Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.

The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.

Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.

Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.

The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.

The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.

Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

By: Zagazola Makama

Tragedy struck in the Chikakore area of Byazhin community in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday when a 30-year-old construction worker, Paul Musa, suddenly slumped and died after vomiting blood.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the deceased, a member of the Bojuby ethnic group from Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was working at a construction site when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, Musa began vomiting blood from his mouth and nose before collapsing and slipping into unconsciousness.

One Mr. Ayuba Ishaya, a resident of Byazhin village, reported the incident to local authorities after receiving a distress call from a man identified simply as Friday.

Emergency response operatives were immediately mobilised to the scene and rushed the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead on arrival.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for preservation, while preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.

Police sources said an autopsy may be conducted to rule out any foul play or underlying medical condition.

Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

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