A cattle dealer, Peter Balogun, popularly known as ‘Oga Peter’, who spent eight days with kidnappers, has narrated how deployment of drones and helicopter made his abductors to abandon him and others.

Balogun was abducted on July 7 along the Igarra-Auchi Expressway.

He said the kidnappers insisted on N15 million ransom payment while he offered to pay N10 million.

Speaking after he was released, Balogun said the kidnappers took him and four other victims to different parts of the Imoga Forest.

He said fear and panic crept in among the kidnappers when they saw drone and helicopter hovering in the sky.

Balogun praised operatives of the Edo Police Command for the successful rescue operation.

Edo police spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the rescue operation was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Innocent Nkeamatara.

Ikoedem said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, deployed police helicopter from Abuja, fully equipped with heavy assault capabilities, to provide aerial surveillance and operational support throughout the rescue mission.

She said the kidnappers abandoned their victims after they were unable to withstand pressure mounted by the advancing police teams, continuous drone surveillance and the persistent aerial patrol of the police helicopter.

“During preliminary debriefing, the rescued hostage recounted that the overwhelming presence of security personnel and the repeated helicopter patrols created panic among his captors, compelling them to hastily abandon him and escape.

The victim has since been taken to the hospital for medical attention and reunited with his family

“Although the safe rescue of the victim represents a significant operational success, CP Agbonika has directed that the ongoing clearance operation be expanded to cover all identified forests and criminal hideouts across State.

“The objective is to flush out all criminal elements, dismantle kidnapping camps, recover arms where possible, and ensure that every member of kidnapping gangs is brought to justice.” (THE NATION)

A High Court in Anambra State has sentenced controversial spiritual leader and self-acclaimed prophet, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onye Eze Jesus, to six years imprisonment and imposed a ₦20 million fine after finding him guilty under the Anambra Homeland Security Law.

The judgment forms part of the Anambra State Government’s ongoing crackdown on alleged ritual practices, fraudulent spiritual activities, and the preparation of charms believed to aid criminal activities, including kidnapping and internet fraud.

The case stemmed from the state’s prosecution of several high-profile native doctors arrested during the security operation launched in February 2025.

Delivering judgment, the trial judge held that individuals who claim supernatural powers capable of making people wealthy through prohibited practices or preparing charms outlawed by the Anambra Homeland Security Law are liable to imprisonment and financial penalties.

According to the court: “Any person who practices prohibited spiritual activities or claims to possess powers capable of producing wealth through illegal means is liable to the penalties prescribed under the law.”

The conviction is widely viewed as another major milestone in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s campaign against criminality and ritual-related practices in the state.

Authorities insist the enforcement exercise is aimed at dismantling networks allegedly encouraging criminal activities under the guise of spiritual services, while supporters of the affected clerics and native doctors have continued to question the government’s approach.

The case has generated widespread public attention and is expected to spark further debate over the balance between public security, religious freedom, and traditional spiritual practices in Nigeria.

Mary Habila: Rights group storms National Assembly with petition, demands probe of death in Umahi’s house

The death of Miss Mary Habila has been taken before the National Assembly, with a rights advocacy group petitioning the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to order an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.

The petition, submitted by the Access to Justice and Human Rights Initiative and signed by its Founder, Yusuf Aliyu Maigari, urged lawmakers to ensure that relevant authorities conduct a professional, evidence-based investigation into the case.

The group alleged that Habila died in the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, a development it said had generated widespread public concern and heightened calls for accountability.

According to the petition, the request is not intended to indict any individual but to ensure that the facts are established through lawful investigative and judicial processes.

“Hence, we respectfully request that every credible lead be investigated thoroughly and impartially,” the petition stated.

The organisation called on investigators to launch a comprehensive criminal investigation, secure and preserve all forensic, documentary, digital and electronic evidence, and obtain statements from everyone with material information relevant to the case.

It also demanded independent forensic and medical examinations where necessary, protection of witnesses from intimidation or harassment, and assurance that no individual receives preferential treatment on account of political office, wealth or influence.

The rights group further urged investigators to make the outcome of the investigation public in line with applicable laws and prosecute anyone against whom sufficient admissible evidence establishes criminal responsibility.

It also requested that reports circulating in the public domain concerning the deceased’s employment, movements and relationship with any individual be verified through documentary evidence rather than speculation.

Describing the case as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice and the rule of law, the group said the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations require a transparent and credible investigation.

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. A transparent investigation is essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice,” the petition added.

Copies of the petition were forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, the Police Service Commission, UN Women Nigeria, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and several other international human rights organisations and diplomatic missions. (The Sun News)