Osun State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a chieftaincy title holder, identified simply as Ajibade for allegedly forcing a suspect he caught stealing maize from his farm to drink poisonous substance. The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, who said investigation had commenced into the matter, called for calm by those that were aggrieved over the incident. In a short video obtained from sources in Ireti Ayo Area, Ilesa, where the incident happened, a man was seen sitting on the ground with two pieces of corn placed close to him. Another man standing close to the one sitting on the ground, was also observed holding a big stick, while an elderly man approached them. The elderly man, holding a cutlass later forced the man sitting on the ground to drink from a cup containing a substance he held, with the victim putting up a lame resistance. After drinking the content, he was left to go. A resident of Ireti Ayo, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the incident happened over a week ago, adding that the young man forced to drink the substance stole two pieces of corn from Ajibade’s farm and was caught. The resident further said, “After he was forced to drink the substance, Chief Ajibade left him to go. We quickly rushed the boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa where doctors eventually neutralise the effect of the poison. “But when all that was going on, someone went to the house of the father of the victim and told him that his son had been poisoned for stealing corn and died. The man was seized by shock. “He eventually died. But the boy that drank poison is alive and stable. Police have arrested the suspect in his hometown in Ipetu Ijesa and moved him to Osogbo for further investigations.” Giving more clarification about the incident, Ojelabi, during a chat with The PUNCH, gave the name of the suspect as Chief Ajibade, aged 62 years. Ojelabi also said, the victim that was caught stealing corn bears Ebenezer, aged 25 years. “The boy allegedly stole two pieces of corn from the man’s farm. The man caught the suspect, beat him up and mix a substance and forced the boy to drink it. “The boy drank it, but with the help of the good people around, they rushed the boy to a hospital. He was rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital. “Doctors at the hospital sustained him and he did not die. The doctors stabilised him. But the news of the incident reached the father of the boy that was caught stealing. “Some people went to the father and told him that his son had died of poisoning after being caught stealing corn. The father immediately gave up the ghost. “The boy is alive. But his father died of shock. The matter has been reported and we have the suspect here with us. Investigation will continue into the matter,” Ojelabi said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Abia State Command, on Thursday, confirmed that four lives, including that of a child, were lost in a ghastly auto crash that occurred at Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, on Tuesday morning. According to the Sector Commander, Ngozi Ezeonu, “One female child died at the spot as confirmed on reaching the hospital. In the course of our hospital follow-up on the victims who were carried to the hospital, we discovered that another three females later died, making it four people over the crash.” Earlier on Wednesday, the FRSC, Abia Command Public Relations Officer, Kelechi Igbonekwu, said 14 persons were injured in the accident, with nine being adult males and five adult females. According to him, the accident happened about 11.40 am at Ntigha, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Abia State, disclosing that the lone accident involved an 18-seater Hiace with registration number, MBA 124 XB, which had a burst tyre, which caused it to somersault into a nearby bush. A source identified simply as Chinaza, near the scene of the accident, told our correspondent that the vehicle left Ebonyi State to Aba that morning, adding, “There was a loud bang from a burst tyre which caused the vehicle to somersault, causing fatalities.” Another source, who spoke with PUNCH Metro, said a few minutes after the incident, the Abia State Emergency Response Team, led by Obioma Analaba, was sent to help, rescue and evacuate the victims to nearby hospitals. The Sector Commander, Ngozi Ezeonu, used the opportunity to advise drivers to strictly abide by the prevailing driving rules in the state in particular and Nigerians in general.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a notorious car theft syndicate operating across the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, indicated in a statement on Thursday that the breakthrough came after the earlier arrest of a 42-year-old Otoabasi Ime, who was found in possession of the stolen car. She disclosed that Ime, who was apprehended on July 27, provided the command with credible information that led to the arrest of five other members of the gang who have confessed to the theft of nine vehicles. She stated, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious car theft syndicate, leading to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and a cache of incriminating items. “This significant breakthrough follows an intensive investigation initiated after the recovery of a stolen vehicle on July 27, 2025.” “Coming on the heels of discreet investigations, operatives on July 30, 2025, at approximately 4:30pm, arrested additional members of the syndicate, following leads provided by Otoabasi George Ime, ‘m’, 42 years old. “George Ime was previously arrested in possession of a stolen vehicle, which sparked the wider investigation. “The arrested gang members include Uwem Okon Umoh, ‘m’, identified as the syndicate’s key fabricator; Umoh Joseph Essien, ‘m’, the group’s mechanic; Ukpong Jeremiah Udo, ‘m’, the syndicate’s electrician; Uchenna Peter Ihekandu, ‘m’, suspected buyer of stolen vehicles; and Peter Madu Abuchi, ‘m’, said to be responsible for money transfers within the syndicate, she disclosed. The police added that the arrest also led to the recovery of nine different car number plates, four yards of army camouflage fabric and two face caps, a road safety reflective jacket and cap, and a file jacket containing various vehicle particulars. “Upon searching the suspects, operatives recovered the following items: nine different car number plates, four yards of army camouflage fabric, two face caps, a road safety reflective jacket and cap, and a file jacket containing various vehicle particulars. “All suspects have confessed to being responsible for the theft of nine vehicles. The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commends the diligence of the officers in dismantling this criminal network. “Discreet investigations are still ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and identify the operational weapons used by the syndicate. “The command assures the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and their properties.”

Bayero University, Kano, has launched a manhunt for the suspected phone snatchers who stabbed and killed a 300-level student of the institution, identified as Umar Abdullahi Hafiz. The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He said the incident occurred at the student’s residence in the Dorayi area of Kano metropolis. According to Lamara, arrangements have already been made by the university to transport the deceased’s body to his hometown of Zaria, Kaduna State, for burial. The university added that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, had vowed to work closely with security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Abbas also called for calm within the university community, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both students and staff. PUNCH Metro gathered that phone snatching in the ancient city has now become a daily phenomenon, resulting in the killing of innocent citizens.