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Army Captain, Four Policemen KIlled In Militant Reprisal Attack In Ikorodu, Lagos

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An army Captain, identified as Muhammed, four policemen, and a civilian lost their lives on Sunday after suspected militants attacked Ishawo, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that panic-stricken residents fled their homes in the wake of the killings.

It was reported  that a combined team of the police and military had already been deployed to the area in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.

It was gathered that the militants had first attacked a funeral in Makun-Omi, Ogun State, on Saturday, disrupting the burial of a monarch.

A police source narrated that the Captain and the policemen had responded to a distress call after the militants kidnapped some residents on Woodland Estate, close to the Ishawo creeks.

He explained that the operatives, after rescuing the victims, were leaving the area when they were ambushed by the militants.

He said, “The incident happened on Sunday. The security agents were called  and they were able to rescue the victims. As they were leaving the place, the militants surfaced from a hideout and shot them dead.”

“After that, the gunmen burnt their patrol vehicle. The policemen were from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Lagos State Police Command.”

A resident, who did not want to be identified, explained that the militants had attacked the community in reprisal for the killing of one of their members in Opeoluwa community.

She explained that the militants killed and set ablaze a resident, said to be an informant of the police.

She said the police were called after the gunmen kidnapped some other residents.

“The militants came in through the waterways. They headed straight for the home of the man, brought him out and shot him dead. They also burnt his corpse.

“The policemen and the soldiers went to rescue the villagers. The militants engaged them in a gun battle. They overpowered and killed five of the operatives. The OP MESA later deployed a troop to the scene. The militants fled when they saw they could not overpower the troop,” she added.

The resident explained  that people had fled their homes, adding that apart from the informant, some other civilians were killed by the militants.

“A lot of people were killed. I don’t have the number. It was terrible. People are scared. While I was going to church this morning, I saw a lot of people running out with their loads,” she said.

Another resident, who also insisted the killings were a reprisal, said the militants were plotting to resume their oil bunkering activities.

He said, “Those people are heartless and wicked. They are eager to start the bunkering business again.”

The Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the militants launched two attacks.

She said, “The militants had attacked Makun-Omi community in Ogun State. The community was observing a funeral for their late king, Oba Odugbefun Osoba. The area was thrown into panic when some hoodlums, suspected to be militants, invaded the community. The mobile police team deployed to the area put up a resistance with the support of hunters and a local vigilance team. One of the suspected militants, identified as Kehinde Toikumo, was arrested.

“It was later that they regrouped and attacked the Lagos community through the waterways. The AIG, Adamu Ibrahim, has put a well coordinated intelligence team in the area and activated the anti-kidnapping section of the zone to work hand in hand with Lagos and Ogun states to forestall a recurrence and ensure the arrest of the suspects.”

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said a total of six people were killed.

He said, “At about 1am on Sunday, the police received a distress call that a group of militants had entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area. They were reported to have kidnapped some residents.

“In response, the police and the army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the kidnapped victims were rescued.

“Sadly, five of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them was a Nigerian Army Captain, while the remaining four were policemen. One of the residents in the area also died.”

Owoseni said the police would work with other security agencies to ensure the suspects were apprehended and made to face the law.

The Lagos State Government, in a statement on Sunday, commiserated with the families of the deceased officers.

The statement, issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the incident was unfortunate, adding that it would strengthen the government’s resolve to root crime out of the state.

The government stressed that the incident had further reinforced its resolve to go after criminals and their collaborators, who were using coastal areas and illegal waterfront settlements as havens or escape routes to perpetrate evil.

“The governor, however, assures the police and the general public of his support and commitment to rid the state of every form of militancy, kidnapping, and illegal waterfront shanties that harbour criminals,” Ayorinde said.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Olaolu Daudu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Four policemen lost their lives, while the army officer, who led the operation, sustained gunshot injuries and died on the way to a hospital.  Similarly, four of the nine rescued kidnapped victims, including an infant of about two years old, sustained injuries during the encounter.  They were all taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.”

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Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence

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The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to recent reports circulating in the media concerning one Mr. Nnamdi Emeh, who is currently facing trial for alleged criminal offenses.

The NPF wishes to clarify that Mr. Emeh was lawfully apprehended following credible allegations against him, which were thoroughly investigated and presented before a competent court of law.

The charges preferred against him were duly filed, and he was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka, in line with due process.

It is important to emphasize that the judiciary operates independently, and the court retains the exclusive prerogative to evaluate the evidence presented, determine bail conditions, and take any further necessary actions as guided by the law.

Mr. Emeh was granted bail on terms established by the court. It therefore behoves on the suspect to take steps to meet such conditions and not resort to unecessary media rampage.

The NPF reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

The Force is also mindful of its duty to investigate allegations against all persons, including its officers, and to subject any suspect to the established legal process.

While the case against Mr. Emeh continues in court, we appeal to the public to allow the judicial process to take its full course without undue speculation or interference.

We urge all stakeholders, including members of the media, to present information responsibly and to allow the legal process to determine the outcome of the matter in the interest of justice.

The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its resolve to enforce the law impartially and to safeguard the rights of every individual as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
16TH NOVEMBER, 2024

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Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years

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Alice Loksha, a nurse abducted by ISWAP terrorists, has regained freedom after six years in captivity.

She was abducted alongside two other female health workers on March 1, 2018, while working at a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) facility in Rann, Kala Balge LGA of Borno state.

Speaking with journalists at Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri, on Friday, Kenneth Chigbu, deputy theatre commander of the joint task force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai, said Loksha was found in Geidam, Yobe state, on October 24.

He said the 42-year-old nurse had been subjected to forced marriages with two ISWAP commanders and endured dire conditions before her eventual escape.

“She was initially taken to Tumbuma, where she was held for two days,” Chigbu said.

“From there, she was relocated to Kwalleram where she spent seven months and was forced into marriage with a terrorist leader named Abu Umar.

“The marriage led to the birth of a son, Muhammad. All this happened before Abu Umar was eliminated during a gunfight with troops in 2022.

“During that fight, he was found dead, and it was alleged that his colleagues had actually eliminated him.

“Ms Alice Loksha was again forced into another marriage to another ISWAP commander named Abu Simak in 2022 before the latter was banished by his fellow terrorists to Dogon Chukwu camp.

“It was from Dogon Chukwu that she managed to escape through the Diffa axis to Geidam on October 24, 2024, where she reported to troops of the Joint Task Force on October 29, 2024.

“She has since been subjected to medical evaluation and other humanitarian support.”

FAYINA, SISTER OF LATE SOLDIER, ALSO RESCUED

Chigbu also confirmed the escape of Fayina Ali, younger sister of late Samuel Andrew, an army officer who served under the 212 Battalion.

He said Fayina was abducted by ISWAP terrorists on October 19, 2022, while travelling to Maiduguri to process the death benefits of her late brother.

“Since then, she was held captive at Kangarwa enclave for nine months before she was taken to Tumbuma, where she remained for four years under one of the terrorist leaders, Muhammad Sheikh,” he said.

“She was later taken back to Kangaruwa, where she stayed for another year before her eventual escape.”

Both women were received on behalf of the Borno state government by Zuwaira Gambo, the state’s commissioner of women affairs and social development.

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NIDCOM rescues 13 trafficked girls from Ghana

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says it has rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana.

A statement on Friday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM spokesperson, said this brings the total number of girls repatriated to the country over the past five months to 163.

Balogun said the girls were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment, but were later forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.

He said the girls are aged between 19 to 30, and from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

Balogun said the rescue operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian anti-human trafficking police, the Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana.

The girls were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Speaking on the latest efforts, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chair of NIDCOM, reiterated the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora.

Akinboye Akinsola, NiDCOM representative, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly, having heard of the earlier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.

Valentine Okike Uzo, senior special assistant to governor of Ebonyi state, said efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for victims from the state.

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