Metro
IGP Squad Repels Police Station Attack, Kills Army Deserter, Four Others in Owerri
Security operatives led by Abba Kyari of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team have shot and killed a gang leader in the state popularly known Dragon and four others.
Members of the gang had attempted to attack the state police command headquarters in Owerri.
Briefing journalists at the command headquarters, Elkana said Dragon was an army deserter, who took over from the former commander, Ikonso.
He said four AK-47 rifles stolen from policemen, ammunition, local explosives and charms were recovered from the fallen felons.
The only suspect captured alive, Stanley Osinachi, from Mbieri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state, said he was conscripted to attack police and government formations.
“The attackers, who came in a white hummer bus, wanted to access the Command Headquarters through Works Layout around Alvan Nursery and Primary School, Owerri, but had a bloody fight with the security forces.
“They were first intercepted by the military at the outer perimeter cordon provided for the police. Five hoodlums were killed in action, including Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons.
“A police inspector sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire this morning and is currently receiving medical attention.
However, while police in the state confirmed that five hoodlums were neutralised (killed) in the gun duel in many parts of Owerri, a source at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, confided in our correspondent that at least, five corpses of policemen were brought to the morgue.
The police spokesperson in the state, Bala Elkana, expressed confidence that the security operatives were the battle against hoodlums in the state.
He disclosed that additional four rifles had been recovered from the hoodlums by the security agents.
Elkana, in an additional statement, said, “Number of hoodlums killed now is five while four AK-47 rifles stolen from the police during recent attack on our police station were recovered.
“We have one injured police officer in a critical condition at the moment. We pray the doctors will be able to stabilise him.”
The management, staff and students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a Part Three medical student of the institution, Timilehin Toromade.
Announcing the death on Tuesday in a release signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, and obtained in Osogbo, the management said Toromade was believed to have died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday.
Giving further details surrounding the incident, the management said Toromade, with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, possibly died after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, as one of his roommates reportedly opened the door for another medical student occupying the same building around that time.
“The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has received with profound shock, deep sorrow and a heavy heart the devastating news of the sudden passing of an eighteen-year-old Part Three student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery — who reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of today, Tuesday, 6th of January, 2026,” the statement read in part.
In a condolence message, the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, condoled with the family of the late student, his classmates, colleagues and friends.
Describing the incident as “deeply painful and distressing,” Bamire further said: “The entire University community is united in grief over the untimely departure of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the hope of, one day, healing others and serving humanity. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his peers and all who knew him.
“The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”
The management assured the public that it was “working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, in line with established medical procedures.”
It also said the university was putting in place appropriate support measures to assist students and members of the university community who had been emotionally affected by the tragic loss.
“At this moment of collective mourning, we, University, call on students, staff, alumni, and friends of the institution to remain calm, compassionate, and prayerful, and to uphold the values of empathy and solidarity for which the Great Ife is renowned,” the management said.
A socio-cultural organisation in Ikot Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Mboho Ukpum Ete, has strongly condemned the killing of a 13-year-old boy allegedly by soldiers.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Engr Patrick Udoma, the group described the incident as “unacceptable” and demands immediate justice.
“The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ete expresses sadness over the unprofessional conduct of army personnel attached to Sterling Petrochemical,” the statement said.
“This act has thrown the entire clan into mourning, and we insist that the perpetrators be identified and punished in accordance with the law.”
The Army Public Relations Officer of 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Bala Mohamed, confirmed the incident, saying the Military Police has taken over the matter, adding that it is under investigation.
He assured the public that the Nigerian Army does not condone misconduct by its personnel and that justice would be served.
Traffic was significantly disrupted on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Tuesday afternoon after a high-capacity commercial bus caught fire, authorities said.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the incident occurred at about 1:00 pm near the Adekunle area of the bridge on the inbound lane toward Iyana Oworo axis.
In posts on its official X account, LASTMA confirmed the bus blaze was slowing traffic on one of Africa’s busiest bridges. Officials said efforts were underway to extinguish the fire, with Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service personnel at the scene.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which spans about 11.8 kilometres and connects Lagos Island to the mainland, handles heavy daily traffic and is often affected by accidents and other incidents.
