One dead, another missing as smugglers, Customs clash

SUSPECTED smugglers on Wednesday allegedly killed an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), at Fagbohun village around Idogo-Ipaja in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, while another operative of the NCS was declared missing.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when operatives from the Federal Operating Unit (FOU), stormed the village to carry out an operation.

The smugglers on sighting the NCS officials opened fire on them, while two officers were reported missing after the melee.

A lifeless body of one of the officers was said to have been found inside a river near Ajegun Iyaloosa village. 

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the FOU in Zone A, Theophilus Duniya, said some suspects have been arrested.

Duniya said “The attacked officers are from FOU. One is confirmed dead, while the other one is still missing. 

“It happened Tuesday afternoon. They were on  patrol when they were attacked. It was an unprovoked attack that ended the life of one and the other one is still missing.

“The one that was found dead, his rifle was missing; but we can’t say for the other one that is still missing until we get to the end of it. At the moment we have some suspects in our custody about that murder.”

It was gathered that residents of the village have fled the community for fear of reprisal attacks.

Kidnapped Benue NYSC members, four others released

The two National Youth Service Corps members and four others from Benue state abducted by bandits in Zamfara state have regained their freedom.

The victims were kidnapped last week at Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State when the Benue Links commercial vehicle they were travelling to Zamfara and Sokoto states was waylaid by armed men.

The release of the six victims was made known by a statement on the social media handle of the Principal Special Assistant to the Benue state Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Tahav Agerzue.

This came less than 24 hours after the Governor decried the abduction of the six assuring that his government had taken steps to secure their release.

According to the statement by Mr Agerzue, “the collaborative efforts of the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Benue Links management, and the families of victims secured the release of the two National Youth Service Corps members, Jennifer Awashima Iorliam and Joseph Zaka as well as four others abducted by kidnappers in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State a week ago.

It was gathered that the kidnappers had made an initial demand of N5million for the release of each of the victims and later brought it down to N2 million but it was not clear if the state government met the demand of the abductors before their release.

The elder sister of one of the corps members, Judith Iorliam, confirmed the release of her sister saying she was already on her way back home.

Also confirming the release of the six victims, the Security Adviser to the Governor, Colonel Paul Hemba (retd), said “yes they have been released and they are already on their way back to the state.”

Teenager killed, corpse dumped inside a bag in Lagos

Operatives attached to the Mancenter division, Lagos State Police Command, have begun an investigation into the death of a yet-to-be-identified teenage girl discovered inside a travelling bag close to a popular hotel located at Adekunle village, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja.

Although the circumstances surrounding the death of the teenager is unknown, eye witness account said the victim’s mutilated remains were discovered, yesterday, at a corner of Jafac Close that leads directly to the hotel.

A resident said “we found the girl dead inside the box this morning. I believe it was dumped there last night when residents had gone to bed. We don’t know how it got to that place.”

Vanguard learned that policemen from Mancenter station conducted a search in the hotel but the hotel wasn’t sealed.

Officials the state Ministry of Health with the police later picked evacuated the body.

When contracted the Spokesperson Lagos state police command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he will get back. However, he didn’t as at press time.

Police arrest suspected ritualists with human head

Two suspected ritualists, Ismaila Wasiu, Mutairu Shittu have been arrested by operatives of the Oyo State Police Command with a fresh human head.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Adewale Osifeso, who disclosed this in Ibadan, yesterday said the Police received credible intelligence from residents of Ayekale, Saki Area of Oyo State, at about 2:30 pm on Monday.

He said that the residents alleged the duo of Ismaila Wasiu ‘m’ age 29 yrs and Mutairu Shittu ‘m’ age 35yrs, were found in possession of a fresh human head.

“Oyo State Police Command attached to Saki Divisional Police Headquarters immediately swung into action and arrested the duo with the fresh human head and the dismembered body of the victim who has been identified to be one Mujidat ‘f’

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victim was lured from Lagos through a phone call by one of the suspects, Ismaila Wasiu, before the perpetration of the dastardly act”, he stated.

Osifeso said “The dismembered body has been deposited at the morgue, while intensive investigations regarding the incident continue”, he added

Culled from Vanguard