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Many Killed As Stampede Engulfs Rivers Church

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Scores of people are feared dead in a stampede just before the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Though, the church known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the metropolis, the programme was at the Polo Club in the Rivers State capital to accomodate the usual large congregation.

It was learnt that the crowd overstretched the venue as the church had invited members of the public to come and receive gift items and food for its fourth anniversary.

A source said some of the invitees
arrived since Friday evening, while others arrived as early as 6.30am on Saturday morning for an event that was supposed to start by 9am.

He said most of the victims were taken to the nearby military hospital in Port Harcourt

“As I speak with you, I have counted 21 corpse at the military hospital. I heard some were taken to a different facility.

“This is not the first time the church is holding this programme, but the crowd since yesterday (Friday) till this morning is much.

“It was said that gift items and free food would be served. It is very painful,” the source who pleaded anonymity stated.

It was learnt that the small gate leading into the venue was pushed open on Saturday morning to enable them occupy good positions leading to a stampede.

When contacted, the acting spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, but could not give a figure just yet.

“I am doing a press statement on the incident. It would be released soon,” she stated.

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Lagos Security: CP Jimoh, Ogunsan, Visit Gov Sanwo-Olu

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, his first since assuming office, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.

CP Jimoh, who was accompanied by a Board Member of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan among others, expressed gratitude while highlighting some of his plans to uphold security in Lagos.

Responding, Gov. Sanwo-Olu hailed the new CP for stepping effectively and seamlessly into the Lagos no. 1 policing job, and urged him to continue in that exceptional drive while assuring that his innovative ideas will be given due attention.

On his part, Dr. Ogunsan praised CP Jimoh for his drive, diligence, and dexterity since assuming duty as Lagos CP. He was emphatic about the grace and candor which which he assumed the job, especially given the circumstance that necessitated his appointment. Ogunsan was very optimistic that the new CP will enjoy tremendous support of Lagos State, noting that since “you have involved my expertise and experience in engaging with the intricacies of the development of the ideas, the planning, and subsequent execution; you have my word, I will put my energy behind you. God bless you on this new journey which is a significant one for your trajectory as a Police officer in the Nigeria Police Force.”

CP Moshood Jimoh, who was appointed in February, is the 41st Commissioner of the Lagos Police Command.

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AIG Margaret Ochalla Assumes Office As 54th Boss, FCID Annex, Lagos

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AIG Margaret Ochalla Agebe, on Monday, formally assumed office as the 54th Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, according to a statement by the FCID Public Relations Officer, ASP Mayegun Aminat, and made available to pointblank.ng

Her appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of the department, following the retirement of the esteemed AIG Augustina N. Ogbodo (rtd), who concluded a distinguished and exemplary career in the Nigeria Police Force.

A native of Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State, AIG Margaret Ochalla Agebe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Conflict Resolution and Refugee Management and a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. Her robust educational background, combined with her extensive professional experience, underscores her readiness to lead FCID Annex Lagos in addressing the contemporary challenges of criminal intelligence and investigation.

Throughout her distinguished career, AIG Agebe has held several pivotal positions within the Nigeria Police Force, each contributing to her exemplary leadership profile. She has served as the Personal Assistant to four Commissioners of Police in Anambra, Officer In-Charge of the Monitoring Unit in Anambra, Team Leader of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) at the Force Gender Unit, and Advisor to the Inspector General on Gender Issues. She also served as Commissioner of Police at the Anti-Fraud Unit in the Force CID, Abuja, and Commissioner of Police at the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos. Her exceptional work at the Special Fraud Unit paved the way for her elevation to Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, where she made a significant impact through her visionary leadership and strategic initiatives. AIG Agebe’s contributions were instrumental in the establishment of specialized units and frameworks that significantly enhanced the operational capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force.

AIG Agebe is widely recognized for her relentless commitment to professional development and operational excellence. She has attended numerous specialized courses and training programs, gaining invaluable expertise in law enforcement, which she has applied throughout her career across various commands and formations nationwide.

Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Global Women Hall of Fame (2017), the Africa Women Leadership Award presented in South Africa by His Excellency John Mahama, President of Ghana, the National Security Award for Excellent Performance and Exemplary Leadership by the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senate Committee on Police Affairs, the Improving Access to Justice Award presented by former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and the Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Nigeria Police Award. Additionally, AIG Agebe has received the Season Corps Award for Competent Governance and Civil Trust, the Distinguished Global Amazon Award in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award of Excellence (2023). She was also honored with the International Security Service Award by ISO-SEC Switzerland and HSIIS United Kingdom (2024), the National Crimewatch Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), the Award of Excellence by the Yache Community Development Association, and the Outstanding Female Humanitarian of the Year Award. AIG Agebe’s unwavering dedication to advancing the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force, with a particular focus on combating gender-based violence, fraud, and other criminal activities, demonstrates her deep commitment to justice, human rights, and national security.

In her new role, AIG Agebe calls on well-meaning citizens to support the Police in the fight against crime, promote justice, and strengthen national security. She remains steadfast in her mission to enhance the operational effectiveness of the FCID, ensuring public safety, upholding the integrity of the Police Force, and continuing her strong stance against corruption as envisioned by the Inspector General of Police.

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Almajiri Teacher Kills, Beheads Pupil for Absenteeism

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A 45-year-old teacher identified as Musa Wada has been nabbed in Jigawa State in connection with beheading and cutting off the genital organs of his 14-year-old Almajiri student, Bashir Adamu.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson of Jigawa Police Command, SP Lawan Shiisu, said the suspect was arrested by detectives following a tip-off.

SP Shiisu said upon interrogation, the teacher confessed that the deceased died while serving punishment for his absenteeism from school but he decided to behead and cut off the victim’s head and genitals to deceive the public into believing that the teenage boy was killed by a ritualist.

“On 13/03/2025 at about 1530hrs, one Mal. Musa Wada ‘m’ age 45yrs of Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram LGA, was arrested in connection with the gruesome killing of his pupil (Almajiri), one Bashir Adamu.

“Following a tip-off, detectives attached to the Gwaram Division successfully arrested the suspect.

“On interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department Dutse, the suspect confessed that, the late Bashir Adamu was his student but refused to come to school; when he questioned him about the reason for his absence, he failed to provide a satisfactory response; as a result, he decided to punish him.

“In the process, Bashir lost consciousness and passed away.

While attempting to deceive the public into believing that ritualists had killed Bashir, he decided to cut off his head and genital organs.

“He added that the removed head and genital organs were buried in his farmland.

“On 12/03/2025 at about 2200hrs, information from Divisional Police Headquarters Gwaram, noted that a beheaded body with no genital organs was sighted by the roadside along Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram LGA which already started decomposing.

“The corpse was later identified as Bashir Adamu, a student (Almajiri) of one Mal Musa Wada.

“Upon completion of investigation, the suspect will be arraigned before the court to face the full wrath of the law,” Shiisu added.

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