CRIME
Abduction: I-CSPJ Tasks I-GP on Release of Female Journalist in Rivers

…Rivers Female Journalist
The International Press Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has tasked I-GP Kayode Egbetokun, on ensuring safe return of Mrs Priestba Nwokocha, Director of News, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation who was abducted by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt.
Mr Melody Akinjiyan, Coordinator, I-CSPJ, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to Akinjiyan, Nwokocha was abducted along Slaughter/YKC between 7.00 p. m and 8.00 p. m on July 21, on her way from work.
“The Inspiration coordinator said they got a report from the Rivers State Council (RSC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the abducte’s car had broken down along Slaughter/YKC road.
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“She called her husband who later came with a mechanic to work on the car.
“It was in the presence of her husband and the mechanic that the kidnappers picked her up. They did not pick her husband or harm him, they just picked her and left,” he said.
“Similarly, Comrade Stanley Job, the Rivers NUJ State Chairman, confirmed the unfortunate incident to ICSP-J that the unknown kidnappers have reached out.”
He stated that they were demanding for a ransom of N150 million for the release of Nwokocha.
“All efforts are in place to ensure her release and the union has contacted Mr Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, Commissioner of Police, Rivers command on the incident.”
According to him, the spate of insecurity in the country is alarming and is of serious concern to all.
“it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.
“We are also worried about the trend of gender-related attacks as evident from the IPC 5-year monitoring report, which indicates a gradual increase in the trend of attacks on female journalists.”
“I-CSPJ, therefore, enjoins security agencies, especially the commissioner of police in Rivers to do all they can to ensure that Nwokocha is set free without being harmed in any way.”
He urged all and sundry to remain security conscious in the light of the evident security challenges in the country. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Apprehend 9 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims in Delta

The Police Command in Delta has apprehended nine kidnap suspects and rescued two victims from their custody in the state.
The spokesman of the command, SP Bright Edafe, told newsmen on Wednesday in Warri, that the suspects were arrested in Agbarho Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
Edafe said that the suspected hoodlums were arrested on Saturday by police operatives attached to the Agbarho division following a distress call.
He said that the police team was led in the operation by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agbarho division, CSP Pius Eredei.
“The DPO received a distress call that some armed men had attacked them in Agbarho and kidnapped two of his friends.
“Acting on the information, the DPO immediately led operatives of the division and trailed the suspects to Uvwiama forest in Agbarho.
“The hoodlums, on sighting the Police, fled in different directions, and the victims were rescued.
“Nine suspects were arrested during the raid while three pump-action guns, three double/single-barrel guns, one locally made gun and 13 rounds of live cartridges were recovered,” Edafe said.
Edafe added that the manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang was ongoing
CRIME
University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Doctor Shot Dead In Benin

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
Suspected gunmen invaded the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and killed a doctor simply identified as Dr. Alex in the physiotherapy department inside the tertiary health facility.
It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the hospital on Friday, leaving the said physiotherapist dead while patients and other health workers scampered for safety.
The development led to some health workers protesting the gruesome killing of their colleague inside the hospital facility.
The health workers were seen in a viral video protesting and brandishing various placards to register their displeasure over the incident at the hospital.
Reacting, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joshua Uwaila, in a telephone interview with newsmen, confirmed the killing.
He said the deceased allegedly fell by a stray bullet.
Uwaila said that the authority of the hospital has reported the matter to the security agencies and are awaiting the outcome of their findings.
“A physiotherapist with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was shot dead on Friday. “he said.
Meanwhile, at least two members of the vigilantes group, whose identity could not be ascertained were on Tuesday crushed to death by an articulated truck on the busy Ugbowo-Lagos road by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) axis.
The cause of the accident could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
However, eyewitnesses said the accident occurred about 12 noon on Tuesday when the two vigilantes who were riding on a motorbike were hit by a truck, and their heads crushed beyond recognition.
An eyewitness who craved anonymous said the two vigilantes died on the spot and disclosed that their remains have been taken to an undisclosed mortuary.
“The two bodies have been deposited in the mortuary. The accident occurred right in front of the UNIBEN maingate just a few minutes past 12 noon.
“The two men were vigilantes riding on motorbike on the Ugbowo-Lagos highway when the accident occurred.” he said.
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CRIME
Court Remands Man For Alleged Sexual Harassment of 13-Year-old Boy

An Ogudu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday remanded a 40-year-old man, Ibrahim Abdullahi, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for alleged sexual harassment of a 13-year-old boy at Mile 12 market in Ketu, Lagos.
Abdullahi, of Mile 12 market, was charged with sexual harassment by the police.
The Magistrate, Mrs S.
K. Matepo, who did not take the plea of the defendant for wants of jurisdiction, remanded Abdullahi until July 14.She ordered that the case file should be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence in September, 2024 at Maidan area of Mile 12 Market in Ketu, Lagos.
Perezi alleged that the defendant sexually harassed the minor by using his manhood to rub the anus of the boy.
He claimed that the defendant gave the boy N2,000 and told the boy not to reveal it to anyone.
“Early this month, the boy was caught by his sister watching a pornography video and when questioned, he narrated how the defendant and one Emmanuel, who is at large, had been using their Pennis to rub his anus,” he said.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Sections 262 stipulated 3 years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sexually harassing another