The Police have arrested one Mubarak Haladu for allegedly kidnapping and killing his seven-year-old nephew in Dadin Kowa community, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State.ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.Abdullahi said that the case of kidnap was reported to the Dadin Kowa Police station on Oct.

10 by one Bello Haladu of Garin Sarki village in Dadin Kowa, who alleged that his younger brother had abducted his son. Abdullahi said that the suspect had, on Oct. 9, called his elder brother and told him that he had abducted his son and that he should pay a ransom of N1.5 million to secure his release.“The case was forwarded to the anti-kidnapping section of SCID for discrete investigation,” he said.The command’s spokesperson said that on Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. the suspect was arrested, and upon interrogation, he admitted to having committed the offence.Abdullahi said the suspect also confessed to breaking into three shops in different areas and stealing about 30 mobile phones of different brands.He said that the suspect then used a SIM card of one of the stolen phones to call his brother, the victim’s father, and demanded for ransom.Abdullahi said that on Oct. 18, the victim was found dead and decaying in an uncompleted building in Dadin Kowa village.He said that the suspect would soon be charged to court for prosecution.Also, Abdullahi said another suspect was in police custody for stabbing his 65-year-old aunt to death in Bagadaza Quarters of Gombe State.“We received a report that one Jonathan James fatally stabbed his aunty, one Ramatu Musa, of the same address with a sharp knife.“On receiving the information, a patrol team from Pantami division rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to specialist hospital Gombe for medical attention.“There, she was examined and certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor.“The scene of the crime was visited and the suspect was arrested.“ A knife was recovered as an exhibit, while the suspect will soon be charged to court for prosecution,” he said. (NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

The Nigerian military said it has intensified its operations in the Niger Delta Region of the country to curtail crude oil theft and other criminality through a comprehensive approach.Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, troops have been engaged in dismantling the capabilities of the economic saboteurs for some years now without it abating. “Operations would therefore be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the Niger Delta.”“Additionally, operations would target specific areas that have significant capability to boost crude oil production. The targeted areas include, but are not limited to enforcing and ensuring transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region.“Others are; ensuring the integrity of the metering systems deployed at flow stations. Operations will also embark on the tracking of the point of loading to the destination point of the crude oil.“Furthermore, operations will also concentrate on surveillance of the pipelines, jackets and well head to forestall breaches,” Buba said.He also said that overall, operations will galvanize the support of the people of the Niger Delta as well as the stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nations oil production.“Importantly, operations will ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft,” he said .Buba added that in its determination to raid the country of terrorists, troops have neutralised 125 terrorists and arrested 200 persons in the last one week.Troops also arrested 20 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages.According to Buba, in the South-South Region troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N744,153,900.00 only.Furthermore, troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated gun, 22 dane guns, one SMG rifle, 7 pump action guns, one fabricated barretta pistol, 7 locally made guns, 5 x 60mm mortar bomb Unexploded Ordinances and 2 small rubber gun powder.Others include: 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 78 live cartridges, 24 empty case of 7.62mm ammo, 21 AK47 magazines, one baofeng radio, 6 vehicles, 11 motorcycles, 5 bicycles, 38 mobile phones and the sum of N2,737,145.00 only amongst other items.Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, 5 boats and 20 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, 5 vehicles, 3 mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO.”On the whole, the military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorists with many terrorist leaders killed. Our operation continues to focus on providing security and stability for the nation and citizens,” he added.

The Police Command in Rivers has cautioned the public regarding potential cult-related activities across the country on June 7.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, disclosed in a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday that a large number of Black Axe cultists were preparing to mark their Founder’s Day.

According to her, intelligence reports indicate that the confraternity intends to initiate innocent victims into their group and potentially engage in clashes with rival cults on the same day.

“We have received information about the Neo-Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aiye or Black Axe, which plans to hold a nationwide commemoration in honour of their Founder’s Day.

“The event, code-named Aiye Day or 7/7, is scheduled to be observed in all states of the federation, especially in institutions of higher learning.

“The command is aware of the antecedents of the confraternity, notorious for killings on campuses, inter-cult clashes, and other criminal activities of a violent nature.’’

Iringe-Koko said that intelligence reports suggested the group was plotting to disrupt public peace from their strongholds and on tertiary campuses across the country.

“The ceremony could possibly lead to counter-cult activities, inter-cult violence and other associated violent crimes in and around tertiary institutions in Rivers.

“It might provide ample opportunity for the forced initiation of innocent victims, as well as crimes such as rape and armed robbery.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical team commanders to conduct pre-emptive and responsive raids.’’

The police image maker emphasised that the pre-emptive measures would target cult hideouts, high-risk areas and hotels that could serve as meeting points for cult leaders.

She mentioned that police operatives had been instructed to prevent the planned event, arrest suspected cultists and bring them to justice.

“Police area commanders, DPOs and tactical team commanders are to emplace visible and effective patrol strategies, closely monitoring all tertiary institution campuses and public places to intercept cult members.

“Parents and guardians should keep a close eye on their children and wards during this period and watch for warning signs in their interactions with friends.

“Similarly, community leaders and security outfits are encouraged to report any unusual gatherings in their area, while religious leaders should preach to their congregants on the evil of secret cults,” Iringe-Koko appealed. (NAN)