Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant General (CG), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has charged personnel to strengthen intelligence gathering techniques to curb the incessant killings in Benue state.

He gave the charge in a statement issued by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi on Thursday in Abuja.

Audi condemned the recent killings of Benue residents after his official visit to the scene of the recent attack in Yelewata area of the state.

The CG said that the gruesome killings called for a strategic, decisive and resilient approach in restoring peace and order in Benue.

He charged officers and men in the state to expand their intelligence gathering network to arrest perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He further ordered the Zonal Commander and the State Commandant to effectively deploy covert operatives, special forces and all tactical units to all parts of Benue.

He also urged them to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance well coordinated operations in a renewed onslaught against the perpetrators.

The NSCDC boss said that the corps would continue to work with other sister security agencies to ensure successful operations.

He commiserates with the families of dead victims, while praying for the quick recovery of injured persons. (NAN)

The Police Command in Lagos State says it granted Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church an administrative bail after recovering from him a stun gun.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said that the object recovered was a prohibited anti-riot equipment.

“What was recovered from him, the gun-like object seen in the viral video, is not a lethal weapon or firearm but a stun gun which is a prohibited anti-riot equipment, ” he said.

Hundeyin said that Adefarasin, who turned himself in on Tuesday morning at the Lagos State Police Command was questioned over a viral video where he was seen brandishing a gun-like object against another road user.

“He was interrogated and he volunteered cautionary statement to the police investigators, ” he said.

The spokesperson added that the pastor had been granted administrative bail while investigations into the incident continued

It would be recalled that first week in June, a video clip surfaced online showing Adefarasin allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a handgun while stuck in traffic.

The viral video led to public speculation, with some social media users alleging that the pastor was displaying a gun while being filmed by a TikToker known for documenting luxury cars.

However, Adefarasin, in a message to his congregation posted on his social media handles, denied the allegation.

The pastor said that the object was neither a firearm, nor did he point it at anyone. (NAN) 

 The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly involved in the murder of a senior police officer in the state.

Bako Angbashim, former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023, prompting a statewide manhunt for the perpetrators.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.

“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.

“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.

Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.

She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.

She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.

She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.

She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.

According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)