Police arrest six officers over killing of okada rider in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command have arrested six of its personnel, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), over the killing of a commercial motorcyclist at Onosa town, Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

Sources confirmed the development to Zagazola Makama on Saturday saying the incident occurred in the early hours of Aug. 29 when a team of policemen allegedly on illegal duty clashed with a group of okada riders.

According to the sources , the officers, led by ASP Dauda Irimia of the Division Motor Traffic Department (MTD), were attacked by motorcyclists in their large numbers.

“In their bid to ensure their safety, the ASP used his firearm, which resulted in three of the riders sustaining injuries. They were rushed to Luscent Private Hospital, Ibeju-Lekki, where one of them, Muazu Abubakar, 22, was confirmed dead,” said the sources.

The incident sparked a violent protest as youths and commercial riders blocked the Lekki–Epe expressway, disrupting traffic along the busy corridor.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, personally led reinforcement teams that dispersed the protesters, cleared the barricades, and restored the free flow of traffic.

He thereafter engaged youth and community leaders in dialogue to sustain peace and prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, the ASP who fired the fatal shot and five other members of his team have been arrested and detained.

Police said a thorough investigation into the incident had commenced, adding that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against those found culpable.

Police arrest six officers over killing of okada rider in Lagos

Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Akwa Ibom have arrested five suspected members of a child trafficking syndicate along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba highway.

Zagazola Makama learnt from sources that detectives attached to the Criminal Surveillance Unit (CSU), while on stop-and-search duty on Aug. 28, intercepted an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Uwakmfom Transportation Company.

According to the sources , one of the passengers, identified as Precious Emmanuel Bassey, was found with a two-year-old girl, Glory Edet Etim, but could not give a satisfactory account of the child.

“She was immediately arrested and, upon interrogation, confessed that she was taking the child to Lagos for trafficking. She also admitted to having earlier sold another child,” said the sources.

The sources added that based on her confession, four other suspects Godspower Edet, Esther Effiong Edet, Mandu Asuquo Sampson and Eli Adolphus were arrested.

Sources said discreet investigation was ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover previously trafficked children.

Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have launched a joint operation with local vigilantes to rescue two persons abducted on a farm in Amedokhian community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, identified as Mr. Clifford Isolate and an unidentified woman, were kidnapped on the morning of Aug. 29 while working on a farm in Ukoni Amedokhian.

He said the army immediately mobilised troops to the area in coordination with local vigilantes and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Esan youths to secure the release of the victims.

“Our troops were deployed promptly to track and apprehend the abductors while ensuring the safety of the victims.

The sources said the operation is ongoing, and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure a successful rescue.

Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo