FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction and killing of Miss Grace Godwin Alewa, a 23-year-old woman whose lifeless body was discovered along Abubakar Street, Alex Ekwueme District, Jabi.

Zagazola Makama reports that the tragic incident occurred on Friday, July 11, when Grace, a petrol station attendant working in Abuja, boarded a commercial vehicle on her way home from work, unaware that it was operated by kidnappers posing as transporters.

Grace, who hailed from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly abducted and dispossessed of her belongings. The kidnappers subsequently contacted her family, demanding a ransom of N1 million for her release.

It remains unclear whether the ransom was paid or negotiations were still ongoing, but Grace was eventually killed and her body dumped by the roadside in Jabi. She was found the following morning at about 6:00 a.m., and though rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The case drew public outrage, particularly after misleading social media narratives suggested she had been involved in a transactional relationship, claims which were debunked by her family and colleagues who insisted she was a hardworking young woman returning from work.

Following the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered a tactical manhunt and charged operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend criminal gangs operating “one-chance” vehicles in the capital.

Acting on the directive, the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, conducted a series of intelligence-driven raids between July 12 and 26, which culminated in the arrest of three suspects: Sunday Uduma a.k.a. Akidi, 39, from Ohafia LGA, Abia State, Godwin Eze, 39, from Cross River State, Nnaiji Ikenna, 33, from Imo State.

Police sources told Zagazola that the arrests were made through “actionable reconstructive digital intelligence,” and that the suspects have made useful confessional statements linking them to the crime.

The black Mazda 323 vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the victim has also been recovered.

Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Sunday Uduma, had previously been arrested on February 11, 2024, for a similar one-chance robbery case and was remanded at Keffi Correctional Facility. It remains unclear how he regained freedom and resumed criminal activities.

The police added that the suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations.

FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a notorious bandit leader identified as Dan Dari Biyar during a clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandit kingpin was eliminated on Thursday while attempting to collect a ransom from relatives of kidnapped victims in the forest corridor between Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango villages.

Dan Dari Biyar, whose nickname was derived from his infamous catchphrase “I prefer ₦500 to a Hausa man” was known for his brutality against kidnap victims, often mocking them before demanding large sums in ransom.

He was reportedly based deep within the Tidibale forest, from where he launched coordinated attacks on communities in Lalle, Tsamaye, and parts of Gwaronyo, including the notorious razing of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis.

Military intelligence linked him to multiple raids, ambushes, and acts of arson across Sokoto East senatorial zone, particularly in hard-to-reach forest enclaves.

Sources said the successful operation was part of an ongoing offensive by troops aimed at flushing out bandit elements and dismantling their hideouts.

The operation was executed by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and local security volunteers under the Sokoto State Government’s community protection initiative.

Zagazola gathered that arms, ammunition, and communication devices were recovered from the scene, while pursuit of fleeing members of his gang continues.

Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

Court remands TikToker over false obituary video of President Tinubu

By: Zagazola Makama

A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre for allegedly publishing a false video announcing the death of President Bola Tinubu.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Isma’il following a video he uploaded on his verified TikTok handle, @bola_asiwaju, in which he claimed that the President had died after allegedly being poisoned.

The 29-year-old suspect, a native of Jogana Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on publication of false news and inciting disaffection against the government.

The first count, titled Publication of false news with intent to cause offence against public peace, stated that Isma’il, on or about July 20, 2025, falsely claimed in the video that he had confirmed from official sources that President Tinubu was critically ill, allegedly after being poisoned. The charge added that the intent was to cause public alarm and disturb the peace.

The offence, according to the prosecution, is punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The second count, Inciting disaffection to the government, accused the defendant of attempting to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the President by spreading falsehood. The prosecution cited Section 416 of the Penal Code as the relevant legal provision.

The presiding magistrate, Ekpeyong Iyang, after listening to submissions by the prosecution and the defence, denied the bail application filed by Isma’il’s counsel.

He ordered the accused to be remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre pending the continuation of trial, which was adjourned till August 19.

Isma’il’s arraignment came days after a U.S.-based professor of journalism, Farooq Kperogi, apologised for publishing a false report alleging that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced at the time of his death.

In a similar development, Finnish-based separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, is currently standing trial in Finland for terrorism-related charges stemming from online broadcasts supporting Biafran separatism.

Prosecutors in Finland are seeking a six-year prison sentence for Ekpa, whose online activities, they argue, constitute terrorism under Finnish law.

Last week, in Abuja, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), told a Federal High Court that his online broadcasts were mere jokes, despite prosecution claims that the content led to the deaths of hundreds.

Court remands TikToker over false obituary video of President Tinubu