Police rescue medical doctor, arrests cultists in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Police Command has secured the rescue of a popular doctor in the State Dr. Etito Obadiah from the den of kidnappers.

Dr. Etito who is the Director of Hope Hospital located in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State capital was kidnapped alongside his driver and personal aide on 13th May, 2023.

It was learnt that 40 million was demanded as ransom.

Briefing newsmen during a maiden interaction with the media, the new Police Commissioner Julius Okoro said the command has re-strategized and drawn a plan to rid the state of criminality.

Narrating how Dr. Etito was kidnapped, he said, “on 13/05/2023 at about 1900 hours, information was received that Dr. Etito Obadiah, a medical doctor with Federal Medical Center, Makurdi was kidnapped Zaki Biam in Ukum local government area and his Kidnappers had started negotiation for ransom.

During investigation, a team of Operation Zenda JTF trailed the Kidnappers to their hide out at Gaya Village, Utange council ward in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state. On sighting the Police, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun duel that claimed the life of one (1) of the kidnappers; three (3) suspects were arrested while others escaped into a nearby bush with bullets wounds. Ten (10) kidnap victims including the doctor were rescued unhurt.

Items recovered from them include; one (1) locally fabricated AK47 rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two single barrel riffles, one locally made barrette pistol loaded with three (3) rounds of .9mm live ammunition and two military uniforms. Investigation is ongoing”.

The CP also, said the command succeeded in arresting suspected killers of one Babatunde Moses by cultist

According to him, on 20/05/2023 at about 13:45hrs, information was received at Otukpo Police Division that an unknown corpse was seen at

Edikwu river bank with internal organs removed. A team of detectives were deployed to the area for investigation. During investigation, it was revealed that the lifeless body was one of Babatunde Moses aged 29years who was last seen sitting with his friends in a burial ceremony.

The following suspects have been arrested in connection with the case; Idoko Omoru, Eze Emmanuel, Obande Emmanuel, Ameh Peter, and Sunday. Investigation is ongoing to unravel the mystery behind the death and removal of internal organs.

Furthermore, the command folled an attempted kidnap of commuters along Makurdi-Lafia road.

Okoro said, “on 21/5/2023 at about 1200hrs, while Police teams were on patrol along Makurdi-Lafia road, information was received that some gun men had accosted a vehicle conveying passengers to Enugu at Daudu with intent to move these passengers to an unknown destination and request for ransom. The Police swiftly moved to the scene. On sighting the Police, suspects abandoned their victims and took to their heels. They also abandoned a bag containing military camouflage uniforms and wooden guns. Victims have since been released to continue with their journey while investigation is ongoing to arrest suspects who are at large”.

Niger community raises alarm over bandits position in Kainji National

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Kainji National Park in New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, has been purportedly taken over by armed bandits, who have equally established their camp in the hitherto famous games reserve.

It was reliably gathered that the communities around the National Park alleged that over 200 gunmen are currently occupying the games reserve and have established their camp therein.

Sources revealed that the bandits usually come out from their hideout in the National Park to attack innocent travellers along the busy WawaLuma highway, connecting Benin Republic.

Similarly, another source disclosed that, due to the activities of the bandits, farmers have abandoned their farms, no single staff of the National Park is left behind in the park, including the forest guards providing security for the park as well as the Nigeria Customs Service check point have disappeared, hence the abduction of many victims and several injured who are receiving treatment in New Bussa government hospital.

When contacted, Vice Chairman of Borgu Local

Government Area, Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir, confirmed the development which he described as very worrisome and disturbing. Also, the Niger State Command, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP