An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the kidnapping of a 62-year-old retired ExxonMobil staff member, Idongesit Demas Udom, and the amputation of his hand after collecting a ₦5 million ransom.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The convicts—Chinatu Iwe Abraham, 38, from Isiala Ngwa, Abia State; William ThankGod Sunday, 30; Ubon Monday Ebebe, 30; and Saturday Jonah Udo, 43, all from Idung Nneke in Ukanafun Local Government Area, were found guilty on three counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, and wounding with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.

Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgment after a four-hour reading, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Three other defendants—Kingsley John Akpan, 32; Etimefiok Ime Ezekiel, 37; and Joseph Sunday Etim, 31, were discharged and acquitted due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the crime.

During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, including the victim, while all seven defendants testified in their defence.

Udom told the court that the events leading to his abduction began on December 20, 2016, following a dispute over an attempt by the second convict, William ThankGod Sunday, to organise a second “cultist carnival” in the village.

The elders opposed the event after a billboard advertised activities such as smoking, drinking and eating competitions, citing concerns about youth corruption.

A meeting at Udom’s residence, where he served as administrator of the Royal Family and President of the Idung Nneke Development Association, resolved that the carnival should not be held. The matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer in Ukanafun, who deployed officers to stop the event.

The intervention, the court heard, angered the second convict, who allegedly blamed Udom for his loss in a subsequent village youth leadership election and sent threat messages to the village head. Udom testified that he did not take the threats seriously, noting that he had previously helped secure the convict’s release from detention in Abia State.

According to evidence before the court, the second convict later convened a meeting on March 16, 2017, with accomplices and recruited kidnappers from Abia State to abduct Udom after local criminals declined to target him due to his standing in the community. The victim was eventually kidnapped, a ₦5 million ransom was paid, and his hand was amputated.

In sentencing, Justice Ette imposed seven years’ imprisonment on each convict for conspiracy, death by hanging for kidnapping, and three years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent to maim. While pronouncing the death sentence, the judge said, “May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”

The convicts pleaded for leniency during allocutus, but the court upheld the penalties prescribed by law. Security was tight around the court premises during the proceedings.

Source: Channels TV

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base at Mairari in Borno State, dealing what the military described as a major setback to the group’s operations in the area.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

This was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba. He said the attack began late on Friday night and continued into the early hours of Saturday before it was contained through joint ground and air operations.

According to Uba, the attackers attempted to force their way into the base using two vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. Both VBIEDs were detected in time and neutralised by troops, preventing any breach of the facility.

“CCTV footage and field observations confirmed that several terrorists were killed, while others sustained serious injuries as surviving elements evacuated their dead and wounded,” he said.

Following the failed assault, troops of Sector 3, with support from the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out a detailed exploitation of the surrounding area.

“The operation led to the discovery of multiple terrorist casualties and the seizure of weapons, ammunition, and logistics abandoned during their retreat,” Uba added.

He said items recovered from the scene included AK 47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, combat gear, medical supplies and other materials pointing to sustained terrorist activity in the area.

Uba noted that the seizure of the weapons and logistics further weakened the operational capacity of the terrorists and restricted their ability to operate freely around Mairari.

He also confirmed that the two VBIEDs were destroyed by defensive fire from the troops, causing damage to two points along the road but stressing that the base itself was not penetrated.

“There was no breach of the FOB, highlighting the preparedness, vigilance, and resilience of the troops,” he said.

According to him, soldiers have continued aggressive patrols in and around the area to prevent further attacks and reassure local communities of the military’s presence.

“Troops remain resolute in their commitment to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East,” Uba said.

“The failed attack at Mairari underscores the operational readiness and professionalism of our men and women in uniform. Troops of OPHK have continued to prioritise the protection of civilians, the disruption of terrorist networks, and the restoration of peace across the region,” he added.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has said she will not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite what she described as repeated efforts by individuals linked to the Presidency to persuade her to join the ruling party.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Featuring on Mic On Podcast on Saturday, Natasha insisted that she remains firm in her political convictions and would not bow to pressure or inducement.

“APC is not an option for me. I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threat or any cajolment. I have been approached by people from the Presidency to join the APC,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that her political choices are guided by principle rather than convenience, adding that pressure from powerful interests would not sway her decisions.

According to her, maintaining independence and integrity in politics is more important than aligning with the ruling party for personal or political gain.

The senator’s comments come amid growing speculation over possible defections by opposition lawmakers as political realignments ahead of future elections continue to gather momentum.