News

Gunmen Invade Kogi Community, Kill 19, Burn Houses

Published

6 years ago

January 3, 2020

Eric

Gunmen have killed no fewer than 19 people in Tawari community in the Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, burning buildings, including the palace of the king of the community.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, Mr Williams Anya, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja on Friday.

He said a police assessment team had visited the community, adding that many buildings, including places of worship had been burnt.

Tawari community is a few kilometres off Gegu town along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

A resident of Tawari community, Mrs Comfort Solomon, who survived the attack, told NAN that the gunmen, numbering about 100 invaded the community late on Thursday.

She said the gunmen came in their numbers on motorcycles and descended on the village, killing and burning buildings until the early hours of Friday.

Solomon said many places of worship, including the palace of the Akuma of Tawari were burnt down by the invaders.

”The gunmen were up to 100 in number. They came into the community with motorcycles around 11:15 pm when villagers were sleeping.

“They entered selected houses, packed foodstuff and motorcycles and burnt selected houses, including homes of clerics.

”They killed more than 15 men. The attackers were communicating with each other in Hausa language,” Solomon stated, weeping profusely.

Similarly, a NAN correspondent in Minna, Niger, Mrs Rita Nuhu, an indigene of Tawari, who also spoke to NAN on telephone on the development, said that her father’s house was completely burnt down during the attack.

”My people have been calling me from home that my father’s house was burnt down by the attackers.

“My mother and her sister were ordered out of the house after which the house was set ablaze, while about 15 men were killed.”

The king of Tawari, Chief Idris Yusuf, who also spoke to NAN on telephone, confirmed the incident, saying it was the first time the community was experiencing such an attack.

“This is the first time we are witnessing such a deadly attack in our community. Our community has been very peaceful,” he added.

(NAN)

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

10 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.