Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Nasarawa State have rescued 39 victims of alleged human trafficking, including 32 males and seven females, all from Mali except one female from Ivory Coast, during an operation in the Orange Market area of Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the rescue followed a report lodged at about 10:40 a.m. by one Habi Baraji, a Malian national who speaks only French and Arabic.

Baraji reported that he was lured from Mali to Nigeria about a week ago by another Malian, identified as Abdullahi Berter, who promised him a job opportunity in France.

According to him, upon arrival at the Orange Market in Mararaba, he realised he had been deceived, as Berter allegedly began pressuring him to bring more persons from Mali into Nigeria for an undisclosed purpose.

Baraji further told security personnel that he suspected Berter was holding “many other victims” captive in a house in the area.

Based on the intelligence, a team of detectives, swiftly mobilised to the location, where they discovered 39 foreigners confined inside a bungalow, all unable to speak any local Nigerian language. The victims were immediately evacuated to safety.

Sources that the rescued victims are currently in protective custody pending further profiling and communication with the Malian and Ivorian consular authorities.

Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa

Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police have arrested a serving officer, Insp. Ogbu Clement, and his elder brother, Isawa Ogbu, for allegedly leading over 50 youths to seize a corpse and attack residents of two communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Dr. Pius Onwe Odengle, a staff of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, reported the incident to the Otukpo Division, stating that on Nov. 28, at about 11:00 a.m., he was conveying the body of his late mother, Mama Lucy Inogwanya, from Makurdi to Ogyoma Village for burial.

He alleged that on reaching the Ogyoma Village junction, Insp. Ogbu Clement, attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, accompanied by more than 50 youths from Adim Village, blocked the highway, damaged a Benue State Civil Protection Guard vehicle, seized the corpse, and went on to bury it in Adim Village, claiming the deceased was his aunty.

According to the sources , at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the inspector and his brother again mobilised youths from Adim Village to Ogyoma, where they allegedly attacked villagers, destroyed over 500 plastic chairs, smashed windows and doors, and inflicted varying degrees of injuries on several residents.

Police authorities said the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo, mobilised patrol teams alongside troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, NSCDC Agro-Rangers, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to the scene.

Photographs were taken, and the injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment.

The police confirmed that Insp. Ogbu Clement and his brother have been arrested, while further investigations are ongoing.

Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue

Naval personnel clash with staff at kubwa general hospital after colleague’s death

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension broke out late Saturday night at Kubwa General Hospital after some military personnel stormed the facility and accused hospital staff of negligence following the death of a naval officer.

Zagazola Makama report that preliminary findings revealed that a naval personnel who had been involved in an accident was rushed to the hospital but was later confirmed dead on arrival.

His colleagues, who arrived shortly afterwards, alleged that the medical staff failed to act promptly, leading to a confrontation.

In the ensuing commotion, a soldier reportedly smashed the glass window of the hospital reception with his fist.

Police operatives quickly intervened, de-escalated the situation, and persuaded the military personnel to leave the hospital premises.

Normal activities have since resumed at the facility, while further engagement with military authorities is ongoing to prevent a recurrence.

Naval personnel clash with staff at kubwa general hospital after colleague’s death