By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

In a decisive operation, the Kogi State Police Command has arrested a suspected car thief, Nnamdi Osita, aged 39, and recovered a Toyota Coaster Bus allegedly stolen from Nyanya, Abuja, over a year ago.

The cream-colored bus, bearing Registration Number GWA 488 ZD, was flagged down by operatives on Thursday, January 23, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway after intelligence reports indicated its movement in the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Kogi Command, SP William Ovye Aya disclosed that the arrest was a collaborative effort between the operatives of ‘B’ Division Lokoja and other security agencies.

“Our swift action underscores the commitment of the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye, to eradicating criminal elements from Kogi State,” Aya stated.

He noted that the CP had issued a directive upon assumption of office, charging officers to strengthen security efforts and maintain a zero-tolerance policy against crime.

“The arrest and recovery are proof of our dedication to ensuring the safety of lives and property. We are working tirelessly in synergy with other security agencies to make Kogi State secure,” Aya said.

The CP also appealed to the public for their cooperation, urging them to provide credible and timely information to assist in clamping down on criminal activities across the state.

The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding the theft and determine any accomplices involved in the crime.

This operation is part of a broader effort by the Kogi State Police Command to restore public trust and bolster security within the state.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking with major operations resulting in multiple arrests, the seizure of vehicles, and the interception of vast quantities of illicit substances across Nigeria.

In a midnight operation on Saturday, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 40ft trailer loaded with 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa, Abuja.
The consignment, destined for Northern states, was being distributed into six vehicles, including Toyota and JAC models, when officers swooped in, arresting 42-year-old suspect Isaac Monday Desmond.
The director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi in a statement indicated that additional operations in the Federal Capital Territory led to the arrest of two suspects, Anthony Nnamdi and Abba Ali, and the recovery of 1.398 kilograms of cocaine and precursor substances.
In Lagos he said the NDLEA officers intercepted 20 wraps of cocaine concealed in face cream containers meant for export to Australia. Meanwhile, a massive codeine shipment valued at over N1.1 billion was seized during a joint operation at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Rivers State.
In another significant breakthrough, NDLEA apprehended Bariu Aliu, a traditional priest of the Igunuko shrine in Lagos, three months after a raid at the shrine uncovered 2,760 kilograms of skunk. His accomplices had already been convicted.
Further successes included the arrest of 23-year-old Habibu Ya’u in Kano, where officers recovered 24.2 kilograms of cannabis and over 40,000 pills of opioids.
NDLEA’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign also gained momentum with sensitization programs targeting schools, worship centers, and communities.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s operatives for their balanced approach to reducing drug supply and demand, emphasizing their role in safeguarding the nation.

A violent cult-related clash in Owo, Ondo State, has left five people dead, including Fisayo Oladipupo, a former youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), heightening concerns over the growing insecurity in the region.
The deadly confrontation, which occurred on Sunday night, was part of an ongoing feud between rival cult groups that has simmered for over a decade, leading to numerous fatalities.

Oladipupo, 56, was shot and killed around 2:00 am on Monday, and his death triggered further violence across the town, with four other individuals gunned down in various parts of Owo, including the Eyinogbe, Ekusi, and Uselu areas.
Tragically, a mother and her child also fell victim to the violence when stray bullets struck them while they were attempting to flee the chaos at Mobil Junction.

Sources close to the community suggest that Oladipupo’s murder was likely carried out by individuals familiar to him, based on the nature of the attack. His death sparked widespread fear and panic, with the town reeling from the loss of several lives in a matter of hours.

The long-standing nature of the feud between the cult groups, fueled by unresolved disputes, has left the community on edge. Residents are now demanding increased security and a stronger police presence to prevent future bloodshed.

The police have confirmed the incident, with the Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, stating that investigations are underway to uncover the perpetrators and their motives.
While there are conflicting reports about Oladipupo’s status as an APC chieftain, the local authorities have confirmed the deaths of four individuals and reassured the public that efforts to restore order are ongoing.