Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have killed three suspected kidnappers while rescuing their victims, a lawyer and his niece.

According to Eons Intelligence, the three kidnappers were shot dead in a gunfight with police operatives during a rescue mission.

The operation led to the successful rescue of Barrister Emmanuel Ubengama, a Director at the Ministry of Justice, and his niece, who had been abducted along the Abak-Ikot Abasi Road in Akwa Ibom.

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The victims were found bound and confined in a soakaway pit at the kidnappers’ hideout, an incomplete building, after the police force neutralized the criminals.

The retired Anglican Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala, has been reported missing along with his driver.

Archbishop Okpala

The two were last seen on Friday morning while traveling to Umuchu, located in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, which is also the hometown of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Isuofia community.

Sources revealed that despite extensive efforts by church members and the local community to reach the Archbishop and his driver, all attempts to make contact have been unsuccessful.

The two failed to reach their intended destination, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

In response to the troubling situation, the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, issued a prayer alert to the faithful, urging them to offer prayers for the safe return of the Archbishop and his driver.

The prayer appeal stated, “We are deeply burdened to inform you that our dear Archbishop, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala, has been missing since Friday morning.

He was traveling to Umuchu with his driver but has not arrived, and there has been no communication since.”

The statement went on to urge the faithful to join in prayer for the safety and swift return of the missing cleric and his driver, as the church hopes for divine intervention.

“We are trusting in the Lord’s protection, and we ask for your intercessory prayers during this time of distress,” the prayer alert concluded.

However, when contacted for confirmation, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that he was not yet aware of the incident.

On Thursday, unidentified gunmen attacked the family of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas along Kente Road in the Wukari Local Government Area.

The attackers targeted the governor’s mother, Jumai Kefas, and his sister, Atsi Kefas, while they were traveling.

During the chaotic attack, a police officer assigned to protect the family accidentally shot Atsi Kefas while trying to defend them from the gunmen.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama revealed that the area has been experiencing an uptick in bandit activity, which may have contributed to the attack.

Thanks to the quick response of military personnel, the situation was averted from becoming even more tragic.

The troops rescued the victims, airlifting Jumai and Atsi Kefas to safety.

Atsi was immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention, though her condition remains uncertain.

Authorities recovered the vehicle involved in the incident, and an empty magazine, along with passenger luggage, was found inside.

The Nigerian Army has reopened the Rescue Market, also known as Malaysia Market, in Onuimo, Obowo Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State.

This follows a closure three weeks ago after an attack by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on a military checkpoint, which led to the death of two soldiers.

During a visit to the market on Friday, Major General Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, emphasized the importance of community support for security agencies in ensuring safety.

He urged traders and residents to take responsibility for the protection of their communities.

“It is our duty as the military to protect you, but we will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers,” Dada stated, adding that ignoring wrongdoings can have serious consequences for everyone.

Dada also highlighted the army’s ongoing efforts to engage with local communities and address their security concerns, stating that commanders in Imo and Abia states have been instructed to maintain close contact with the people.

In addition, Dada expressed concern over the low number of Igbo youths participating in the Army’s recruitment process.

He encouraged the people to view joining the military as a prestigious career.

As part of his visit, the GOC distributed palliative items, including 10-kg bags of rice and vegetable oil, to elderly traders affected by the market’s closure.

The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate engaged in armed robbery and financial fraud, following a series of coordinated operations.

The crackdown led to the arrest of eight male suspects, including a dismissed soldier, and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen valuables.

The operation, which began on November 12, 2024, at around 3:30 am, involved the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group.

A statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, revealed that officers responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at an estate in Emene.

One suspect, Ismaila Isah, 23, was arrested at the scene, with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and several stolen items in his possession.

Following Isah’s arrest, investigations led to the identification and capture of additional members of the syndicate, including Sadik Ahmed, 28, a dismissed soldier; Abbas Usman, 33; Mubarak Garba, 24; Abubakar Haruna, 23; Abubakar Sani, 32; Obiri Chukwuebuka, 22; and Bright Omeniru, 22.

The statement added that the police recovered two more locally made pistols, ten laptops, ten mobile phones, assorted jewelry and watches, one MP3 player, power banks, and various personal items.

According to Ndukwe, the syndicate had been involved in multiple armed robberies across Enugu, using stolen SIM cards to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts.

The syndicate operated not only within Enugu but also across state lines, including Imo State, where two members were apprehended in Owerri.

Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, reportedly used his security background to bypass checkpoints during the transportation of stolen goods across state borders.

The suspects further confessed to selling the stolen proceeds in different states, including Imo.

The police are continuing their investigation and will soon arraign the suspects in court.

Enugu State’s Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, commended the operatives for their diligent work and urged them to continue their efforts in combating crime, especially during the festive season.