Crime
Eight in police custody amid search for abducted UNICAL professor
Eight suspects are currently in police custody over the abduction of Ekanem Phillip-Ephraim, a professor at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
Ekanem, a professor of medicine, was abducted by gunmen at her private hospital in Atimbo, Calabar on July 13.
The academic has since been in captivity for over eight weeks as the state police continue its search for her.
Irene Ugbo, the police spokesperson in Cross River, confirmed to newsmen on Monday that a total of eight suspects are being arraigned in court over their involvement in the abduction.
She said the suspects were arrested at various locations and at different times over the past weeks.
“We arrested about eight suspects who were charged to court on Friday last week. They have been charged with conspiracy and other offences. We are still trying to trace the professor,” Ugbo, a superintendent of police, said.
“One of the suspects who led us to the seven others who were arrested said the last time he saw the woman was on a particular day before she was transported to the other side of a river.
“The landlord of the house where she was kept was arrested. A spiritualist was also arrested. A boatman who conveyed the abductors was also arrested. He was the last person who saw the professor.
“He says before he returned from where he went, the professor had already been transported again.
“They took her across the river, the state is surrounded by rivers. We are still on the case. The suspects have been charged and remanded. By the 25th, they will be appearing in court again.”
Ugbo said the suspects gave useful intel that will help the police in its quest to rescue the abducted academic.
Crime
Police dismiss inspector for collecting N45k bribe from colleague to conceal rape in Edo
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed Edith Uduma, an inspector, for allegedly collecting a bribe from Abraham Uzuobo, a sergeant, to conceal a rape incident.
Uzuobo was accused of raping a 17-year-old female suspect in a room inside South-Ibie police station in Edo state.
The suspect was detained at the police station for allegedly receiving stolen property.
In October, a video showing Uzuobo hurriedly wearing his trousers while the female suspect was lying on a chair inside a room in the police station appeared on social media.
In the video, Uzuobo was challenging a female officer for recording the incident.
The female officer in the background of the video was later identified as Uduma.
Uduma was the charge room officer (CRO) on duty on the day the incident happened.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Uduma called her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, a police inspector, instead of reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Adejobi said Uduma and her husband demanded a N1 million bribe from Uzuobo to assist him in concealing the incident.
The force spokesperson said Uzuobo offered the couple N45,000.
“However, the sergeant offered only N45,000 in cash, which they collected at that instance, and after a few days, contacted the sergeant to request the same sum of N1,000,000, but the sergeant refused to comply,” Adejobi said.
“Dissatisfied by his refusal to follow through with the blackmail, they decided to report the erring officer to the DPO and also simultaneously share the video on social media.
“Everyone culpable in this case has been sanctioned appropriately, as there is no intention to impede justice.
“The erring sergeant has been dismissed and prosecuted and is currently in prison custody as the trial progresses.
“Inspector Edith Uduma was also dismissed for her role, while her complicit husband has been reduced to the rank of sergeant.
“However, it has come to the attention of the force that following her dismissal, Mrs. Edith has made numerous unfounded claims regarding her innocence and has sought to taint the reputation and integrity of the adjudicating authority, the inspector-general of police, in person and the entire police force.
“It is imperative to set the record straight and provide clear context regarding her actions and the decision to dismiss her from service.
“The dismissal of former police inspector Edith Uduma was not only justified but necessary, based on thorough investigations that presented irrefutable evidence of her failure to follow standard incident report protocol to immediately document the incident, attempt to conceal an offender for benefit, participation in extortion, and manipulating the justice process for personal gain.”
Crime
Thieves cart away cows meant for church harvest celebration
Suspected thieves have carted away two cows from the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Testimony Parish in the Egbeda area of Oyo state.
In a post published on its Facebook page, the church said the stolen cows, bought at N1.9 million, were meant for its annual adult harvest thanksgiving celebration.
The incident happened on November 11 as the church prepared for the celebration slated for November 17.
After days of searching for the missing cows, the church solicited for financial contributions to buy new cows for the harvest celebration.
“Dear Celestians and The General public, This 2 Huge Cows was stolen where it was Tied in The Church Premises at CCC Testimony parish Elerumoke Area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia and its meant for slaughter for the 9th adult harvest thanksgiving of the church coming up this Sunday 17th November 2024,” the church wrote on Facebook.
“We hereby solicit for your prayer for quick recovery of this harvest thanksgiving sacrificial materials.
“Anybody with useful information on how to recover these cows or any means of assistance to make the harvest thanksgiving a beautiful one should contact the parish shepherd.”
Crime
NDLEA arrests businessman for smuggling cocaine through ingestion
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
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