National News
Police Counsel Says the Shooting of a Petitioner By SARS was Legal

Police Counsel Says the Shooting of a Petitioner By SARS was Legal
By: Michael Mike
Counsel to the police Fidelis Ogwobe has stated before the Independent Investigation panel on Human Rights violation by the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian police that the police who shot a petitioner, Tairu Garba acted within the ambit of the law.
According to Ogwobe the shooting of the petitioner was justified in law, sighting the fact that the life of the officer in question was in danger.
Ogwobe while reading his written address before the panel said the complainant has not been able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and that the case has some elements of criminality, he stated.
He said from the petitioner’s written address regarding the evidence of the second respondent, Ali Abubakar their life was in danger before being shot since the petitioner attempted to snatch police riffle.
It may be recalled that the petitioner, Tairu Garba has petitioned the panel over alleged torture, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment that led to the loss of his leg. He told the panel that sometimes in 2019 he approached a police station in kogi state to make a report of charms and other fetish materials deposited in his community by a rival community.
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Narrating further, he said one Inspector Atabo Okpanachi of Enjema police division kogi state and members of his team, who are five in numbers came with a police van one morning, and launched a massive attack on the entire community, shooting sporadically, beating and kicking everyone with all form of degrading treatment.
While trying to enquire from the police the reason for their actions, he was shot at close range by inspector Okpanachi which led to the amputations of one of his legs.
However, Inspector Okpanachi who is the accused in the matter has before the panel exonerated himself when he told the panel that he didn’t shoot the complainant but his colleague, Ali Abubakar pulled the trigger and shot the bullet that led to the amputation of Tairu Garba’s leg.
During cross examination, Inspector Opanachi told the panel that shootings were done for self-defense, he said men on rampage descended on the police vehicle and attacked the police men this according to him led to the shootings that affected the petitioner.
Corroborating the testimony of the petitioner one Gabriel Momoh told the panel that the community did report the matter to the police and the police refused to follow them to witness the charm they claim they saw in their community because it was late and no logistics for such a distress call.
The matter was adjourned for report.
Police Counsel Says the Shooting of a Petitioner By SARS was Legal
National News
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters

Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
By: Zagazola Makama
Three Chinese crew members who were abducted by pirates during an attack on a Ghanaian fishing vessel, MV Menhin-1, have been rescued in Nigeria, the Ghana Police Service has said.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, The Director-General of the CID, COP, Lydia Yaako Donkor, said pirates, armed with AK-47 rifles, attacked the vessel on March 27, 2025, at about 1930 hours off Yenyano Waters near Tema, using outboard motor powered wooden canoes.
The attackers destroyed the vessel’s communication system before taking three Chinese crew members hostage, the police said.
The Marine Police Command in Tema received the complaint from the fishing company the following morning, on March 28, and immediately launched an investigation in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, National Investigation Bureau, the Ghana Navy, and the Fisheries Observer.
According to the police, the pirates blindfolded the victims and transported them in speedboats for 24 hours to a marshy area later identified as the Delta region of Nigeria. From there, they were moved on motorcycles and taken on foot to a makeshift camp where they were held at gunpoint until April 25, when they were suddenly abandoned.
The victims managed to reach a nearby village where locals assisted them to make contact with the Chinese embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. The embassy confirmed the rescue on April 26 and handed them over to Ghanaian authorities at the Kotoka International Airport on April 27.
A debriefing was conducted at the Police Headquarters in Accra on April 28. While there were no visible signs of physical harm, the victims appeared traumatised and requested medical attention.
The Inspector General of Police engaged with the victims and expressed sympathy and support for their ordeal.
So far, the police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the case. Those arrested include Sueva Victor, Kojo Akweli, Eugene Chibuke, Mwonam, Chinese cook Zhao Lang Hao, and second engineer Zhao Hua. They have been arraigned before the Tema District Court as investigations continue.
Police commended all stakeholders involved in the multi-agency operation for their swift action and coordination that led to the rescue of the kidnapped crew members.
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
National News
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja

Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
A group of protesters on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration in Abuja demanding the release of social media influencer, Mr Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), who was arrested on May 2 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was gathered that the protest began around 9 a.m. at the GTBank branch located at Plot 1072 J.S. Tarka Street, off Faskari Street, Area 3 Garki, where VDM was arrested alongside one other individual.
The protest was sparked by public outcry on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, following the arrest.
Three men wearing T-shirts with the inscription ‘Free VDM’ were first seen at the bank premises before regrouping with over 100 individuals
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the influencer.
Police operatives from the Command’s State Intelligence Department (SID) and patrol teams were promptly deployed to the scene to ensure law and order.
The crowd was peacefully dispersed from the bank premises and proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters in continuation of their demonstration, reiterating their demands before moving on to Dantata Bridge along Airport Road, where they finally dispersed.
Police sources said “No untoward incident was recorded during the protest. The situation is under close monitoring,” the police added.
Police sources further assured that the deployment of anti-riot units to flashpoints, strategic locations, and government infrastructure within the FCT remains intact.
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect

VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The Vice President left on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and reaffirms the government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
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