By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said it has arrested more suspects in connection with the killing of Usifo Ataga, the chief executive officer of Super TV.
Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said on Wednesday that said the police have established a case of conspiracy and murder and more suspects have been arrested.
Mr. Odumosu, during a parade of suspects at the police command in Ikeja, however, did not disclose who the suspects are or how many of them have been arrested.
According to him, an investigation is ongoing on the matter.
Earlier, the police had arrested Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level mass communication student at the University of Lagos, as the prime suspect in the case.
Chidinma who affirmed that she was in a romantic relationship with the murdered CEO, is said to have stabbed him multiple times in the apartment they were both lodged.
The primes suspect explained that an argument ensued between her and the deceased, one which degenerated into violence and led to his death.
Chidinma had, however, recanted her confession, saying she knew nothing about the death, according to a viral video being circulated all over social media.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s family in a statement last month said there was more to Mr. Ataga’s death and urged the police to go beyond the prime suspect’s confession.
Two Soldiers Killed As Troops Repel ESN Attack In Enugu
Two soldiers were killed during a firefight between troops of the Nigerian Army and Eastern Security Network (ESN) members at Adani community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
This was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.
The incident occurred when the troops were trying to repel an attack by the ESN on troops’ location at Iggah/Asaba checkpoint.
“Nigerian Army troops deployed to checkmate the activities of gunmen at Adani community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday 13 July 2021, repelled Eastern Security Network (ESN) gun attack on troops’ location at Iggah/Asaba checkpoint.
“Sadly, during the firefight that ensued, two soldiers paid the supreme price. Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals,” Nwachukwu said in the statement.
The Nigeria Army, therefore, assured the general public of its commitment to provide adequate security in the general area in collaboration with other security agencies.
They also urge members of the public to complement the effort of the security agencies by remaining law-abiding and provide useful information on the fleeing gunmen.
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Insecurity: Bello Calls for Establishment NAF Base to Tackle Banditry In Kogi
Insecurity: Bello Calls for Establishment NAF Base to Tackle Banditry In Kogi
From Audu Joe, Lokoja
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kogi State to tackle rising activities of bandits across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He made the call when he paid a courtesy visit on the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Oladayo Amao at Headquarters NAF.
According to the Governor, the establishment of a NAF Base in the State would check the activities of bandits as well as facilitate intelligence gathering against criminal elements who would want to establish a haven in some parts of the State.
Governor Yahaya also disclosed that the State had approached the NAF in 2017 to consider establishing a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a colonial era airstrip in Zariagi near Lokoja, to which the NAF in 2018 dispatched a reconnaissance team to survey the suitability status of the location for consideration.
The Governor also stated that the need to revisit the matter became necessary in view of the activities of bandits and other criminal elements who have relocated to the State after military operations in September 2020 at Utu Forest situated between Nasarawa and Kogi States forced them out of their comfort zone.
Bello’ went further to reveal that bandits fleeing from the intense firepower of the military in the Northeast and Northwest are regrouping in some locations.
The security situation in these areas, according to Governor Yahaya, has led to the residents of the areas relocating to other parts of the State.
He stated that considering the threats posed by these criminals, coupled with the strategic importance of the State, the need for the revitalization of the talks on the establishment of an FOB became necessary.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao commended Governor Bello for early detection of the activities of bandits and for his efforts at securing Kogi State.
He noted that of recent, bandits and other criminal elements have become very mobile as, “Once they come under intense fire in one location, they quickly migrate to another location in search of a safe hiding place.
” He however, assured the Governor that the mandate by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Nation must be rid of all criminal elements remains on course and in no distant time, the security situation in Kogi State and environs would take a positive turn.
On the request for the establishment of an FOB, Air Marshal Amao assured the Governor that a team will be constituted to review the report submitted in 2018 with a view to reactivating the plan for the establishment of the FOB.
According to the CAS, “The fact that an airstrip already exists in the proposed location is an advantage.
” Highlight of the visit included the laying of wreath by Governor Bello at the NAF Memorial Arcade in respect of NAF personnel who had paid the supreme price in the course of duty.
The visit was witnessed by Branch Heads from Headquarters NAF and some members of Kogi State Executive Council.
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Kidnappers Kill One, Abduct Popular Pharmaceutical Boss, in Kogi
1 killed, Popular Pharmaceutical Boss kidnapped in Kogi
From Audu Joe, Lokoja
Suspected kidnappers yesterday stormed Okene in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi killing one person and abducted the managing director of Azeco Pharmacy during the attack.
Investigation by our Correspondent in Okene revealed that suspected Kidnappers, numbering about 10 at about 3p.m,stormed the Pharmacy located in the heart of Okene and abducted its Managing Director, simply known as Azeez to unknown destination, with ease and unchallenged.
Sources said that though the suspects besieged the area, killing one person who wanted to instruct them, their vehicle suddenly broke down but undaunted as they abandoned it and took their victim on foot, in broad day light and shooting sporadically to scare helpless on lookers some of whom ran for cover.
Sources added that the suspects made Azeez to trek some kilometres from the area of capture all through the township until they reached outskirt of Okene,where they secured another vehicle, clamped on their victim and zoomed off to unknown destination.
The mother in law to the victim, who opted for veiling of identity in an interview with Our Correspondent on Wednesday, said though the family had been eager to hear from the suspects, “we have not heard any information from them since they took away my son in law.”
She begged the suspects to communicate with the family, with a view to tabling their demand for possible settlement, to ensure the release of Azeez.
Some members of the public who spoke with Our Reporter described Azeez as a compassionate human being who sell drugs to customers at much cheaper rate, thereby helping the sick to have access to drugs with relative ease.
They urged the suspects to release Azeez,at least on account of his good deeds to the sick and common man in Okene and its environs.
When contacted at about 8.20 a.m on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Police Command in the state, DSP William Aya, promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Okene Local Governnent Area and reach out to Our Correspondent.
At another call from Our Reporter (8 45 a m), Aya said that all his efforts to get the DPO for his comment on the issue proved abortive but promised trying the officer and get back later as soon as he get the office speak on the issue.
Though Aya could not get back to Our Correspondent at the time of this report at about 9.20 a.m.
Abductors of Kogi Monarch Demand N30m Ransom
From Audu Joe, Lokoja
Abductors of a first class traditional ruler in Kogi State, Adogu of Eganyi in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State, Alhaji Mohammed Adembe are demanding N30M ransom for his release.
The royal father was on Tuesday kidnapped by yet to be identified abductors along Okene – Adogo road.
The kidnapping of the Royal Father which was one out of many in recent times occurred barely three days after the kidnap of Pharmacist AbdulAzeez Obajimoh the Managing Director of AZECO Pharmaceutical company at Ozuwaya in Okene, Kogi State.
The abduction of the Pharmacist Obajimoh result in gunshots that killed one Habeeb Anda and injured two others before the kidnappers escaped.
An indegene of Eganyi who spoke to journalists on phone said the royal father who was alone in his car left Okene town around 4pm on his way to Eganyi community, but was abducted between Ebiya and Eganyi by hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers.
According to him , the kidnappers around 1 pm on Wednesday called the family of the monarch and demanded for a ransom of 30 million naira to enable him regain his freedom.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer , Kogi State Police Command Mr William Ayah said the Royal Father was kidnapped , but the police command has deployed special squad to trail the abductors.
He called on the general public to assist the police with useful information to enable security agents rescue the royal father.