Security sources say 20 medical students who were kidnapped in Benue State have just been rescued.

The operation was coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser.

Security agencies – the police, DSS and military personnel and equipment were involved in the operation, with the support of the Benue State government.

Though the student have regained their freedom according to security sources, details of the rescue operation are still sketchy at the moment.

News of the abduction of the students hit the media space last Friday, attracting reactions from Nigerians who condemned the rising rate of kidnapping in the country.

The victims were said to be on their way to Enugu State, passing through the Otukpo Local Government area in Benue before they encountered bandits.

They were en route to Enugu for a programme when they ran into the kidnappers around Otukpo.

The students were said to be travelling in a convoy of two buses and were coming from the northern part of the country when they ran into the ambush on Thursday evening at about 5:30 pm.

A few days after their abduction, their captors had established contact with the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million to secure the release of their hostages.

IGP orders rescue

Responding to calls for the rescue of the students, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately ordered the rescue of the victims.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, the IGP condemned the kidnapping of students.

Egbetokun described their abduction as “truly appalling, callous, and unacceptable”.

He said, “In a display of unwavering commitment to the rescue, safety, and well-being of the young Nigerians, the IGP has ordered the prompt deployment of a substantial number of human and technical resources to augment the manpower of the Benue State Command and ensure the swift rescue of our beloved students. This initiative encompasses the mobilization of additional tactical units from the FID-STS and FID-IRT, the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, as well as the use of specialized tactical vehicles to facilitate the search and secure the safe return of the victims.

“The Nigeria Police Force stands with the victims and their loved ones during this challenging time, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the students.

“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates the zeal of the force to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the perpetrators and others alike, as the Nigeria Police Force is determined to sustain the fight against crimes and criminality, most especially kidnapping of Nigerians.

“The IGP equally appeals to the general public to provide useful information and actionable intelligence that may aid the ongoing investigation and the rescue operation. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station the state’s command control number or the FHQ via Pressforabuja@police.gov.ng and other helplines.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, and it will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace, stability, and the rule of law throughout the country.”

Kidnapping In Benue

In the past six years, the federal highway from Otukpo through Ugbokolo in the Okpokwu Local Government Area down to Odoba and Otukpa in Ogbadibu Local Government Area has become one of Nigeria’s dangerous roads to travel due to the notorious kidnap syndicate controlling the thick forests and vast ungoverned spaces.

Some weeks ago, the management team of the Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo, led by the Rector was kidnapped on that axis.

This was aside from several other victims including Catholic priests and many other kidnapping cases of motorists with little or no effort to tame the menace.

A Magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday has arraigned a 62 year old man Sunday Adesoye for allegedly stealing four bottles of cousins red wine worth ₦27,000.

According to people’s gazette, the Police charged Adesoye whose address was not provided with theft, though he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Inspector Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug.12 at 8 a.m in Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that the defendant stole the wine bottles belonging to the complainant, Apro Pharmacy and Supermarket Ltd, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and call his witnesses.

The Defence Counsel, Adunni Olanipekun, prayed the court to grant his client bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦20,000 with one surety in like sum.

Mr Afunso adjourned the case until September 23 for mention.

By Elizabeth Okwe

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, overturned the decision of a Kogi State High Court, which restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from prosecuting former Kogi State governor Mr. Yahaya Bello on an N80 billion money laundering charge.

The three-man panel of the appellate court, in a unanimous decision read by Justice I. Amadi, held that the decision of the judge of the lower court, Justice Isah Jamil, which set Bello free despite seeing the charge filed by the EFCC, was a scandal.

The Justices, Justice H. Barka, Justice S. Bola and Justice I. Amadi ordered Bello to obey the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, and present himself for arraignment.

The court allowed the appeal filed by Chief J. Okutepa, SAN, on behalf of the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Jamil in a fundamental right case filed by Bello in February 2024.

Bello is scheduled for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite on nine counts of money laundering involving over N80 billion, which he allegedly diverted from the Kogi State government’s treasury.

However, since filing the charges, the EFCC has not been able to bring him to court.

Bello went into hiding and snubbed five court sessions scheduled for his arraignment on April 18, 23, May 10, June 13, and 27, by mostly filing several applications challenging, among others, the EFCC and the court’s power to arraign him.

He also filed appeals challenging the court’s orders, insisting on his arraignment, but the justices held among others that Bello’s preliminary objection to the charge was not sustainable.

During the proceedings, the court adopted the two issues raised by the respondent.

It held that the learned trial judge had the charge in FRN vs. Alh. Bello & Anor, FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022 in his hand, but still set the respondent free, “under the guise of enforcing his fundamental rights. This is very scandalous.”

Justice Amadi added that it was very clear that the purpose of the case instituted at the trial court was “to shield the respondent, Yahaya Bello from his criminal trial.”

The court relied on its earlier decision per Oyewole JCA in EFCC vs. Alh. Yahaya Bello, CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024 to reiterate that “no vourt has the power to preclude a law enforcement agency from performing its statutory functions”

In effect, the court agreed with the submissions of the appellant.

On the whole, the court held that “the appeal is meritorious and is therefore allowed.”

It further held, “In view of the provision of Section 396(2) of ACJA, the respondent in this appeal; Alh Yahaya Bello is hereby ordered to appear for his arraignment in charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, FRN VS Ali Bello & Anor, before taking any other step in this matter.”

The second appeal was similarly decided with the court deciding in the EFCC’s favour, the appeal against the ruling of the lower court that no application of the appellant would be entertained until he presented himself for arraignment.

On the preliminary objection, the court was of the view that grounds 5 and 6 of the notice of appeal contained issues of law hence, no leave was required.

The preliminary objection was thus discountenanced.

The court in addressing the main appeal, held that in view of section 396(2) of ACJA, “no objection to the validity of the charge shall be entertained until arraignment of the defendant.”

The appeal was consequently dismissed.