News

Rivers: Police Operatives Allegedly Kidnap Hotel Staff, Demand Ransom

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested at least four of its operatives for allegedly kidnapping a hotel staff in Port-Harcourt, the state capital.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatunji Disu, who confirmed the development during a press briefing, said the four officers involved in the heinous crime have been arrested.

The Commissioner said that he read about the incident on social media and swung into action to ensure that the victim was released and the culprits were arrested.

“They have been arrested. I am waiting for a complaint from the victim, so that I will know what and what to look out for. The officers are in custody.

“We are not hiding anything. When the complaint comes, we will give you details of what we have done. If I don’t get complaints from members of the public on this, I will believe everything is okay. All of us are in this together,” Disu said.

It was gathered on Tuesday that some policemen on patrol at the weekend, intercepted one Darlington Bieh around Choba in the Obio/Akpor part of the state and whisked him to an unknown destination.

It was learnt that the policemen had after intercepting the victim, searched his bags, pockets, and phone, but found nothing incriminating.

They thereafter saw some photos indicating that Darlington Bieh works in a big hotel.

According to reports, the officers asked the victim to call his family members to send money in millions, threatening that they would kill him and throw his corpse into the Choba River if the family failed to comply.

Bieh, however, called his boss, the owner of the hotel, who quickly alerted a Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

The DPO pretended to be the victim’s father, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

News

NAPTIP insists no reported case of organ harvesting in Akwa Ibom

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Akwa Ibom State Command, has insisted that there is no reported case of organ harvesting in any hospital within the state contrary to media reports.

This was contained in a statement, titled ‘Clarification on Misrepresentations regarding NAPTIP’S Presentation at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Press Briefing’, signed by Ben Essang on behalf of the Zonal Commander, in Uyo on Tuesday.

Essang, flanked by Eno Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Emem Ette, Director, Department of GBV, Ministry of Justice, as well as other stakeholders noted that the analogies presented at the event were drawn from global trends and intended “solely for the purpose of raising awareness without any specific reference to factual occurrences in Akwa Ibom State”.

According to him, “While NAPTIP promotes public awareness regarding the issue of organ harvesting, it’s important to clarify that there have been no reported incidents in any hospital or clinic within Akwa Ibom State.

“NAPTIP, Uyo Zonal Command therefore urges members of the public, government entities and organizations to ignore and disregard the publications.”

He also said human trafficking remained a pervasive global issue and urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious in their interaction, particularly concerning the welfare of both children and adults so they would not fall prey.

He, therefore, solicited the cooperation of citizens in the fight against human trafficking in the state.

News

Federal Govt confirms bird flu outbreak in Kano

The Federal Government has confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu, in Kano State.

The bird flu affects various bird species, including layers, ducks, guinea fowls and turkeys.

The disease is said to have has raised concerns over its potential spread in the region.

According to a circular by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Columba Teru Vakuru, authorities highlighted the heightened risk of transmission during this period.

“We urge all state veterinary offices and relevant agencies to activate their surveillance systems immediately. Strict biosecurity measures must be implemented, and public awareness campaigns intensified to curb the spread of the virus,” the circular stated.

While revealing how the outbreak started, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Kano State chapter, Dr Usman Gwarzo, recounted an incident from December 2024 that sounded the alarm.

“A young man from Galadanchi quarters in Gwale Local Government Area purchased a duck from Janguza market in Tofa LGA and introduced it to his flock of hens and chickens.

“The duck suddenly died, and shortly after, the chickens followed,” Gwarzo explained.

The carcasses, according to him, were taken to the Gwale veterinary clinic, where avian influenza was suspected.

“Samples were sent for testing, and by the first week of January 2025, the results confirmed the presence of the virus,” he added.

He advised Kano residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious bird deaths to veterinary authorities.

News

Soldier arrested with ammunition at Borno motor park

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

Intelligence sources told security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition was handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.