Metro
LASPOTECH Undergraduate Narrates Ordeal with Human Body Parts Merchants
An undergraduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Marvelous Omobobola, who was abducted by a kidnap syndicate in the state, has been released after his family members paid N200,000 ransom.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Omobobola went to school on Saturday to sign a SIWES form.
After he was done, the undergraduate boarded a tricycle to his hostel in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The 28-year-old said the tricycle operator was conveying him and other passengers to their destinations in Odogunyan when he suddenly veered onto a street to avoid the traffic ahead.
Omobobola said the tricycle operator was navigating the street to link the expressway when he suddenly parked beside a bus located near a bush.
He said he and other passengers were lamenting the abrupt stop beside a bush around 5pm when some armed men stepped out of the bus, pounced on them and whisked them away.
Narrating his ordeal to our correspondent, Omobobola said, “I went to school on Saturday to sign my SIWES form because we were to start exams on Monday.
“When I was done around 5pm, I boarded a tricycle from my school to my hostel in Odogunyan. There was traffic along the way so the tricycle operator diverted into a street.
“We were three at the back of the tricycle and one man sat beside the tricycle operator at the front. We asked why he left the road and he told us it was because of the traffic.
“Suddenly, the tricycle operator parked beside a bus and some men with guns pounced on us and ordered us into the bus that was parked near a bush. We met some people on the bus when we entered it.”
Omobobola said the tricycle operator left to bring more victims, adding that the kidnappers seized their phones to keep them incommunicado.
The undergraduate said, “They drove us into the bush where some people visited to price us like goats. Some people among my group were taken away into a room where they were killed and well-dressed people came with coolers for their body parts.
“When we were told to take off our clothes, one of the kidnappers saw the Celestial Church crucifix on my waist and he put me aside. He asked me what the crucifix was for and I told him I am from a celestial family.
“He then returned my phone and told me to call my people to pay a ransom for me before their leader, one Alhaji, comes. He said when their leader returns, he would not be able to help me because Alhaji procures human parts for politicians and other people. He said I would be killed if he found me there.”
Using Omobobola’s phone, the kidnappers contacted his mother, Ronke, and demanded N700,000 ransom.
Our correspondent who was with Ronke when she commenced negotiation with the suspects heard them telling her to choose between purchasing a coffin to bury her son and raising the money to secure his release.
The kidnappers later agreed to collect N200,000 and after ending the call, the aggrieved mother was seen begging people including church members for money and was able to raise N100,000.
Speaking with our correspondent, Ronke said, “I am not myself as I am speaking to you. I heard the sound of people crying on the phone and my son said the kidnappers cut two people’s throats like cows in an abattoir. I have been told to send the N100,000 into my son’s account for his release.”
Our correspondent quickly contacted the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, and he detailed the Divisional Police Officer, Odogunyan Police Station, to investigate the case.
Omobobola’s phone number was sent to the DPO who traced calls made to the number.
However, after the mother of the undergraduate paid the N100,000, the kidnappers, after using his ATM card to withdraw the money from a Point-of-Sale operator, used Omobobola’s phone number to borrow N100,000 from online credit companies.
It was learnt that the borrowed money was also withdrawn and the victim was released around 2am on Sunday.
Contacted, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Lagos State Polytechnic, Lanre Kuye, told our correspondent that the institution just got wind of the case.
He added, “We would make a case to the Lagos State Police Command to prevent future occurrences against staff and students.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, when contacted, said the command was on the matter, adding that the culprits would be arrested soon.
The Punch
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have condemned the recent distribution formula for the N50 billion earned allowance approved by the Federal government for university-based unions.
The unions expressed their displeasure in the sharing formula in a jointly signed statement by the President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi on Sunday in Abuja.
The Federal government last month approved the release of N50billion to universities as earned allowances.
The N50billion is to be shared between the Academic Staff Union of Universities; NASU, SSANU and National Association of Academic Technologists.
The statement said: “We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian University system.”
The unions further demanded a review and reversal of the allocation formula, which they describe as “grossly unfair” and “totally unacceptable.”
The unions argued that the distribution was capable of creating industrial disharmony and accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities.
They vowed to stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and recognition of their rightful place in the university community.
They warned that going ahead with the unfair distribution will breed resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony.
“Non-Teaching staff of Nigerian Universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.
“A harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness,” the statement added.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police incharge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan (comprising Lagos and Ogun States) on Saturday led Police officers on a fitness walk to enhance their physical wellness, mental health, and emotional well-being. The Walk which stretched from the Zone 2 Headquarters in Onikan to Eko Atlantic City turning on Ahmadu Bello Way, to Adeola Odeku and back to the Zone 2 covered about 10.2 km, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can report.
The exercise, which was undertaken to complement the job of police officers as it demands high level of fitness and health, was to avoid breakdown and collapse, while in and out of duty.
Police officers are known to be on constant move throughout the day, standing for long hours under the rain and sun, and are always under intense pressure in the cause of performing their duties, hence the need for the walk.
Addressing a cross section of NAOSNP members after the tasking but refreshing fitness walk, AIG Adegoke Fayoade stated: ‘This walk is a strategic instruction of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun that we need to be healthy for the job. The Police job is a very tasking job and we require fitness and health to do the job. That is why we decided to do this Walk on a regular basis, it helps us to perform our job effectively which is round the clock.’
‘My charge to our Police officers is that we need to be fit for the job. During leisure, take out time to engage in exercise. It lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Today we did about 10.2km, last time we covered 8.5km, maybe next time, we will do 15km.’
The Zonal Police PRO, Zone 2, CSP Umma Tunni Ayuba added: ‘This Walk plays a vital role in mental fitness which impacts what we do on a daily basis. It is also a means to unite us as officers and engage with members of the public. You can see that some members of the public join us because it goes a long way in the health of an individual.’
‘I didn’t know we did as much as 10.2km because it was fun and enjoyable with good music, like they say, ‘music is life’. I encourage officers to continue to engage in exercise, don’t wait for something to happen to your body before you look for what to do.’
The walk was spearheaded by the Zonal Sport officer, SP Mattias and Lagos State Command Sport Officer, ASP Abayomi Sonaike, SP Mattias and Supol Alex of Zone 2. ‘We thank God that we have an agile AIG who is concerned about our fitness and health. Our AIG Adegoke Fayoade knows that walks will help our agility to do the job better,’ ASP Abayomi Sonaike remarked.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has commissioned a brand new modern and smart Divisional Police Station, at Katampe in Mpape, Abuja, to strengthen internal security and safeguard lives and property.
The brand new Divisional Police Station, constructed by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) was handed over to the Nigeria Police by the representative of the Honourable Minister, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Katampe in Mpape, Abuja, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The Minister said that the occasion marks a major milestone in their collective efforts to strengthen internal security and safeguard lives and property across the country noting that the completion of this police station—delivered through the Nigerian Police Trust Fund—is a clear testament to the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, to promoting safer communities and enhancing police operations.
He recalled that for many years, the rapidly growing Mpape community has felt the pressing need for a befitting and functional police facility and the modern facility not only provides a professional and conducive workspace for officers but also serves as a symbol of progress, peace, and partnership between the police and the people.
In his words, “the Nigerian Police Trust Fund continues to be instrumental in transforming the operational landscape of the Nigeria Police Force by bridging critical resource gaps. The successful completion of this project here in Mpape highlights their resolve and strategic vision in providing infrastructure that supports effective policing. I commend the Board and Management of the Trust Fund for their dedication and service”.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and prioritizing internal security in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This police station is a clear demonstration of our resolve to ensure a safer, more secure Nigeria. Gaidam stressed.
The Minister charged the officers and personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and community engagement.” Let this station be known for prompt response, fairness, and respect for human rights. You are the face of justice and security in this community. He added.
According to him, “To the residents of Mpape and neighboring communities: this facility belongs to you. I urge you to embrace it, protect it, and collaborate with the officers stationed here. Effective policing thrives on mutual trust and active community participation. Your cooperation is not just welcome—it is essential”.
Gaidam pointed out that the facility, which would be replicated in the six geopolitical zones, embodies our collective resolve to entrench law and order, improve community-police relations, and ensure that every citizen can live without fear. It stands as a beacon of hope, a pledge of protection, and a commitment to service delivery at the grassroots.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mr. Mohammed Sheidu thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfastness, dedication to the security sector, reforms, institutions strengthening, and his unwavering support to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund that made impactful interventions like the modern police station.
This facility, consisting of a modern police station, perimeter fencing, sedentary CCTV surveillance, overhead water tanks for uninterrupted water supply, and a 30-kilowatt solar power system, stands as a mission and statement of a nation-building.
Receiving the facility on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, The Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Victor Olaiya stated that officers and rank and file will walk tall with their head up because of the magnificent structure that will stand the test of the time and charged officers to guard the edifice and equipment with utmost priority.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, posited that his agency and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund are changing the narrative on the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed last year by implementing the MOU.
“We are witnessing the first kind of implementation of MOU by creating sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity framework in different government agencies through deployment of smart police infrastructures in the country base on the thinking and innovation of the leadership of Nigeria Police Trust Fund by crystalizing agenda of Mr. President base on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
