahaya Bello.

The unwavering commitment to the safety of citizens, coupled with a resolute stance against criminal elements, reflects the dedication of the administration to creating an environment where residents can live without fear.

Crime

JUST IN: Nigerian Govt witness tenders Ahmed Gulak’s death certificate in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

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A Federal Government witness, identified as BBB, on Wednesday tendered a certified true copy (CTC) of the death certificate of Ahmed Gulak, in the ongoing terrorism trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Gulak, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was killed by suspected IPOB members in 2012.

The News Agency of Nigerial reports that BBB, who was the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), tendered the document before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja while being led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

Upon resumed hearing, Awomolo informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for cross examination of PW-2, he had a question to ask the witness.

“We ask for a permission to ask a question my lord,” he said.

Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not oppose Awomolo’s application and the judge directed him to go ahead.

Awomolo then asked BBB that one of the last evidence he gave was that during the radio broadcast made by Kanu, he called for a sit-at-home, leading to the death of Gulak.

The witness confirmed the statement. He said he participated in some of the investigations leading to Gulak’s death.

Besides he said he had a certificate of his death in the courtroom from the police dated July 18, 2021.

According to the witness, the document is a certified true copy of the medical report on Gulak.

When the document was shown to Kanu’s lawyer, he said he has no objection and Justice Omotosho admitted it in evidence and marked it as Exhibit PWJ.

Awomolo then sought the court’s permission for the document to be given to the witness to read in the open court.

BBB, who read the content of the death certificate, said the document was from the Nigeria Police, Owerri in Imo State, concerning Gulak, who was allegedly shot dead by IPOB members in 2021.

After the question, Agabi proceeded to cross examine the witness.

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JUST IN: Tompolo has questions to answer – EFCC breaks silence on viral video

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has questions to answer concerning a viral video clip which showed him allegedly engaging in naira abuse.

Nigerians on Sunday dared the Commission to arrest Tompolo like it did to other offenders.

The outrage was ignited by a viral video posted on X by one Harrison A, who tweets as #harreceipts with the caption, ‘EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o’.

The video clip captured parts of Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April.It showed the Niger Delta chieftain dancing while a man lavishly sprayed N1,000 notes before him.

Responding to the demands by netizens, EFCC in a post on its official X handle on Monday said: “Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer!”

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Nigeria Police Nabs Two Countrymen Allegedly Behind Transnational Sex and Robbery Crimes

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organized crime with the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang

In a statement dated May 7, 2025, with the reference number Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/433, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, Force HQ Abuja, said: “Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on 19th December 2023, and was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by Police operatives.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

Omoregie is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy and subsequently dispersing them across Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Victims were subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 used to manipulate and control them.

His criminal network involved handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him.

Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organization leadership, Omoregie fled to Nigeria.

Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada.

In a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, apprehended 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a series of serious crimes, including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organized criminal activities.

Intelligence gathered reveals that Ezeje continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria.

He has been directly linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted hit on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.

The arrest was the result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police.

The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within our borders.

These arrests serve as a clear message that criminal elements, no matter how far they run or how long they hide, will be brought to justice.

The Force calls on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crime, both at home and abroad.”

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