By Our Reporter

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State says he will sign the death warrants of the four kidnappers recently sentenced to death by the state’s Special Criminal Court.

The governor, however, said the death warrant would be signed if the kidnappers fail to appeal within 30 days.

Okpebholo stated this while recounting his administration’s efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities at the God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Ekpoma, on Friday.

DAILY POST recalls that the criminals were sentenced to death by an Edo State Special Criminal Court on September 29, over the abduction of a woman at the vegetable market along Airport Road, Benin.

The governor said insecurity was a major concern when he assumed office and he decided to prioritise tackling it after raising the issue with President Bola Tinubu, who urged him to go ahead.

“When the kidnappers attacked the vegetable market area, I told the commissioner of police that I wanted them arrested without delay ,” he said.

The governor said the suspects had been sentenced to death and expressed hope that they would not appeal the judgment.

“If within 30 days they don’t appeal, I will execute,” he added.

By Our Reporter

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three secondary school students in connection with a suspected cult initiation in Owode-Yewa, following intelligence about a planned gathering involving students from different schools.

The suspects, aged 12, 18 and 18, were apprehended during an operation conducted by police detectives in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday, explaining that the operation followed information received by the command on October 22, 2026, about a planned cult-related event tagged “Kito Day”.

According to the police, the Divisional Police Officer in Owode-Yewa immediately deployed detectives to the location after receiving the intelligence.

“The Ogun State Police Command has foiled a suspected cult initiation in Owode-Yewa, arresting three students aged 12, 18 and 18 following timely intelligence about a planned cult-related activity tagged ‘Kito Day’ involving students from different secondary schools in the area,” the statement read.

The operation also led to the recovery of several items suspected to be connected to the planned activity.

“The operation led to the arrest of the three suspects and the recovery of one English axe, two knives, one short cutlass, one rubber toy gun and a school bag,” the statement added.

The command said the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, today, 23rd October 2026, for further investigation and possible prosecution,” the statement said.

By Our Reporter with agency report

Four local vigilantes have been killed by gunmen who attacked Shurum village in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a report by Vanguard, the incident reportedly occurred at about 11:56pm on Friday, when the assailants invaded the community and attacked the vigilantes while they were on duty protecting residents.

A community member, Mr Bulus Bature, confirmed the killings, expressing sadness over the death of the volunteers who had taken it upon themselves to safeguard their neighbourhood.

“They were watching over our community when the gunmen struck and killed them.”

Bature lamented the attack, describing it as a painful loss for the community, particularly because the victims were killed while carrying out their voluntary security duties.

“It is painful that people who volunteered to protect their community could be attacked and killed while carrying out their duty.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident.

Tengwong said the association had received reports of the attack, which claimed the lives of four people.

“We received information about the attack and can confirm that four people were killed by the gunmen.”

He condemned the killings, describing the targeting of community members involved in local security efforts as unfortunate.

“It is unfortunate that our people, who were keeping watch over their community, were targeted and killed.”

The BYM spokesman expressed concern over the latest violence and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

“We are deeply saddened by this latest attack and call on the relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Tengwong warned that residents should not be left to live in constant fear, particularly when those volunteering to protect their communities were themselves becoming targets of attacks.

“Our people cannot continue to live in fear while those volunteering to protect their communities are being attacked and killed.”

He also urged the government and security agencies to increase security measures in the affected communities to prevent further attacks.

“We appeal to the government and security agencies to strengthen security around the affected communities.”

Efforts to obtain comments from security operatives on the incident were unsuccessful as of press time.

(VANGUARD)