National News

POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED

Published

3 years ago

December 15, 2021

News Net Global

POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian police on Tuesday finally admitted to the Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units in Abuja, that Eric Ezela, was arrested by the officers of the Intelligence Response Team in 2017.

According to the police,Eric Ezeala fell sick twice in the course of investigating allegations of kidnapping against him and was hospitalized.

He later died at the Ikeja General Hospital while receiving treatment for the second time.

ASP Izuka Eguzoikbe, a principal member of the IRT, testified before the panel that Eric Ezeala was arrested following the confession by Evans, the famous alleged kidnapper.

The police alleged that Evans the self confessed kidnapper stated that Eric was his accomplice in his notorious business of kidnapping.

Testifying before the Justice Suleiman Galadima retd led panel, ASP Eguzoikbe stated that Evans said Eric was not only his accomplice, he was also the second in command in their group.

Evans gave out Eric’s phone number, which was forwarded to Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) Force headquarters to track and locate the whereabouts of Eric.

Following the lead of the OC Legal of the IRT, Barrister Blessing Ezeala, ASP Eguzoikbe informed the panel that the first tracking indicated that Eric was hiding out in Osun state but evaded the arrest.

Stating further, Eguzoibe said the second tracking which led the team to Ihime Mbanu in Imo state, resulted in the arrest of Eric on the 17th July,2017 at about 17.00 hours.

Continuing his narration, ASP Eguzoikbe, stated that Eric was brought down to the Imo state police command where he also confessed working with Evans and he was subsequently brought down to Abuja where both “Evans and Eric acknowledged one another as partners in the kidnapping business and he was detained in the IRT cell” he added.

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ASP Eguzoikbe disclosed to the 11 man panel that in the course of investigation Eric’s wife allegedly claimed that she is not aware of her husband’s activities because he is hardly around. She claimed that she had always suspected his activities and had reported to his family members her suspicions about him.

ASP Eguzoikbe further stated that Eric was later transported to Lagos where he showed the IRT where they house their kidnapped victims. Eguzoikbe lamented that it was in the process of taking them to where they store their arms and ammunition for their operations that Eric fell sick for the second time and was taken to the Ikeja General Hospital where he eventually died.

“We felt very pained with the death of Eric Ezeala because we could not get all the information we needed about their activities and armoury in his possession” ASP Eguzoikbe concluded his testimony.

Following the death of Eric Ezeala,the panel asked if an autopsy was conducted on the deceased to ascertain the cause of death. The ASP response was that the wife blatantly refused to show up for the autopsy and there was no way the police was going to conduct the autopsy without the consent and presence of the family.

Under cross examination, Counsel to the Ezeala family, Nonye Okpor asked the ASP whether he was aware that Hilda Ezeala, mother to the deceased visited Abuja on two occasions but she was denied access to her son.

While submitting copies of Eric Ezeala’s statement, statements from his wife, extract from crime diary and signal sent to IRT Commander to the panel, one of the panelists John Aikpokpo-Martin asked the ASP was the arrest documented and incidented by IRT records. To which the ASP answered in the affirmative. He further added that ,signal was sent to Commander IRT who authorized the arrest.

“It may interest you to know ASP Eguzoikbe that before today there was no record of arrest and detention of the deceased ” Aikpokpo-Martins told him.

The matter has been adjourned for the panel’s report.

POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED

National News

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

Published

4 hours ago

June 8, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 12th June, 2025 as Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s democracy day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion of 26 years of an uninterrupted civil rule.

He said: “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured.

“The last 26 years tells the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope Renewed than ever.”

The Minister while noting that Democracy is sustained with open doors for further improvement, reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the universal value of democracy that is based on freely-expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

National News

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

National News

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Published

3 days ago

June 5, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End