A young lady and her mother have been arrested by men of the Akwa Ibom State Command for allegedly selling a two-day-old baby. NATIONAL POST learnt that the suspects, Blessing Walter and her mother, Grace Walter sold the baby for N800,000 in Oron local government area of the state. Also apprehended were the syndicates involved in trafficking the child. The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Timfon John confirmed this in a statement on Monday. The statement reads, "The operatives of the command while on patrol along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. "The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby. "Upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant. "Following a series of interrogations one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron. "Further investigation led to the arrest of one Alison Eduno, who facilitated the connection between the buyer and the seller. "The grandmother and the mother of the baby, identified as Grace Walter, a 55-year-old female, and Blessing Walter, a 20-year-old female, both residing in Oti Oron, were also apprehended. "They confessed to selling the baby for the sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000)."

A serving police inspector has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly attempting to transport live ammunition via the Nyanya Motor Park. The arrest occurred around 3:15 p.m. on April 19, when security personnel, in collaboration with members of the Keffi Motor Park Union, became suspicious of a package scheduled for delivery to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. A search of the parcel revealed an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect, identified as Inspector Kasimu Usman, is attached to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. He was immediately taken into custody. During interrogation, Usman reportedly confessed that the ammunition was intended for another officer, Inspector Haruna Mohammed, who is currently serving with the 58 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Nasarawa State. Inspector Usman has been taken into custody as investigations continue into the unauthorized transfer of military-grade ammunition.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police have rescued 12 kidnap victims in a series of successful operations. While one suspected bandit was neutralised in the process, others were arrested. The raid was confirmed on Sunday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer. According to him, "These operations, exemplified in several states across the country, have led to the arrest of 3 suspected terrorists, recovery of significant amounts of cash, arms and ammunition, and rescued of kidnapped victims "In Imo State, operatives of the Force have sustained their operational momentum against criminal elements threatening public safety. "On April 17, 2025, at approximately 1:02 am, police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups acted on credible intelligence and stormed a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe LGA. "On sighting the operatives, the suspected terrorists opened fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three suspects identified as Onyekaba Ikenna Innocent ‘m’ 21yrs, Ugwu Ikenna ‘m’ 31yrs, and Ofor Kasarachi ‘m’ 37yrs were arrested. "Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, eighteen live cartridges, mobile devices, laptops, and N10.3 million in cash suspected to be proceeds of kidnapping for ransom." He said in another development in Edo State, following the news of the abduction of 10 students who were on their way to Backcock University for the annual GYC Africa conference on the 16th of April 2025, police operatives of the State Command immediately picked up the trail of these kidnappers, and upon encounter, engaged them in a fierce gun duel. "One of the kidnappers was neutralized in the process, and the 10 victims were rescued unhurt.

Ten students who were kidnapped on their way to the Babcock University Annual GYC Africa Conference, on Wednesday, have regained freedom. They were rescued by men of the Edo State Police Command on Friday at a location bordering Edo and Delta states, have The Command Spokesperson, Moses Yamu, stated this in a statement on Friday. The statement read, “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnapping of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for the Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States. “On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects. “During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds. “The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damage as the kidnappers used the victims as a human shield. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently receiving treatment. “This rescue effort eventually paid off as the 10 kidnapped students, comprising eight males and two females, were released due to intense pressure mounted on the kidnappers. “In a related development, two suspects, Binigolo Ebimene (25 years) and Mathew Denwei (27 years) were arrested following a distress call that they robbed their victim of his motorcycle and his phones at Malim Camp Gbelebu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area.” “Preliminary investigation revealed that these suspects who were arrested with a locally fabricated pistol and two headlamps as well as the motorcycle earlier robbed, have been terrorising farmers and commuters in that axis of the State. “The suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” he added.

Trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the main suspect in the murder of Super TV CEO Michael Usifo Ataga, has continued before a Lagos High Court. Chidinma was led in evidence during which she told the court about discovering Ataga's body in a Lekki short-let apartment on June 15, 2021. The former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, who appeared before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, said upon returning with food and juice, she knocked on the door but received no response. She claimed that when she pushed the door open, she found Ataga's lifeless body in a pool of blood with blood splattered on the floor. “I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she said, adding that his eyes were half-shut and he had no pulse. Under examination by her lawyer, Mr Onwuka Egwu, Ojukwu detailed her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020. She said they met through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James. She described Ataga as kind and supportive, claiming he had paid her school fees and supported her cosmetics business. She said Ataga told her he was from Edo State, lived in Victoria Garden City, worked in the media industry, and had three children with his estranged wife who lived in Abuja. According to her, Ataga called her on June 13, 2021, saying it was his birthday week and invited her to spend time with him before heading to Abuja for a family celebration. Due to renovations at his VGC home, he suggested getting a hotel or apartment in Lekki, where he also had meetings. She eventually found a short-let apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved. They met there that evening, went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant, picked up wine, then returned to the apartment to drink, eat, and smoke. On June 14, 2021, they woke up late, and Ataga asked her to contact her supplier for loud (cannabis) and rohypnol. She said he sent her N15,000 for that and later N25,000 for food. She was out for about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related delays. On June 15, 2021, she said Ataga again requested more loud but asked her to pay since he couldn’t transfer funds. He also gave her money to buy food and juice. In a struggle to reach him due to an issue with the okro soup she went to buy, she returned to the apartment and found him dead. “I saw bloodstains, pushed the door open, and saw him on the floor, covered in blood. I checked for a pulse, there was none,” she claimed. In panic, she said, she wiped the blood off herself, changed clothes, and packed her belongings, including a brown envelope containing Ataga’s bank statements, ID cards, and documents belonging to one Mary Johnson. She also took some jewelry and left the apartment in a cab. The case has been adjourned to April 28, 2025, for continuation of trial.

The Nigeria Police has announced the arrest of two high profile suspects as it pushes to end the wanton killings and destruction of properties in Plateau State. This was confirmed in a statement released by the Force Headquarters on Wednesday. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun condemned the recent wave of killings in the State, describing them as “senseless, utterly reprehensible, and a grave assault on national peace and security.” It could be recalled that over 50 persons were slaughtered in the state on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. According to the statement, two high-profile suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings in Bokkos Local Government Area and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations. “The Nigeria Police Force is diligently working to uncover the motives behind these attacks, identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the killings,” the statement read. As part of efforts to stabilize the security situation in the state, the IGP directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, to take charge of all police operations in Plateau State. Following this directive, the DIG has led a team on aerial surveillance missions over the Bokkos and Bassa areas and is currently engaging local stakeholders in a confidence-building effort. “After a comprehensive review of the security operations, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel and resources to Plateau State to enhance rapid response and patrol high-risk areas. “The Inspector-General of Police extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and stands in solidarity with the people of Plateau State during this difficult time,” the Force added. The Nigeria Police reaffirmed its dedication to bringing all perpetrators of the attacks to justice and ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the state.