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Operation Sweep raids ‘Pantakers’ markets, targets vandals, recovers suspected stolen items

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….As it impounds over 25 motorcycles

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

In order to combat the challenges of vandalism of public infrastructure, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), through its special security outfit, Operation Sweep, has intensified efforts focusing on various Pantaker markets, where suspected stolen goods might be kept and traded.

The joint task force, has been working around the clock, especially throughout the yuletide season to ensure relative peace across the territory, combed such markets within the popular Jabi Motor Park and Apo Mechanic.

The move, was in the wake of reports of repeated vandalism of newly installed solar streetlights and a surge in theft of critical infrastructure, including manhole covers.

Briefing newsmen, after a visit to the International Scrap Market, Apo, and Jabi Pantaker Market yesterday, the Director, Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said the enforcement was intended to strengthen monitoring of Pantaker markets, which are often used as outlets for stolen items.

Gwary, who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, said the enforcement was designed to showcase the work and sensitise people about the task force.

He said, “The reason we went out today with the media is to showcase the work of Operation Sweep, particularly the Joint Task Force established by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“This team has been working around the clock throughout the year, especially during the peak season, and as a result, there has been relative peace across the FCT.”

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“We all recall that sometime last year, there was a spike in the vandalism of critical infrastructure and national assets, especially manhole covers and similar facilities.

“The FCT Administration, through Operation Sweep, was able to effectively curb that menace. Additionally, the Honourable Minister has continued the installation of solar streetlights across the territory.

” Unfortunately, we have received reports that some unscrupulous individuals have been removing batteries from these solar streetlights. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why we have intensified monitoring in Pantaker markets”, he said.

During the visit, a vehicle being dismantled for sale was discovered.

Olumuji explained that the task force verified the sale with the owner, confirming it had been legally sold to the pantaker dealers.

“This is just one of many achievements recorded across the territory. Let it be clearly stated that there is no hiding place for criminal elements within the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.

He also revealed that Operation Sweep has already intercepted stolen goods prior to Tuesday’s outing.

“Even prior to today, a few days ago within my jurisdiction, Operation Sweep personnel, while on active surveillance patrol, intercepted a vehicle conveying armoured cables suspected to have been stolen.

” During an attempt to escape, the suspects ran into a ditch and fled. However, the vehicle and the stolen items were successfully recovered. Similarly, during visits to some Pantaker markets, we recovered suspected stolen items.

” The shop owners have been invited, and the police will investigate to establish whether the items are indeed stolen. If they are confirmed to be stolen, the law will take its full course, and those responsible will be brought to justice”, Olumuji said.

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He stressed that the operations are not solely focused on arrests, but also on sensitising market operators about their responsibilities.

“It is important to note that our visit is not solely about making arrests. It is also to sensitize Pantaker operators not to accept stolen items in their markets. We have clearly informed them that if stolen items are found in any Pantaker market, the leadership and shop owners will be held accountable,” he said.

Representing the Apo pantaker market leadership, Vice Chairman Hassan Mohammed described the visit as significant, and welcomed the FCTA’s efforts.

“This visit is very important, and we sincerely appreciate the effort of the authorities. We have always collaborated with security agencies, and we operate a strong task force. Before anyone enters this market with any item, they must brief our task force at the gate. We verify receipts and agreements, which we then keep in our office.

“We also enlighten our members that before buying any vehicle, they must contact the owner of the vehicle. Once you speak with the original owner and receive confirmation, you are assured that the sale is authorized,” he said.

Hassan added that the market has its own independent intelligence unit to prevent illegal trading.

“As you can observe at the market gate, we have clearly displayed prohibited items. We do not tolerate government property in this market. In addition, we have security personnel and an internal intelligence unit that works independently of the task force.

” They monitor items being brought into the market. Whenever you come to offload something they are by your side then they will watch what you carry to the market. So we don’t have any problem in this market and we are 100% in collaboration with security agents,” he said.

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Mother Subjects Daughter to Abuse, Admits: “I made $300 from my 8-yr-old daughter’s pornographic video’

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By Nick Ibe

The viral video on the social media involving an 8-year old girl whose ordeal was caused by her money loving mother has been arrested.

The arrest was facilitated by vigilante police operatives in the area, as well as bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted the investigation leading to the arrest of her 36-year-old mother, Anulika Onyeanusia, Onitsha, Anambra state.

According to the police, the Anambra State Police Command arrested her over alleged child pornography in Onitsha, by uploading a video involving her eight-year-old daughter on a pornographic platform to make money.

Onyeanusia, after the arrest, reportedly, told investigators that the highest amount she had made from uploading such content was $300.

The suspect also disclosed that the eight-year-old girl seen in the video is her second child, while preliminary investigation by the police allegedly revealed that she had also subjected her first daughter to similar acts and uploaded the content on a pornographic platform.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly blamed the act on the devil, telling police: “It is the devil, please forgive me” while adding that her husband was unaware of what she had allegedly been doing to their two daughters.

The arrest followed the circulation of a video showing the woman allegedly using sex toys on the eight-year-old girl. The video prompted police operatives to act on what the command described as open-source intelligence and traced the suspect.

In the disturbing footage, the girl could be heard crying and pleading with her mother to stop as the alleged abuse continued. The police said the video showed the suspect allegedly engaging in the act while apparently producing the content for an online audience.

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During the operation, which was carried out on Thursday evening, the command said four children, aged two, three, six and nine years, were rescued.

The Police also disclosed that sex toys and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation were recovered from the suspect.

The command said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether other persons were involved.

Spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect and rescue of the children, said, ” The suspect is currently in police custody as the Command intensifies its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and the possible involvement of other persons. The husband of the suspect is also undergoing interrogation to determine whether he has any connection with the alleged offence.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, who is deeply disturbed by the alleged act, described it as unacceptable, particularly because it involves the exploitation and abuse of children who are incapable of protecting themselves. He has therefore directed a thorough and professional investigation while ensuring that the rescued children receive appropriate care and protection.

“To this end, the Command notes that beyond the investigation and prosecution, its priority is the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the rescued children.

“The Command will work with the appropriate child-protection and relevant support agencies to ensure that the victims receive the necessary care, protection, counselling and other support required for their recovery. Their identities and privacy will be protected throughout the process, and they will be treated with compassion and sensitivity.

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“The Command also commends the vigilante operatives in the area, as well as bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted the investigation and led to the arrest of the suspect”, he stated.

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General News

Lawyer Assaulted by Police: NBA Gboko Branch Secures N500 Million General and Exemplary Damages in Makurdi Court

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By Our Reporter

In the pursuit of justice for a colleague, B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq., who was recently assaulted and battered by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gboko Branch, under the leadership of Felix Uwar, Esq., on Friday, 11th September, 2026 obtained judgement in favour of its member.

The facts which impregnated the suit that delivered the sweet victory are that, sometime in May, 2026, a client retained the legal services of B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq. to secure his bail at Koti-Mbaduku, Shangev-Ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

On arrival at the police outpost, the officer in-charge, one Inspector Terngu Ikyuur, demanded for money as a condition for the bail of the said client. Confused, the learned Iliamkondo, Esq. requested to know why he had to pay for bail when it was statutorily free of charge whereupon the police officer got infuriated and ordered him to vacate the police outpost immediately or face being implicated in his client’s cause. Mr. Iliamkondo then made to deliver his written application for the bail of his client but the officer instead seized him by the shirt, stalked him to the ground and cramped him into detention alongside his client and other inmates.

The following day, Inspector Terngu Ikyuur brought Mr. Iliamkondo out of the detention facility and forced him to carry on his head a bucket of faeces and urine passed over night by inmates. The officer compelled him to sing that he was a-charge- and-bail lawyer as he marched Mr. Iliamkondo around the community with a loaded gun pointed at his head all the while, threatening to kill him if he stopped marching.

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Upon the intervention of his learned friends, Iliamkondo was later released after being brutalized and stripped half-naked by the police Inspector. Aggrieved, the NBA Gboko Chairman, Uwar, Esq., quickly empanelled a team of lawyers to secure the enforcement of fundamental rights of their learned friend. The team had: I. S. Gese, Esq. ; F. M. Z. Uwar, Esq.; Bem-Ephraim Orlunan Ayati, Esq. ; T. I. Tur, Esq.; S.L.Puusu, Esq. ; B. I. Aker,Esq.; G. M. Jimin, Esq. ; S. S. Gbileve, Esq. ; C. M. T. Uwar, Esq. ; F. Tyoyima, Esq. ; B. E. Atser, Esq. ; and M. I. Tagher, Esq.

The team instituted SUIT NO: MHC/4110M / 2026 before the Benue State High Court of Justice, sitting at Makurdi with B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq. as the Applicant against Inspector Terngu Ikyuur; CSP Banfa U. Nanzing; Commissioner of Police, Benue State; Inspector General of Police; Police Service Commission; and Nigeria Police Force as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents, respectively.

In his judgement delivered on September 11, 2026, Hon. Justice M. M. Ikwulono, upheld the application and entered judgement in favour of the Applicant, Agugu Iliamkondo Benson Bemsen, Esq.

The Court awarded general and exemplary damages in his favour and against the Respondents in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (₦500, 000,000.00) only for the violation of his fundamental rights by the police.

The Court also Ordered the police to author and publish an apology to the Applicant in national newspapers with nation-wide circulation, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Applicant.

But besides the court ruling, the NBA has reportedly caused a formal petition to be written against Inspector Terngu Ikyuur and his DPO, CSP Banfa U. Nanzing, for discreet disciplinary action against them.

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In their response to the outcome of the matter, the legal team said: “On our part as the legal team, we salute this judgement as sound in law, compensatory to our learned friend and deterrent against the police.

“We equally thank the Chairman of the Gboko Branch of the NBA, Uwar, Esq., under whose watch he ensured that our learned colleague’s humiliation got the justice that he deserves.”

At the time of filing this report, the NPF had yet to react to the judgment.

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Alia Denounces Ayilamo Attack, Commiserated With Victims as DSS Arrests 3 Suspects

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By Felix Umande

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has strongly condemned the deadly attack on Ayilamo Community in Logo Local Government Area, describing it as a “despicable act” and a grave threat to peace and security in the state.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday night, claimed the lives of four police officers and seven civilians, while thousands were displaced.

In a statement on Thursday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the Governor said the killing of law enforcement officers “is particularly painful and underscores the enormous sacrifices being made by security personnel in the line of duty.”

“This despicable act is an attack on the peace-loving people of Ayilamo and a grave threat to the security and stability of Benue State,” Governor Alia stated.
He described the incident as “a disturbing reminder of the persistent insecurity and repeated attacks on vulnerable communities and law-enforcement officers in the area.”

Governor Alia extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Ayilamo, the families of all victims, and the entire Logo LGA community.

He also commiserated with the Inspector-General of Police and the Benue State Commissioner of Police over the loss of the four officers.
“We honour their courage and sacrifice and pray that God grants their families, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the Governor added.

The Governor commended the Department of State Services for the “prompt and professional operation” that led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly connected to the Ayilamo attack in Benue and Nasarawa States.

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He described the arrests as “a significant step towards uncovering the full circumstances of the incident and bringing those responsible to justice.”

“We urge the DSS to intensify its investigation and make the best use of the information obtained from the suspects in its custody,” Governor Alia said.

Governor Alia assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with security agencies to strengthen security in Ayilamo, Logo, and other vulnerable communities across the state.

He appealed to residents of Ayilamo and surrounding areas to “remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding,” and to provide credible information to security agencies.

“We remain resolute in our determination to protect lives and property, uphold justice, and restore lasting peace across Benue State,” the Governor assured.

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